Horning Named to National 4-H Hall of Fame

4-H has announced the names of the sixteen individuals who will be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame during a special ceremony to be held on Friday, October 11 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Laureates who will be honored for excellence in citizenship, leadership, character and career accomplishments include: Charles B. Cox, Oklahoma; Richard J. Freeman, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA); Frances L. Hagel, New Jersey; Edward L. Horning, Pennsylvania; Lillian Larwood, Oregon; Donna J. MacNeir, NAE4-HA; Reita Marks, West Virginia; Donna Menart, Wisconsin; Ruby N. Miller, Louisiana; Les Nichols, National 4-H Council; Marilyn N. Norman, Florida; Bill Peterson, Arizona; Howard F. Scott, North Carolina; LC Scramlin, Michigan; Peter J. Stortz, Alaska; and Chuck Todd, Washington.

Ed Horning, Centre County, PA

Edward Homing, 4-H and youth development agent in Centre County, Pennsylvania, joined Extension in December 1974 and retired in 2012 after 38 years of service. During his tenure in Centre County, he served as County Extension Director for ten years. Ed's work emphasized the importance of volunteer development, leadership training, and community partnerships. One of his major program interests was 4-H camp, especially teen counselor development. Ed served as regional camp director for 30 years and he continues to help plan and participate in a 4-H camp in his retirement.

Ed was a charter member of PAE4-HA, served as the first treasurer, and later as president. He received the Distinguished Service Award and Meritorious Service Award from NAE4-HA. After handling operations for the 1991 and 2004 Northeast 4-H Leader Forums, he advocated to establish a State Volunteer Leadership Endowment with the conference proceeds. This endowment contributes over $5,000 yearly to volunteer development opportunities.

From 1992-2005, more than 325 teen and adult leaders benefited from partnerships that Ed developed to sponsor ten Dale Carnegie Classes for. The classes focused on developing positive human relationships, public speaking skills, and participant confidence. The Dale Carnegie 4-H partnership became a model that was replicated in other Pennsylvania counties.

Working on community initiatives with both volunteers and agencies was an important component of Ed's programming. Following the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, Ed convened a Community Building Task Force which led to creation of the Centre County "Communities That Care" initiative. As project director, Ed helped secure state and federal grants that yielded more than $1 million to address priority risks for children. Survey data collected by Communities That Care enabled agencies and schools to be successful in further grantsmanship efforts. Ed directed community tobacco education/prevention efforts. He hosted a group of Iraq community leaders to share information about 4-H, Extension, and agriculture. Ed is a key community stake holder and a resource to many community leaders, human service organizations, and public officials.

Ed pursued relationships with 4-H alumni and created opportunities for them to give back to the 4-H program. He established two endowments to enable youth to afford to participate in local, state, and national events. More than 70 scholarships from the endowment have been awarded to members to support education beyond high school.

Beginning in 1980, Ed partnered with local Lions Clubs to raise Leader Dogs for the Blind. In 2004 he worked with the Centre County Sight Loss Support Group for 4-H members to raise puppies for The Seeing Eye, Inc. To date, more than 90 service dogs were raised by 4-H members, including five by Ed's family. Centre County 4-H continues a strong commitment to raise service dogs.

An active member of the Bellefonte Kiwanis, Ed aligned Kiwanis and 4-H to work together to support opportunities for local 4-H members. He served twice as Bellefonte Kiwanis Club president and received the prestigious Kiwanis International Hixon Service Award. Ed is active in his church, served as Council president, chaired a major renovation project, and continues to serve on the property committee. For several summers, Ed and his wife Lyn led crafts and activities at a church camp for adults with different abilities. Their family includes two adult daughters, a son-in-law and grandson. Despite retirement, Ed has a passion for 4-H, and he continues to share his 4-H experiences and build bridges with organizations.

"The most rewarding part of being in Extension has been the opportunity to work with and learn from the greatest group of volunteers and professionals anywhere," says Homing.

About the National 4-H Hall of Fame

Each laureate was selected for the National 4-H Hall of Fame because of his or her significant contribution to 4-H, the nation's premier youth development organization that serves over six million youth nationwide. 4-H programs in every state, U.S. territory and the District of Columbia as well as 4-H's three national partners…National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA); National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters at National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA, nominate outstanding individuals for this honor.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame was created in 2002 as a 4-H Centennial project to recognize and celebrate those people who have made a significant impact on 4-H and its millions of members for over 100 years.

"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 Jeannette Rea Keywood, Chair of the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

In 2002, the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA), National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA created the National 4-H Hall of Fame during 4-H's centennial year. The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established to recognize 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major impacts within the 4-H movement at the local, state and national levels. Biographies and more information about inductees can be found on the National 4-H Hall of Fame website.

About the 4-H Youth Development Program

4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America annually with research based programs in leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. For over 100 years, 4-H has connected the science, engineering and technology innovations of land-grant universities to local youth and families. 4-H National Headquarters at NIFA, USDA provides programmatic leadership for the U.S. 4-H Youth Development program. 4-H programs are offered in every county in the United States. For more information about 4-H, visit the national 4-H website.