Robthom Farm honored with 4-H Foundation award

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Robthom Farm of Springfield received the 2013 Missouri 4-H Foundation Naomi Crouch Leadership Award on March 15 in Columbia. Robthom Farm was recognized for commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.

Janice and Monica Ling accepted the award on behalf of their family.

“It is our great pleasure to honor Robthom Farm with the Naomi Crouch award for the family’s dedication to Missouri 4-H,” said Cheryl Reams, executive director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation. “Volunteers like the Ling family have made Missouri 4-H the quality experience for youth that it is today, and we are indebted to the Robthom Farm family for their service.”

Since 1997, Robthom Farm has served as the host of Missouri 4-H Dairy Cow Camp.  The statewide University of Missouri Extension 4-H camp draws attention to the importance of farming and its crucial role in Missouri’s economy. It also provides 40 youth participants a “hands-on” opportunity to care for dairy animals while learning about dairy production. To date, more than 500 youth have attended Missouri 4-H Dairy Cow Camp at least one year.

The Robert F. Thomson family at Robthom Farm provides the facility, as well as volunteers and 20 dairy heifers for student use. Without their support and contributions, this camp would not be possible, nor would it be a success. The farm has been in the Thomson family since 1905, and the sixth generation is now growing up on the dairy.

The Naomi Crouch Leadership Award is given annually to volunteers and organizations that devote their time and talents to MU Extension’s 4-H youth development programs. The award is named for Naomi Crouch, a Plattsburg native who was an active 4-H volunteer and Missouri 4-H Foundation trustee for more than 20 years.

Celebrating 63 years of service to 4-H youth, the Missouri 4-H Foundation secures funds for the Missouri 4-H youth development program, provides higher education scholarships and recognizes 4-H volunteers.