3/12/04

For Immediate Release

Contacts
Florine Swanson, 4-H Foundation, (515) 294-1552, fswanson@iastate.edu
Chuck Morris, 4-H Youth and Development, (515) 294-1018, cmorris@iastate.edu
Mitchell Hoyer, 4-H Youth and Development, (515) 294-1531, mhoyer@iastate.edu
Carol Ouverson ISU Extension Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-9640, couverso@iastate.edu

Former Iowan Inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

AMES, IA—An Iowan who provided leadership, support and funding to Iowa 4-H'ers will be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame during National 4-H Conference ceremonies March 22, 2004, at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Md.

Edwin T. Meredith, founder of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, is one of 24 outstanding 4-H professionals and volunteers who have been selected to the National 4-H Hall of Fame because of making a significant contribution to 4-H.

Meredith, born in 1876, founded the Successful Farming magazine and helped to start the 4-H organization. In 1916 he added a section to the magazine devoted to farm boys and girls.

Meredith supported youth by establishing a loan fund of $250,000 in 1917 to help them develop 4-H projects. Over 10,000 youth received loans from the fund, pledging no collateral other than their own character.

Helping to form the National Committee on Boys' and Girls' Club Work in 1921, Meredith served as its chairman for three and half years. In 1924, the National Committee was incorporated and Meredith served as Executive Committee member until his death in 1928.

Since that time, the Meredith Foundation and members of the Meredith family have been active supporters of the 4-H program. They provided the first dollars donated to the Iowa 4-H Camping Center and Hickory Lodge is dedicated in Meredith's memory.

The Iowa Conference Room at the National 4-H Center also was supported by dollars from the Meredith Foundation.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame was unveiled in 2002 as a 4-H centennial project of the National 4-H Association of Extension 4-H agents in partnership with National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters.

For more information, visit the National 4-H Hall of Fame Web site at www.nae4ha.org.

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