PULLMAN, Wash. — Two 4-H workers represent Jefferson County in the newly created Washington State 4-H Hall of Fame.
Inducted were Inez Halverson, P.O. Box 66, Forks and Norris and the late Laura Short, 1582 Center Road, Chimacum.
Halverson was involved in the early development and expansion of the 4-H program in Clallam County and worked in every aspect of the program for decades. It has been estimated that she reached over 1200 youth in her local club. She made significant contributions to start the International Exchange program and was involved in it for many years.
She still supports a fund in Leader’s Council, which helps with international exchanges. Halverson has held every office in the County Leader’s Council.
Laura Short served as a 4-H leader for nearly 50 years. She and Norris impacted the lives of hundreds of youth in the Dairy 4-H Club. They gave major leadership to the development and growth of the Jefferson County fairgrounds. In the early 1950s Norris and his father built the 4-H building on the fairgrounds, with the help of 4-H members and their families. In 2000 the 4-H Exhibit Building was dedicated in Norris’ and Laura’s name. Laura served as County 4-H treasurer and as State 4-H fair bookkeeper for years. She spent many years as the expert in the Home Economics Department and was very involved in the Food for all Occasions contest, bread baking, and clothing activities. She worked as 4-H building superintendent for more than 30 years, with Norris as her assistant.
In 1999 Laura and Norris received the Washington State Volunteer Excellence Award and in 2000 they received recognition at the Western Regional Leader Forum in Hawaii. Laura died last spring.
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:
(360) 379-5610 for Debbie Nistler, Area 4-H Agent