Wagner Farm Manager, Glenview 4-H Leader Honored For Agriculture Achievements

GLENVIEW, IL — Two people with ties to Historic Wagner Farm and the Glenview Clovers 4-H Club were recognized this week for achievements in agriculture, leadership and community service.

The Glenview Park District Board of Commissioners honored Historic Wagner Farm Manager Blake Lanphier and Glenview Clovers 4-H President Lindsey Bycraft during its Thursday meeting.

Lanphier received two statewide honors: the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Excellence in Agriculture Award and induction into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame. At Historic Wagner Farm, Lanphier oversees work involving agricultural production and education, 4-H programming and opportunities for residents to learn more about agriculture.

The Illinois Farm Bureau's Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young leaders for involvement in agriculture, leadership, advocacy and community service.

Lanphier is scheduled to speak at the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in December and will represent Illinois at the American Farm Bureau Federation Excellence in Agriculture Award competition during the 2027 AFBF Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

His Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame induction recognizes his years of service to Lake County 4-H.

Bycraft was recognized for her leadership and accomplishments with the Glenview Clovers 4-H Club.

Since joining the club in 2023, she has served as a lamb leader, board member and president. She also worked as a farm apprentice at Historic Wagner Farm in 2026. Through hands-on work with hogs, lambs and dairy cattle, Bycraft spent significant time training animals and preparing them for show.

That work culminated in the 2026 Lake County Fair Master Showmanship Award.

Bycraft later represented Lake County 4-H, the Glenview Clovers and Historic Wagner Farm at the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Competition. She also received a 2026 Friends of Wagner Farm 4-H scholarship, which supports graduating Glenview Clovers members pursuing post-secondary education related to agriculture.

Bycraft is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Agriculture.

The park district said the accomplishments of Lanphier and Bycraft reflect the connection between Historic Wagner Farm, the Glenview Clovers 4-H Club and agricultural education in the community.

Historic Wagner Farm is a working and interpretive farm owned and operated by the Glenview Park District, offering educational programs, historic interpretation and seasonal experiences focused on agriculture, food systems and farm life.

More information is available at the Historic Wagner Farm website.