Washakie County 4

A Washakie County 4-H youth development educator recognized for broad efforts in local, state and national programming has received University of Wyoming Extension’s highest honor.

Amber Armajo received the Jim DeBree Award during extension’s recent annual conference.

In partnership with area adults, Armajo provides educational opportunities in livestock projects, fabric and fashion, and the Junior Leaders program. Character Counts education, national 4-H Youth Science Day experiments and national 4-H week celebrations are among the programs offered. A special focus is providing programs for youths from military families.

In a county where census data indicate 398 households include 6- to 17-year-olds, Armajo leads a 4-H program that includes more than 300 adults and children. She is active with the local camp board and ensures 4-H summer camping programs are widely available. As county coordinator, she acts as a liaison between UW Extension and Washakie County commissioners.

Statewide, 4-H touches the lives of more than 10,000 youths and adults each year.

Armajo has served as the chair of the state 4-H initiative team since 2013. She has been involved in statewide club strengthening and volunteer development, and teaches state 4-H judge training and master 4-H volunteer training. She has served as superintendent of the state 4-H dog skill-a-thon competition since 2010 and has served on the Wyoming Agriculture Leadership Council Board since 2012.

A 2008 graduate of the Western 4-H Institute, Armajo has led efforts to support and train newly hired 4-H professionals in Western states. She also participated in the Western Extension Leadership Development program.

An active member of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents since 2002, Armajo often presents at the annual conference. She received the Distinguished Service Award in 2010 and the Achievement in Service Award in 2007 from this national organization.

Armajo has completed Wyoming LEAD, the leadership development program for young professionals, and the Washakie Institute, a comparable local effort, and has served on the planning boards for both.

The Jim DeBree Award is named in honor of the retired Wyoming extension administrator and given to those who demonstrate a high level of professionalism, performance and leadership within their program areas and communities.

Armajo joined UW Extension in 2002 and is based in Worland.