Community State Bank honored with 4-H Foundation award

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Community State Bank of Bowling Green and Troy received the 2014 4-H Foundation Naomi Crouch Leadership Award on March 14 in Columbia. Community State Bank was recognized for its commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.

Earl Niemeyer, senior vice president of Community State Bank, accepted the award on behalf of the bank.

“It is a great pleasure to honor Community State Bank with the Naomi Crouch Award for their dedication to Missouri 4-H,” said Cheryl Reams, executive director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation. “4-H supporters like Community State Bank have made Missouri 4-H the quality experience for youth that it is today, and we are indebted to Community State Bank for their service and support.”

For nearly 30 years, Community State Bank has been a generous supporter of Pike County 4-H, providing major financial support to the Pike County Youth Fair and the annual Pike County fundraiser known as Springfest. It has also sponsored several 4-H teams attending national competitions, including livestock judging, horse judging and shooting sports.

In addition to its financial support, Community State Bank works directly with Pike County clubs providing financial training for club treasurers, supporting the Financial Champions project and offering promotional support for club events. It also provides bookkeeping assistance for the Pike County Fair sale and has played a key role in rallying support for the fair sale from other area banks.

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. For more information, go to 4h.missouri.edu/foundation.