Bio: Morrow, Judy – 50 Years of Service as 4-H Leader (Jan 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Morrow, Stiemann

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 04 Jan 2023

“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living — for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

With those simple words, a 4-H member makes a promise. Longtime local 4-H volunteer Judy Morrow has endeavored to live that promise and shown her commitment to it through several decades of service. At a recent club awards night, she was recognized for 50 years of volunteer leadership in the 4-H program.

Judy volunteers with the Lucky Clovers 4-H Club, which meets at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Globe, just west of HOG Corners. Members of the club come from the Greenwood, Globe/Willard and Neillsville areas.

“She really has a heart for kids and kids gravitate toward her, I think because they know she cares about them and wants them to succeed,” said Susan Stiemann, general leader for the Lucky Clovers club.

Judy began her work with 4-H in Racine County and continued her involvement in Clark County when she and her husband Don moved to the area.

She started volunteering when her son Tim joined 4-H at age 9. Her five kids all participated in 4-H, so it was only natural for her and Don to get involved.

“If there was an activity to be done, we did it together as a family. We wanted to be a part of what they did,” she said.

Over the years, her kids showed pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, dairy cows and more at the fair. “They did practically everything. The only thing they didn’t show was beef,” said Judy.

They also made a wide variety of projects to be judged, including sewing projects, decorated cakes, macramé and other arts and crafts. Judy has a lot of fond memories of watching her kids show projects at the fair.

“It was a great thing; they really learned a lot. I have a lot of fun stories,” said Judy.

As a 4-H leader, she taught club members a variety of tasks and was happy to pass on her knowledge. She frequently taught sewing.

“The homemaker-type things were my favorite things to do,” she said. “My two girls made full suits their last year in 4-H. I made sure every seam was right.”

The 4-H tradition was passed down to Judy’s grandchildren, eight of whom have participated in the organization. One memory that stands out is Judy’s grandson Tyler sewing a pair of pajamas.

“He did an outstanding job and went to the state fair for it,” said Judy. “They even interviewed him on the radio to show that boys can sew too.”

He also made a hunting outfit, one side blaze orange and one side camouflage.

Many parents stop volunteering with an organization after their kids age out of the program, but not Judy. After two of their sons moved to Clark County, Don and Judy decided to move here as well because they didn’t want to be “suitcase grandparents.”

“With 4-H being a love of mine, I got involved here as soon as I could,” said Judy.

She found a local club and started volunteering. After the club she was with disbanded, she joined the Lucky Clovers. She works with the Cloverbud members — those in kindergarten, first grade and second grade. She leads an activity for them while the older kids are running their monthly business meeting.

“My favorite age is little kids, so I enjoy it,” she said. “It’s usually a craft or a game, but I try to teach them something through it, like how to get along with each other. I try to teach the basics of 4-H — working together, respecting each other, looking out for each other — that sort of thing.”

Judy also assists the Cloverbud members in getting their projects set up at the fair. She and Don have allowed one Lucky Clovers member to keep his pigs and goats at their property, and they watch him when he shows his animals at the fair.

In addition, Judy served as president of the 4-H Leaders Federation Board, a group of six youth and six adults that oversee programming for the county, for four years.

“When we were in between extension agents, she tried to really keep things going in the county and keep the communication open between clubs,” said Susan.

Judy has also helped with “Discovery Day,” an annual event during Christmas break, in which 4-H members get to try a bunch of activities like leather crafting, woodworking, beekeeping and gardening.

In summary, Judy’s willing to serve however she can, said Susan.

“She’s all around very helpful,” said Susan. “She just has such a big heart for people. She’s not only involved in 4-H, but also withtheHouseof Mercy,the Greenwood and Neillsville food pantries, scouts, the Neillsville Optimist Club — behind everything she does, there’s a concern for people and wanting to help people.”

As for Judy, she looks back on her 50 years of 4-H with joy.

“I’ve met so many wonderful people. You make forever friends. It’s a great family organization,” she said. “I plan to keep doing it as long as I can.”