Described as the “all-American farming family,” Donna and Donald Alt and their sons Devon and Derek of Brookedale Farms in Fort Ashby were named the 4-H Family of the Year at the Mineral County Fair on Aug. 2.
The family of four received this title, sponsored by Hershey Foods, for their community and 4-H involvement.
 “They are a Mineral county family, they make their living off the farm, their children are involved in 4-H,” said Greg Mallow of Hershey Ice Cream, who nominated the Alts for the $200 scholarship-based award.
Mallow hopes this new award, that will recognize a 4-H family each year at the Mineral County Fair,  will grow.
“I hope this kick-starts people to donate to the kids and kick-start a scholarship for 4-H members,” said Mallow.
Donna, who said she also received a plaque for this title and a second plaque for being named “Hershey Foods Family of the Year”. 
Brooke-Alt and her family run a 284-acre farm in Fort Ashby,  formally owned and operated by her father- Donald Brooke.
“It’s a dairy/agric-retainment/green house farm,” said Brooke-Alt, describing her diversified farm. “We have our corn maze in September and in October where we entertain people on the weekends and teach them about agriculture and show them the animals.” 
Brooke-Alt said she grew up involved in 4-H, her parents Donald and Evelyn “Marie” Brooke were 4-H leaders and describes the program as a “great organization that teaches a little bit of everything.”
“It teaches children about nature, cooking, and safety issues,” said Brooke-Alt. “It teaches you how to help others.”
Adding that the 4-H program gives children in the county a “good foundation to grow on,” the benefits of 4-H extend well into participant’s adult lives, said Brooke-Alt.
“It’s so important for the kids to have a good basis to grow on. I found in some children’s lives that 4-H is the only positive thing they have,” said Brooke-Alt. “The activities are enriching, the social life is good, and all the kids have good quality values to grow up on in 4-H.”