West Carroll Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Joanne Bolding, who has 42 years of involvement with 4-H, has been on the 4-H Foundation Board and 4-H Advisory Leadership Council. She has received the Louisiana 4-H Alumni Award and 4-H Good Provider Leader Award.
Pointe Coupee Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Josephine Cashio André was an honored educator for 25 years who accepted the responsibility of 4-H Club Leader throughout her career. She led her members and officers through leadership training and personal guidance that helped prepare them to become successful, active members of the community today.
Calcasieu Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. The contributions of Mr. WT Burton, as he was known, to 4-H were enormous and considered visionary for his time. He believed in supporting youth programs, and the 4-H program was one he supported dearly. He played a vital role in establishing the first livestock show and sale in southwest Louisiana. He donated a parcel of land south of Lake Charles to build a facility to hold livestock shows.
Plaquemines Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Brenda Bulot has been a 4-H leader for 15 years. She has also served on the Plaquemines Parish Advisory Committee, assisted 4-H agents with 4-H camp and 4-H University for 10 years and provided invaluable service to the Plaquemines Parish 4-H program.
St. John Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Carroll Adams started his 4-H career in 1973 and served 4-H for 34 years. He attended 4-H Camp every year and spent much of his time serving as a judge for various contests, including pet shows and the Chick-N-Que Contest. He was the St. John Parish garden project leader.
East Baton Rouge Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Mark Bonner, a former chairman of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees and long-time supporter and sponsor of 4-H, was executive vice president and general manager of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Through Bonner’s leadership, this association supported the 4-H Electric Program for more than 36 years. He received numerous honors including the Citation for Outstanding Service to 4-H and the State 4-H Alumni Award.
Ascension Parish/State 4-H Office. Year Inducted: 2008. Walter C. Abbott contributed 52 years to the Louisiana 4-H program and served as the State 4-H Leader from 1919-49. He implemented the organization for standard 4-H Clubs for both boys and girls, helped develop the Junior Livestock Shows, organized the concepts of parish Achievements Days, oversaw the building of the state 4-H camp at Camp Grant Walker, and organized the first Junior Leadership, wildlife and forestry camps.
St. Mary Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Emma Broussard credits 4-H for what she has achieved in life. She became a 4-H member in 1949 and remains active with the organization. She serves as a judge for various parish events and has been a 4-H camp counselor.
Acadia Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Joseph L. Baronet, a 4-H alumnus, was a livestock leader for more than 43 years and was instrumental in organizing the first annual livestock sale in 1968. He was a key figure in securing support for the Acadia Parish multipurpose facility and extension office.
Iberia Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Carroll Boudreaux serves as president of the Iberia Parish 4-H Foundation and was a board member of the state 4-H Foundation. He has helped obtain endowed funds for scholarships, awards and numerous events and activities. He has worked as a 4-H livestock volunteer, conducts educational clinics and hosts livestock shows.
East Carroll Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Harriet Bridges is a retired 4-H agent with more than 30 years of service. Her work with the Louisiana State Cotton Museum continues to educate youth about the importance of agriculture.
Lafayette Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. A.J. Brackin, a former 4-H agent in Lafayette Parish, helped establish the first Junior Leadership program, empowering older 4-H members as project leaders. After retiring, Brackin continued to support 4-H and helped establish the Lafayette Parish 4-H Foundation. Outstanding record book winners are recognized with an award named in his honor.
Desoto Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Beverly Bruce was an extension home economist and later a member of the Louisiana Legislature, where she championed the 4-H character education programs. She was instrumental in establishing 4-H Day at the Capitol, which was held for the 6th year in 2008.
Vermilion Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. James Baudoin was hired as a 4-H agent in 1935 to help youth after the Depression. He started working in Vermilion Parish in 1938 and is credited with starting the 4-H handicraft project. He also established a 4-H safety program for rural youth. A parish award is made annually in his honor to recognize outstanding senior 4-H members
Ascension Parish. Year Inducted: 2008 . Crawford Alexander Bishop joined the 4-H Club at the age of 10 and, as an adult, was dedicated to the livestock project because it taught responsibility. He made sure that any child who wanted to participate had the opportunity to do so. He chaired the Livestock Sales Committee for more than 20 years. He received numerous awards and was instrumental in establishing the Acadiana Livestock Show.
