Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:13 AM by Global Reach
Marvin & Doris Strait have been long-time supporters of the 4-H program. His parents were 4-H leaders and dad served many years on the fair board.
As a 4-H’er, Marvin received many livestock honors during his 9 years in 4-H. After college and military service, he and his wife, Doris, moved back to the family farm in 1971. Their three sons, were all in 4-H and exhibited livestock and family and consumer sciences exhibits at the county and state fairs. Whenever the boys participated in 4-H activities, Marvin and Doris volunteered to help or chaperone events. They also sponsored trophies for 4-H swine exhibitors. Their sons were some of the first boys to have exhibits in the family & consumer sciences 4-H divisions in the county and encouraged many other boys to enter in this division, also.
Marvin helped organize the Van Buren County Pork Producers in 1975. As charter president he started events such as the county barrow show, greased pig contest and workshops to help 4-H’ers improve their skills in caring for and showing swine. Marvin and Doris were actively involved in the County Pork Producers as they provided trophies for 4-H swine, helped at the 4-H fair swine shows, provided free meals for 4-H’ers at the fair and provided scholarships for 4-H’ers to attend livestock events. Marvin started the Van Buren County 4-H livestock judging team that participated at the state fair under his leadership. Marvin served many years as a volunteer 4-H swine project leader. He served as the fair swine superintendent as well as treasurer of the Van Buren County Agricultural Association (the county fair board).
Doris judge local 4-H achievement shows as well as 4-H exhibits at surrounding county fairs. As a family and consumer sciences teacher, she encouraged and helped 4-Hers, boys and girls, with their family and consumer sciences projects individually and as a volunteer sewing project leader. She, and her fellow Van Buren County Porkettes, encouraged and helped 4-H’ers use pigskin leather in their 4-H sewing and craft projects. Retiring after 32 years teaching, Doris continues to help 4-Hers with their sewing projects. As secretary of the county fair board for the past 12 years, and a volunteer at the fair before that, she is always promoting 4-H’ers and the 4-H program.
Now, Marvin and Doris are helping their grandchildren with their 4-H projects. They both firmly believe in 4-H and the family involvement that is an essential part of the 4-H program. They will always be 4-H promoters and hope their
four-generation 4-H family will continue.
Categories: Van Buren
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