4-H Impact Highlight
Alumni Spotlight: Colorado 4-H Youth Development
Building Community: Ann Hutchison, President & CEO, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
By Mike Hooker
“Building Community” is a pillar of the mission at the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce. Community strength is also at the heart of 4-H. Growing up as a 4-H’er in Brush, Colorado, Ann Hutchison learned skills and values in 4-H that she uses today as the President and CEO of the Chamber.
Hutchison was nine years old when she started with Golden Clovers in Morgan County. Her first entry at the county fair was snicker doodle cookies – eventually becoming a home economics judge, going to the national convention in Denver as the state champion individual and part of the state championship team. Her service in state-wide leadership included a trip to Washington, D.C. her senior year, for the National 4-H Conference.
“Despite having no livestock experience as a 4-Her, I had the amazing opportunity to be the 4-H Agent in Finney County, Kansas,” Hutchison said. “Working for Kansas State University and Finney County in Garden City allowed me to inspire kids and their families across all kinds of projects, leadership experiences and more. And yes – I did learn how to weigh a steer, push a pig, and hatch a chick!”
Today, advocating for local businesses and economic vibrancy, Hutchison regularly sees the impact of Colorado 4-H on her ability to serve her community.
“Learning about a topic, sharing that insight with others and being able to articulate my point of view are incredible skills that I absolutely built through my experience with 4-H,” Hutchison said.
“I use each of those skills every day in my work at the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce.”
Colorado 4-H Youth Development celebrates the stories of impact 4-H has on lives across our communities and state. Thank you to our youth leaders, volunteers, and all the families and supporters who champion them. To learn more and find your place in Colorado 4-H, visit https://co4h.colostate.edu/.