Bossier Parish / State Extension Office. Year Inducted: 2008. Dr. Jack Bagent, retired vice chancellor of the LSU AgCenter and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, made major contributions to 4-H at the local, state and national levels. During his 37-year career with the Extension Service, Dr. Bagent earned a reputation as an expert entomologist and a caring leader. He was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002.
Morehouse Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. John D. Andrews, a county agent with more than 30 years of service, provided minority youth the opportunities to learn valuable life skills as responsible adults and future leaders in their communities.
Franklin Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Among Tom Scott’s many contributions to 4-H was his founding of the Scott Truck and Tractor Scholarship for graduating 4-H members. Annual scholarships have been awarded for the past 19 years. Presently, each parish receives $1,500 for deserving 4-H members.
Natchitoches Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Idell Snowden, an extension agent for 34 years, continues to show support to the Natchitoches Parish 4-H youth development program. When she was employed by the LSU AgCenter, she worked closely with black youth. Throughout her career she created an atmosphere in the parish 4-H organization that allowed all races to interact comfortably, thus making all youth feel welcome.
Livingston Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Margaret Sorenson began her 4-H career at the age of 10 years old. During her 30-year career as a 4-H Club leader, she received the Leader of the Year Award numerous times and also was awarded the 4-H Alumni Award during Short Course. Margaret also served as an adviser to the State 4-H Fashion Board and was instrumental in starting a 4-H Fashion Board in Livingston Parish in 1995.
East Baton Rouge Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. While a 4-H agent in St. James Parish, George Simoneaux became known as the man of new ideas. In 1956, he and his coworkers developed a safety program involving volunteer leaders, business leaders and 4-H Clubs. In 1960, he transferred to East Baton Rouge Parish. joining the parish extension staff as a 4-H agent. Over 52 years, Simoneaux served 4-H youth in many capacities.
Beauregard Parish / State 4-H Office. Year Inducted: 2008. Calvin Stewart Shirley began his 33-year career as a field agent in Bossier and Caddo parishes from 1943-1955. He became a state 4-H agent in 1955 and served in that capacity for 21 years until his retirement in 1976. Mr. Shirley continued to work at youth development through his work in church, community and the 4-H program in his home parish of Beauregard.
Evangeline Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Jim Shipp has been associated with 4-H for more than 30 years in a variety of assignments, including program sponsor and camp volunteer. He has been active in livestock programs, and he was instrumental in establishing a shooting sports program in the parish, securing national support and funding.
Terrebonne Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Carroll Charpentier has been a leader throughout 60 years of involvement with 4-H and a firm believer in what 4-H means in developing youth to the best of their ability. He serves on the advisory committee with an emphasis on poultry at the state level. He is recognized as a poultry expert. He and his family have won many poultry awards over the years
East Feliciana Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Beth Dawson has been involved in 4-H for 37 years. She has served as a 4-H Club leader, project leader, extension adviser and foundation trustee, as well as a community leader. Dawson continues to influence youth today as a volunteer and project leader.
Vermilion Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Charles Dill Sr. was a charter member of the Vermilion Parish 4-H Foundation. He helped the foundation reach its $100,000 goal. He established a parish speech contest and helped gain approval for a statewide tax to build a parish office and livestock facility.
Austin J. Daniel, West Feliciana Parish, Year Inducted: 2008 Austin J. Daniel gained many experiences as a member of the 4-H program. As sheriff, he supports the 4-H program to benefit families in his parish. He provides departmental resources during the Junior Livestock Show and supports 4-H members financially through the sale of livestock animals conducted by the Livestock Club.
Richland Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Kathy Colson has been a 4-H volunteer for more than 20 years, engaging youth in dairy projects and contests and teaching school children that milk comes from cows.
