Dedicated to the 4-H mission

ELIZABETH–Liz Schnitzler has lived her life by the 4-H Pledge: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.”

During her decades of involvement with the Jo Daviess County 4-H program, Schnitzler has touched the lives of countless young people. She’s remained dedicated for so many years because she believes in what the organization offers youth.

Now, after more than a decade as advisor for the 4-H Federation, Schnitzler is stepping aside to let someone new lead the way. She’ll continue to organize the 4-H food stand at the Jo Daviess County 4-H Fair and serve as sewing superintendent, but she left her advisor post in June, leaving a vacancy that will be tough to fill.

Decades of involvement

Schnitzler first got involved in 4-H as a youngster in Macon County. She lived with her family in Decatur, and as soon as she was old enough–10 at the time–she joined both the boys’ and girls’ clubs.

“It was kind of the way you socialized,” said Schnitzler, recalling how baseball teams used to be 4-H teams, one club playing other clubs in the county.

Joining 4-H, Schnitzler said, was the natural thing to do in her family. Her paternal grandfather started the first club in Macon County, and her mother, Isabel, and her father, Joseph, met as 4-H members of different clubs in the county.

Years later, by the time Schnitzler was ready to join, her father was helping with the ag club and her mother was a 4-H club leader. A few years ago Schnitzler’s family was awarded the state 4-H Spirit Award for their long-standing involvement in the program.

When Schnitzler’s time came to join 4-H, she went in full speed ahead. With the boys’ club, she took electricity and gardening as her projects, and with the girls’ club sewing, cooking and photography. Sewing turned out to be her favorite; she took some of her work to the state fair.

As a senior in high school, Schnitzler moved with her family to Elizabeth, where her dad took a job as the agriculture teacher at Elizabeth High School. She joined right up with the Rush Creek Rockettes 4-H Club, the girls’ club of the time in the area where Schnitzler continues to live all these decades later.

The year after high school, Schnitzler married her husband, Marvin. She wasn’t a 4-H member any longer, but she didn’t let that stop her from assisting. Extension officials knew Schnitzler could sew and knit and hooked her up with a club she could help. She even served for a short time as sewing superintendent.

Eventually, at about age 25 and with a young family, Schnitzler took over the leader role of the Betsy Juniors 4-H Club. Schnitzler had an average of 20 to 30 members and met after school once a month in the cafeteria.

All five Schnitzler children–Leisa, Karen, Roger, Sheila and Marla–were Betsy Juniors. All five of them also attended the national 4-H Congress, as have several of her 12 grandchildren, all of whom joined 4-H. The youngest grandchild, age 5, is looking forward to getting involved. And at some point along the way, about 40 years ago, Marvin became beef superintendent, a role he’s had now for 40 years.

4-H is definitely a family affair.

Schnitzler continued the Betsy Juniors for many years, even after she became postmaster, until it dissolved and members moved to other clubs. Schnitzler helped with the Top Notchers club for a few years and then, over a decade ago, first became a support person for the federation and then the official advisor.

Schnitzler was on hand at the once-a-month meetings to help steer the federation members–a group open to all Jo Daviess County 4-H members–in community service, leadership and fund-raising efforts. The federation plans county parties, works to support the fair food stand and pork chop barbecue and organizes community service projects.

4-H supporter

Through the years, Schnitzler has witnessed changes to the 4-H program, but she knows it remains as relevant as ever. She’s going to miss being as involved with the kids, but she’s also ready for a break.

Schnitzler always pushed the importance of keeping records for 4-H projects and involvement, and she knows proper record keeping pays off.

“I have such pride to know how many 4-Hers in this county have gone to the national program,” said Schnitzler of why she believes 4-H is so important. “I love the program. I think it has the most to offer in an organization outside of school.”