Flanigan honored for 4-H leadership

Ed Flanigan of Butler County is one of 22 volunteers across the state recently honored with a 2020 Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award by the 4-H Center for Youth Development.

He was recognized for commitment and leadership to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Youth Development program. Flanigan, who has served the Butler County 4-H program for seven years, was nominated by local 4-H Youth Specialist Stephanie Milner.

A farmer and crop duster pilot, Flanigan has worked as a substitute teacher in the Twin Rivers school district for more than three decades.

After he suffered a heart attack in 2014, Flanigan credited his students with aiding in his recovery. To repay them, he started the Royal Riders 4-H Club.

In presenting the awards, MU Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development Director Dr. Lupita Fabregas said, “It is an honor to provide these outstanding volunteers with this recognition in honor of the late Frank Graham, also known as Mr. 4-H. These volunteers have demonstrated loyalty and skills in developing youth as leaders of today.”

Flanigan was among the 10 finalists in the Daily American Republic newspaper’s inaugural Difference Makers 2019 award.

The Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership award recognizes exemplary volunteers for their hard work and dedication to helping Missouri youth grow. The award is named for Frank Graham, who served as director of MU Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development from 1958-1975. During his 33 years of service, Graham was an avid supporter of volunteer leadership, believing that a volunteer is the foundation of the 4-H program. This year’s recognition event was held at the 4-H Center for Youth Development on the MU campus.

The guest presenter was Clint Darr, afterschool regional educator of the Missouri Afterschool Network. A certified laughter yoga instructor, he led a workshop on the power of positivity especially when working with youth.

In nominating Flanigan, Milner said, “Ed Flanigan started the Royal Riders 4-H Club in Qulin and it has been the most successful club in the area for several years.”

Flanigan works hard with other volunteers in the area and the Twin Rivers clubs have had more than 60 members in the last few years, Milner said.

“He is a great volunteer and always works to make sure youth in the area have every opportunity possible. Ed always makes sure the club members are fed and have assistance paying dues if they need it,” she continued. “He works hard with the Butler County 4-H Council to arrange field trips for youth each year. Butler County would not have the access to transportation if it wasn’t for Ed’s hard work. He does everything he can to make sure all the youth have fun and love 4-H.”

Since Flanigan started the first club, 4-H clubs have been organized at the high school, middle schools and Qulin grade school.

Flanigan is better known to the students as Mr. Ed. He understands the students and the area.

He was raised in nearby Pollard, Ark. and graduated from Piggott High School. His children attended Twin Rivers.

Flanigan graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. with a degree in agronomy. He worked in the field of agriculture throughout his youth and adult years. He serves on the Qulin Nutrition Board, and is a former member of the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council.

He is married to retired University of Missouri Extension Specialist Phyllis Flanigan. They have a daughter, Heather Flanigan-Garrett, son-in-law Brett, and one grandson, Colt, all of Ballston Lake, N. Y. Their son, Jim, is a police officer in Jonesboro, Ark. Jim and his wife, Jessica, have a daughter, Sophie.