Fund Est. 2003
Mark Merkel retired in April 2001 after 32 years of service with Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. He began his career in 1969, as a 4-H Youth agent in Adams County. In 1972, he was assigned the responsibility of County Extension Director (CED). Mark married Judi (Mosser) Merkel in 1968, and they have one daughter.
Mark has served in on various committees in the community such as Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Adams County Park and Recreation Board, Adams County Plan Commission, Adams County Community Foundation Board of Directors, and ACCF Scholarship chair. Mark has also served as a member of the Adams County Substance Awareness and Abuse Council, United Way –Ag Division, and the Church Council of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Geneva, Board of Directors of the Bank of Geneva, and was a past recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash. Each year this scholarship is awarded to an Adams County 4-Her with priority given to a student attending Purdue. This award is announced on-stage, during the annual 4-H Fair.