Kate Rink, Millersburg, right, was presented the 2024 Friend of Extension Award by Robby Kelly, Elkhart County Extension director.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

ELKHART COUNTY — Kate Rink’s name has been added to a long list of people and businesses that have received the Friend of Extension award. Rink was presented the 2024 Friend of Extension award Tuesday evening, Oct. 22 at the annual Purdue Extension Elkhart County Extension Board meeting.

“For several years, we have honored a person or business with our annual Friend of the Extension award. This award is given to a person or business who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide support to Purdue Extension to our mission and vision,” stated Robby Kelly, county extension director and extension educator.

Kelly added, “This year’s Friend of Extension has done just that. This person always greets you with a smile and a kind word. This person has served six years on the Elkhart County Extension Board and then would even head up decorating for this event. This person and her spouse, Dean, who could always be found right behind, is always willing to allow us to host some farm visits and even bring a group of science teachers to their fields.”

Kelly further stated Rink has been a tremendous help to the office staff during the changes over the past couple of years and helping them understand what support could be provided to Ag Hall.

“They’ve served as a master gardener since 2003. She has shared her time and talent with the garden tour, tree sale, garden expo and quilt garden. She’s even served as a board member of the Michiana Master Gardener’s Association and has volunteered shy of 2,500 hours with that program. Our friend has been active in her church, has gone on many different mission trips to the Dominic Republic. She has four grown children, resides outside Millersburg and their family received the Elkhart County Agriculture Farm Family of the Year in 2015 and the 2003 Millersburg Farm Family of the Year,” Kelly said.

Rink, who was shocked at receiving the award, commented, “I can’t believe this. I have not done anything special.”

Retiring from the extension board after six years are Joseph Guerrero, left, and Kara Sutton, right, both of Goshen.

The annual meeting was not just the presentation of the award. Guests heard brief presentations from Kathryn Jennings, ANR, animal production; Emily Christ, health and human sciences; Sthele Greybar, 4-H youth development and Kelly, extension director.

Their presentations included not only slide presentations of events, but also interactive activities, such as exercises from the Matter of Balance program and financial literacy taught to high school students with the use of play money, dice and PayDay candy.

Statistics were shared from the past year from social media and programs. Elkhart County 4-H Facebook reach is at 158,585; with 6,458 YouTube views sharing 327 hours, an Instagram reach of 7,816, and the extension’s Facebook reach is at 18,322.

Last year, the extension received 7,673 telephone calls and walk-ins, there were 2,997 4-H’ers enrolled last year with 3,432 4-H exhibits and 3,044 livestock exhibits and over 800 volunteers gave $1.3 million in service. Additionally, Kelly noted there were 11,101 people reached through programs, providing 870 educational hours and 354 educational sessions.

The annual meeting is also the time time to recognize retiring board members and elect new board members to the extension advisory council. Council members are appointed leaders who elect five board members each year to the 15-member board. Re-elected for a second, three-year term, were Jerold Miller, Millersburg, and Karen Meade, Elkhart. Newly elected to the board were Angie Brenneman, Elkhart; Maggie Okponobi, Goshen; and Richard Yoder, Middlebury.

Retiring from the extension board after six years of service were Joseph Guerrero and Kara Sutton, both of Goshen.

Purdue Extension enriches Indiana communities through comprehensive programs in agriculture and natural resources, promoting sustainable practices; health and human sciences, enhancing well-being; community development, fostering economic growth; and 4-H and youth development, empowering the next generation.

Learn more about Purdue Extension and upcoming programs in Elkhart County at extension.purdue.edu/county/elkhart.

There were 82 people in attendance to celebrate the accomplishments of Purdue Extension Elkhart County. The event was held at the Elkhart County Community Center building.

Extension board members shown, in front are Angie Brenneman, Kara Sutton, Joseph Guerrero, and Dr. Emily Blough. In back are Debra Pepple, Dan Carlson, Richard Yoder, Dr. Craig Yoder, Don Prough, Maggie Okponobi, Kathleen Overholt and Karen Meade. Not present is Jerold L. Miller, Joel Holsopple, Gloria Moser.