Ray Kuehnlein

Ray Kuehnlein has been involved with 4-H since he was 10 years old. After graduating high school, Kuehnlein served three years in the army. In 1970, he and his wife, Margie, established the County Bunch 4-H Club where they served as leaders for 25 years. In 1972, he was elected director of the Monroe County Fair Association and three years later named swine superintendent. This earned him a seat on the Monroe County Jr. Livestock Association (JLA) Board where he currently serves as treasurer and chairman of the JLA Auction. Over the past four decades as a 4-H volunteer leader, Kuehnlein has created a Master Stockman Program with assistance from a MDA grant and the Junior Livestock association. He was involved in an educational exhibit to educate 4-H’ers and the public about swine and the swine industry. Under Kuehnlein’s leadership, the 4-H swine project has grown from 60 hogs to over 300. This dramatic increase required the restructuring of the barn and construction of new hog pens. Kuehnlein’s ability to work with people and to generate excitement among the kids has created enthusiasm in 4-H and Monroe County.