Donna Parrell

Lafayette County 4-H Volunteer

“If we can’t explain what we do and why we do it, we need to assess our program” – words spoken by 4-H Hall of Fame laureate Donna Parrell of Lafayette County. While recently describing the educational beliefs of their farming operation for the past 42 years, Donna said that the concept behind 4-H was the very same thing.

Serving as a volunteer leader for over 32 years, and an organizational leader for eight years, Donna has lived the 4-H Pledge by practicing healthy living, using her head for clearer thinking and encouraging life-long education, her hands for a larger service, and opening her heart for loyalty to her family, community, country and world.

Donna and Robert Parrell, best friends and business partners for many years, raised and graduated four children from 4-H, hosted more than 15 exchange students and delegates from many countries, and participated in exchanges themselves, sharing their cultural experiences with schools and 4-H members throughout Lafayette County. Their commitment to youth development also helped them mentor many student employees from UW-Platteville (even having recently mentored a 2nd-generation student employee).

Volunteers are such an integral part of 4-H, and Donna Parrell has demonstrated this time and again through chaperoning, involvement with the State 4-H Youth Conference, serving on the Lafayette County 4-H Leaders Board and by sharing her home for the past 31 years with special needs women.