Jackson Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Bobby Culpepper served as president of his local club in 1952-53, 1955-56 and 1957-58. He also served as reporter and song leader. He participated in the State Junior Leadership Conference for four years, 4-H Short Course for five years and the National Dairy Conference. He is an attorney in Jonesboro and continues to contribute to the sale of the local livestock projects
St. James Parish. Year Inducted: 2008.Kermit Coulon served as a 4-H agent, a county agent and the district agent for the Cane Belt Area for many years before retiring. While he was district agent, he had one of the best-attended area 4-H Junior Leadership Conferences in the state. Although retired, he still volunteers to assist with 4-H activities and shows.
Orleans Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Lan Hoang is the first Asian-American 4-H leader in Orleans Parish. She has added diversity to the existing 4-H program and helps Asian-American youth to gain access to programs. Ms. Hoang is president of the Orleans Parish 4-H Foundation and serves on the 4-H Advisory Committee.
Claiborne Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Laverne Hightower has been a volunteer for 24 years. She has conducted record book workshops, served on the State 4-H Advisory Council and was a delegate to Washington, D.C., for the Louisiana 4-H Volunteer Ambassador Program. She was a charter member and treasurer of the Claiborne 4-H Foundation.
Jefferson Davis Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Robert Hoffpauir, a former 4-H agent in Jefferson Davis Parish, was a leading force in developing the first parish livestock show. He established a recognition program for outstanding 4-H Clubs that continues today.
East Baton Rouge. Year Inducted: 2008. Melvin “Kip” Holden has participated in the 4-H program as a club member, volunteer, benefactor, and advocate for more than 40 years. He has served several terms on the East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H Advisory Council, and he has awarded a mini-grant to the East Feliciana 4-H program to support school enrichment promoting science. Holden began his leadership development in 4-H.
St. Bernard Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Bernie Hambrice was a 4-H leader for 25 years who inspired 200 fourth- and fifth-graders to participate in school 4-H Clubs. Although retired, she still returns to volunteer and bring smiles to many children’s faces.
Natchitoches Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Rick Hargis and his family established the Grand Champion Jersey Cow Award at the LSU Spring Livestock Show in 1995 in memory of his son Chad, and they have sponsored the award since then. He has been chairman of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation and actively involved in the Natchitoches Parish 4-H Foundation.
Iberville Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Gary Hebert was a 4-H member in the 1940s and held every club office possible. An avid writer, he honed his skills through reading everything that the Extension Service published about writing. He and his wife began a weekly newspaper in 1957, which provided extensive coverage of 4-H news. Gary Hebert won the 4-H Alumni Recognition Award in 1961.
Tangipahoa Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Delos Jones worked as a 4-H agent from 1946-55 and trained agents like Edgar Boone, who went on to become the Director of Extension in North Carolina.
Lafourche Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Dalton Landry began his 4-H career in 1955. He became the county agent of Lafourche Parish in 1973 and trained many of the agents who have made the parish successful in 4-H. He established the Sugar and Seafood contest, was manager of the Lafourche Parish Fair Association and was president of the Lafourche 4-H Foundation Board. Since his retirement, he has assisted in training 4-H University contestants and judges parish 4-H contests.
Terrebonne Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Over the past 20 years, Rena Labat has served in a variety of roles in the 4-H program. She is currently serving on the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board and the Louisiana 4-H Camp Grant Walker Educational Center Advisory Board and is a coordinator for the 4-H University Fashion Revue Ready-to-Wear Contest. On the regional level, she conducts clothing-construction workshops and assists with the Area 4 Commodity Cookery Contest.
St. Helena Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Donna Beth Karl has been involved with 4-H for 15 years and has volunteered on both the parish and district levels. She is the president of the St. Helena 4-H Educational Foundation, secretary of the Livestock Advisory Committee and leader of the Rolling Hills 4-H Community Club.
State 4-H Office. Year Inducted: 2008. As a youth in 1912, Stella Jones was involved in the various agricultural and domestic clubs that became known later as 4-H. As an adult, she dedicated 43 years of service to the 4-H program from 1925-67. From 1961-67, she worked at the state 4-H office on records, demonstrations, parish fairs, and developing enrollment and new programs. She was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2005.
