2003 Illinois 4-H Alumni Awards
President
and CEO of Riceland Foods Receives
4-H Alumni Award
Illinois 4-H selected Richard E. Bell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Riceland Foods, Inc., headquartered in Stuttgart, Ark., as a recipient of the 2003 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a positive role model for youth.
Bell was honored during the 4-H Brunch of Champions recognition at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Library, part of the Salute to Agriculture festivities on the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus on Saturday, September 27. This award recognizes 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify leadership, success in their careers and worthy community service.
An international 4-H exchange to Ecuador in 1955, helped
spark Bell’s interest in the global economy. He also fondly remembers
showing at the Illinois State Fair while he was a member of the Whirlwind
4-H Club in Dewitt County.
Before joining Riceland Foods in 1977, Bell served as Assistant Secretary
of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs in the
Nixon and Ford administrations. He served as president of USDA’s
Commodity Credit Corporation and as chairman of the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation.
Earlier, he was a career official in the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also served as agricultural attaché at the American embassies in Canada, Belgium, and Ireland. He was awarded the USDA's Distinguished Service Award for his work in promoting U.S. agricultural trade.
Bell holds B.S. (honors) and M.S. degrees in Agricultural
Economics from the University of Illinois.
In addition to his duties at Riceland, Bell serves on the board of trustees
of Arkansas State University, the Foundation Fund Board of the University
of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the boards of directors of Easter
Seals Arkansas, the Stuttgart Regional Medical Center and Museum of the
Arkansas Grand Prairie. He is a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and
served two terms on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank
of St. Louis.
Bell was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in February 2003. The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.
Riceland is a farmer-owned cooperative that markets rice, soybeans, and other crops grown by its 9,000 members. It is the nation's largest rice company, one of the nation's largest grain companies and a major soybeans processor in the South.
4-H is the largest out-of-school educational program for
youth in the United States. 4-H seeks to assist youth in acquiring knowledge,
forming attitudes, and developing life skills that will enable them to
become caring, competent, and contributing members of society. In Illinois
383,654 youth participate in 4-H and other youth programs of University
of Illinois Extension. About 28,000 adult volunteers assist in the programming.
For more information about 4-H in Illinois, visit: http://www.4-H.uiuc.edu.
Press Release (MS Word)
Illinois
Agriculture Director Receives
4-H Alumni Award
Illinois 4-H selected Charles A. “Chuck” Hartke, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture in Springfield, as a recipient of the 2003 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a positive role model for youth.
Hartke was honored during the 4-H Brunch of Champions recognition at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Library, part of the Salute to Agriculture festivities on the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus on Saturday, September 27. This award recognizes 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify leadership, success in their careers and worthy community service.
Hartke joined the St. Francis 4-H Club in Effingham County in 1954. Hartke and his brother, Jerry, formed a partnership with their registered Chester White hogs. Chuck Hartke eventually bought his brother’s interest in 1958. During one Effingham County Fair, Hartke showed the Grand Champion Gilt over all breeds, Grand Champion Barrow and Grand Champion Pen of three barrows. Later in that week, he was also recognized with the Grand Champion Showmanship Award.
Hartke credits 4-H for helping teach public speaking, parliamentary procedure and how to conduct a meeting properly. These skills have proved valuable through a career in public service including serving as state representative of the 108th District prior to his appointment to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
“4-H also taught us to share and cooperate with our friends and neighbors, both older and younger members. It was a great learning experience,” said Hartke.
Hartke and his wife, Kathy have a son, Chris, daughter, Kim, and five grandchildren.
4-H is the largest out-of-school educational program for
youth in the United States. 4-H seeks to assist youth in acquiring knowledge,
forming attitudes, and developing life skills that will enable them to
become caring, competent, and contributing members of society. In Illinois
383,654 youth participate in 4-H and other youth programs of University
of Illinois Extension. About 28,000 adult volunteers assist in the programming.
For more information about 4-H in Illinois, visit: http://www.4-H.uiuc.edu.
L-R: Rich Clemmons, President, Illinois 4-H Foundation; Chuck Hartke, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture; and Dennis Campion, Associate Dean and Director, University of Illinois Extension
Press Release (MS Word)
Ruth
Receives 4-H Alumni Award
Illinois 4-H selected Charles W. ”Chuck” Ruth, owner and president of Alliance Contractors, Inc., co-owner and officer of Miller-Midwestern Die Company and Marengo Tree Farm in Woodstock, Ill., as a recipient of the 2003 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a positive role model for youth.
Ruth was honored during the 4-H Brunch of Champions recognition at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Library, part of the Salute to Agriculture festivities on the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus on Saturday, September 27. This award recognizes 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify leadership, success in their careers and worthy community service.
Ruth joined the Huntley Harvesters 4-H Club in McHenry County in 1964. His projects included swine and corn.
“In addition to the 4-H projects, the public speaking contests and 4-H baseball competition helped develop skills in working with others,” Ruth said.
Ruth
received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University
of Illinois. He is a licensed engineer in Illinois.
Ruth is involved in many community activities including: director of the Challenger Center for Science and Technology, Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, Huntley Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Contractors Association, Fox Valley Contractors Association, McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and the Illini Connections. He is also chairman of the board of American Community Bank and Trust and Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of Centegra Medical Centers.
Ruth and his wife, Helen have three children, Scott, Eric and Emily.
4-H is the largest out-of-school educational program for
youth in the United States. 4-H seeks to assist youth in acquiring knowledge,
forming attitudes, and developing life skills that will enable them to
become caring, competent, and contributing members of society. In Illinois
383,654 youth participate in 4-H and other youth programs of University
of Illinois Extension. About 28,000 adult volunteers assist in the programming.
For more information about 4-H in Illinois, visit: http://www.4-H.uiuc.edu.
L-R: Dennis Campion, Associate Dean and Director, University of Illinois Extension; Chuck Ruth, Owner and President, Alliance Contractors, Inc.; and Rich Clemmons, President, Illinois 4-H Foundation
Press Release (MS Word)
Return to 2003 4-H Brunch of Champions
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