Iowa 4-H Foundation - National 4-H Hall of Fame Inductees

Jim Tobin

esaver@iastate.edu (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:18:13 +0000

Jim Tobin was an Iowa 4-H member whose leadership roles included State 4-H Council, Boys State 4-H Vice President, National 4-H Conference delegate and Iowa 4-H Foundation Youth Representative. He was a 4-H Young Agricultural Specialist Exchange Program delegate to the Soviet Union in 1978. He served as Adair Co. (IA) Extension Director in 1979-81. Jim joined Monsanto’ agricultural unit in 1983. His Monsanto career spanned over 31 years before retiring in Dec. 2014. His assignments included leadership roles in product management, seed business integration, crop protection and the global cotton business, providing valuable opportunities to work with seed, biotech and crop chemical customers and products.

Jim’ work before retirement involved leadership of the industry affairs group and work with the grain industry. He still consults part time with Monsanto to help with grain industry relations and serves as the chairman of the Grower Advisory Council. He currently serves on the board of the U.S. Grains Council, the Chairman of the Farmhouse Foundation, a member of the Farm Foundation Roundtable and a past chairman of the American Seed Trade Association. Jim served as a Missouri 4-H Foundation trustee in 1990-2008, including president in 1997-99 and as a National 4-H Council trustee in 1998-2007.

4-H reaches young people and their leaders where they are and helps them to expand their skills and experiences in new and many times unexpected ways. Members are challenged early and often by dedicated leaders to speak up and get involved. 4-H’ and their leaders learn and grow together, helping to make their community and the world a better place. It is a simple concept that really works.

Jim Borel

esaver@iastate.edu (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:10:08 +0000

James “Jim” Borel has dedicated over four decades to the global agriculture and food sector, showcasing his leadership and commitment to advancing these industries.

After obtaining his degree in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University, he began his career in 1978 as a sales representative in the agricultural products business at DuPont, where he climbed the ranks to become the Executive Vice President. He retired from DuPont in 2016.

Jim’s passion for agriculture is deeply intertwined with his involvement in 4-H, which has significantly benefited from his leadership and generosity. He has been a steadfast and generous supporter of National 4-H Council for 20 years. Jim’s dedication to youth development and education is evident through his active participation in 4-H, where he has helped shape future leaders in agriculture.

In addition to his more than 10 years on the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees, Jim also serves on several other boards including Neogen Corporation, Eat Just, Inc., and Advanced BioNutrition where he continues to influence the agriculture sector. Jim also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Iowa State University Foundation. He is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting educational and agricultural initiatives at Iowa 4-H Foundation and land-grant universities like Delaware and Iowa State.

“4-H is the premier youth development organization and I am forever grateful for all that I have gained through my involvement both as a youngster and an adult!”

"4-H was an immense formative influence on me through participation and leadership opportunities in my 4-H Club and projects that helped me gain the confidence and learn the basic skills to effectively navigate college and professional life. Then, after a long absence from 4-H while we moved around the world, raised our family and followed my career, the chance to give back to the organization that gave so much to me in my youth, has been both an honor and a pleasure. It is so fulfilling to see both the reach and the individual impact 4-H continues to have on millions of young people today through a proven model of positive youth development," Borel says.

Jerry Parsons

esaver@iastate.edu (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:01:14 +0000

Jerry Parsons of Ames, Iowa, was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on Oct. 14 in Washington, D.C., for his lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.

Honored by Iowa State University and the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program, Parsons was one of 16 people inducted during the ceremony held at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council; the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals; or the Division of Youth and 4-H, United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.

Honorees were presented with a National 4-H Hall of Fame medallion, plaque and memory book during the ceremony. The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as part of the Centennial Project of National Association of Extension 4-H Agents in partnership with National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters at USDA.

“We are proud to recognize the 2020 National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees for the passion, dedication, vision and leadership they have shown toward young people during their many years of service to 4-H,” said Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame committee chair.

