Anyone involved in Jackson County 4-H likely has come to know two women for their decades of service to the organization.

Lou Ann Hoevener and Judy Wichman have dedicated 35 years to the local 4-H program.

They are among nine Jackson County residents who will be recognized by the Indiana State 4-H Office for 20-plus years of service in November in Indianapolis.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

After 35 years, there isn’t much the two haven’t done, including judging, volunteering in the building during the fair, leading groups, helping with projects and more.

Both have served on the Jackson County 4-H Council, and they agree it is the most effective way to learn a lot about the program.

“That was probably the most educational thing I’ve done because you can learn so much about how things work,” Hoevener said.

Wichman, who also served as a leader for three years in Bartholomew County, said serving on the council is enlightening.

“You get to learn things that not everyone knows about,” she said.

Both now have grandchildren in 4-H.

Hoevener said all of her grandchildren participate in a variety of 4-H activities and projects, which creates an opportunity for them to bond together.

“It’s something they do with grandma,” she said.

Each participate in sewing, so they come over to her house for pointers.

“They must enjoy it because each year, I always ask if they’re sure they want to do it, and they do,” she said.

Wichman’s grandsons are in 4-H, too, despite not having as much time due to sports.

“We work things in when they’re in their offseasons,” she said with a smile.

Both have served as 4-H leaders, which Wichman still does as she has led the W4s for the last 18 years. Prior to that, she led the Blue Ribbon Club, which spawned multiple other clubs and had 50 members at one point.

Hoevener serves as the swine department secretary and serves on the auction and livestock committees.

Wichman’s roots in 4-H began when she joined 4-H as part of a family tradition.

“My grandmother and mother were in Bartholomew County 4-H,” she said. “I was the first girl to show a pig at the Bartholomew County Fair.”

Hoevener was in 4-H for a few years growing up, but she became very active after she married her husband, Daniel.

“He was really active in 4-H when he was growing up,” she said.

Their kids joined 4-H as part of the tradition, and at that time, people stayed at the fair all day instead of coming and going.

“You didn’t want to waste the gas,” she said.

Hoevener more or less needed to pass time while her children would show swine.

“I wasn’t just going to sit around, so I started helping in the swine barn and kept growing from there,” she said.

That has led to a combined 70 years of service between the two.

“I can’t believe it has been 35 years,” Hoevener said.

Throughout those 35 years, the two say they have witnessed kids build character and learn invaluable life skills.

An important lesson is learned early on in the program, Hoevener said.

“They have to learn how to lose and not get the best ribbon, but they can improve,” she said.

Commitment is another valuable lesson for participants.

“When they commit to something to bring a project, they have signed up, have to commit to it and see it through,” she said. “Seeing the kids learn something that they can use is special.”

Sometimes, what children learn through 4-H reaches beyond the program itself, Wichman said. Some of her sons’ projects ended up being used by teachers at Seymour-Redding Elementary School.

“You sure learn a lot when you do these different things,” she said.

Sometimes, the skills are learned without the participants even knowing it, Hoevener said.

“Someday, they will need these skills, and when you see them mature, you realize they’ve learned it,” she said.

Wichman said they also can be used long after they participate in 4-H.

“They can use these skills in their everyday lives,” she said. “When you use foods, you have to use a recipe and learn to read it. Everyone has to cook something at some point.”

Constructive criticism is another important aspect of the program, Hoevener said.

Ten-year 4-H’ers have been in front of countless contest judges being educated on improvement of what is good and bad about their project, which is to their benefit, she said.

“I think it’s really important that they present themselves, take constructive criticism and that happens with any job,” she said. “You have to have the ability to not be thoroughly offended so that you can listen to what you say.”

Balancing all the 4-H activities is difficult, too, so time management is learned.

“Especially for the older ones that have a job, a car and other stuff going on,” she said. “I’m always proud of every one of them.”

Some has changed throughout the 35 years, the two said.

Wichman said projects no longer come with exactly what a participant should do, which can be difficult for younger 4-H members.

The age limit has changed, too, as kids could be in 4-H until they were 20, but now, their participation is over after they graduate.

How information is gathered for projects has changed tremendously, too, she said.

“Used to, you had to go to the library and find it,” Wichman said. “Now, you can go on the computer and find all what you want.”

There’s one thing Hoevener has noticed throughout her 35 years volunteering with 4-H that has remained the same: The kids.

“People may think they’ve changed, but they haven’t,” she said. “Their personalities are the same because some can realize if they didn’t win, they can improve for next year, and then there are ones where they’re crushed when they didn’t win.”

The years have gone by quickly, but it’s hard not to wonder about how many have been impacted by their combined 70 years of service, and the reason for serving is simple.

“Because I love 4-H,” Wichman said.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Jackson County 4-H volunteers who will be recognized for service by the Indiana State 4-H Office.

35 years: Lou Ann Hoevener and Judy Wichman

30 years: Linda Eggersman and Melissa Huff

25 years: Greg Tormoehlen and Sally Acton

20 years: Blake Hackman, Carolyn Jones and Sandy Kilgas

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Jackson County Fair schedule

Today

Poor Jack Amusements, Kiddie Day with unlimited carnival rides from 1 to 5 p.m. with $14 bracelet, unlimited rides from 6 p.m. to close with $17 bracelet with coupon

8 a.m.: All nonauction 4-H livestock animals need to be removed from the fairgrounds

9:30 a.m.: 4-H livestock auction (sale order: beef, dairy beef, sheep, boer goat and swine), Show Arena 1

9:30 a.m.: Entry for Baby and Little Farmer Contest (34th year); entry fee $5; not limited to Jackson County, pavilion

10 a.m.: Baby and Little Farmer Contest, presented by 4-H Junior Leaders, pavilion

10 a.m.: Release date for sow largest litter exhibit and largest male swine exhibit

7 p.m.: Country Kickers, pavilion

10 p.m.: FFA projects released

Grandstand

7 p.m.: Jackson County Grand Champion Fair sixth annual Paul Crockett Memorial, super late models, super stocks, modifieds and pure stocks; $15 for adults, pit pass for $30, $2 for children 6 to 12 and free for under 6, sponsored by the Jackson County Fair

Sunday

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Release time for antique and homestead display entries, antique building and grounds

3 to 5 p.m.: Family arts, horticulture, Farm Bureau and 4-H exhibits must be removed from the fairgrounds. Premiums will be paid for family arts and horticulture exhibits.

[sc:pullout-text-end]