Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Craig, Wellis, Gordon, Raminger, Waldburger, Jergenson
----Source: Tribune Record Gleaner (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 10/10/1974
Craig, Mr. & Mrs. Thurman (4-H Leaders - 1974)
Mingling with Mary (By Mary Woods)
Throughout this week several young people and group leaders in the community and the entire nation will observe National 4-H Club Week. The seven days have been set aside to honor those leaders who dedicate their time, and concern with hopes of building a better community, and nation, along with honoring the youth of our country, who work together. Throughout Clark County, 4-H has become a way for many to achieve the goal set forth through the 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better.” In connection with 4-H Club Week, a look at who people who have dedicated their time and efforts to the worthwhile organization are interviewed, and who are simple, down-to-earth people who deserve recognition … Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Craig of rural Willard.
Moving to the Willard area from Indiana, both Thurman and Martha Craig took an active role in the 4-H groups in their home area. Craig states that the main reason for their move was due to the family desire of owning a farm, and in Indiana farms ere under the ownership of businessmen who rented. Explaining why he chose the Willard area, he states that numerous states and counties were visited and with the cooperation of the Extension Office, the family decided that the Willard area would best suit their wishes. He also notes that dairy farming was gradually fading out in Indiana, and Wisconsin was a growing dairy state. When the farm was purchased in 1957, a total of 120 acres made up the farm, compared to the 318 acres of today, along with 135 head of cattle.
Turning to their involvement in 4-H, the Craigs state that they have both served as general leaders of the Willard 4-H Club, but today are project leaders. Martha enjoys working with the Food Preservation category while Thurman enjoys working with the Dairy. Martha also serves as superintendent for the Food Nutrition and Food Preservation Category at the County Fair. She also completed the last year serving as record book leader for the club, and last years was honored for 15 years of leadership in 4-H. Both Craigs have also given their time, and found enjoyment in judging record books on the county level. Thurman also spent his nights at the fair this past summer, chaperoning the dorms.
Besides working with the dairy, Thurman also finds time to serve on the board, acting as president, for the Clark County 4-H Leaders Federation. According to him, the main responsibilities of the federation is to coordinate 4-H programs in the county, review applications for awards, and trips on the county level, and oversee the publishing of the Clark County 4-H Plat book every two years. It was noted by Craig that the organization operates on a budget of approximately $3,000 a year, so watching where and for what reason money is spent is of great concern.
Commenting on the benefits of 4-H, Thurman perhaps summed it up the best, which is true in so many cases. “A member gets out of it what they put in.” He continues to state that a member learns to work for improvement as the motto states, or just working with his fellow members.
For Martha, 4-H is “something that a youth must stick with for five or six years to begin to see the benefits that will come back to him for his efforts throughout the years, and throughout those years a member must learn to lay the foundations of his work with the ability to lose graciously and to win without bragging.”
Both Thurman and Martha agree that many changes have occurred since they first became active in 4-H. They note that the members are more dedicated to their projects, and different categories are now open for those interested. Some of those new projects are small engines, horses, handyman’s course, and knitting, which according to Martha is becoming more interesting to the members than sewing. They also note the fact that when they went to their meetings in Indiana, the general leader would pick them up for their monthly meeting, and today many of the member bring their cars and sometimes meet more than the requirement of eight meeting a year.
Another change that was pointed out by the Craigs is the fact that members now evaluate themselves in their projects, but when the book is taken to the county level for award judging, the book is accompanied by a leader’s recommendation and review statement. A total of three projects may be turned into the county for judging.
Looking at their accomplishments in 4-H, Thurman was awarded the ribbon for the Grand Champion Holstein, and Champion of all breeds at the 1974 County Fair, in the open class category. Martha also received ribbons for her baking and canning, which she adds, “I do a lot of my baking in June and July and freeze it for the fair and much of my canning is done in the fall.”
For Mr. and Mrs. Craig pride may also be noted in their eyes for the awards that their children have brought into the home. Perhaps the biggest honor came this summer when their daughter Sara, now a freshman at UW-Eau Claire, was selected as Miss Clark County – Fairest of the Fair. She also was named as miss Farm Bureau for Clark County this month. Another daughter, Debbie, a senior at Greenwood High School, serves as president of the FFA Chapter, and has represented the chapter at various state and national meetings, excelling in leadership, and public speaking. The other members of the family are, using their married names, Mary Alice Wellis, Sandra Gordon, Carolyn Raminger, and Linda Waldburger.
October 6 – 12 has definitely captured the hearts of people who perhaps are not involved with 4-H but have seen the results of those members, and those who work with them. A week when everyone should take time out to look at the growth, and the results of so many people … usually for the good. For within the 4-H Clubs a sense of pride and respect is noted, and the motto, “To Make the Best Better” is never abused, but taken seriously.
Clark County should and does take pride in their clubs that number over 33, and with a leader who dedicates so much time and concern to the youth of the county, Tim Jergenson. But, between the youth, and the county youth agent, several people are involved, giving their time, and dedication to so many, and Mr. and Mrs. Craig of Willard are just two of those people who believe that the youth can make the best better.