After serving in the United States Navy, in 1954 Parsons took a position with the Cooperative Extension Service at Iowa State University as a youth assistant in Jones County. From 1957-1959 he had a temporary assignment on the State 4-H staff before he returned to the field to serve as a county and area 4-H staff member. Parsons was then promoted to assistant state leader (1961-1968) for 4-H and Youth programs. During this time, he worked with the merger of the Iowa boys and girls 4-H programs. He also provided leadership for professional youth staff training programs. In 1968, he became the campus coordinator for foreign contracts and an instructor in the Department of Family Environment at Iowa State University.

Parsons left Iowa State University and joined the staff at North Carolina State University as associate professor (1970-1977) of adult and community college education and state training leader (1970-1977) for the Agricultural Extension Service. During his time at North Carolina State University, Parsons directed a national research and development project, creating staff and volunteer training materials related to the use of incentives in 4-H. Ten learning modules were developed and released through regional and national workshops. Parsons also served as editor of the Journal of Extension, and for three years was graduate administrator for the Department of Adult and Community College Education.

Parsons joined the faculty at Kansas State University (1977-1979) where he worked with the adult and continuing education programs. He served as director of the National Adult Education Institute and participated in numerous extension and adult education activities and associations.

In 1980 Parsons returned to Iowa State University as state leader (1980-1988) for 4-H and Youth programs. During these eight years the staff developed and emphasized new methods of reaching Iowa youth in addition to the traditional club settings. He challenged state and field staff to think innovatively while enabling them to make changes in existing programs and to plan for future 4-H directions. Parsons led the efforts to move toward issues-based programming, including programs for youth at risk and environmental programs for urban youth. He assisted with realignment of the purposes and goals of the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the 4-H Camp. He also led the 4-H Youth staff through changes in staffing patterns.

Parsons served on state 4-H program review committees in Wisconsin and Kansas, chaired a national 4-H task force and two national 4-H staff development workshops, was a member of the Extension Committee on Policy 4-H sub-committee, presented staff training workshops in three states and served as a trustee on the Iowa 4-H Foundation board.

After retiring in May 1988, Parsons continued to stay involved with 4-H work and served as project director for the National 4-H Recognition Model Design Team and lead author of the facilitator guide and training materials, published in 1995. This team developed the 4-H recognition model still used today, and the training modules to guide implementation across the Cooperative Extension System.

Throughout his career Parsons was active in his community. His community involvement has included serving on the board of directors for the Iowa Arboretum, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, member of Kiwanis, and service to many youth and community organizations.

Chuck Morris

esaver@iastate.edu (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:58:34 +0000

Chuck Morris was inducted at the 2024 National 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony for a lifetime of achievements and contributions to 4-H youth development, including serving as the state 4-H leader for nine years. Honored by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals, Morris is one of 15 who were inducted during a ceremony Oct. 14 at the organization’s national conference in Boise, Idaho.

Morris’ successes over his 37-year Iowa State University Extension and Outreach career were recognized by 4-H faculty, both internally and externally, and influenced the development of 4-H programs within Iowa and across the nation.

Morris began his 4-H career as a Walnut Progressors 4-H Club member in Dallas County. He participated in beef, swine and science, mechanics and engineering projects early on, but he especially appreciated his opportunities in the leadership program, where he learned about himself and the person he wanted to be.

“At my first 4-H club meeting, the Dallas County Walnut Progressors, this shy 10-year-old was elected recreation chairman. From this humble beginning, I discovered county fair exhibits, educational presentations, county 4-H council, local and state camps and conferences, and countless other 4-H adventures,” Morris said. “It is these experiences that are the GENIUS of 4-H. It is that opportunity for each person who participates in 4-H to find their unique path to help them prepare for a successful future.”

