The Weld County 4-H Foundation Board is comprised of nine members. This board works closely with the Weld County 4-H Extension Agents to provide support for the Weld County 4-H program. The Board of Directors include:
President
Tami is a fourth generation Weld County, Colorado rancher. Tami grew up showing cattle and livestock judging, as well as participating in the 4-H Washington Focus program as both a participant and later as a chaperone, in the Weld County 4-H program. She graduated from Northeastern Junior College with an associate’s degree in agricultural communications and from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in advertising media and public relations. Upon graduation, she went to work for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and in 2004, went to work for the Colorado Beef Council as the Director of Marketing. Tami resides with her husband, Luke, and daughter, Mesa, east of Platteville.
Vice-President
Tim Magnuson is a fifth-generation farmer outside of Eaton, Colorado. He is a graduate of Northeastern Junior College. He and his brother, Jim, farm about 900 acres of corn and alfalfa. Tim is currently a Highland (Ault) FFA advisor and is a former Agfinity, Inc. board member. He firmly believes in supporting our local youth and wants to ensure that the 4-H organizations of Weld County have the necessary funds and support to provide essential programs that give our kids solid foundations for their success in the future.
Treasurer
Rodine became a 4-H member in 1950 in El Paso County, and remembers receiving a blue ribbon on her first Home Economics project, a gathered skirt. She later added cooking and home furnishings to her list of projects, receiving grand champion on her reupholstered rocking chair at State Fair in her 10th year.
When in college at Colorado State University, she joined the Collegiate 4-H club, serving to help promote 4-H. She married her husband, Larry, and they took over leadership of the Evans Ag 4-H club which his father, Clarence Rhoadarmer, started. The club’s name was later changed to Evans 4-H Club with the addition of Home Economics projects. In the early 1980s, Rodine started a 4-H club for members with special needs, and she continues to meet socially on occasion with some former members.
As a volunteer 4-H leader Rodine worked in many capacities, including: county & state adult leadership councils, serving as president of the state council for one year; chaperone for a group of 4-H members attending Citizenship Washington Focus; and assisting her two children, Lori and Lex, as they participated in 4-H.
Rodine has been a member of the Foundation board for years; and is currently serving as Treasurer. She loves supporting members and leaders as they achieve their goals through many opportunities the 4-H program offers.
Board Member
Jim graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Education. He taught Vocational Ag and served in the Air Force Reserve for six years. He and wife Donna returned to the family farm representing the fourth generation on the original homestead. Park Farm was named a Colorado Centennial Farm in 1988. Jim and Donna have two daughters, Jolene and Jessica, son-in-law Jeff and were blessed with a grandson Jack. Jim has served on the Lower Latham Ditch and Reservoir Board for 35 years, the Central Weld County Water District Board for 30 years and retired from the Poudre Valley REA Board after 23 years. He credits Paul Hoshiko Jr. for getting him involved with the Weld County 4-H Foundation Board and has been a member for 21 years. 4-H provides a great starting point for our young people and it is gratifying to be a part of this effort through the Foundation Board.
Board Member
After receiving his Master’s Degree in Dairy Science, Alvie worked as an Extension agent for Weld County from 1964 to 1991. Initially, he was charged with the 4-H and youth programs. Later, he assumed duties for the adult dairy and horse programs, conducted management short courses and was manager/coordinator of the Weld County Fair.
For 40 years Alvie was involved in the 4-H Dairy Cattle judging program. After his retirement from coaching, he continued as an instructor in the dairy cattle judging class at CSU. He was also involved with the Colorado State Fair as the 4-H horse show superintendent, assistant horse show director, the U.S. Western National 4-H Horse Classic management committee and co-superintendent of the National Horse Judging contest.
He has served and/or continues to serve on numerous committees, including Colorado Dairy Days, Colorado Holstein Association’s Scholarship Committee, Aims Community College Ag Committee, Colorado 4-H Foundation, Weld County 4-H Horse and Dairy Advisory Councils, his church’s council and many more.
His honors include membership in the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, Colorado Livestock Association Top Hand Award, Colorado Holstein Distinguished Service Award, Colorado State University Alton Schofield Distinguished Award, Colorado State University Alumni Association Distinguished Extension Award, Colorado State University Alumni Association 50-year Club Public Service Award, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Distinguished Service Award, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Distinguished Award, Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs Hall of Fame Award, and Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows Hall of Fame Award.
Currently retired, Alvie and his wife Janet, live in Greeley which allows them to be close to their sons, Tracy and Joel, and their families.
Board Member
Sharon was born and raised in Weld and Larimer Counties where her family raised Angus cattle, milked Holstein cows, and had a variety of cow and draft horses. She began 4-H in Weld County and, after her family moved to Wellington, continued her 4-H career in Larimer County. Sharon attended, and later worked at Colorado State University for 33-1/2 years. During her tenure at CSU, she worked for Cooperative Extension in the Departments of Entomology, Agronomy, Animal Sciences, and Agricultural Engineering.
Sharon coordinated Livestock judging contests locally and at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS), and was the first to try computer tabulation at these contests. For 25 years she worked in the “Yards” at NWSS in addition to helping coordinate and conduct the Collegiate and
4-H/FFA judging contests.
Locally, Sharon served as one of the show managers of the Rocky Mountain Junior Beef Expo and helped with the Weld County Livestock Association Feedlot and Carcass contest. She still loves rodeos, fairs, and kids that compete in these venues.
Board Member
Denise Leafgren grew up on a farm south east of Kersey where she attended Platte Valley Schools. She is a University of Northern Colorado graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in accounting. In addition to keeping the family farm books, she was employed by Fuller & Fuller, CPA’s before marrying Brad Leafgren. They have two children, Lindsey and Jackson, and live in the Eaton area. Denise was a ten year 4-H member and is currently serving as a volunteer leader and treasurer for the Eaton/Galeton CWF 4-H group. If not being heavily involved with her kid’s activities, Denise enjoys volunteering, skiing, traveling, and being with her family. Denise maintains that the 4-H program is one of the best youth development programs that empowers young people to lead for a lifetime. 4-H has played a significant role in the family for three generations, and continuing to serve on the Weld County 4-H Foundation keeps Denise heavily involved in an organization she dearly cares about.
Board Member
Gordon Ledall graduated from Eaton High School, then attended Colorado State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Ag Business. He judged competitively on the Livestock, Wool, and Aksarben teams. Gordon has served on the Weld County Fair Board and spent the past 30+ years as the Superintendent of the Swine show. Gordon has spent more than 30 years in the cooperative business and is presently the President and General Manager for the Poudre Valley Coop in Fort Collins. Gordon and his wife, Lindee, have three daughters; Kati, Brittany, and Aimee.
Board Member
Amy grew up near Longmont, Colorado, and was raised on her family’s farm, cattle feeding and Angus breeding cattle operation. She graduated from Northeastern Junior College with her associate’s degree in accounting and then earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State in business administration. After graduation, she married her husband, Jeff, and they farm and ranch southeast of Roggen where they raised their girls Sarah and Molly. They work with Jeff’s family managing their Shorthorn, MaineTainer and crossbreed cattle herd, and their dryland and irrigated diversified crop operation. Amy became a Cloverbud leader as their girls started in 4-H and transitioned into being the organizational leader of the Magic Spurs 4-H club for 18 years. She has always enjoyed working with the kids and their families actively involved in 4-H. She currently serves on the Weld County Extension Advisory Board. Along with working on the farm and ranch, she also substitute teaches at schools in the Keenesburg area.