Patty Cummings recognized for being 'Friend of 4-H'

Patty Cummings was awarded the 2012 Highland County Friend of 4-H at the 4-H Officer, Member and Advisor Conference on Monday, March 19.

Cummings is known for her hard work, attention to detail and her organizational skills. She is also an individual who cares deeply about the 4-H program, agriculture, the beef industry in Highland County and our Highland County 4-H youth. 

Cummings and her husband Ferris became 4-H advisors for the Marshall Jr. Farmers 4-H club, working with their two sons, David and Brian and other youth from the Marshall community. Cummings was an advocate for beef reform in the Junior Fair beef department. She always encouraged her 4-H members to set goals for themselves and to do their best. Educational meetings, demonstrations and farm tours were a yearly club event.

When she felt there was a need for change, Cummings volunteered and stepped up to the plate. The Highland County Fair Book has been and will always be a challenge, and it has been a lifetime goal of Cummings' to see one issue where there would be no corrections. Cummings has been with the The Ohio State University Extension for 15 years. She has tirelessly worked to keep former educators prepared and organized in their chosen profession and subject matter. She has kept detailed records of fair events and protocol. Cummings generously volunteers many hours at the fair above and beyond what is required in her job description because she loves it. Cummings and her husband also sponsor awards in the beef department and others as needed. Agriculture and making a better 4-H program for our Highland County youth have been long-term goals for Cummings which she has carried out with a passion.  

Cummings plans to retire from OSU Extension this April.

Friends and coworkers honored Cummings with tributes to her tireless work and her passion for 4-H, agriculture and Highland County youth.

"Patty Cummings is to be congratulated for her hard work and dedication, and it is an honor to recognize her as a 2012 Highland County Friend of 4-H," Nikki Eyre, former 4-H Youth Development Educator, said.

"Who is the go-to person in the office? Who knows where everything is in the office? Who would do anything for you? Who puts in countless hours to make sure everything is done right? That person is Patty Cummings," Jana Holbrook, junior fair coordinator, said. "She has been through a full office staff to a not-so-full office staff. But she was willing to stay and go the extra mile … no, the extra 1,000 miles to make sure that the kids were able to experience 4-H and all the other programming that there is to offer. 

"Patty is a great person and a great friend. I don't know what I'm going to do without her in that office, but she deserves this retirement."

"Patty Cummings has had a major influence on children in 4-H for many years and especially my family since 1981," said Bertha Hamilton, a family friend. "I have worked with Patty in several different aspects of the 4-H program, and she has always demonstrated a caring attitude toward the youth of the county and the 4-H program. She has worked countless hours preparing for 4-H meetings when she assisted Brian with the Premier Showmen 4-H Club as an advisor. Always being on top of all the paperwork needed and keeping the ball rolling. She always supports the youth in their many projects they wanted to take in the 4-H club, always being there to help with a poster, listen to a speech or demonstration and giving the needed push to be the best each youth member could be. 

"She is truly an inspiration to the youth of the county. My children have learned many characteristics and traits from Patty over the years and are now using them in their adult life. Patty has truly demonstrated the meaning of 'Friends of 4-H' throughout her entire life and is most deserving of this award."

“Patty Cummings has been an asset to the entire Highland County OSU Extension Office," Kathy Bruynis said. "She has been the one to keep the office going through all the staffing changes and money crisis.

"She will be missed, and I personally want to thank her for all her dedication to the 4-H program. She is truly a Friend of 4-H and has been a tremendous asset for my transition back to Highland County 4-H."

Patty Cummings was awarded the 2012 Highland County Friend of 4-H at the 4-H Officer, Member and Advisor Conference on Monday, March 19.

Cummings is known for her hard work, attention to detail and her organizational skills. She is also an individual who cares deeply about the 4-H program, agriculture, the beef industry in Highland County and our Highland County 4-H youth. 

Cummings and her husband Ferris became 4-H advisors for the Marshall Jr. Farmers 4-H club, working with their two sons, David and Brian and other youth from the Marshall community. Cummings was an advocate for beef reform in the Junior Fair beef department. She always encouraged her 4-H members to set goals for themselves and to do their best. Educational meetings, demonstrations and farm tours were a yearly club event.

When she felt there was a need for change, Cummings volunteered and stepped up to the plate. The Highland County Fair Book has been and will always be a challenge, and it has been a lifetime goal of Cummings' to see one issue where there would be no corrections. Cummings has been with the The Ohio State University Extension for 15 years. She has tirelessly worked to keep former educators prepared and organized in their chosen profession and subject matter. She has kept detailed records of fair events and protocol. Cummings generously volunteers many hours at the fair above and beyond what is required in her job description because she loves it. Cummings and her husband also sponsor awards in the beef department and others as needed. Agriculture and making a better 4-H program for our Highland County youth have been long-term goals for Cummings which she has carried out with a passion.  

Cummings plans to retire from OSU Extension this April.

Friends and coworkers honored Cummings with tributes to her tireless work and her passion for 4-H, agriculture and Highland County youth.

"Patty Cummings is to be congratulated for her hard work and dedication, and it is an honor to recognize her as a 2012 Highland County Friend of 4-H," Nikki Eyre, former 4-H Youth Development Educator, said.

"Who is the go-to person in the office? Who knows where everything is in the office? Who would do anything for you? Who puts in countless hours to make sure everything is done right? That person is Patty Cummings," Jana Holbrook, junior fair coordinator, said. "She has been through a full office staff to a not-so-full office staff. But she was willing to stay and go the extra mile … no, the extra 1,000 miles to make sure that the kids were able to experience 4-H and all the other programming that there is to offer. 

"Patty is a great person and a great friend. I don't know what I'm going to do without her in that office, but she deserves this retirement."

"Patty Cummings has had a major influence on children in 4-H for many years and especially my family since 1981," said Bertha Hamilton, a family friend. "I have worked with Patty in several different aspects of the 4-H program, and she has always demonstrated a caring attitude toward the youth of the county and the 4-H program. She has worked countless hours preparing for 4-H meetings when she assisted Brian with the Premier Showmen 4-H Club as an advisor. Always being on top of all the paperwork needed and keeping the ball rolling. She always supports the youth in their many projects they wanted to take in the 4-H club, always being there to help with a poster, listen to a speech or demonstration and giving the needed push to be the best each youth member could be. 

"She is truly an inspiration to the youth of the county. My children have learned many characteristics and traits from Patty over the years and are now using them in their adult life. Patty has truly demonstrated the meaning of 'Friends of 4-H' throughout her entire life and is most deserving of this award."

“Patty Cummings has been an asset to the entire Highland County OSU Extension Office," Kathy Bruynis said. "She has been the one to keep the office going through all the staffing changes and money crisis.

"She will be missed, and I personally want to thank her for all her dedication to the 4-H program. She is truly a Friend of 4-H and has been a tremendous asset for my transition back to Highland County 4-H."