Area Extension educator receives Distinguished Service Award

HARTINGTON – Megan Hanefeldt has been honored for her work with area 4-H members.

The 4-H youth development educator for Nebraska Extension in Cedar and Knox counties received the 2023 Distinguished Service Award at the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals' Annual Conference on Oct. 12 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The award recognizes members for significant accomplishments in 4-H programming.

'I feel very honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to receive this award,' Hanefeldt said. 'I submitted an application for the award to our state association: Nebraska Extension Cooperative Association.

'As a member of this association, it allows me to submit for awards at the state level,' she said. 'From there, our colleagues in the 4-H section of the association vote on which two candidates will receive this honor.'

Her 4-H programming efforts focus on youth leadership development, STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – and the Ag Innovators Experience.

The Ag Innovators Experience helps develop critical workforce skills in young people and show that agriculture can be relevant and fun.

This annual interactive activity challenges young people to apply critical thinking and STEM skills to a real-world agricultural challenge.

'The focus of my programming efforts stems from the local need for programming from teachers as well as the statewide teams I'm involved with,' Hanefeldt said.

'I also serve as the co-lead statewide for the Ag Innovators program, and we have successfully been able to offer that program to over 1,000 youth statewide, including youth in Cedar and Knox counties,' she said.

The 35-year-old Pierce native joined Nebraska Extension in 2010 after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a major in agribusiness and a minor in horticulture.

Her first Extension position was as a 4-H assistant in Boyd and Holt counties. During this time, she completed a master's degree in horticulture with a minor in agriculture leadership, education and communication.

She parted ways with Extension to become Knox County's economic development director for about four years, but in 2019, she returned to Extension as an educator and serves Cedar and Knox counties.

Hanefeldt lives near Center, where she and her husband, Taylor, are engaged in farming and raising their three children: Tucker, 9; Jocelyn, 8; and Tate, 5.

While she resides in Knox County and her office is based out of Center, she also travels to Cedar County for 4-H programming and events.

'I am passionate about working with youth and truly enjoy helping youth find their spark,' Hanefeldt said.