June 10, 2020

News Release

For Immediate Release

Jeannette Rea Keywood
Chair, National 4‑H Hall of Fame

National 4-H Hall of Fame Laureates Announced

4‑H has announced the names of the sixteen individuals who will be inducted into the National 4‑H Hall of Fame during a special ceremony to be held on Friday, October 2 at the National 4‑H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The National 4‑H Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Laureates who will be honored for excellence in citizenship, leadership, character and career accomplishments include: David and Sue Benedetti (National 4‑H Council), Susan Halbert (National 4‑H Council), Greg Hutchins (Wisconsin), Dr. Denver Loupe (Louisiana), Robert Meadows (Virginia), Dr. Thearon McKinney (North Carolina), Darlene Baker-Millard (Arkansas), Arthur Nemetz (New Jersey), Jerry Parsons (Iowa), James Phelps (NAE4‑HA), Marie Rice (Alaska), Sherman and Fay Sallee (Oregon), Glenn Snyder, Jr. (West Virginia), William Svendsgaard (Minnesota), Kendra Wells (Maryland), and Helene Zeug (Hawaii).

Each laureate was selected for the National 4‑H Hall of Fame because of his or her significant contribution to 4‑H, the nation's premier youth development organization that serves over six million youth nationwide. 4‑H programs in every state, U.S. territory and the District of Columbia as well as 4‑H's three national partners - National Association of Extension 4‑H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4‑HYDP); National 4‑H Council and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)/USDA, nominate outstanding individuals for this honor.

The National 4‑H Hall of Fame was created in 2002 as a 4‑H Centennial project to recognize and celebrate those people who have made a significant impact on 4‑H and its millions of members for over 100 years.

"These individuals have touched the lives of many people, from 4‑H staff and colleagues to thousands of 4‑H volunteers and members throughout the nation," said Jeannette Rea Keywood, Chair of the National 4‑H Hall of Fame.

About the National 4‑H Hall of Fame

In 2002, the National Association of Extension 4‑H Agents (NAE4‑HA), National 4‑H Council and National 4‑H Headquarters at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)/USDA created the National 4‑H Hall of Fame during 4‑H's centennial year. The National 4‑H Hall of Fame was established to recognize 4‑H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major impacts within the 4‑H movement at the local, state and national levels. Biographies and more information about inductees can be found on the National 4‑H Hall of Fame website at www.4‑H-hof.com

About the 4‑H Youth Development Program

4‑H is the nation's largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America annually with research based programs in leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. For over 100 years, 4‑H has connected the science, engineering and technology innovations of land-grant universities to local youth and families. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)/United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides programmatic leadership for the 4‑H Youth Development Program. 4‑H programs are offered in every county in the United States. For more information about 4‑H, visit the national 4‑H website at www.4‑H.org

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.

Rutgers New Jersey 4-H Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station