PULLMAN, Wash. — Three people represent Grant County in the newly created Washington State 4-H Hall of Fame.
Inducted were: Tub Hansen, Moses Lake, and Mary McKenzie and Russell M. Turner, all deceased.
In the 1950s, Hansen was leader of the Mae Ranchers 4-H Club. With a leadership philosophy that was ahead of the times, he let the youth run the club and practiced “tough love.” If a steer hadn’t been trained appropriately to be handled at the fair, it was taken directly to the commercial sale yard, no matter how likely it was to being declared a champion in type classes at the fair.
Hansen believed youth, given the chance to make decisions, would make appropriate ones; and poor decisions deserved their own consequences. The Hansens hosted International Foreign Youth Exchange students from India and Brazil.
As a State Representative and Senator, Hansen staunchly supported Washington agricultural interests and their primary showcase, the agricultural fairs and youth shows in Washington.
McKenzie was a Grant County Extension Agent. She was active in the 4-H State Fair, Washington State 4-H Association, and Western Regional Leader Forum. She continued her involvement after retirement by volunteering in the 4-H program.
Turner was WSU Cooperative Extension director from 1954-1957, retiring after 33 years in Extension. Initially, he was a cow tester, then served as County Agent in Island County. Throughout his career, he was very supportive of the Washington State 4-H Program.
Induction of the first one hundred people was announced at a State 4-H Forum in Ocean Shores. The hall of fame was created as part of the 4-H centennial celebration.
More than 93,500 Washington youths are enrolled in 4-H programs; over 20,300 are enrolled in 1,733 clubs. Another 73,000 participate in a variety of other 4-H activities, such as the school enrichment program, day camps and overnight camping.
More than 10,300 adult volunteers support 4-H, which is Washington State University Cooperative Extension’s informal, educational program for today’s young people. The program combines the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, WSU faculty, federal, state, and local governments, and businesses.
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FOR LOCAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL:
(509) 754-2011, Ext. 413 for M. Christine Price, 4-H Agent