Jim Barthel joined elite company in the National 4-H Hall of Fame Oct. 12, 2012, at the National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, Md. The honor recognizes the former Winnebago County 4-H Youth Development agent, along with 15 others from around the country, for exceptional leadership at local, state, national and international levels.
“I can’t think of any other career or experience that would have been as personally fulfilling and also allowed contributing to others,” said Barthel of Oshkosh, who elaborated on his career from 1978 to 2000 for the Wisconsin Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals Entre Nous publication at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/wae4hydp/documents/SpringSummerEntreNous2012.pdf
UW-Extension Professor Emeritus Barthel’s lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H include strengthening 4-H in Winnebago County, where he expanded opportunities for youth leaders and created a welcoming environment for Hmong and other new audiences; developing an agricultural education program for Winnebago County fourth-graders; and mentoring new and continuing 4-H educators.
“He has had a profound impact in his community and beyond by nurturing young leaders and mentoring colleagues,” said UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor Ray Cross. “I am grateful for his past service and leadership and appreciate his continued contributions as a volunteer and mentor.”
The national 4-H program invites states to nominate one person for induction each year and selects up to 20. Since the 4-H National Hall of Fame was started in 2002, Wisconsin has had four inductees: Tamie Koop in 2011, Carl Smith in 2007 and Joseph Craig and Wakelin McNeel in 2002.
4-H is the youth development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Cooperative Extension System of the nation’s land-grant universities. Wisconsin 4-H is a program of the University of Wisconsin-Extension in partnership with state, federal and county government in each Wisconsin county. Find information at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/
Contact:
Jackie Askins
(608) 262-8083
jackie.askins@ces.uwex.edu