He began his extension career as 4-H and youth leader in Clay and Buena Vista counties in 1975 and was shortly after asked to join the state 4-H youth staff on campus. Morris provided leadership in agriculture and volunteer development on campus before becoming assistant state leader and state 4-H leader in 2004. After seven successful years as state 4-H leader, Morris retired in 2013.

One of his special memories as a 4-H member was representing Iowa at the National 4-H Conference during his senior year in high school. At that time, Iowa had added “and my world” to the 4-H pledge, but the rest of the country had not. Through his and others’ work on the international committee at the National 4-H Conference, they proposed that the addition be adopted nationally, which came to fruition in 1973.

Judy Levings, former associate 4-H director, said, “I think this [honor] is fitting because fundamental to Chuck’s work was broadening the scope and the impact role of volunteers and giving youth not only a voice, but a stronger role in the program and decision making, and I don’t think every leader does that. He meant it, we lived by it and we worked it.”

Highlights of Morris’ tenure were leading the state 4-H council and Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, state volunteer Forums, and developing educational materials for 4-H club leaders using face-to-face and online delivery methods. He created new recruitment materials for 4-H volunteers, developed a volunteer training and support plan, created animal species advisory committees to provide oversight and assistance in decision making, created the horseless horse program for youth who want to learn about horses but do not own one themselves, and led the Strengthening 4-H Clubs effort that included club assessments and efforts to improve vibrancy in 4-H clubs.

Brenda Allen, associate director of extension operations and former colleague of Morris, explained one of the pieces that she thinks is a legacy of Morris' work. “One of the things I found most endearing was the time Chuck spent with our state 4-H council. We would meet four times a year on the weekends. Chuck would always make it a priority to find time in his schedule on that weekend to spend at least an hour, sometimes a couple of hours, not just sharing with the 4-H’ers but also picking their brains as to what is most important to our program because Chuck always wanted to do what was best for the young people. Chuck lived and breathed that; he engaged young people on decision-making boards on every level.”

Morris’ advocacy for youth voice and volunteerism led to appointments for himself regionally and nationally across the 4-H and larger Cooperative Extension System – as chair of the governor-appointed state task force on youth education employment and training; member of the National 4-H Congress Design Team, National 4-H Curriculum Leadership Team, National 4-H Advisory Team, Iowa State Fair Board and Iowa Excellence in Extension committee; chair of the North Central Region 4-H Program Directors; president of Epsilon Sigma Phi; and to the executive team for the state commission on volunteerism.

“These efforts helped steer millions of dollars of state and national funding for programs in Iowa,” said Levings. “It’s because of [Morris’] dedication and commitment to volunteers and youth that made all of this happen and have created lasting impacts on the Iowa 4-H program today.”

Morris has also served as a member of the Iowa Arboretum board of directors, FarmHouse Fraternity Association board president and various roles in his local church. He was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2021 and was a recipient of the ISU Alumni Association Superior Service Award and Jerry Parsons 4-H Youth Professional Award. He received the NAE4-HA American Spirit Award, Distinguished Service Award and ESP State Mid-Career Award. He and his wife, Mary, were the recipients of the 2020 Iowa 4-H Foundation Individual Supporter award.

“The one thing I always remember about Chuck is that he always remembered to say, ‘What is the right thing to do for the young people?’ Always, every time,” said Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa 4-H program leader. “That sticks with me, and it carries with me today. It’s made me always consider the right thing to do for a young person so that we can keep them involved in our program, have some type of positive experience and help them learn from that experience.”

“We are proud to honor and recognize the outstanding individuals who are the Class of 2024 Laureates for the National 4-H Hall of Fame. These individuals have touched the lives of many people, from 4-H staff and colleagues to thousands of 4-H volunteers and members throughout the nation,” said Pamela Van Horn, chair of the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

“[Joining] 4-H was the best decision of my life; little did I know at the time, because all the opportunities 4-H provides and that’s what we were in the business to do was to provide very special opportunities for young people to grow, learn life skills and to become successful adults,” Morris said.

