Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension

9501 W. Watertown Plank Road

Wauwatosa, WI 53226

414-256-4600

http://milwaukee.uwex.edu

September 24, 2014, 2014

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 26, 2014

Carl Smith recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Contact: Michelle Gonzalez, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator

414-256-4626 or

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.

Milwaukee County 4-H is proud to be represented by Carl Smith in the 4-H Hall of Fame. Carl Smith, Milwaukee County 4-H Youth Development Agent, provided leadership to one of the largest urban 4-H programs in the country. Throughout his career, he created many innovative programs for low-income youth with the Milwaukee Urban League, Federal Housing Projects, and urban youth gardening programs. He supervised five part-time 4-H staff assistants and motivated many 4-H youth and volunteer leaders.

Beyond Milwaukee County, Carl was one of the founding members of the University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Department of Youth Development and went on to serve as Department Chair for three years. He served as President for the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) in 1969, and served on their board a total of 12 years. He was also very active in the Wisconsin Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals board, serving for 13 years. He received the NAE4-HA Distinguished Service Award and the American Spirit Award. Carl’s career accomplishments were recognized in his 2007 induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Outside of 4-H he’s an active Kiwanis Club member, Toastmaster, a Relay for Life team member, and a county fair judge.

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 http://fyi.uwex.edu/wi4hhof/.

Attached photo: Carl Smith receives Hall of Fame award with Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Program Director Dale Leidheiser and Wisconsin 4-H Youth Leader Council President Pauline Schlais