Organizational Leader: Jenny Trunfio
Club: Stump Corner
Mrs. Trunfio has been the organizational leader of the Stump Corner 4-H Club in New Castle County for 8 years. She is the project leader for Outdoor Adventures and Forestry. She was inducted into the New Castle Order of the Links several years ago for her service as a leader. At the county level, Mrs. Trunfio has helped with Ag Day and the Achievement Banquet and is an advisor with the Exchange group.
She was a 4-H’er in Huntingdon and Centre counties in Pennsylvania for 11 years. Her mom was the organizational leader and her older brothers were already members, so she was attending 4-H meetings long before she was able to join the club. She was also a member of the county Rec Club, which prepared to compete at the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg every year.
Mrs. Trunfio was very involved in foods, clothing, outdoor cooking, photography, and vegetable gardening. She also dabbled in rabbits, wildlife, dairy, and beef. She participated in demonstrations, fashion review, livestock judging, consumer bowl, and competed at PA State Achievement Days.
As an adult, she started working with 4-H after searching for a club for her eldest child to join. She decided to re-start a club that had been dormant for some years – Stump Corner 4-H Club in Townsend. She had always planned on working in 4-H as an adult, but got side tracked as a young adult after college. She is so glad she got back to the organization.
Mrs. Trunfio loves being a 4-H leader. The best part, she says, is seeing the youth grow into themselves. There’s nothing like seeing the light bulb come on, whether it’s through project work, public speaking, being an officer, or just working with other members on something of mutual interest. She looks forward to making many more memories and helping many more youth develop into the citizens and leaders they are meant to be.
Her advice to other leaders (both new and experienced) is to always be open to trying new things. Try to let the members of your club or project group lead the way. Ask for their suggestions and try to use them in the planning process. Her other tip is to reach out to other club leaders for advice, suggestions and ideas. Leader’s meetings and the Leader’s Forum are great places to meet other leaders and network for ideas of the great things other clubs are doing. And don’t be afraid to reach out to the county office for help.