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CORVALLIS - The Oregon State University Extension Service honored several "outstanding cooperators" during annual meetings on the OSU campus.

"These awards recognize the special efforts of several individual volunteers and organizations that have given freely of their time and resources to ensure the success of Extension Service programs," said Janet Calvert, Lane County Extension agent and public relations chair of the OSU Extension Association.

Honored were Ron and Helen Johnson, Hillsboro; Kay Proctor, Heppner; Betty Jo McHenry, Eugene; Nancy and Bob Dehart, North Bend; Les Ritchey, Gold Beach; Gray and Norrene Thompson, Oregon City; the Eugene accounting firm of Buller, Wuite and Lawlor; and the Portland Public Schools.

Ron and Helen Johnson have been Extension 4-H leaders for over 20 years. Helen Johnson served as 4-H camp director for Washington, Multnomah, and Tillamook Counties from 1979-1987, and also on the 4-H Executive Council, the State 4-H Camping Board and the State 4-H Advisory Council. Ron Johnson has assisted at 4-H camp, started the 4-H Horse Camp program for Washington County youth, and twice was the Wagon Master for the 4-H Wagontrain.

Kay Proctor was recognized for her volunteer work with the Morrow County 4-H and Master Gardener programs. She was a 4-H club leader for seven years, delivered Morrow County 4-H Fair exhibits to the State Fair, and helped with the formation of the Morrow County 4-H and Extension Service District Campaign in 1995.

Betty Jo McHenry has supported both the Master Food Preserver and Master Gardener programs, volunteering over 200 hours of service with the Master Food Preserver hotline, food preservation workshops and Master Food Preserver activities at the Lane County Fair.

Nancy and Bob Dehart were cited for their dependability as volunteers and commitment to the Extension home economics program and Family Community Education organization in Coos County.

Les Ritchey was recognized for his many years of dedicated service with stream enhancement programs and his "unlimited enthusiasm" in support of the Curry County Master Gardener program.

Gray and Norrene Thompson were recognized for years of service to the Multnomah County Master Gardener Program. As a Clackamas County Extension agent, Gray Thompson helped start the Master Gardener Program in Oregon in 1976. Following his retirement in 1983, the couple took the Master Gardener training course and have been active Master Gardener volunteers ever since.

The Eugene accounting firm of Buller, Wuite and Lawlor was cited for its generous support of the Lane County 4-H - FFA Livestock Auction. John Buller has handled the treasurer duties for the auction since 1972 and in 1979 his accounting firm became accountant and bookkeeper for the Lane County 4-H Leaders' Association for a token fee.

Perhaps the biggest single organization to ever be recognized as an Extension cooperator is the Portland Public Schools. An active partner with the Extension Service since the time of World War I, the Portland Public Schools have continued their involvement with a broad range of Extension 4-H youth programs for most of the century. In the 1996-97
school year, 44 teachers and 2,349 students from 55 schools in the Portland Public Schools participated in 4-H in-school enrichment programs.