Rod demonstrated strong leadership as the faculty liaison giving major time, creativity, facilitation, and organizational skills to the Kansas 4-H Photography Action Team (PAT) from 2006-2015. The PAT provided support to and promoted the photography project statewide. The PAT had 30 members of 4-H staff, adult, and teen volunteers. The PAT annually educated 300 enrolled Kansas 4-H project leaders and over 5,500- 6,500 photography project members with resources, training, activities, displays and recognition opportunities.
Rod also served on the committee for the National Extension Conference on Volunteers and was the facilities chair for the conference held at the state 4-H camp facility in Kansas for 100 Extension professionals in 2007. Rod also served on the committee for the 2009 National Extension Conference on Volunteers held in KY. From 2006-2012 more than $14,000 in grants were received from Monsanto to strengthen volunteer development in KS. Rod represented Kansas in the North Central Region in 4-H Volunteer Development, 2006-2014.
Rod took service leadership to heart and was highly involved with several organizations outside of Extension. He was appointed by Kathleen Sebelius, former Kansas Governor, State of Kansas, to the Kansas Volunteer Commission, 2008-2011 which met twice annually addressing the needs and developing materials supporting volunteering across Kansas.
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“Rod lent an ear, reaction and/or gave good edits. He always knew the right thing to say to bring calm and focus to the situation.”
Beth Hinshaw, K-State Research & Extension, Southeast Region 4-H Youth Development Specialist.
My 4-H Story
Rod Buchele was the first child of parents who had both been Kansas 4-Hers. 4-H was an important part of Rod’s youth and adult life as the family moved several times to different states. 4-H Youth Development became a career lasting more than 40 years in four states and in three of the four regions, North Central, Southern, and Western. Rod met his wife, Mary, through the Wisconsin IFYE program, where Mary was an IFYE and Rod volunteered in the orientation program. Six weeks after their wedding, Rod accepted the 4-H agent position in rural north Florida, where they lived for seven years.
Rod and Mary’s two children, Steven and Lynn were born in Lamar, CO. He loved being a 4-H dad and 4-H gave the family wonderful memories, especially in photography and leadership activities. Rod and Mary’s children participated actively in 4-H with local, regional, state and international exchange programs and events until completing high school. Rod and Mary served as supportive parents and 4-H volunteers in their local 4-H program.
In Colorado, Rod provided support to seven counties and promoted cooperation and leadership opportunities for youth and adult volunteers. In 2003, he accepted a position with Kansas 4-H and moved to southwest Kansas, with statewide responsibilities in supporting and training volunteers and with the Photo Action Team, in addition to providing support to 4-H professionals and programs in 26 counties. Rod served on the NAE4-HA National Board and co-chaired the 2000 NAE4-HA Conference in Denver, which he called a celebration with his 1,450 closest friends. He truly enjoyed the national professional development conferences and the seminar opportunities to present to and learn from his colleagues.
Rod lived the 4-H motto, always looking to make his best better. To many 4-Hers and volunteers, Rod Buchele was “Mr. 4-H.”