“Chuck was the essence of Iowa 4-H,” said Gail Castillo, 4-H risk management specialist. “He not only believed in the power of 4-H; he also worked daily to help everyone – be they members, volunteers or staff – feel a sense of belonging and a sense of community in our program.”

“Chuck has most certainly touched the lives of thousands of young people, as he served as an inspiration and mentor to many. His legacy in 4-H has ensured that Iowa’s youth will continue to have opportunities to learn and thrive,” Hoyer added.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame laureates are nominated by their home states, the National 4-H Council, the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals or the 4-H National Headquarters of USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.

Theodore "Ted" Hutchcroft

premier@globalreach.com (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 15:09:44 +0000

Theodore "Ted" Hutchcroft - Information Director, National 4-H Club Foundation

Hometown: Mediapolis, Iowa Nominated by: National 4-H Council

Major 4-H Accomplishments

Iowa 4-H member, 1942-1950. IFYE delegate to United Kingdom, 1949; Life member, IFYE USA. Campus 4-H, Iowa State College, 1950-1953. National 4-H Club Foundation Information Director, 1959-1967. Director of Inter-American Rural Youth Program (PIJR), 1970-75. Authored World Atlas of 4-H and Similar Rural Youth Educational Programs.

Honors Iowa State Univ., B.S., agricultural journalism, 1953; PhD, education, 1978; American University. M.A., communications, 1959. Public Relations Soc. of America, AR Chapter; Accredited, 1968; Fellow, 1994, Crystal Award, 1999. Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE) Professional Award, 1990; International Award for Excellence, 1991.

Biography Ted Hutchcroft was a Mediapolis Junior Farmers 4-H Club dairy project member. He was an IFYE to Great Britain in1949. Ted was hired as Information Director of the National 4-H Club Foundation in 1959. He was active on severalnational 4-H public relations committees to shape the reputation of 4-H as a strong, highly regarded experiential youth development program. His previous work included USDA Information Specialist, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation director of a weekly radio station tape service, and associate in a weekly television film service. During undergraduate studies atIowa State in Agriculture Journalism, he was Editor of Iowa Agriculturalist magazine, among the nation's top student managed agricultural magazines.

When the Foundation assumed responsibility for the Inter-American Rural Youth Program, Hutchcroft was named Director. PIJR was a joint, cooperative program serving Latin America and Caribbean countries. Its purpose was to cooperate with national governments and institutions and private organizations to develop effective informal educational programs so the rural young people could contribute to increasing agricultural production and improving rural living conditions. Now retired, Hutchcroft recently donated his invaluable collection of National 4-H Foundation and PIJR publications to the National 4-H History Preservation Program.

Quote 4-H evolved in rural America is a unique informal educational method. Volunteer leaders - adults and youth - helped spark a revolution in agricultural production and improved rural life. I grew up in that system. Through PIJR I was able to share those values with rural youth throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Today there are countless leaders in these countries who benefited from the 4-H ideals and are working to see them available to coming generations.

Florine Swanson

premier@globalreach.com (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:53:48 +0000

Florine Swanson - Executive Director, Iowa 4-H Foundation

4-H Efforts: Iowa 4-H member 9 years. National 4-H Congress, 1959. National 4-H Conference, 1961. IFYE to Germany, 1963. IA 4-H Foundation Board, President, Executive Director. National 4-H Trustees Conference participant and planning committee, host in 2005. Executive Institute for Fund Development. The Power of Youth Philanthropic Fund Raising editorial team. National 4-H Council Strategic Design Team. Competencies for 4-H Fundraising Professionals Task Force.

Honors: Epsilon Sigma Phi Friend of Extension, 2008. NAE4-HA Distinguished Service Award, 2005. Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, 2005. Epsilon Sigma Phi Mid-Career Award, 2003. Iowa 4-H Foundation Honor Court, 1999. Iowa 4-H Alumni Award, 1986. Phi Kappa Phi Alumni Initiate, 1986. Iowa State Univ. Alumni Merit Award, 1981.