Madison Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Ann Keene, who has 31 years of volunteer service to 4-H, is a 4-H Foundation past chair. She has received the Louisiana 4-H Alumni Award, 4-H Attorney General’s Livestock Leader Award and State Fair of Louisiana Volunteer Leader of the Year award.
Ouachita Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Kate Kilpatrick dedicated more than 50 years of her life to the 4-H program. Her work and leadership led to a parish 4-H Leader Award, which is presented annually in her memory.
Tensas Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Elvadus Fields, a retired extension agent with 44 years of service, collaborated with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture Loan Program for youth livestock projects in northeast Louisiana. His leadership involvement includes the Louisiana Black Farmers and Landowners Association and Delta Livestock Enterprise.
Lafayette Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. George Fawcett became involved with 4-H as a business recruiter representing the SLEMCO utility for the parish livestock show and sale. His work yielded thousands of dollars worth of advertisements. His continuing love for the lamb project and youth is obvious as he provides the less fortunate with opportunities to participate in 4-H.
St. Tammany Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. After beginning his career as a 4-H agent, Dr. Bobby Fletcher Sr. was instrumental in getting a livestock show facility built in St. Tammany Parish. He later served as a district agent in the southeast area of the state. Dr. Fletcher also served on the Southeast District Livestock Show Committee and on the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board. He was honored with the St. Tammany fairground facility being named the Bobby Fletcher Agricultural Center.
Grant Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Randall Fletcher serves on the Grant Parish 4-H Foundation and is active in his community. His high standards and insights have been an inspiration to the 4-H staff, youth and adults involved in the Grant Parish 4-H program.
Bossier Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Albert Doughty started his 4-H involvement in the fourth grade and, as an adult, worked for the LSU AgCenter for 33 years. He was county agent and parish chair. He is currently mayor of Benton, La.
Sabine Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Sheila Farmer has been an avid and enthusiastic 4-H volunteer for 22 years, chaperoning, planning workshops, organizing meetings and helping at Achievement Day. Her dedication has changed the lives of many youth.
Evangeline Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Sharon Fontenot retired from the LSU AgCenter after working with 4-H for 32 years. She remains an active volunteer, serving as 4-H University coach, 4-H Advisory Committee member and event judge.
St. Landry Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Wayne Gilmore has been an avid 4-H supporter since 1982, when he helped establish the parish 4-H Foundation; he served as chairman for 25 years. He helped fund numerous 4-H programs and has served on the Louisiana 4-H Foundation board. He also works with livestock and woodworking projects.
St. Martin Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Conrad Gauthier was one of the most influential 4-H agents in St. Martin Parish during his 25-year career. A scholarship fund, which has benefitted 98 4-H members, was established in 1977 to recognize his accomplishments.
Calcasieu Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. John C. Guidry was a 4-H volunteer for more than 45 years. His work was often behind-the-scenes as he worked with businesses to support youth by purchasing animals at livestock shows.
Vermilion Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Virgie Foreman has been an outstanding volunteer for more than 50 years. She was a charter member of the Vermilion 4-H Foundation and served as its adviser. Her contributions helped establish scholarships for students majoring in agriculture or home economics.
LaSalle Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Linda Lee Franks has had a love of 4-H for more than 50 years, volunteering for three generations of youths. Even though fully employed as a tax preparer and bookkeeper, Franks always finds time to assist with 4-H programs that help youth to develop the qualities necessary to be successful.
St. Martin Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Charles A. Fuselier is a 4-H alumnus and active supporter of the 4-H program. During his career as sheriff, he seldom encountered a former or current 4-H member in trouble. A parish scholarship was developed in his honor in 2002.
Avoyelles Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. William Freshwater was the Moreauville High School principal in 1908, where the first Corn Club for boys was started. Originally from Illinois, Freshwater came to Louisiana in 1902 and is credited with bringing the 4-H concept to Louisiana from his home state. The success of the Corn Club led to establishing other agricultural and domestic clubs that became collectively known as the 4-H Club.
