Premier Companies Gifts
Since 2020, thousands of Indiana 4-Hers have benefitted from funds provided through the generosity of Premier Companies. For the 2025-2026 cycle, they have committed nearly $100,000 to 4-H projects across much of southern Indiana. The following is an overview of some of the most recent initiatives funded by Premier:
Bartholomew County
Educator: Elisabeth Eaton
Funding Received: $6,000
Drones and livestock skillathon
Clark County
Educator: Katie Whiteford
Funding Received: $5,700
Mobile Ag Day in schools; livestock workshop; mini livestock mentorship program; Southern Indiana 4-H Camp counselor training
Crawford County
Educator: Molley Hasenour
Funding Received: $6,000
4-H Experience in the Classroom; project supplies; STEM/teaching supplies
Dearborn County
Educator: Liz Beiersdorfer
Funding Received: $1,685
Eggcytology program; youth animal education and bio-security lesson supplies; youth ag day agricultural product ; POULT turkey project; discovering ag careers
Franklin County
Educator: Elizabeth Boyd
Funding Received: $8,863
Hosting a spring break STEM camp with robots and drones
Harrison County
Educator: Anna Denny
Funding Received: $3,630
Blender Bike project; Blender Bike Ag Day Demonstrations
Jackson County
Educator: Brier Ryver
Funding Received: $1,900
Handwashing stations for barns
Jefferson County
Educator: Britt Copeland
Funding Received: $2,000
4-H Horse and Pony Camp
Jennings County
Educator: Rebekah Barger
Funding Received: $3,500
Monthly life skills program
Johnson County
Educator: Heather Dougherty
Funding Received: $3,100
4-H camp bus tansportation and crafts
Lawrence County
Educator: Lesley Lodmell
Funding Received: $10,300
Supporting 4-H camps and trips; Hoosier Uplands afterschool membership offer; youth-led finishing touches after Exhibit Hall renovation; technology upgrade
Monroe County
Educator: Kip Harmon
Funding Received: $10,797
RC Tractor Pull Challenge; STEM and career readiness initiative for 4-H workshop; animal science, plant identification, and farm safety program
Morgan County
Educator: Rena Sheldon
Funding Received: $3,700
Morgan County 4-H Mini graduation to 4-H; new rabbit cages
Owen County
Educator: Cassie Linville
Funding Received: $5,050
Project of the Year; project workshops; project fair activities; 4-H exhibit hall and fairgrounds repairs
Rush County
Educator: Sarah Gettinger
Funding Received: $12,500
Class to Clover program; chick embryology; winter project workshop; summer camp
Scott County
Educator: Megan Broughton
Funding Received: $2,520
All-species round robin showmanship workshop
Washington County
Educator: Taylor Chastain
Funding Received: $5,950
Judging team training subscription; Area 2 livestock bootcamp; Vet Science Spark Club; ag in the classroom
Premier Impact: 7,829 youth served in 2024-2025
The following projects were made possible by Premier’s $100,000 gift during the last cycle. Thank you, Premier Companies!
Bartholomew County
Educator: Elisabeth Eaton
Funding Received: $2,500
Youth Served: 350
The shade cloth on the livestock barn was replaced with material that provides 90 percent shade with reinforced edges and grommets for hanging.
Clark County
Educator: Katie Whiteford
Funding Received: $8,100
Youth Served: 2,500
Purchased rabbit pens and fans for the swine barn to help with air circulation; paid travel expenses for guest speakers and purchased supplies for livestock workshops; funded the Mobile Ag Day Program.
Crawford County
Educator: Molley Hasenour
Funding Received: $5,500
Youth Served: 995
Funded Classroom Clovers, bringing the 4-H experience into the traditional classroom. Youth in K-5 explore real-world topics that spark curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and connect them to agriculture and healthy lifestyles in meaningful ways.
Dearborn County
Educator: Liz Beiersdorfer
Funding Received: $800
Youth Served: 800
Provided project lessons that were used at Dearborn County 4-H Program, five special education classrooms, Go Bananas Day program, Dearborn County AG Day event, and 29 third grade classrooms.
Decatur County
Educator: Christopher Fogle
Funding Received: $2,900
Youth Served: 18
Funded half the cost of 4-H camp fees for campers, junior directors, counselors in training, and counselors.
Floyd County
Educator: Sam McCollum
Funding Received: $9,000
Youth Served: 150
Purchased supplies and equipment to improve experiences for 4-Hers, their animals, and volunteers at the Floyd County 4-H Fair.
