The Mitch and Jenna Langvardt Family have been involved in Geary County 4-H for many years. They were honored Thursday evening at the annual Extension Council meeting with the 2017 Geary County Extension Appreciation Award.

4-H officials reported that Mitch was a Geary County 4-H member as a youth and served as a Geary County 4-H King. Jenna’s father was a long time director of Rock Springs 4-H Camp. After college Mitch worked as a county extension agent in Ellsworth County before returning to Geary County to work in the family business at JC Livestock Sales. Their children Trent, Kyler and Macey were also life-long 4-H members in Geary County.

What makes them so deserving of the award is the effort that the family maintains an ongoing involvement in 4-H work and in Extension in general. Mitch and Jenna have served as club leaders, the family as junior leaders and project leaders. For many years Mitch and Jenna organized the BBQ at the 4-H Fair. Mitch ensures that the sale barn is prepared and ready for the 4-H beef weigh-in and tagging each February, and both of them attend Extension meetings on occasion. Kyler has taken photos of the 4-H members involved in the Free Fair auction and their projects.  The family member’s willingness to help anywhere there is a need in the community was also cited.

The family was recognized as the Geary County 4-H Family of the Year in 2008 and Mitch as the Geary County Outstanding 4-H Project Leader in 2012.