COLUMBIA, Mo. — Burgers’ Smokehouse was honored with the inaugural 4-H Champion Award on Sept. 27 in Columbia. Morris Burger, former president of Burgers’ Smokehouse and the son of founder E.M. Burger, accepted the award on behalf of the company. The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognized Burgers’ for more than 20 years of commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.
Since the early 1990s, Burgers’ Smokehouse has coordinated with 4-H and FFA leaders to provide a ham curing session for youths involved with cured meats projects. Employees donate their time to provide hams, supplies and the instruction needed to traditionally cure a ham. About 500-800 hams are annually cured for 4-H projects at the one-day event.
Throughout the year, Burgers’ Smokehouse has donated fresh hams and bacon for 4-H and MU Extension cured meats workshops and state fair demonstrations. Assistance from Burgers’ has been essential in producing quality 4-H projects due to the freshness and condition of the meat products.
Throughout the company’s growth, Morris Burger has remained committed to championing 4-H. The E.M. Burger Foundation has donated thousands of dollars for school, community and arts projects in mid-Missouri.
The 4-H Champion Award was created in 2019 by the Missouri 4-H Foundation board of trustees to recognize Missouri businesses and organizations that provide significant support fostering positive 4-H youth development in their local communities or the state of Missouri.
About 4-H
More than 55,000 members strong, Missouri 4-H is an active, dynamic organization of young people who are learning, growing and preparing to be the leaders of today and tomorrow while making a real difference in their community, country and world. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Missouri and the nation’s Cooperative Extension System. For more information on Missouri 4-H, visit 4h.missouri.edu.
About the Missouri 4-H Foundation
The Missouri 4-H Foundation is the private resource partner of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. For 70 years, the foundation has secured and managed funds for Missouri 4-H, providing higher education scholarships, recognizing 4-H volunteers and supporting the work of MU Extension 4-H. Learn more at 4h.missouri.edu/foundation.
— Jordyn Bensyl, University of Missouri Extension
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