Description

The North Carolina 4-H Hall of Fame honors people who have made a significant impact on the North Carolina 4-H Program and forerunners of the 4-H Program, such as corn, swine, and tomato clubs.  Honorees will be selected from nominations made each year.  Nominations may come from County Extension Centers, 4-H Groups, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Staff, and individuals.  Nomination forms will be due to the North Carolina 4-H Alumni and Friends Association on April 15 and can be submitted online (preferred) or printed and mailed.  

A committee appointed by the NC 4-H Alumni and Friends Association will select inductees. Honorees will be selected to include a wide variety of contributions to 4-H in North Carolina.  Induction into the NC 4-H Hall of Fame will take place in conjunction with NC 4-H Congress.

Members of the National 4-H Hall of Fame representing North Carolina and North Carolina recipients of the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer Award (10 or more years volunteering) will be automatically inducted into the North Carolina 4-H Hall of Fame, if they are not already a member.  They will be inducted as part of the Class immediately following the awarding of these honors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can make nominations?
A: Any person or group with an interest in 4-H in North Carolina can make a nomination directly to the Selection Committee.

 Q: Does the nominee have to be living?
A: No, nominees can be living or deceased so that we may honor all of those who have helped 4-H and it’s precursors in NC throughout the past 100 years.

Q: Does the nominee have to be in or from the county in which I live or work?
A: No, many people participate in different counties and levels during their lifetime of 4-H work.

Q: Is there a limit on nominations by a single person or group?
A: Yes, please nominate no more than 3 per year. 

Q: Does a nominee have to be in North Carolina?
A: No, the Hall of Fame is open to anyone who has made significant contributions to 4-H in North Carolina, regardless of their location.  However, please remember that this Hall recognizes contribution to North Carolina 4-H and not contributions in other states, regions, or nationwide, although any such contributions that impacted NC 4-H may be included in the nomination packet.    

Q: Does a nominee have to have been a 4-H’er?
A: No, the Hall of Fame is open to anyone who has made significant contributions to 4-H in North Carolina, even if they were not a 4-H’er as a youth.  

Q: Is anyone automatically included in the NC 4-H Hall of Fame?
A: Members of the National 4-H Hall of Fame and recipients of the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer Award (10 or more years volunteering) representing North Carolina will be automatically included in the NC 4-H Hall of Fame, if he or she is not already a member. The Inaugural Class in 2009 will include current Members of these two groups.  In later years, Members of these groups will be inducted with the Class immediately following their national recognition ceremony.

Q: Who are the members of the National 4-H Hall of Fame from North Carolina?
A: As of October 2009, L. R. Harrill, Ralph Ketner, Dr. T. Carlton Blalock, Fred Wagoner, M. Edmund Aycock, and Chester Black have been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Q: Who has received the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer Award (10 or more years volunteering) recognition from NC?
A: As of October 2008, Eleanore Getz (Cumberland County) and Betsy Chandler Vatavuk (Durham County) have received this honor.

Q: When are nominations due?
A: Nominations are due to the Selection Committee on April 1 (or the first working day after April 1) each year.  Nominations must be hand delivered or postmarked by that date.

Q: What should be included in a nomination packet?
A: Each nomination should have a completed nomination form, a nomination statement (limited to one typed page), and a 100 word statement to be read at the induction ceremony if the nominee is selected.  In addition, a photo, if available, should be included.

Q: What type of photo is acceptable?
A: Any photo that shows the nominee is acceptable.  It can be a portrait or an action shot where the nominee is clearly visible.  Digital format is preferred.  If a digital photo is emailed, please compress or resize the photo file so it will transfer more easily.
 
Q: How is the selection committee formed?
A: The selection committee is appointed by the President of the NC 4-H Alumni and Friends Association with suggestions and input from others with an interest in NC 4-H.  Members of the Selection Committee will be dues paying members of the NC 4-H Alumni and Friends Association.

Q: When will honorees be notified of their selection? 
A: Selections will be made in April so that honorees can be notified either by the selection committee or the nominator(s) by May 15.

Q: When will honorees be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
A: The Induction will take place during NC 4-H Congress.

Q: Does the honoree have to be present for the induction?
A: No, there are a variety of reasons that would preclude attendance and the recipient will still be honored.  However, we hope that the honoree will make every effort to attend, as this is one of the highest honors given by the NC 4-H Program.

Q: How are the recipients honored?
A: Recipients will be recognized in a formal induction ceremony during NC 4-H Congress.  Biographical information and photos, if available, will be maintained in an online Hall of Fame. 

Q: Do inductees receive anything?
A: Inductees will receive a wearable item that designates them as a member of the NC 4-H Hall of Fame.  This item will be suitable to wear at 4-H events and subsequent induction ceremonies.