What does it take to be named a “Friend of 4-H”. There are many, many people who share their time and talent with the 4-H program.  
This year the Barton County 4-H Council voted to recognize a couple and an individual who have gone above and beyond what is asked of them. A true friend of 4-H is involved through the thick and thin and doesn´t quit until the job is done. The 2012 Friends of 4-H are Charles and Inga Atkinson and Rosie Meier.
Rosie Meier has been active in the Great Bend City Slickers 4-H Club and Barton County 4-H for over 20 years. Rosie is a hard worker and is always willing to volunteer “to make the best better”. She has helped with food stands, getting Christmas trees for the Senior Center and making sure tray favors and decorations were delivered to the Convent for holiday seasons.  At the fair, Rosie has spent hundreds of hours writing judge´s comments during rabbit judging, helping with livestock shows and helping youth with the horticulture project.  She is a greatly appreciated volunteer and supporter of 4- H.
Charles and Inga Atkinson have been community leaders of the Great Bend City Slickers 4-H Club for many years.  They are alumni of Cherokee County 4-H.  Charles has served as county-wide rocketry leader, ambassador advisor, and long term Barton County Fair Association president. Inga has served as a project leader and helped build the rabbit project.  She is also a major organizer of the Barton County Fair.  
Inga and Charles are true supporters of 4-H.  They understand and believe that our young people can make a difference and should work every day to “make the best better”.  Members of the club can attest that Charles and Inga are supportive but push them to be better.  
“They help us when we do not use proper parliamentary procedure at meetings, they encourage all of us to give talks and demonstrations and to participate more in county and state activities.”
Our gift to these leaders is small compared to the hours and hours they have contributed to the 4-H program.  We hope that the “thank you” from 4-H members is somewhat of a payback for all their hard work.
Congratulations to all our 4-H members and their families for their accomplishments over the past year.  Our 4-H Achievement program was a great celebration and the community´s support of our young people is greatly appreciated.  
Berny Unruh is the 4-H and Youth Development agent in Barton County.  She is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune and can be reached at 620-793-1910 or bunruh@ksu.edu.