4-H, OSU Extension honor her for her work

Rachael Fraley has a new office decorations, awards from two organizations for her work as an Ohio State University Extension educator for Lawrence County and her work with 4–H.

This year, she won the 1 in 10 Extension Award, which is recognition by the Ohio State University Extension to recognize the educators that hit certain keys.

“Those keys are helping us to focus on trust, inclusion, care, adaptability and efficiency,” she explained. Then 10 extension educators across the state were nominated by their peers, colleagues or supervisors because they bring those keys to their work. “So, this year, I was chosen to be one of the people to be highlighted this year.”

When asked how she felt about getting the award, Fraley replied that she felt “pretty good.”

She said that her whole office works hard to build relationships within the county, across the state, with partners and the people they serve.

“It is a team thing here. Although I was the one recognized, we were recognized as a team,” Fraley said. “It is about how we work together, about how if there is a need in the county, we will jump in and find a way to make a program that helps,” she said.

Office associate Paige Matney won a national level award called the Above and Beyond award.

“That’s pretty cool,” Fraley said. “I like that Lawrence County is getting highlighted for some of the work that we do.”

Fraley said Matney is the one who makes things happen.

“She is the one behind the scene helping each one of our different program areas,” Fraley said. “We wouldn’t be as successful without her.”

Fraley said that for a recent conference, a video crew came from OSU and followed them around for a day.

“It made us feel famous for the day,” Fraley said with a laugh.

Fraley also won an award from the National Extension 4–H Youth Development Professionals.

“This year, I was nominated by my peers throughout Ohio 4–H and received the Distinguished Service Award,” Fraley said. “I was one of four from Ohio that were recognized at a conference in Boise, Idaho.”

Fraley has been an Extension educator for the past decade, which had been her goal since she was a kid. 

She has been a member of 4-H since she was five years old and always knew that she wanted to work with the 4-H. She went to the University of Kentucky where she studied career and technical education with an agricultural option and then got her master’s degree from West Virginia University in agriculture and Extension education.

As the extension educator, Fraley works with all the 4-H clubs in Lawrence County, most notably during the fair, which is her favorite 4-H event of the year.

“That’s when we get to showcase our kids and although it is a very busy week. Our 4–H kids put a lot of time and effort into their projects,” Fraley said. “They get to come and showcase their projects and be awarded and celebrated for all their hard work.”