By DAVE SCHULTZ
Bill Horan says he got a phone call from Chad Captain, the president of the 4-H Association. He had a message for the longtime Purdue Extension staffer: He would be the grand marshal for the 2022 Wells County 4-H parade, one of the keynote events of the fair each year.
Horan is the Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources, and also carries certification in the area of community development. He also has helped out with the county’s 4-H program as it was without leadership for a while.
Hannah Bridegam, who has been the educator for 4-H and youth since January, might elevate Horan to sainthood if she could.
“He has just done so much for the 4-H program,” Bridegam said. “He really stepped up.”
Involvement in the 4-H program comes naturally to him. Not only is he a fixture at the Wells County 4-H Fair, he also goes to area fairs — he’s scheduled soon to go to Adams and Huntington counties.
“I always like to talk to 4-Hers, to ask them questions about what they learned on their projects,” he said.
Horan’s efforts go beyond 4-H and beyond Bluffton. He’s traveled the world, both in his position with Purdue Extension and in his affiliation with Forgotten Children Worldwide. At FCW, he’s a member of the Program Management Team that helps the agency connect with its overseas partners.
“It’s been very fulfilling,” Horan said during an interview at the Wells County Community Center this week.
He’s been to Africa, to Vietnam (to teach an animal science class), and to central America. He’s been called on to work for projects through the U.S. Agency for International Development.
He hasn’t been everywhere, but he’s getting close.
He’s also learned stuff as he went along. He talks about being in a building in Ethiopia with no electricity and he had to change his manner of teaching. He went back in time.
“I used a chalkboard and chalk,” he said.
He says he benefited from that experience. What he learned is to rely less on PowerPoint and video presentations and to make use of story, relating to those he’s teaching. “And no lectures,” he said.
To add another layer to his domestic and international compassion and interest, he serves as the chairman of the Missions Committee at the First Church of Christ.
He’s been in Wells County for 33 years. He’ll be at this year’s fair, judging soil and water conservation projects, forages, and computer projects,” he said.
He said “I am definitely honored” at being named grand marshal, and then he expressed a minor concern. He’s had a part in the parade each year, and it didn’t involve riding in a car waving to people the way he will Saturday night.
He’s been kind of a director, giving guidance to the parade’s vehicles, floats, and individuals.
“Who’s going to direct the parade?” he asks, with a smile.
Everybody will find out the answer to that question Saturday. Bill Horan will have other tasks.
daves@news-banner.com