Concordia Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Adella Paul has provided enthusiasm as a volunteer for more than 700 4-H students. She said what she is most proud of is that she had a part in developing so many youth at an early age and seeing them become successful leaders in their communities. Many feel that she exemplifies the 4-H pillars of character and is a true leader.
Allen Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Durell Peloquin, Sr. was an active supporter of the Allen Parish 4-H program and was president of the Allen Parish Fair Association. He also served on the Southwest District Show Committee and the scholarship committee.
Lincoln Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Mary Poe promotes 4-H through the air waves and Web page of The Radio Center where she is employed as public service director. She serves on the Lincoln Parish Advisory Council and volunteers as a judge for contests.
Winn Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Carolyn Reber Phillips served as a home economist/4-H agent for 30 years. She was instrumental in the development of the Winn Parish 4-H Woodsman’s Skills Competition as a youth event in conjunction with the Louisiana Forest Festival. She serves on the Winn Parish Advisory Committee and judges 4-H activities.
Red River. Year Inducted: 2008. Nancy Nettles has been involved with 4-H for 42 years. She has received the State Alumni Award, the Attorney General’s Livestock Leader Award, the Outstanding Leadership Award and has served on the 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees.
East Baton Rouge / State 4-H Office. Year Inducted: 2008. Dr. C.J. Naquin dedicated his career to the 4-H program and served as the first Louisiana 4-H Foundation director. He was promoted to the State 4-H office with the responsibilities of the 4-H leadership program. He developed parish Junior Leader Clubs throughout the state and was responsible for naming a Louisiana room at the National 4-H Center. He started the first LABO exchange program.
Pointe Coupee Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Maxine Olinde was a 4-H agent who implemented a variety of programs on home economics, community development and leadership development. She is a National Association of Extension Home Economists lifetime member and was rewarded with their Distinguished Service Award. She was also recognized by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with the Home Economics Alumni Award in recognition of her contribution to 4-H club work and service.
Jefferson Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Clara O’Sullivan was a 4-H leader at elementary schools in Jefferson Parish. She served as a teacher representative on the Jefferson 4-H Foundation Board and on the Jefferson 4-H Advisory Council. She had the highest number of youth who stayed in 4-H beyond elementary school. She has received numerous awards from the Jefferson Parish 4-H Foundation.
St. Charles Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Catherine Richard was a 4-H Leader in St. Charles Parish for 55 years. Her students won numerous state and blue ribbon awards at 4-H Short Course at LSU. She served as a chaperone for the Jr. Leaders Camp and for the district wildlife trip.
Assumption Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Enaux Rivere began his 4-H career as a 4-H’er in 1959 and continues to volunteer and support 4-H today. He is a livestock project leader and a member of the Assumption 4-H Advisory Committee. Each year, 2,000 youth and adults visit his Dairy Educational Display at Ag Day.
Grant Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Willard Rambo was the state senator responsible for legislation that appropriated $75,000 to build Camp Jesse Harrison in Grant Parish for 4-H’ers in the 1950s.
Red River. Year Inducted: 2008. Joe Don Powell, a former county agent, devoted 30 years to educational programs on entomology, livestock, plant science and wildlife. He was a mentor to new 4-H agents and brought together community leaders, 4-H parents and politicians to organize the Red River Livestock Club, an organization that supports local 4-H projects
Madison Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Bill Querrey has been a 4-H volunteer for 40 years. As the past president of the parish Farm Bureau and member of Louisiana Angus Association, he supported youth through field days and district and regional livestock shows.
Iberville Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Cecil Ramagos Sr. became involved in 4-H at the age of nine and remained active long after high school. He volunteered his time, money, energy and expertise to help any 4-H’er in need for more than 30 years. His tireless efforts helped elevate the Iberville 4-H livestock project to one of the highest-quality programs in the state.
West Baton Rouge Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Louis Mouch Jr. served over 60 years with West Baton Rouge 4-H. He is the Fair Board president and assists the planning and running of the West Baton Rouge Fair and rodeo each year.
