It’s a special moment when, as a 4-H and Youth Development Agent, I get to highlight not only the great work our Cottonwood District 4-H’ers are doing but also their accomplishments. 4-H’er Jonas Kern is a prime example of how your 4-H experiences can pay off. Jonas is a current Barton County 4-H Ambassador, Cottonwood Extension District 4-H Water Ambassador, and Ellinwood Energizers 4-H Club President. He is a 12-year member of the 4-H program that has embraced all that it has to offer.
Jonas’ 4-H experiences have seen him travel across the nation to take part in National 4-H Congress, explore and investigate career opportunities, and identify ways to use his talents to help younger 4-H members learn and grow into the high-quality young adult 4-H has helped him become. He has participated in 4-H Club Days, Regional 4-H Club Days, sent projects to the Kansas State Fair, and been named a State 4-H Project Award Winner.
Other Kansas 4-H events that Jonas has attended include the State Geology Field Trip and Insect Spectacular. Events that are designed to help youth learn more about the geology and entomology projects, while collecting specimens for their project work. He has also led a workshop at 4-H Discovery Days. An event designed to expose 4-H’ers to what Kansas State University has to offer, and attend workshops that help youth explore their interests. Jonas currently serves as a member of the State 4-H Agriscience Team that works to educate the community more about different aspects of agriculture. Jonas was a recipient of the 2025 Danforth “I Dare You” Award. In 2024, he received the 4-H Key Award pin, the highest level of achievement for a 4-H member. He was also a member of the 2025 Kansas State Fair 4-H Photography Judging Contest, 2nd place team.
All in all, Jonas is a testament to how hard work, dedication, and involvement in the 4-H program can pay off. He was named as a 2026-2027 Kansas 4-H Scholarship recipient. Receiving the J. Clifton and Helen E. Ramsey Scholarship in the amount of $1,600. In addition, Jonas was selected as one of the 2026 recipients of the Kansas 4-H Vanier Family Scholarship. Over 100 applicants were received this year for the Vanier Family Scholarship, and being named a recipient is huge accomplishment.
This is truly a testament to his outstanding achievements, leadership, and commitment to not only the 4-H program, but to helping those around him! Jonas will be attending Kansas State University, where he plans to major in Secondary Science Education and Wildlife Biology, aspiring to be a biology teacher.
On behalf of the Cottonwood Extension District, I want to congratulate Jonas on all his hard work paying off! If you would like to learn more about joining 4-H, we would be happy to talk with you about the opportunity.
For more information on 4-H Youth Development or K-State Extension call 620-793-1910, email 4-H Agent Ben Sims at benjam63@ksu.edu, or stop by the Great Bend office at 3007 10th St. Be sure to follow K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood Extension District Facebook page and check the website cottonwood.k-state.edu for the most up-to-date information about Extension programming.
