Weld County 4-H Leaders

Each year the Weld County 4-H Foundation recognizes leaders that have given so much of their time to the youth. Below are the leaders that were recognized at the 2019 Weld County 4-H Foundation Annual Banquet.

Vermeda is a 15-year leader, starting with the Hudson Shamrocks 4-H club and currently helps lead livestock and Cloverbud projects in the Westward 4-H club. She has also contributed her time to the Leaders Council. Vermeda sees 4-H as one of the most well-rounded youth development programs and wanted her kids to be involved and have the 4-H experience. Her motivation to continue as a leader comes from the smiles on the kids faces and seeing younger and older youth interact in a positive way. In her spare time, Vermeda enjoys art, riding horses, and gardening while keeping life simple and old-fashioned. Vermeda has worked as an appraiser for the Weld County Assessor’s department for the past 19 years. 

Kris started providing volunteer service in 1993 as the 4-H Athletics Coordinator, but it was 15 years ago when she became a certified leader. She is affiliated with the Westward 4-H club, beginning as a resource leader, and presently serving as the organizational leader. She also served for about 10 years on the 4-H Leader’s Council. Kris enjoys watching kids grow and mature in 4-H and appreciates the way 4-H develops their leadership and character. She has a passion for kids and loves to be a part of helping them find their direction. Outside of 4-H, she is also involved with her church’s AWANA program and has given of her time in support of the Platte Valley FFA chapter. Kris has been an administrative assistant for an accounting firm for 28 years.  She    and her husband, Phil, live in Kersey. They enjoy family activities and being a part of their children and grandchildren’s lives.

Tara has been a 4-H volunteer leader for 25-years. She grew up in the Adams County 4-H program and got started as a leader when her mother started a new club and needed her help as a resource leader. Tara is currently the organizational leader for the Blazing Clovers 4-H club, which she says has grown by leaps & bounds. She loves to see kids succeed and tries to make their experience fun as well as educational. Each month her club does an educational tour for members to learn about new and various businesses in the community. Tara says she is all about leadership and helps instill this life-skill in her members. Tara is quick to point out that adults can also learn from 4-H and notes that she learns something new every time a member does a project demonstration. Tara works for Nutrient Ag Solutions. She is married to Justin and they have two children, Emily & TJ.

Twila began as a 4-H volunteer in 1983 when she signed on to be the Foods & Nutrition leader with the Best in the West 4-H Club in Windsor. Later she moved to Eaton and started the Eaton Country Critters 4-H club serving as its organizational leader. She credits Carol Schneider and Pat Kindvall with mentoring her and helping get her connected and involved in leader meetings on the local, state, and regional levels. Twila appreciates the many opportunities 4-H provides for youth to be involved with. One of her favorites is the Citizenship Washington Focus program, noting that she chaperoned nine different trips over a 27-year period. Twila has been a volunteer leader for 35 years and says she has loved working with young people and watching them succeed in meeting their goals. Her hobbies include reading and watching the Colorado Rockies baseball games. Twila lives in Eaton and is retired after working for State Farm Insurance.