When Bill Patterson looks back on what he learned in 4-H, one word comes to mind: leadership. Growing up as a 4-H member in Geauga County, Ohio, Patterson cites his experiences in 4-H as his first exposure to many of the leadership skills he now uses in his daily life and career as president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation: “I’m not positive where skills like running a meeting, making wise decisions, and being respectful would have come from if not for 4-H.”
As a proud Ohio 4-H alumnus, Patterson does not hesitate to show his support for the program that invested so much in him as a youth. Alongside his wife, he is raising four children involved in a variety of projects and opportunities: “Kristin and I believe in the work of 4-H and the Ohio 4-H Foundation. As we consider our philanthropic opportunities, we see 4-H as being a key area where we can invest in youth across Ohio to help grow the next generation of leaders.”