Ringkob Honored With National Award

    Jennifer Ringkob, Day/Marshall County 4-H Youth Program Advisor, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award at the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 9-12. Ringkob was among approximately 800 4-H youth development professionals from across the nation to participate in the Association’s annual conference. 
    Each year, the NAE4-HYDP recognizes members for their 4-H and Extension work by presenting awards for outstanding accomplishments in achievement, leadership, service and communication. The Distinguished Service Award is given to educators who have served more than seven years or more in extension 4-H youth development programs. Ringkob was selected by her peers, who make up the state affiliation South Dakota Association of Extension 4-H Professionals (SDAE4-HP), to be recognized at the annual conference.
    Ringkob joined the Day/Marshall County 4-H and SDSU Extension program in December 2011. She is actively involved in her community, resulting in a growing 4-H population in Day/Marshall County. With membership numbers over 250 collectively, Ringkob enjoys guiding youth in mastering life skills through innovative programming. She also loves building relationships and making connections within her community. She is excited each fall for her Cloverbud programs in Langford and Britton as well as school enrichment programs. She is particularly proud to lead a team of local 4H volunteers, SD 4H Youth Ambassadors, 4H members and community leaders who coordinated a Progressive Ag Farm Safety Day for Britton Hecla, Sunset Colony, and Westwood Colony students in May 2023. 
    Since 2020, Ringkob has been a member of the SDSU Extension Mental Health First Aid Team.  Providing this valuable training to teens and adults in our South Dakota communities in person and across the nation via virtual courses, is not only vital but truly rewarding.  For their work, the Mental Health First Aid team earned the SDSU Extension Creativity in Service to all South Dakotan’s Award in 2022.  
    Ringkob also serves at the state level as a mentor for the SD 4-H Youth Ambassador program, as co-chair of the SD State Fair Swine Show and Leadership Outcome Team.  In the northeast region, Ringkob is part of an enthusiastic team that works to provide opportunities for 4-H and non 4-H youth to build skills and foster positive relationships.  The Northeast Advisor Team consisting of YPA’s from Roberts, Grant, Codington, Brookings and Deuel counties is proud to offer the Teen DASH held quarterly for Junior Leaders. They also provide a virtual Kid Kare course which led to Ringkob partnering with the Britton Action Club and the Marshall County Community Health Nurse to teach an in person Kid Kare course in Marshall County for more than 30 youth.  The team received the SDSU Extension Excellence in Virtual Programming Award at the annual SDSU Extension conference held in Pierre September 26-28, 2023 for the virtual Kid Kare program. 
    NAE4-HYDP is a globally recognized, culturally diverse network for 4-H youth development professionals.  Membership is open to local, regional, state or national Cooperative Extension staff members who work with 4-H youth programs.  Affiliate membership is available to other youth development professionals, former NAE4-HYDP members, and supporters.  Membership in this organization provides regional newsletters, opportunities for professional recognition and awards at state, regional and national levels, educational scholarships and grants, leadership development opportunities through association leadership positions and leadership development conferences and the opportunity to attend the annual NAE4-HYDP conference featuring professional improvement seminars, poster sessions, research papers and exhibits.
    The conference theme, “Building Foundations Stronger than Steel”, allowed 4-H & Extension Youth Development Professionals the opportunity to learn innovative, up to date educational information, methods and techniques, exchange ideas, and promote cooperation among all Extension personnel. Ringkob is excited to implement new programs and share new ideas for Positive Youth Development in the counties, region, and state she serves.