Seventeen adult volunteers, nine youth members and five families are being honored with the 2026 Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Awards, recognizing their contributions to local 4-H programs across the state.
Five families have been named Outstanding Multi-Generation Family of Volunteers, an award that highlights families with at least three generations actively involved in 4-H. Honorees include the Dennis and Joyce Schmidt family of Thayer County, the Mike and Deb Wilcox family of Pawnee County, the Zarybnicky and Kostal family of Gage County, the Vonderschmidt family of Dawson and Richardson counties and the Sekutera family of Sherman County.
Nine 4-H members are being recognized as Outstanding Youth Volunteers for their efforts in supporting and strengthening their local programs. Those recipients are Greta Knuth and Peyton Allan of Hall County, Jorja Boller of Gage County, Kristin Coufal of Butler County, Riley Farnstrom and Logan Schmidt of Thayer County, Ayla Foster of Box Butte County, Franklin Polacek of Madison County and Wesley Schmid of Johnson County.
Eight individuals are receiving Emerging Adult Volunteer Awards, which recognize volunteers who have served fewer than three years in their communities. Honorees include Neleigh Gehl of Wheeler County, Susie Schuckert of Lincoln County, Jayson Bronson of Phelps County, Ariana Umscheid of Antelope County, Ron Kaspar of Platte County, Aleyna Cuttlers of Lancaster County, Merriah Bockmann of Hall County and Lukas Fritz of Nemaha County.
Nine individuals are also being recognized with Outstanding Adult Volunteer Awards for their long-term service of more than four years. Recipients include Bobbi Archibald of Sheridan County, Rose Buhlmann of Greeley County, Codina Moore of Gosper County, Mike and Julie Filipi of Madison County, Jeanne Scheuneman of Colfax County, Sharon Rief of Cuming County, Roger Bell of Lancaster County, Barb Hovie of Hall County and Lisa Schawang of Richardson County.
The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Awards recognize individuals and families making lasting contributions to youth development through 4-H programs.
“4-H Volunteers are truly integral for helping youth be ready for work or life following their 4-H career. Their volunteer efforts enable youth to improve decision making skills, build leadership skills and help prepare youth to be ready for future careers. These volunteers generously give their time, energy, and creativity to help develop the next generation of leaders, and we are thrilled to be able to recognize their contributions,” said Jill A. Goedeken, Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Extension Educator.
Award recipients will be honored during a recognition ceremony at the 2026 Nebraska State Fair.
For more information about the Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Awards, visit 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-recognition.