Joe Yeager "Spirit of the Invitational" Leadership Award

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Joe YeagarJoe was a regional/district Extension forester in West Virginia for much of his career and his office was located at Jackson's Mill. He is regarded as the “Father of the Forestry Invitational” since he was instrumental in getting it created and operational. This contest was Joe's idea, which he presented in the mid-1970's to the national committee working on the 4-H Forestry Manuals and the National  4-H Council. Joe was active in soliciting forest industry and agency support for the Invitational. International Paper took on the sole sponsorship of the Invitational shortly after its inception.

Joe was a cornerstone of 4-H life at Jackson's Mill. His love of the 4-H campfire tradition made for memorable Invitational evenings filled with fun, fellowship, reverence and reflectance. Joe was the Invitational's 'host and ambassador' to all state teams competing in the Invitational. Joe Yeager had a rapport with teenagers like few others because he cared deeply about them.

Instead of allowing some late night discussions to center around making the Invitational more efficient and academically precise, Joe always forced the committee, gently, to look at the long range impact on the kids and consider that most of them wouldn't go into forestry. But, if they had a great experience and were honored, they might have an impact in their communities and the nation.

The Joe Yeager “Spirit of the Invitational” award recognizes an outstanding 4-H contestant at the Invitational. It is presented to the individual who takes initiative, is enthusiastic, and is eager to lead academic and social situations.

 

  • 2023 - Nevaeh Kouns - KY
  • 2022 - Keller Stinson - UT
  • 2019 - Raven Friend - WV
  • 2018 - Reese Daily - OK
  • 2017 - Mara Shelton - MS
  • 2016 - Holden Doane - IN
  • 2015 - Devin Hipp - SC
  • 2014 - Nathaniel Erwin - KY
  • 2013 - Amy Burkhalter - OK
  • 2012 - Josh Bell - KY
  • 2011 - Rachel Rice - GA
  • 2010 - Eli Hudson - OK
  • 2009 - Wilson Pierce - GA
  • 2008 - Traci Byers - TX
  • 2007 - Joshua Hippler - LA
  • 2006 - Chad Barclay - PA
  • 2005 - Austin Young - GA
  • 2004 - Andrew Day - FL
  • 2003 - Daniel Gordon - GA
  • 2002 - Elisa Anderson - WA
  • 2001 - James Burns - TX
  • 2000 - Evan Earl - LA
  • 1999 - Cass Davis - OK
  • 1998 - Gillian Stoodley - ME
  • 1997 - Oklahoma Team
  • 1996 - Ashely Couto - AL
  • 1995 - Keith Piper - NY
  • 1994 - Casey Puyleart - ID
  • 1993 - Valeria Futral - AL
  • 1992 - Katrina Hibler - WA
  • 1991 - Jeff Adams - IL
  • 1989 - Amy LeFlore - OK
  • 1988 - Cavona Collins - GA
  • 1987 - Tina McGuff - LA
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4-H is the youth development and outreach program of the land-grant universities' Cooperative Extension Services and USDA. The National 4-H Forestry Invitational committee prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. The Invitational encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Persons with disabilities anticipating needing any type of alternative accommodations or for questions about physical access provided please contact the Invitational chair, see the About tab on this web site for contact information.

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