Extension educator receives 4-H leadership award

July 24, 2017

Lincoln, Neb. — Nebraska Extension Educator Steve Pritchard has received the seventh annual Bill Stevens 4-H Leadership Award from Federal Premium Ammunition. The award honors volunteers and professionals involved in 4-H shooting sports who have gone the extra mile.  

Pritchard has served as the state coordinator for Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports for more than 15 years, and has had many positive contributions to the program. Under his guidance and dedication, the shooting sports program in Nebraska has an all-time high enrollment of almost 5,000 youth. He has also trained nearly 1,000 adult volunteers over the years of his involvement.

“I really enjoy seeing young individuals grow and develop into outstanding young adults who contribute back to their community and the 4-H youth program,” said Pritchard. “Being a former Nebraska 4-H’er, it was a natural fit to give back to the program that helped me develop life skills.”

Federal Premium Ammunition has sponsored 4-H conservation and shooting sports programs for more than 80 years. In addition to sponsoring national competitions, the company was integral in both the formation of 4-H conservation-themed camps in 1934 and the Shooting Sports Project in 1976. 

“Youth development through the shooting sports has been a mission we have shared with 4-H for decades. Professional educators like Steve are helping to create young citizens that will be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Ryan Bronson, director of conservation for Federal Premium. “Pritchard is an outstanding example of a great teacher, mentor and role model. He is well deserving of this award, and we congratulate him.” 

The award is named after the late Bill Stevens, Federal Premium's former conservation programs manager who retired in 2007 after 42 years. Stevens played a major role in making the shooting sports a part of 4-H across the nation. He also increased Federal’s support of the 4-H program.

“It was truly a great honor and a very humbling experience to receive the Bill Stevens Leadership Award,” says Pritchard. “I can’t express the appreciation I have to all the outstanding people I have had the honor to work with and the pleasure to meet through the 4-H Shooting Sports Program over the years.”

4-H Shooting Sports reached over 400,000 children in 2016. Federal Premium has donated more than $440,000 to 4-H Shooting Sports in the last decade, and its lifetime support totals more than $1.2 million.

To learn more about Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports visit http://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports.