BURLINGTON – Four University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H staff members recently were recognized for their contributions to 4-H youth development. The awards were announced at the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals’ (NAE4-HYDP) annual conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 9-12.
Among them was Molly McFaun, recipient of the NAE4-HYDP Achievement in Service Award. She joined UVM Extension 4-H in 2018. She grew up in 4-H, joining the Trailblazers 4-H Club of Plainfield as a five-year-old Cloverbud and continuing in 4-H until her college graduation as a member of UVM Collegiate 4-H. In 2017, she became the leader of the Trailblazers and also has volunteered with the Topsham Pony Pals of Bradford.
In her current role as 4-H educator for Orange and Washington Counties, McFaun supports club programming in the horse and dairy projects and leads a career exploration program called “How Did You Get There?” She also served as the Washington County 4-H Foundation president for several years. Through a competitive application process, she was selected as one of two Thrive Champions for the Northeast region to promote the use of the 4-H Thriving Model for positive youth development in 4-H.
Also honored were Martha Seifert, Addison County 4-H educator for the past 15 years; Liz Kenton, the UVM Extension Youth Agriculture Project coordinator; and Allison Smith, former Vermont 4-H assistant director, and Jennifer Lobley, a University of Maine Extension educator in volunteer development.
