Starting in 1956, the Lancaster Rotary Club has sponsored the 4-H Strawberry Roundup. This fundraiser gives Rotarians a chance to meet and support young future farmers of Lancaster County. After the strawberries have been judged, the champions of the various divisions are invited to our May 29th meeting where they will be introduced to us and their strawberries will be auctioned off. The proceeds go directly to the 4-H growers. We usually have extra strawberries that are donated by other Rotarians. The proceeds of these go to the 4-H Program, specifically the Max Smith Scholarship fund. The 57th 4-H Strawberry Roundup and Auction continues an annual Club tradition, incorporating an auction that benefits 4-H programs and the Max Smith Scholarship Fund.
In 4-H programs, young people complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, and civic engagement – in addition to agriculture, which most people associate with the organization. They receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on leadership roles. The four Hs in 4-H represent the values that the members work on: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.
M. Maxwell Smith was a county agent who passed away at age 96 in 2011. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Lancaster. A member for more than 62 years, he served as Club President and received the Paul Harris Fellow + 1. One of the greatest accomplishments of his career as county agent was the completion of the Lancaster Farm and Home Center, a first of its kind building dedicated entirely to agriculture. Max was involved in planning, fund-raising, and ground breaking in 1966. He would later serve as Honorary Chairman of the Capital Campaign to expand the Center and would have the auditorium named in his honor. Max retired as a County Agent in 1981 and helped to establish a trust fund to support the Farm and Home Foundation Scholarship program. After Smith’s death, the scholarship was renamed the Max Smith Scholarship Fund.
