The University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H Youth Development Program inducted 100 laureates into the brand-new Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame Saturday, November 15. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony was the last statewide event celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame was established to recognize 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major contributions to 4-H at the local, state and national levels. The honorees represent 4-H in the broadest sense, according to Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development State Program Director Dale Leidheiser.

“We are inducting volunteers, supporters and UW-Extension employees who had an impact on the lives of children, their community or state through significant contributions of time, energy, or financial resource to 4-H and its members,” Leidheiser says.

Iowa County 4-H is proud to be represented by Russell Nelson in the 4-H Hall of Fame. Russell was the Iowa County 4-H Agent from February 1951 through 1982. Four clubs that Russell formed recently celebrated 50-year anniversaries. Throughout his career, he worked with judging teams, assisted with animal exhibits at the Wisconsin State Fair, partnered with 4-H leaders, judged record books, and had an instrumental role at the Iowa County Fair. Russell received the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Association of Extension 4-H Agents in 1964.

A 4-H alum of Russell’s who is a retired Associate Dean at Cornell University had these kind words to share: “He was youth-centered and focused on assets long before the Search Institute helped society to recognize their importance. He recognized the value of informal education complementing what was learned in the classroom.”

After retirement, he continued to serve youth as a county fair judge until 2011. He still lives in Dodgeville where his heart is still with 4-H and Iowa County youth.

Since 1914, Wisconsin 4-H has helped youth grow the leadership, critical thinking and communications skills necessary to be successful in a constantly changing world. To learn more about the individuals who supported 100 years of growing Wisconsin leaders, visit https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/wi4hhof/.