Friends of 4-H: Highland District Hospital
By Danielle Combs
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
OSU Extension Highland County
Note: Each year, the Highland County 4-H Advisory Committee selects contributors to the Highland County 4-H program to recognize their support and passion for the 4-H program. These businesses and individuals spend countless hours and resources to benefit the youth of Highland County, truly making the best better. For 2025, we recognize the following: Highland County Pork Council, Highland District Hospital, Jeff & Amanda Knauff, and Kaley Fannin. This story focuses on HDH's award.
• We celebrate a true cornerstone of our community for its steadfast and generous support of the Highland County 4‑H program. From healthcare to compassion, this organization has consistently shown the spirit of service that 4‑H strives to instill in our youth. Their volunteers brighten hospital corridors, engage with patients, and foster an environment of care, reinforcing the same values of kindness and community involvement we teach our 4‑H members daily.
Yet, their impact extends beyond the clinic: this organization served as the lead sponsor and largest contributor to the brand-new Livestock Barn at the Fairgrounds. This modern facility houses swine, goats, and sheep under one roof, replacing outdated structures and setting a new standard for comfort and safety. The fair board and community rallied around this vision, but this organization's generous donation was the pivotal support that made it possible.
The new “HDH Livestock Building” isn’t just a barn – it’s a symbol of Highland District Hospital’s belief in our next generation. This partnership between HDH and the fair board signals a renewed commitment to the community, one that enhances our agricultural traditions and empowers young people to learn, grow, and thrive.
On behalf of every Highland County 4‑H member, we extend our deepest gratitude to Highland District Hospital, for believing in our youth, investing in their passions, and building infrastructures that will benefit generations of farmers and leaders and present them with the Friends of 4-H Award.