Caddo Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. John Lowe was a 4-H agent and parish chair who spent countless hours mentoring 4-H youth and their families. He serves on the Ark-La-Tex Agricultural Council, Caddo Parish Farm Bureau and State Fair of Louisiana board of directors and remains active in 4-H events and contest judging.
St. Landry Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Lou Ella Lognion started her work with 4-H as a volunteer and a supportive mother and grandmother. She was an organizational club leader at Port Barre High School. Her interests were clothing, food and nutrition.
Bienville Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Elliot Letlow was a 4-H agent and county agent with 38 years of service beginning in 1951. His accomplishments include working with the Junior Leaders Club and gardening contests and providing peaches for many educational demonstrations.
Concordia Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. B.U. Miller worked with students in the 4-H livestock program. He served on the 4-H advisory board and also worked with the fundraising committee for the livestock project. He often would cover the cost of the project for youth unable to afford the expenses. He always said he was rewarded beyond his dreams through the accomplishments of his children and the youth he worked with through 4-H.
Vernon Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Michelle Mitchell is often referred to as the “4-H Mom” by youth in the Vernon Parish program. She was an active 4-H participant as a child and continues to be an active supporter of the program. She has served in numerous roles from teen organizational leader and coach of 4-H University to state 4-H Day at the Capitol committee member. One of her most noteworthy projects is her work in a hurricane relief service project that gained statewide recognition.
Catahoula Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Jean Mitchell has served as a 4-H organizational leader and volunteer, touching the lives of many youths. She instilled a tradition of 4-H that increased enrollment and participation in 4-H in her parish. In encouraging youth, she always provides them with experiences that are fun and educational and emphasize demonstration skills.
Beauregard Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Lina Ruth Miller has served as a 4-H volunteer for more than 40 years. Her roles have ranged from organizational club leader, advisory committee member and parish junior leader to judge for various 4-H events. She has received the 4-H Alumni Award and was instrumental in establishing a parish scholarship for 4-H club members.
Acadia Parish/State 4-H Office. Year Inducted: 2008. Joan McCrory touched the lives of many 4-H’ers throughout Louisiana from when she began her career as a 4-H agent in 1969 until her retirement in 2005 as a professor in the LSU AgCenter’s Department of 4-H Youth Development. She developed publications and guidelines for several significant Louisiana 4-H programs and was continually committed to fostering life skills in youth. She continues to volunteer with the 4-H program.
Calcasieu Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Mary McMahon has been involved in 4-H for more than 35 years. Her work started as a school club leader and evolved into numerous positions at the parish and state levels. She volunteers at statewide environmental camps, coordinates a parish environmental club and serves as a state fishing sports instructor. She was nominated for the National Wildlife Leader Award in 2005
Iberia Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Dr. Charles Miller started his involvement in 4-H as a member in the 1930s. His career as a 4-H agent began in 1948, and he retired in 1993. He remains an avid 4-H supporter.
Washington Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Sally Thomas was one of the first female county agents in the state. She began her career by working with the LSU AgCenter in the mid 1970s. She worked with the 4-H program and the livestock program in Washington Parish and has been a consistent volunteer for her parish 4-H program for almost 30 years.
Rapides Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Jimbo Thiels began 4-H work as a child, and as an adult he has made a tremendous impact on the 4-H program at the parish and state levels. He served numerous roles on parish-level committees and as president of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation. He currently is chairman of the Central District Livestock Show Committee, secures buyers for the the livestock and is the host of the live TV broadcast of the sale of champions.
West Carroll Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Mattie Rae Strong has supported 4-H for 44 years. She received the Louisiana 4-H Alumni Recognition Award and served on the 4-H Advisory Leadership Council.
Assumption Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. As an active volunteer for over 40 years, James Templet has made many contributions to 4-H. He was instrumental in establishing the first 4-H Family Day and assisted with 4-H University trainings. Today he serves on the South Central District Livestock Board representing Assumption Parish. He is also a big part of the Assumption 4-H Ag Day, in which he exhibits “Agricultural History” by performing demonstrations with antique farm equipment.
