Mr. Charles “Charlie” Hymel started his 4-H career when he was 9 years old and continued until he graduated from high school in 1952. He began volunteering with St. James parish 4-H when his daughter became a member. Over 40 years later, Charlie is still an active 4-H volunteer for the parish, region and state. When his daughter began showing sheep, Charlie volunteered to be the first person to try raising sheep on expanded metal through a new LSU initiative and built plots for anyone wishing to give the project a try. As a livestock volunteer, Charlie has assisted countless families on the parish level as well as around the state. He makes home visits with 4-H agents to discuss nutrition, feeding, exercise and showmanship skills and assists Louisiana youth at National shows around the country. He has assisted agents in hosting livestock clinics and volunteer judged shows in several parishes including Iberville, Ascension, Assumption, St. Tammany, East Feliciana and West Feliciana. He trains compact tractor contestants for 4-HU each year. He has assisted agents with serval fundraising events including football pools and hog raffles. He solicits money and sponsorships for parish and regional 4-H events, including the Southeast District Livestock Show. Charlie has helped with the annual Party with the Pumpkins, a major community event reaching thousands of youth every Halloween, since its inception. Charlie serves on the St. James 4-H Advisory Committee, helping to guide the program. He is a volunteer that can be depended on to work an exhibit at the 4-H Ag Days at the Fast Food Farm. In addition to everything else he does, he is an electrician by trade. He has used these skills to help 4-H in many areas such as repairing and sharpening clippers, equipment repairs to the barn, and servicing office equipment. Over the years, Charlie has been recognized for his service at St. James 4-H Achievement Day and was inducted into the St. James 4-H Hall of Fame.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Charles Hymel to the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame!
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture