George Daigh of Urbana, IL was honored during the annual 4-H Day, Saturday, November 16 at the Krannert Center for Production Arts on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. Daigh received the 2002 Friend of 4-H Award for his outstanding leadership and support for the Illinois 4-H Program.

During his twenty-five year career with University of Illinois Extension, Daigh was involved with state and national livestock judging contests for which he introduced computer assisted rankings and results. He also designed unique 4-H volunteer training packages that incorporated the concept of home-based learning.

Daigh is probably best known for his work as Director of the Illinois 4-H Foundation, a position he held for more than twenty years. Daigh initiated the "4 Million for 4-H" and intensive direct mail campaigns that greatly increased and expanded funding for the program.