Florine Swanson joined 4-H at age 10. After graduating from Iowa State, she became a volunteer 4-H club leader. Her tenure with the Iowa 4-H Foundation included 11 years on the Board of Trustees, president in 1982-83, and Executive Director from 1987-2005. Assets grew from $750,000 to over $5 million, and the annual operating budget increased from $150,000 to over $2 million. She established a $3.5 million endowment fund and led fundraising for the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State. Swanson secured a special $50,000 Iowa Dept. of Agriculture appropriation for program grants to counties and a part-time agriculture program specialist. 4-H scholarships grew from five $500 awards to over 100 valued at over $100,000.

Florine established a fund to help members attend 4-H camp, 4-H conferences, and assist with the program development fee. She coordinated over $1 million of improvements to the Iowa 4-H Camping Center. Florine served three years on the National 4-H Strategic Directions Team, three years on the National 4-H Leadership Trust, and on the Competencies for 4-H Fundraising Professionals Expert Panel. She participated in National 4-H Trustees workshops for 25 years as a trustee and Executive Director. She's been a National IFYE Alumni Association member since 1963 and served in leadership positions for two national conferences. Florine and her husband established an endowment for the Iowa 4-H Center in 2010.

Quote: The 4-H pledge has exemplified my life. It opened the doors for many opportunities as a youth and as an adult. With all opportunities comes responsibilities and thus the more I have received, the more I felt an obligation to give. The greatest reward has been the success of the young people with whom I have worked in the 4-H program and now to have a son as a 4-H leader and my grandchildren participating in the program.

C.J. Gauger

premier@globalreach.com (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:49:31 +0000

C. J. Gauger - Iowa State 4-H Leader, 1959-79

4-H Stats: ECOP 4-H sub-committee, 1963-67; chair 1964-67. Integrated the boy's and girl's 4-H organizations. Lead the development of a mission statement integrating 'living' and subject matter skills for youth development. Governor's Youth Council, 1970-75; chair 1972-74.

Awards: USDA Superior Service Award; Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame; Iowa Honorary 4-H Member; Master Builder of Men, National FarmHouse Fraternity.

C.J. Gauger is a 34 year Cooperative Extension Service veteran who guided Iowa's 4-H Youth Development Program as State 4-H Leader from 1959-79. During his tenure, C.J. was on the National 4-H Subcommittee of ECOP that created the foundation for life skill development that continues to evolve today. He was also a participant in the White House Conference on Youth. In addition he:

Believed in youth as partners in the design and execution of state 4-H program.
Guided the evolution of Iowa's Extension 4-H Youth Development profession.
Mentored hundreds of Iowa 4-H'ers to successful and fulfilling lives and careers.

Quote: "The greatest contribution of 4-H is the leadership, both in youth and adults, it has developed and which as gone
on to enhance the lives of themselves and others in unlimited, never ending ways. This is the genius of 4-H."

Oscar H. Benson

premier@globalreach.com (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:45:01 +0000

O. H. Benson - Wright County, Iowa School Superintendent

4-H Efforts: Benson helped to establish agriculture and domestic science in Wright County Iowa schools. Along with Jessie Field in Page County, he began to use a 3 leaf clover symbol in his youth work. At the Farmers' Cooperative Extension Work office in Washington, he helped to establish the 4-H clover symbol and the meaning of Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

"The Boys' and Girls' Demonstration work represents a 'four-Square' training of the members of the 'Four-Square' needs of citizenship and home- life. The four H's represent the equal training of the head, heart, hands, and health of every child." - From a 1912 circular prepared by O.H. Benson and O.B. Martin.

