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Norris Grabert, Jr., Iberia Parish
Mr. Norris J. Grabert, Jr started his journey with Louisiana 4-H as a member in Lafourche parish in the 1950s. He was employed as an Assistant County Agent in West Baton Rouge in 1964, the 4-H agent with St. James Parish in 1965, and later transferred to Iberia Parish in 1969. As the parish chairman in the mid-1990's, Mr. Grabert was instrumental in creating the Iberia 4-H Foundation.
Mr. Grabert is a stickler for following the rules insisting on exactness and completeness in all tasks. His thoughts and values came from a deep respect for God’s Ten Commandments. These ideas plus an extra portion of energy, an appetite for competition, and a desire to teach resulted in training 4-H Club members to make their "best better."
In meeting the challenge to train 4-H members, Joining Mr. Grabert was 4-H agent Mary Kerne, who brought style and knowledge to the 4-H program. Students were drawn to the excitement and understanding that the two agents introduced into the program, and enrollment exploded.
With this organized energy, Iberia 4-H Club members brought home the Nolan Reech Award two consecutive years from the Louisiana State Short Course.
Mr. Grabert’s leadership abilities were developed by his parents, his high school agriculture teacher Mr. Dave Defelice; his 4-H agents Mr. C.J. Naquin and Sam Firman; and several County agent mentors including Mr. C.J. Arceneaux with Lafourche parish, Mr. Ivy Creel with West Baton Rouge parish, Mr. Kermit Coulon with St. James parish, Dr. Charles Miller with Iberia parish, and Mr. Minus Granger with St. Mary parish.
Mr. Grabert served the Louisiana Extension Service until his retirement in 1996. During his outstanding extension career, Mr. Grabert has been a member, committee chair, and officer of the Louisiana 4-H Agents Association and the Louisiana County Agricultural Agent's Association, where he has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Grabert has also received awards through the Farm Bureau, the Iberia Cattlemen’s Association, the Louisiana Sugarcane League, and the Louisiana Sheep Producers Association. He was also the first agent to be awarded the Young Agents Award by the Louisiana 4-H Agents Association.
In his retirement, Mr. Grabert continues to be an active supporter of 4-H and assists many 4-H families with their lamb projects. Mr. Grabert’s most visible role is in the livestock project area and the Sugarcane Festival 4-H Livestock Show.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Norris J. Grabert, Jr.to the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame!
