Vinton County 4-H Educator Honored with Excellence in 4-H Award

Focus on positive youth development through school and after-school courses

PUBLISHED ON 23 December 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Travis West, Ohio State University Extension educator for Ohio 4-H youth development in Vinton County, was the recipient of the Charles W. Lifer Excellence in 4-H Award at the 2024 OSU Extension conference. The Charles W. Lifer Excellence in 4-H Award is named in honor of and sponsored by the former state 4-H leader and is presented annually to an Ohio 4-H educator who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in their career and has provided a major contribution to 4-H programs.

West has done just that, impacting the lives of thousands of youth through community clubs, SPIN clubs, school programs and camps.

A Vinton County 4-H volunteer commented, “Throughout my years of involvement with the 4-H program, one thing has remained the same: Travis’ determination to provide quality programming and endless opportunities for youth and adults in our county.”

Working in a rural, low-income community where barriers such as transportation impact 4-H involvement, West focuses on providing opportunities for positive youth development through school and after-school programs. Thanks to his efforts, more than 60% of eligible youth in Vinton County are connected to 4-H each year.

Throughout her nearly 20 years as a 4-H educator, West has also made strides in growing teen opportunities in Vinton County. Under his leadership, the Junior Fair Board has grown to include 20 youth leaders each year, and he has cultivated an active residential camping program that boasts more than 25 teen counselors annually.

West also partners with local schools to host a teen leadership retreat each year, coordinates a student-led peer prevention program at the high school and middle school levels, and works with the county’s Workforce Development Initiative to organize and facilitate a nine-week program for middle school students teaching life and career skills.

“Travis is a great 4-H educator,” said Hannah Epley, associate 4-H leader. “He is constantly looking for ways to improve himself as a professional and helps his colleagues in the process. We are fortunate to have him in this capacity as he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the 4-H program.”

Outside of his work with teenage 4-H members, West provides expertise in animal science with a special focus on rabbits. He has developed curricula that have been shared across the country on the ten good production practices for livestock and has addressed how these practices can best be applied to rabbits.

“He serves as an excellent role model for colleagues, showing how to balance his work in his communities with his involvement at the state and national level,” said a fellow 4-H member. “Travis is willing to share his successes as easily as his struggles and never holds back from helping another. He is an exemplary professional who invests in his community, supports his colleagues and makes a lasting positive impact in this world.”

— Ohio State University CFAES