Franklin County
Educator: Elizabeth Simmermeyer
Funding Received: $4,800
Youth Served: 150
Purchased hatching supplies and other materials for the POULT Program, which introduced 4th grade students to turkey production in Indiana from farm to fork. The gift also funded a new robotics club with the purchase of six VEX Robotics kits.
Jackson County
Educator: Brier Ryver
Funding Received: $3,400
Youth Served: 586
Purchased new rabbit cages at the county fair, allowing expanded participation in the rabbit project.
Jefferson County
Educator: Britt Copeland
Funding Received: $2,500
Youth Served: 20
Supported clinicians, housing, and equipment for the 2025 Jefferson County 4-H Horse and Pony Camp, resulting in four new members and three new adult leaders.
Jennings County
Educator: Rebekah Barger
Funding Received: $5,000
Youth Served: 120
Expanded in-school club programming within an elementary school and added an after-school club meeting. Through this program alone, well over 200 projects were completed for display at the county fair.
Johnson County
Educator: Heather Dougherty
Funding Received: $11,582
Youth Served: 100
Covered the cost of transportation to 4-H Camp. Purchased animal insemination and animal identification models/learning kits from Reality Works.
Lawrence County
Educator: Lesley Lodmell
Funding Received: $5,800
Youth Served: 49
Implemented Food, Fun, 4-H Around the World, including four monthly cooking kits for 4-H families, featuring recipes, cultural activities, and educational materials from Germany, Japan, Greece, and Italy.
Martin County
Educator: Dena Held
Funding Received: $1,500
Youth Served: 120
Supported Educational Workshops, including the animal sciences of beef, swine, cat, horse & pony, dog, and rabbit, that were held at the Martin County 4-H Fair.
Monroe County
Educator: Kip Harmon
Funding Received: $7,148
Youth Served: 400
Funded four major projects: Monroe and Lawrence County Shooting Sports Spark Club Partnership; Bridges to Adventure Spark Club; Monroe County 4-H Camp Skill Building Focus; and the 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat.
Morgan County
Educator: Rena Sheldon
Funding Received: $3,400
Youth Served: 16
The Tractor club purchased two CR-7 conversion kits that turn non-guidance tractors/vehicles to those with guidance so that our members see how they can use satellite technology to plant, spray, till, spread, mow or otherwise complete a field task more efficiently.
Owen County
Educator: Cassie Linville
Funding Received: $2,600
Youth Served: 120
Funded hands-on workshops including Entomology SPARK for Project of the Year, Gingerbread House Creation workshop, Farm Scene Creation workshop, Sewing SPARK Club, Mini 4-H Mess Makers, and others.
Rush County
Educator: Sarah Gettinger
Funding Received: $4,000
Youth Served: 350
Funded Class to Clover initiative in partnership with Rush County Schools to expand access to 4-H. This project broadened opportunities for positive youth development. Also funded the Chick Embryology program with the purchase of fertilized eggs, incubators, brooder supplies, and educational resources.
Scott County
Educator: Megan Broughton
Funding Received: $3,020
Youth Served: 150
Funded a beginner horseman clinic, providing youth one-on-one experiences with horses, learning how to handle and care for them. Also funded a livestock workshop series and riding clinics.
Switzerland County
Educator: Kyle Weaver
Funding Received: $4,500
Youth Served: 300
Provided Switzerland County youth opportunities to expand their leaderhsip skill set, mentor at risk youth, and to deliver on the goal of being a good citizen. The programs funded included the 10th Grade Leadership Program, SCMS Leadership Project, Mini 4-H Day Camp, and the Marshall Mentor Program.
Washington County
Educator: Taylor Chastain
Funding Received: $3,950
Youth Served: 200
Funded the 2024-25 Livestock 411 Workshop Series, including four sessions and a mini showmanship event. Expanded Ag in the Classroom programming; lessons included “From Milk to Ice Cream,” entomology, floriculture, animal byproducts, and trees.
About Premier Companies' Commitment to 4-H
Premier Companies, headquartered in Seymour, Indiana, has been a generous sponsor of the Indiana 4-H Foundation. The nearly $100,000 donation to support county 4‑H initiatives in 2025-2026 is a significant symbol of Premier’s commitment.
Premier Companies started in 1927 with the aim of providing energy and agricultural services in Indiana. Harold Cooper, CEO of Premier Companies, is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of agri-business leaders.
To learn more about Premier Companies (and view employment opportunities) please visit premierag.com