For George Heersche, “Citizenship,” “Leadership” and “Career Accomplishments” were synonymous. His most notable career accomplishments were evidenced by his participation in state and national service activities involving 4-H. He served as coach of the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Judging Teams, Kentucky 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl and chaired the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest as a volunteer. This is perhaps the best example of combining one’s career accomplishments, citizenship, and leadership imaginable. George Heersche epitomized the consummate professional. What is unique is that he was not a 4-H professional but was an Animal Science professor who passionately believed in 4-H Youth Development. Although he has never had a 4-H appointment at the University of Kentucky, he made 4-H Youth Development an integral component of his profession; impacting 23,183 different 4-H members enrolled in dairy projects, during his 45-year career.
Beginning in 1975, George was the Extension Dairyman, serving three years at South Dakota State University followed by 42 years at the University of Kentucky. He retired from UK in 2020; however, he continued to be an advisor and mentor until his passing in 2023. He created the Oliver and Virginia Payne Endowment for 4-H Dairy Judging, supporting the KY 4-H Dairy Judging Team. To offset the declining numbers of dairies (and 4-H dairy members) in KY, George developed the dairy heifer lease program in 2005. The following year, youth enrollment in the 4-H Dairy project increased by 66%!!
Dr. George Heersche, Jr. was synonymous with 4-H Dairy projects nationwide. From 1978 – 2020, George coached the Kentucky 4-H dairy judging teams, including three national champions. He served as chairman of the management committee for the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. Dr. Heersche was co-superintendent of the North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl for 12 years and has served as superintendent or co-superintendent of the North American Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest for 29 years. He chaired the Youth Committee for the National Holstein Convention.
George initiated and introduced the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl and served as the contest superintendent. He served as the Youth Show Superintendent for the Kentucky State Fair Dairy Show for 20 years and was the show’s consultant until he retired. He has served on the planning committee for Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture District Dairy Shows and Expos for 39 consecutive years.
He innovated and taught the dairy sections of the “Introduction to Animal Science” class which is broadcast to high schools and 4-H livestock clubs over Kentucky Educational Television. Dr. Heersche was involved from start to finish as a key member of the development team for Gee Whiz in Agriculture’s “From Moo to You” and “Chickens & Piglets & Lambs, OH MY!” This series is broadcast annually to more than 100,000 fourth and fifth grade school children throughout the United States over the Kentucky Educational Television StarChannel Network.
George gave the keynote address, “Our youth must have firm foundations, but must also be prepared to deal with change” at the 1998 World Guernsey Conference. His speech was published in World Guernsey Journal, Farmers Pride and Kentucky Holstein News. It was heralded as the “authority” in support of youth development work. George authored a chapter in the 4-H Dairy Resource Guide “Learning About Dairy.” He received the 2008 American Dairy Science Association Hoard’s Dairyman Youth Development Award.
George has always nurtured, cared for, and mentored youth informally. One young 4-Her wrote and asked him to be her “pen pal,” which he obliged for seven years. Although youth respectfully addressed George as “Dr. Heersche” in most settings, some affectionately referred to him as “Doc Choc” informally. George kept track of his 4-Hers as they matured, helping them think through opportunities and has listened, advised, and counseled 4-H members’ parents as well. He was a sterling example of character and leadership.
George Heersche, Jr. was raised near Mulvane, KS. A 10-year 4-H member and the oldest of six boys with no sisters, his first 4-H project was cooking. George was the Kansas Dairy Project winner. His parents were 4-H volunteer leaders for over three decades. George and Kathy began dating through Collegiate 4-H at KSU. Together, they have one son, two daughters, two grandsons, and fostered 13 infants. Because George’s career spanned four and a half decades, he passed before he could be nominated and inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.