Happy Retirement Rita Lofland!
Thank you for 20 years of Service to Sussex County 4-H

Rita Lofland joined 4-H at the age of eight when she became a Peach Blossom 4-H’er in Kent County.  Her parents, Bobby and Ruth Ann Messick were the club leaders.  She was active in the Fashion Revues, Ready Foods, Talent Shows, Camp and even showed sheep and ponies at the State Fair. After graduation and marrying her husband, Donnie, they moved to Greenwood.  When their two children joined the Greenwood Hi-Flyers, Rita became a Sussex County Leader in 1987.  As the children got older, she applied for a part-time position in the Sussex 4-H office and was hired by Mary Argo in 1996.

Now, 20 years later, Rita is still an active Leader of the East Coast 4-H Riding Club and organizes Breyer Paint Nights, Breyer Horse Shows, and Horse Bowl teams.  Her family’s love of horses led Donnie and Rita to chaperone the 1^st Delaware Appaloosa youth team to attend the National Show in Oklahoma in 1998.  They still own two Appaloosa horses and four pet miniature donkeys.

Rita was awarded the NAE4-HA Award for Support Staff by Mary Argo and the Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer Leader Award for Sussex County.  Rita is looking forward to retirement and plans to be able to travel a little in the future, hoping to visit the Kentucky Horse Park, Dollywood and Nashville.  We will be sure to see Rita helping with county 4-H events as well as the Delaware State Fair!