DOVER — The Delaware 4-H Foundation awarded the 2024 Distinguished Service to 4-H Award to Delaware state Senator Dave Wilson, R-Lincoln, Sept. 21 at the Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony at the Modern Maturity Center.

Sen. Wilson, 18th district, is the first laureate to receive this award created to fill the need for a special carve-out for individuals who, while not officially enrolled or employed with 4-H, are nonetheless avid, sustained contributors, cheerleaders, and unwavering supporters of the program.   

Among Delaware 4-H recognitions, awards, and ceremonies for both youth members and volunteer adults, none is more heralded than having one's name and biography placed into the Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame.

Created in 2012, each laureate, selected from across 4-H’s 110 year history of service, represents a long and impressive litany of devotion and volunteerism to the largest youth program in the nation. While some laureates hail from official extension service, most honorees come from local families — often representing three or four generations of family participation. 

“For many years, Dave Wilson has been a strong advocate and supporter of the Delaware 4-H program as well as for all youth in our state,” said Doug Crouse, 4-H program leader with the University of Delaware. 

“His passion to see youth learn, grow, and have the resources they need is so beneficial to our program. His time, energy, and efforts have all been truly appreciated by everyone,” Mr. Crouse said.

Mr. Crouse’s daughter Jennifer Crouse Hood, who grew up in the 4-H program, echoed her father’s sentiments.

“Senator Wilson is the epitome of what service means,” Ms. Hood said. 

“His dedication, work and passion on behalf of our youth in Delaware is outstanding. He always made himself available and seen supporting youth at events, ready to share and educate youth and supporting events in any way he could,” Ms. Hood said. “The best part was he always did it with a smile.”

Ms. Hood continues her participation with 4-H by serving as the president of the 4-H Foundation and as emcee for the induction ceremony.

“The positive impacts made by Senator Wilson on the Delaware 4-H program go far beyond the state funding and support at the state fair,” Ms. Hood said.

Noted were Sen. Wilson’s stalwart attendance at almost every Kent and Sussex 4-H Achievement events each September.

Sen. Wilson lends his auctioneering expertise to both the Junior Livestock Auction and the Kent County Basket Auction. He is a fixture at the Delaware State Fair, and frequently provides 4-H youth with the inside track on citizenship responsibilities and an up-close look at Delaware’s civic processes when 4-H members attend “4-H Legislative Day” event held each April at Legislative Hall in Dover. 

“This is truly an honor,” Sen. Wilson told the audience of 175. “4-H is near and dear to my heart.”

Sen. Wilson shared his awe at recalling youth “this high” grow and develop into successful young adults. “I was never a 4-H member… but looking back at the years I’ve been involved in 4-H, it is more rewarding to me to see what has happened to 4-H in Delaware and how you all have made a difference,” Sen. Wilson said. “Time after time, I want you to know that as long as there is a breath in my body, I will be supporting Delaware 4-H to the fulsome of my ability.”