‘A man of integrity’: George Heersche Jr. inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame for decades of service

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2024) — George Heersche Jr. was recently inducted posthumously at the 2024 National 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony for a lifetime of achievements and contributions to 4-H youth development.

Heersche was a dairy extension professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. For more than four decades, Heersche educated a myriad of farmers on best practices in reproduction management for their dairy cattle. Heersche served as coach of the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Judging Teams and Kentucky 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl. He also chaired the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest Management Committee as a volunteer for several years.

He inspired countless youth and students through the dairy education programs and 4-H activities. Heersche valued mentorship, and many affectionately called him “Doc Choc.”

Heersche took great joy in building and fostering relationships; but it was his character that really set him apart.

Heersche’s impact

“It’s ok to disagree, but not to be disagreeable,” Heersche often said. Those who knew him best described Heersche as “a man of integrity,” always treating everyone he met with honesty and giving his full attention.

Larissa Tucker, senior extension associate in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Martin-Gatton CAFE, was mentored by Heersche. Tucker currently provides college leadership for the Kentucky 4-H dairy programs and judging competitions using skills she learned from Heersche.

“Dr. Heersche was so passionate about 4-H and dairy and working with the youth,” Tucker said. “He treated everyone he met as if you were the center of his attention, and it was authentic. It was clear that every interaction he had with you, and others, was genuine.”

Linda Branstetter, who has been actively involved with 4-H for five decades in Metcalfe and Hart counties and was inducted into the 2023 National 4-H Hall of Fame, met Heersche when her daughter first got involved in 4-H at nine years old. Raised on a dairy cattle farm, Branstetter appreciated all that Heersche did for her daughter in 4-H and to promote dairy in Kentucky.

“Dr. Heersche loved 4-H, the 4-H’ers and dairy cattle,” Branstetter said. “He took the 4-H kids under his wing, helping them believe in themselves and become all-around good people. He believed in 4-H and always had the kids’ best interest at all times. I will always remember his love for life, his laugh and smile — it was contagious.”

Branstetter’s daughter, Amber Huffman, currently an area extension director at Martin-Gatton CAFE, was one of those 4-H’ers that remembers Heersche’s dedication to positive youth development and mentorship. As a young girl Huffman entered her all-American calf in the state fair dairy show, and that is when Heersche stepped in.

“I was nervous about showing my calf because it was much larger than me,” Huffman recalls. “Dr. Heersche came in the ring and walked with me while showing my calf. It’s something I’ll never forget. He had an ability to help kids feel that they could accomplish anything. Dr. Heersche always wanted the best for you. He always put the kids first.”

Huffman eventually became a member of Heersche’s dairy judging teams, competing in national contests and traveling the country. Thanks to those travels, Huffman made the decision to attend the University of Kentucky — further showcasing Heersche’s commitment to providing people valuable experiential opportunities for long-term success.

Anthony “Tony” Pescatore, former extension professor and Department of Animal and Food Sciences associate chair at Martin-Gatton CAFE, shared a common bond with Heersche—conducting national 4-H contests, raising their families and the love for science. With science, Pescatore commended Heersche as a talented reproductive physiologist in extension.

“George was a people’s person and always made time for everyone,” Pescatore said. “He was present, always listened and gave good advice. He believed that winning wasn’t everything as long as you did your best. He took the kids and made them better people and contributors in their communities. George was very proud of his Kansas heritage but adapted and became a Kentuckian.”

About George Heersche Jr.

George Heersche Jr. was raised near Mulvane, Kansas. A 10-year 4-H member, his first 4-H project was cooking, and he was a Kansas Dairy Project winner. Although Heersche never had a 4-H appointment at the University of Kentucky, he made 4-H Youth Development an integral component of his position as state dairy extension specialist and animal sciences professor.

During his 45-year career, Heersche served as coach of the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Judging Teams, coordinating the first North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest and chairing the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest Management Committee. From 1978-2020, Heersche coached the Kentucky 4-H dairy judging teams to three national championships.

Heersche was the Youth Show Superintendent for the Kentucky State Fair Dairy Show and superintendent/co-superintendent of the North American Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.

Heersche retired from UK in 2020; however, he continued to be an advisor and mentor until his death in 2023. Heersche died before he could be nominated as a laureate for the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

From an excerpt in The Farmer’s Pride titled “Youth Programs Should Provide Learning Experiences in an Environment That Does Not Have Too Much Pressure,” Heersche says:

“We must give our youth advice not criticism. Youth need to have an opportunity to learn in an environment of integrity, honesty and trust and not have any pressure to be dishonest or be put in a position to have to go along with a dishonest act. We teach by example.”

For more information about the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development, part of the UK Cooperative Extension Service at Martin-Gatton CAFE, visit https://4-h.ca.uky.edu.