Heather Dougherty of Johnson County is the 2025 recipient of the Indiana 4-H Bob Amick Award, a prestigious honor presented annually by the Indiana Extension Professionals Association (IEPA) to a 4-H Youth Development Educator who has demonstrated outstanding work and impact early in their career. Heather’s 10 years of service to 4-H exemplify dedication, leadership, and innovation. Heather has strengthened youth programming at every level—from creating the highly successful Mini Clover 4-H Club, now serving over 100 children per meeting, to developing the Classroom Connection Newsletter that bridges Extension resources with more than 40 local schools. Her leadership extends statewide through CDE professional development, state judging committees, Indiana State Fair livestock leadership, and service in IEEA 4-H Section Leadership. Heather’s creativity has produced impactful programs like Chef University, AnyTime Fitness Spark Club, STEM initiatives, and a year-long celebration of Johnson County’s 100 years of 4-H.
Lori Bouslog, Vermillion County Extension Director and Health and Human Sciences Educator, was chosen for the 2025 Paul B. Crooks Outstanding Extension Educator Award. This award recognizes Extension Educators who have demonstrated excellence in Extension programming. Lori’s 40-year career with Purdue Extension—spanning Randolph, Sullivan, and Vermillion Counties—has been defined by her ability to build meaningful relationships, collaborate across organizations, and respond to the unique needs of each community she serves. Her work is a model of what Extension can achieve when an educator is deeply rooted in leadership, partnership, and purpose. As an active member of the Financial Resource Management Team, Lori currently chairs the Estate Planning and Retirement subcommittee and created the statewide program “Strategies for Estate Planning.” Lori also coordinates the Leadership Vermillion County program, where she recruits participants, arranges speakers, secures sponsors, and guides all program logistics. Her decades of service, leadership, and program excellence have touched thousands of Hoosiers and strengthened the impact of Purdue Extension in every community she has served.
Congratulations to Heather and Lori!