Posted on August 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM by Emily Saveraid
Ron Bower’s many years of service and dedication to the 4-H program and community have positively impacted many members, leaders, community members, and Extension Council members. Ron was a Round Prairie Echoes 4-H club member in his youth and enjoyed showcasing exhibits and steers each year at the fair.
Ron’s dedication to the 4-H program has spanned many years, from assisting his son’s club with record keeping to serving on the Fair Board to serving as the Jefferson County Extension director for eighteen years, from 1986 to 2004. Some of his greatest 4-H memories were spending family vacations camping at the county and state fair and doing other agricultural activities. Some of the advice Ron gave to 4-H members over the years: be consistent, take care of your projects, put the time in, and you are going to be happy with the results. Learning the process helps you to become better.
One of Ron’s favorite parts of working with the 4-H program has been judging. This allows him to hear what kids have learned from their projects. His continued mentorship to youth as a judge and his significant contributions to the Jefferson County 4-H Program have been and continue to be invaluable. The youth are not the only ones who benefit from Ron’s dedication and farming experience. Ron is a community man, involved in his church, a tractor club, school board, Lockridge Lions Club, and Gideons.
Ron and his wife, Jeanette, recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. Together, they have two children, Carmen and Brent, who followed in their father’s footsteps and were each involved in 4-H.
