GRAND ISLAND, NE—National 4-H Headquarters recognized Bill Stevens, retired Conservation Manager, Federal Cartridge Corporation, for his lifelong dedication to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program during the 2008 National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in June.

During his 42-year career, Stevens dedicated countless hours to developing the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. As a member of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, he traveled across the nation by road to promote the concept of 4-H Shooting Sports to conservation organizations and shooting sports companies. His efforts transformed the program into a major youth development initiative in more than 46 states, where more than 300,000 youth built their appreciation of the great outdoors.

“Bill Stevens played a crucial role in teaching America’s youth the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery, and the importance of conservation ethics,” said Cathann Kress, Director, Youth Development, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA. “His unwavering support of 4-H and the 4-H Shooting Sports Program is a great inspiration. We are proud to recognize his achievements.”

Stevens also worked on the National 4-H Shooting Sports Foundation, serving as a bridge between the shooting industry and the Cooperative Extension System of Land-Grant Universities to raise money in support of 4-H Youth Development. He also helped establish a 4-H Shooting Sports Committee in his home county, Anoka, MN, where his son was a 4-H member.

“Bill Stevens is an icon in the firearms and ammunition industry, [and] he has made my job easier by building such a firm foundation to work from. I am proud to have the opportunity to carry on his work,” said Ryan Bronson, Bill Stevens’ successor at Federal Cartridge Corporation.

Stevens holds a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife management from the University of Minnesota. An avid hunter and fisherman, he has traveled the US, Canada, Africa, Mexico, and Argentina to pursue his passion. He retired from Federal Cartridge Corporation in 2007, and currently lives in Fridley, MN, with his wife, Nila, and his son, Andrew. He continues to be an active volunteer with 4-H today.

4-H is a community of 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org.