Released: June 01, 2001

Republic County Family Recognized by Kansas 4-H

MANHATTAN, Kan. – 4-H programs are designed to help children learn, yet they often bring families together, too. While parents may – or may not – have been 4-H members, older brothers or sisters usually join first. Younger siblings follow as soon as they can – they say they don’t want to miss anything.

Edward and Carol Pachta’s family, which was honored Thursday, May 31 as the Kansas 4-H Family-of-the Year, is a good example. All of the Republic County family’s 10 children have been 4-H members.

"Together, the Pachta’s have logged 116 years of 4-H membership. And, that’s not counting continuing service as community and club leaders for their children and others in their communities," said Gary Gerhard, Kansas State University Research and Extension assistant director and state leader, 4-H youth development.

Edward Pachta, whose grandparents emigrated to the United States, helped organize the Salt Creek 4-H Club. He later served as president of the club, and, shortly before a 1984 accident in which he was killed, he credited his 15 years of service as a county commissioner to leadership training he received in 4-H.

Carol also helped organize a 4-H Club – the Sherdahl Boosters 4-H Club. She, too, served in leadership roles within the club, but credits at least one of her long-time efforts as a 4-H leader to 4-H experiences she had with two of her daughters. When Janette and Bernadette enrolled in a knitting project, Carol decided to learn, too. She developed into a creative and proficient knitter, and later volunteered as a community knitting leader for more than a decade.

Like their parents, the Pachta children also have taken leadership to heart. Daughter Bernadette helped organize a Collegiate 4-H chapter at Fort Hays State University; Annette organized an additional 4-H club (the Discovery 4-H Club, which also is in Republic County); Lynette helped organize the first Northern Exposure 4-H Steer and Heifer Show; and Rosette planned and organized a goat showmanship clinic. Son David presents frequent programs on horticulture/floriculture to 4-Hers, and Garry, whose son has just recently joined 4-H, is happy to be involved again.

"As we honor the Pachta family as the 4-H Family-of-the-Year, we easily could spend hours detailing their accomplishments. Their efforts have benefitted many people, and it is their interest – and their commitment to responsible citizenship and service – that we honor tonight," Gerhard said during ceremonies May 31.

"4-H encourages personal growth and development, yet it also encourages the value of working together as a team. While the Pachtas may seem like a team of their own, it is their interest in their community and willingness to be part of many teams that makes them particularly deserving of this award," he said.

The 4-H Family-of-the-Year award was presented at the Emerald Circle Scholarship & Awards Banquet in Manhattan.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
npeterso@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News