From friends and finances to family and faith, one man’s devotion to 4-H has lead to a lifelong career and a continuous investment in the lives of countless Oklahomans.

Jerry Kiefer has served the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation for the past 20 years. Now active as treasurer, Jerry has acted in numerous positions during his time with the Foundation, including president. A previous 4-H’er himself, this long-standing devotion to the Oklahoma 4-H program began long before his time with the Foundation.

“My involvement in 4-H began when I was very young,” Jerry said. “My mom was a volunteer, and my older brother had been in 4-H for eight years before I started officially as a member in fourth grade.”

In the beginning of Jerry’s 4-H career, a few of his many project areas included leadership, citizenship, beef, public speaking and achievement. Despite a passion for all of his project areas, Jerry’s favorite was achievement, he added. Jerry was the State and National 4-H Achievement Project winner, and was a recipient of one of the Presidential Tray awards.

“Being able to travel to National Congress in Chicago and win the Presidential Tray was definitely one of my greatest highlights in 4-H,” Jerry said.

Jerry’s time in 4-H did not end after high school. His involvement continued through his time at Oklahoma State University and working summers at the National 4-H Council in Washington, D.C., he added.

“I bled green,” Jerry said. “I was involved at the highest county, district, state and national levels that a 4-H member could be a part of.”

It was during Jerry’s time at OSU when he met his future wife, Julie. Julie was not involved in 4-H during her youth, however, she encourages Jerry’s love for the organization, as do their sons, Jared and Jay.

“I have always supported Jerry’s involvement with the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation,” Julie said, “because 4-H has always been a big part of his life.”

As a result of Jerry’s passion for the Oklahoma 4-H program, the Kiefers decided to donate their monetary resources in hopes to positively impact Oklahoma youth.

“I was blessed to receive scholarships when I was in 4-H and I wanted to be able to give back to current 4-H’ers who are excelling in their project areas,” Jerry said.

The Kiefers created an endowment for the Oklahoma 4-H Leadership Scholarship, and look forward to continuing their support in the future.

“It has been an honor for us to be able to help so many 4-H’ers through the years with scholarships,” Jerry said. “It is exciting to see their outstanding leadership in the 4-H program.”

Jerry and Julie’s commitment to bettering Oklahoma 4-H is admirable, said Milford H. Jenkins, executive director for the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.

“Being a donor, it’s dedication, it’s commitment, it’s passion, it’s loyalty and it’s giving back in your time and talents,” Jenkins said. “Jerry and Julie have given back through their treasure in a significant way.”

Jerry is quite familiar with monetary donations and best management practices for finances, Jenkins said. This familiarity comes from a career in the wealth management and insurance industry, Jerry said. Jerry is the founder and owner of Cornerstone Planning Group in Edmond, Oklahoma. The skills he learned during his time in 4-H helped to prepare him for his career, he added.

“Because of 4-H, this farm kid had the confidence to move to the city after college and start a career in the wealth management industry,” Jerry said. “The skills I learned in 4-H have carried me for 27 years in the industry that I love.”

During his time on the Foundation board, Jerry said he has developed high hopes for the Oklahoma 4-H program.

“We have incredible board members and a terrific staff willing to sacrifice their time and resources to make sure we continue our progress,” Jerry said. “I think we have an opportunity to take a really big step as a Foundation to make an even bigger difference in the future of the program, and my hope is that I can be a small part of that next step.”

In the years to come, Jerry said he hopes to assist the Foundation by helping push the organization to new heights.

“4-H creates positive changes in the lives of so many youth,” Jerry said. “That is why I have such big aspirations to help the Foundation move to the next level, so that lives continue to be changed, just like mine was.”

Published 2020