October 19, 2005
Purdue Extension names six new 'Friends'
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Six individuals were honored on Tuesday (Oct. 18) at the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service's annual banquet for their commitment to Extension.
"Friends of Extension are vital partners with us in providing services to the citizens of Indiana," said David Petritz, director of Purdue Extension.
The commitment of the honorees is what helps keep Purdue Extension strong and dynamic, Petritz said.
Friends of Extension honorees were:
Billie Simpson, Springville, Ind. She started as a 4-H club leader in 1956 and continued for 24 years as leader of the "Perry Pals." She also has been a member of the Extension Homemakers for 58 years, serving in four different clubs, two of which she helped start. She and her husband served on the first fair board that received a donation of 20 acres of ground from a local farmer on which to build the Lawrence County fairgrounds. Simpson continued to serve on the fair board for more than 30 years and was able to watch as more than a dozen buildings were added to the site. In 2000 she was instrumental in working with the Lawrence County Community Foundation and the fair board in obtaining a Lilly Grant that helped build a new Exposition Hall at the fairgrounds. She has served on the Lawrence County Extension Board for four terms and is presently serving on the Lawrence County 4-H Sewing Committee and the Purdue Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (PCARET).
Jim and Marilyn Nenni, Noblesville, Ind. The Nennis jointly started the 4-H llama program in Hamilton County and open their home and farm to nearly 50 4-Hers each year by leasing llamas throughout the state and housing them on their farm. Jim has served two terms on the Hamilton County Extension Board, three years as the president. He also is an active PCARET member. He serves as a mentor for the youth leadership program, A Chance To Serve (ACTS) and participates annually in the training sessions with youth and teaches a session on teamwork. He also assists with Ag Days, day camps and 4-H fair committees, such as commercial tent and 4-H fair promotions. Marilyn has spent many hours developing the current Purdue Extension-Hamilton County Web page. She also serves on several 4-H fair committees, including 4-H fair promotions and the pet parade event. Together, the Nennis also coordinate an open llama show and annually raise more than $5,000 for the Hamilton County 4-H program.
Jim and Marilyn Day, Salem, Ind. Jim has been a 4-H leader for 47 years, helped with Washington County 4-H livestock teams and has been an area livestock judging official. He was a 4-H council member for three terms, serving as president each term. He has been on the Washington County Extension Advisory Committee since 1970, where he has been an Extension Board member two terms, involved with plan of work efforts, and an Ag Outlook participant. He also has served on the Washington County Farmers and Merchants Fair Board as the open class beef superintendent, was on the auction committee for 32 years, was fair board president, and served on the Building and Grounds Committee that was responsible for obtaining a new show arena. For 43 years Marilyn has been a 4-H leader and active in Extension Homemakers, helping to provide several community projects, and forming a sewing club that meets monthly to learn the latest sewing techniques and projects. She also was a 4-H alumni winner several years ago.
Bob Dull, Thorntown, Ind., served as a 4-H club leader for nearly 15 years and also served on the county fair board for 10 years while in charge of the hog division and livestock auction. He also represented his township on the Boone County 4-H Council. Later elected 4-H council president, he was instrumental in relocating the Extension Office from the county courthouse to its current location at the Boone County Fairgrounds. He was also responsible for procuring additional acreage to later expand the fairgrounds as well as utilizing funds from soft drink sales at the Farm Progress Show to construct the fairgrounds commercial building. He went on to serve on the Boone County Extension Board for 12 years, during this time providing guidance to Extension educators by helping them identify local educational issues that Extension could address in the areas of agriculture, home economics and 4-H. He now serves as chair of the 4-H Community Council, which he has been involved with for 30 years. He also is active on the 4-H Fairgrounds Buildings and Grounds Committee. He and his wife also have been hosts for nearly 30 foreign exchange students over the years through the 4-H International Exchange program.
Writer: Jennifer Culy, (765) 494-8402, jculy@purdue.edu
Source: David Petritz, (765) 494-8489, dpetritz@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Note to Journalists: Photos of award winners will be available online. The photos will be available after 8 a.m. Friday (Oct. 21).
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