Oscar H. Benson became Wright County school superintendent in 1906. As a school teacher, Benson was recognized for introducing agriculture and domestic science into his teaching. While superintendent, he pushed to include agriculture and domestic science into elementary school work. He encouraged students to exhibit their work at school fairs, much as 4-H'ers do today. Benson and Jessie Field in Page County created a 3 leaf clover symbol on pins and pennants awarded to students. In 1909 the clover design included an "H" on each leaf for Head, Heart, and Hand, and an ear of corn at the center. Benson went to work at the Farmers' Cooperative Extension Work office in Washington, DC in 1911.

As Benson traveled the country for Cooperative Extension and spoke to groups, he began to speak of a fourth H - "Hustle." Boys and girls club leaders meeting in Washington adopted the 4-H symbol in spring of 1911, along with O.B. Martin's suggestion that the fourth "H" stand for Health. Benson later created 4-H clover pins for youth demonstration work. Benson moved to the Office of Farm Management in 1912 as the first federal agent employed to develop boys' and girls' club work in the North and West. He established some cooperative agreements with state youth programs, leading to the inclusion of youth work in the 1914 legislation that created the Cooperative Extension Service.

Fannie Buchanan

premier@globalreach.com (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:41:45 +0000

Fannie Buchanan - Writer of 4-H Songs

4-H Efforts: Fannie Buchanan became involved in the 4-H music program in the 1920's. She wrote five 4-H songs, including "The Plowing Song" dedicated to farm boys and "Dreaming" for 4-H girls. Both were introduced at the National 4-H Club Camp in 1927. In 1930 she joined the Iowa State College Extension Staff.

4-H Honors: Buchanan received a citation for distinguished service at the 1941 National 4-H Club Camp and recognition at the closing assembly of the 1944 National 4-H Club Congress.

Fannie Buchanan earned a degree in music from Grinnell College, Iowa. During World War I, she organized music and recreation activities with War Camp Community Service. Eventually she joined the Victor Talking Machine Company as a Rural Specialist. As she traveled, she came in more contact with 4-H members and leaders and became involved in the 4-H music program. She wrote the words to five 4-H songs, set to music by her college friend Rena Parish, including “The Plowing Song” dedicated to farm boys and “Dreaming” that captured the daydreams of 4-H girls that she met during her cross country travels.

These songs were introduced at the National 4-H Club Camp in 1927. The members of the Federal Extension Service and National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work helped to carry her songs throughout the country and encouraged their singing by 4-H clubs. In 1930, Buchanan joined the Iowa State College extension staff. She received a citation for distinguished service at the 1941 National 4-H Club Camp and was recognized at the closing assembly of the 1944 National 4-H Club Congress.

George Washington Carver

premier@globalreach.com (Iowa 4-H Foundation) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:25:14 +0000

George Washington Carver - Researcher, Teacher, 4-H & Extension Pioneer

Carver's horticultural talents were recognized at a young age. In 1891, he became the first African American to enroll at Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. His studies exposed him to the "hands on" and "minds on" methods of teaching youth and farmers, and to his potential for serving his fellow man. He graduated from Iowa State College in 1894 and accepted a position there as a botanist. He quickly gained professional fame and went to Tuskegee Institute in 1896 at the invitation of Booker T. Washington to establish an agriculture school. At Tuskegee, he gained an international reputation in research, teaching, and outreach; his work in agriculture and nutrition is legendary.

Carver taught his students that nature is the greatest teacher and that education should be for betterment of the people in the community. He continued the field days that Booker T. Washington started, showing the results of his student' experiments. Carver applied the Iowa State extension concept and created the 'Jesup Agricultural Wagon' in 1906, bringing practical agricultural knowledge to farmers. As an educator, he used both word pictures and "hands on" examples to illustrate his points to young and old alike. His teaching at the Institute and outreach into farms brought new scientific agricultural principles into a holistic approach for farm life, and formed a foundation for Cooperative Extension and 4-H work.

Despite his many outstanding contributions to agriculture, rural families, and mankind, Carver made the modest statement, "I am no great person. I am no great scientist. I have only been able to point the way in a few things. After me will come those who read and interpret the signs, the great of the world. I am only the trailblazer."