Karen Finlayson, left, receives her award as 4-H Volunteer of the Year from Ellie Bates. Finlayson won the award for her work with the Crazy H’s, a livestock club.

ENTERPRISE — Karen Finlayson thought she was attending the annual 4-H awards celebration so she could witness her club, the Crazy H’s, get an award.

However, as the October evening wore on and her club had not yet been called up to receive an award, she grew suspicious — until, at the very end of the proceedings, she put two and two together.

When Finlayson’s name was called, it all became clear: She was being named the 4-H Volunteer of the Year for 2024 for her hard work and dedication to the Crazy H’s, a livestock club.

Finlayson was born and reared in Wallowa County, and has been in 4-H since she was a youth. She started helping her brothers who were in 4-H until she could become a member, when she was in third grade.

“I did show sheep throughout my 4-H career,” she said. “Mom made outfits out of wool. We dressed the lambs up in wool costumes and we wore matching costumes. It was pretty cute and really fun,” she said.

Finlayson leads her 30-member group with Heather Melville. She has been an adult leader for three years. Her elder son (one of two) is also in the club.

She said she was drawn to becoming a 4-H leader because, “I like working with kids. It’s a lot of fun. You get to show them different ways to do showing,” she said.

But the work comes with a touch of sadness on the day when members have to relinquish their animal at the annual Fat Stock Show, on the last day of the Wallowa County Fair.

The 4-H’ers “get really attached” to their animals, she said.

Both of Finlayson’s sons (Vincent is 16 and Lain is 11) show sheep at the Wallowa County Fair. Vincent has been in 4-H for eight years, Lain for three.

She’s a fan of the Open Class at the county fair. She said her boys always participated in Open Class and received awards for their entries.

She said it’s always nice to see vegetables, sewing, pottery and the diversity of the exhibits.

“Anyone can participate,” she said.

When she is not working with her club, Finlayson is working at Enterprise School as the maintenance director. Her outside interests include pottery and camping.

“I love to go camping and spending time with my family,” she said.

She also has her own kiln and pottery wheel.

Finlayson encourages others to get involved with 4-H and become a leader. She said 4-H “is not just about livestock, but also cooking and sewing. There’s something for everybody.”

She said it’s important to get parents to help with younger youth as they grow up and can relate to life through adults. 4-H can be an important part of that, she said.

“I encourage everybody — young and old. It’s a great program with something for everybody,” she said.