Concordia Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Winston was known as “Big Tam” for his generosity in helping 4-H livestock exhibitors learn life skills and for setting an example of helping others throughout his life. Through his determination and leadership, the Concordia Parish livestock program at one point exhibited more than 80 cattle at the district and state shows.
Webster Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Wayne Williams, Superintendent of Webster Parish schools, has witnessed the effect of the 4-H program on his son, who was president of the State 4-H Executive Board. He welcomes LSU AgCenter staff to school board and principal meetings and grants permission for 4-H Fun Day to be held during a school day.
Grant Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Rufus Walker was responsible for donating and selling the first land to form Camp Grant Walker in the 1930s. The camp’s name is representative of Walker’s last name and Grant Parish. His land was the site of the very first 4-H Camp in Louisiana in 1922 where the youth camped out in tents.
Franklin Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Joe Walters, a 4-H volunteer with more than 19 years of service, is a past chair of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board and has received the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Award.
Caddo Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Mary McKee Williams began serving as a 4-H leader and volunteer in 1956, helping many youth prepare demonstration projects and assisting with parish and state 4-H events. She has been honored as the Louisiana Outstanding 4-H Club Leader and attended the Club Congress in Chicago, In the 1970s she received the Good Provider Award, the 4-H Alumni Award and the Attorney General's Award.
Iberville Parish.Year Inducted: 2008. Ivory Williams committed herself to the 4-H program for 29 years. She is the five-time recipient of the parish’s Outstanding 4-H Leader Award, has served as president of the Iberville Parish 4-H Foundation for three years and is currently on the 4-H Advisory Committee. She has volunteered as an adult leader at 4-H Camp Grant Walker for several years as well as helped prepare youth for contests held at 4-H Short Course.
East Feliciana Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Clay Samson served the LSU AgCenter as a trainee, assistant, associate and county agent with 33 years of service. His involvement with 4-H was extensive as he worked with many 4-H families with livestock projects. He began a “Poultry Chain” project to give youth with limited resources the means to participate in a livestock project. He served on numerous 4-H statewide committees related to camp and livestock shows.
Franklin and Ouachita Parishes. Year Inducted: 2008. Willie Russell is a former 4-H agent and member of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association and Louisiana Catfish Association, which provides $300 annually to the area 4-H cookery contest. He received the National County Agents Association Distinguished Service Award.
Caldwell Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Patricia Russell, a 4-H volunteer for 21 years, has served on the 4-H Foundation Board and 4-H Advisory Leadership Council. She has trained 4-H University youth in nutrition and entomology projects. Russell has received the Louisiana 4-H Alumni Recognition Award.
Union Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. H.P. Roberts, a retired 4-H agent who served from l954 to 1988, influenced the lives of many 4-H’ers and went out of his way to make each one feel important. Terry Dumas, LSU AgCenter animal sciences specialist and former student of Roberts, describes him as a teacher, leader and “one of us” at the same time.
Cameron Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Stephanie Rodrigue was an active 4-H member and volunteer in Lafourche and Cameron parishes. She is the superintendent of the Cameron Parish school system and also serves on the parish 4-H Foundation and 4-H Regional Advisory Committee and as announcer at many 4-H livestock events.
Avoyelles Parish/State 4-H Office. Year Inducted: 2008. Victor Leander Roy Sr., considered Louisiana’s “Father of 4-H,” as superintendent of Avoyelles Parish Schools in 1908 organized the first Boys Corn Club. He collaborated with the local railroad to transport boys to the first meeting held at Moreauville High School. The success of this first Corn Club led to establishing other agricultural and domestic clubs that became collectively known as 4-H Clubs.
St. Mary Parish. Year Inducted: 2008. Raphael Rodriguez has been active in community organizations for over 40 years and supports 4-H, volunteering for numerous projects. He was a key figure in establishing the St. Mary Parish Fair Association, which has a strong relationship with the 4-H program and livestock projects. His involvement with the program continues with his children and grandchildren.