Craig Daily Press

Craig — The history of the local 4-H Foundation is a long one, dating back to July 17, 1962, but its intent remains the same: to develop an avenue for kids to sell their livestock and to develop funds to help support the 4-H program.

Despite Moffat County’s long history, not every county in Colorado has a local 4-H foundation.

4-H Foundation President Chad Green said, “Several counties have Foundations; several don’t.”

DeLaine Brown, secretary treasurer, said there is a Colorado State 4-H Foundation, too. It uses funds to promote state 4-H programs.

The Moffat County 4-H Foundation charges a commission to every member who sells livestock at the Moffat County Fair.

However, the commission money goes right back to the children.

The Foundation supports both 4-H and FFA programs, helps purchase educational materials (including those for the annual fourth-grade Ag-Day), and helps sponsor program trips, district retreat, and provides funds for guest speakers.

With the county commissioners, the 4-H Foundation has helped purchase equipment, such as the new livestock scale. They have also helped fund the sound system, announcer stand and curtain in the fairground’s barn.

Through the years, donations have been made to the 4-H Foundation in the names of people who were active in the 4-H program and who have passed away. These funds were earmarked for construction of a Memorial Park at the Craig Fairgrounds.

DeLaine Brown explained that these donations were used as seed money in applying for grants to purchase equipment for the park.

With the help from volunteers, flower gardens, benches, and playground equipment were set up in the Memorial Park. A plaque with the names of individuals for which donations were made stands at the entrance of the park.

The 4-H Foundation also awards scholarships to college students. Brown explained that, in the past, the foundation could give only $500 scholarships, and students were asked to pay part of the money back. However, now that the Foundation is more financially sound, it can afford to award scholarships for $1,000, and none of the money has to be paid back.

Graduating seniors and current college students can apply for the scholarships; however, first consideration is given to graduating seniors.

Applicants must be current or previous 4-H members. Evaluation of the applicants’ 4-H program activities, how active they have been in the program, leadership and career goals are used in choosing those who receive scholarships.

This year, the 4-H Found­ation received 10 applications for scholarships. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors.

The recipients are: Libby Stetson, who will attend the University of Wyoming to study accounting; Natasha Chapman, who will attend the University of Wyoming to study pharmacology; Kaycee Stagner, who will attend the University of Wyoming to study pre-veterinary medicine; and Lyndi Wellman, who will study culinary arts and business at Mesa State College.

In accordance with its by-laws, when there is a vacancy in the 4-H Foundation, a person interested in serving on the foundation writes a letter of interest. A person may be admitted to the Foundation by majority vote of the members.