New Campaigns for New Frontiers

Story by Emily Gerstenkorn

The funds have been raised and the ground has been broken for the New Frontiers New Agricultural Hall on the Oklahoma State University-Stillwater campus. With the future of Oklahoma 4-H in mind, the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation (OK4-HF) directors and staff announced a fundraising campaign for the 4-H suite in the new building. Oklahoma 4-H supporters continued their resiliency with their efforts to meet the monumental goal.

The New Frontiers Agricultural Hall will be the new home for OSU Agriculture and will include a dedicated 4-H office suite for Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development and the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.

Oklahoma 4-H alumni, volunteers and supporters had the opportunity to donate to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation to name a space in the new 4-H office suite. Foundation directors and staff set a goal of $100,000 securing naming rights to three offices. Donations of $25,000-$50,000 were required before a donor received naming rights, said Milford H. Jenkins, Oklahoma 4-H Foundation executive director.

During the OK4-HF Donor Alumni Reception in July 2021, Jenkins announced the challenge of the $100,000 campaign. Jerry and Julie Kiefer declared $50,000 to kickstart the campaign.

“I give 4-H so much credit for where I am today,” said Jerry Kiefer, Oklahoma 4-H Foundation board of directors vice president. “The life lessons and tools 4-H equipped me with had a profound effect on my life. Because of that, I am honored and it’s an incredible opportunity to give back just a small part of what 4-H gave me.”

There is a long history of Oklahoma 4-H and Extension collaboration, so the opportunity to have a significant presence in the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall is worth excitement, Kiefer added.

Additionally, at the OK4-HF Donor Alumni Reception, Oklahoma Farm Bureau donated $10,000 to the campaign.

“Many of our Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are products of Oklahoma 4-H, and they understand the impact the program has on the lives of Oklahoma’s youth,” said Rodd Moesel, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “That is why OKFB members were proud to lead off the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall campaign set by OK4-HF directors and staff with a 10,000 gift. Farm Bureau’s investment is well worth it when you consider these members will go on to be the future leaders in agriculture, rural Oklahoma and all around our state.”

In addition to the Kiefers’ contribution, Burns & Stowers, PC donated $25,000 in honor of the late Charlie A. Burns, who was an avid Oklahoma 4-H supporter.

“Dr. Charlie Burns, the father of Doug Burns, dedicated his career to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Program, including the 4-H Program,” said Terry Stowers, Burns and Stowers, P.C. and OK4H-F board member. “Dr. Burns passed away in 2021 and we felt this $25,000 contribution was the perfect way to honor his life and continue our support for the Program. We recognize the 4-H program’s impact on developing Oklahoma’s youth and future leaders, and that is why the 4-H program is important to Burns & Stowers, P.C.”

Following these donations, John and Janice Grundmann donated $1,000, along with their son, Joshua Grundmann, who donated an additional $1,000.

“I have had a relationship with 4-H since I was 9 years old,” said John Grundmann, Oklahoma 4-H Foundation board member. “My experience in 4-H has led me to believe 4-H plays a large role in developing leadership skills for the youth in our state.”

Both of the Grundmann’s children were involved in 4-H and now

work with 4-Her’s across the state. Joshua Grundmann, John’s son, also made a contribution to the campaign.

“I chose to invest because of the huge dividends of confidence, success and knowledge that this project will pay to future 4-H members when completed,” said Josh Grundmann, Oklahoma 4-H Ambassador advisor and owner of Valley View Pecan. “It’s exciting to see Oklahoma 4-H finally move into a new home, and it’s best suited for the Foundation to make its new home under the same roof as the rest of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension.”

To cap off the fundraising effort, AFR committed $13,000. AFR’s gift to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation helped Oklahoma State University progress toward the fundraising goal of $50 million for the project. Less than $2 million in private support was needed to reach the goal; however, fundraising will continue to incorporate additional features that will enhance the significance and uniqueness of the facility.

“We were honored to help the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation complete its commitment to the OSU New Frontiers Agricultural Hall campaign,” said Scott Blubaugh, AFR president. “We are proud to recognize both OSU and Oklahoma 4-H for their dedication to our state’s young people and this gift is an excellent way to honor both organizations.”

These donations made to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation helped Oklahoma State University progress toward its fundraising goal of $50 million for the project. OK4-HF donors prove to be exponentially helpful to the advancement of 4-H youth.

The New Frontiers Agricultural Hall is projected to be open for the fall 2024 semester. It will include innovative teaching spaces and state of the art areas for OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources branches, including Oklahoma 4-H.