FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 2015 4-H Governor's Award winner has shown he can not only overcome adversity, but also help others through their own difficult times.

Joshua Lockhart, 19, of Gravette, son of Ross and Brenda Lockhart, has been selected as this year's winner of the Governor's Award, the highest honor in Arkansas 4-H. The award was announced at the 69th Awards of Excellence Banquet July 23 at the State O-Rama. The highest level of recognition a 4-H member can receive on a state level, the award is based upon stringent evaluation of accomplishments throughout the finalists' 4-H career encompassing project work, community service and leadership.

Lockhart was selected from among three finalists who all went through rigorous interviews and were hosted for lunch by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and his wife Susan at the Governor's Mansion.

"Joshua exemplifies the ideals 4-H seeks to instill in its members," said Anne Sortor, associate director-extension for the 4-H Youth Development Program. "It's wonderful to have our Governor's Award winner and finalists as role models for our program."

Lockhart, a sophomore poultry science major in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the U of A, grew up in a 4-H family on a cattle farm.

"It was a family tradition," said Lockhart, who is also in the Honors College. "My grandma was a 4-H leader for 25 years and my dad was extremely involved. He went to 4-H National Conference." 

After starting in 4-H by showing cattle at age 8, Lockhart deepened his involvement.

"From there, I was able to learn that 4-H teaches speaking capabilities and leadership qualities, and I was able to lead on the football team and in the classroom," said Lockhart.

A broken foot when he was 13 prevented him from showing cattle in the fair, so he decided to look into 4-H poultry activities.

"When all my friends were inside playing video games, I was inside looking up chickens," said Lockhart.

Susan Watkins, extension poultry specialist for the U of A System Division of Agriculture, said, "I would have to rate Joshua in the top five of students coming into our program because of his enthusiasm, his leadership skills and knowledge base that he's been able to develop through his experience through 4-H."

Michelle Rieff, leader of the Town & Country 4-H Club, of which Lockhart is a member, said, "Joshua's biggest impact on our 4-H club has been his investment of time into others. He's a fantastic role model for the juniors and the Cloverbuds. They respect him. They admire him and they listen to him." 

"My big community service project was the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado," said Lockhart, who is a member of Gamma Beta Phi, the Poultry Science Club and the Student Advisory Team for the P. Allen Smith Heritage Poultry Conservatory. "I developed a care package system, and we were able to mail them all for free and to families that immediately needed it."

From that project to help those in need, Lockhart was named a state Record Book winner, an achievement that sent him to national 4-H Congress. Lockhart said he was awestruck by the event organizers and applied to become one of them the following year. He was elected the presiding officer in 2013.

Lockhart's co-finalists were Lauren Cheevers of Fayetteville and Stephanie Williams of White County. The Arkansas 4-H Governor's Award recipient is presented a silver tray engraved with a salutation from Governor Asa Hutchison and is accompanied by a scholarship. Lockhart was inducted into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame in 2014. As Governor's Award recipient, Lockhart name will be added to a plaque on permanent display at the C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

For more information about 4-H, contact your county extension office or visit www.uaex.edu.