MARILYN NORMAN INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL 4-H HALL OF FAME

Contact:  Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame Chair, 609-827-0199, reakeywood@njaes.rutgers.edu

                          

MARILYN NORMAN INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL 4-H HALL OF FAME

CHEVY CHASE, MD (October 11, 2019) – Dr. Marilyn Norman of Asbury, Iowa was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on October 11 for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.

Honored by the University of Florida/IFAS Extension and the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, Norman was one of 16 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council; the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA); or 4-H National Headquarters/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.

Honorees were presented with a National 4-H Hall of Fame medallion, plaque and memory book during the ceremony. The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as part of the Centennial Project of the NAE4-HA in partnership with National 4-H Council and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.

More information about the National 4-H Hall of Fame event and past recipients can be located at: http://www.4-H-hof.com/

“We are proud to recognize the 2019 National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees for the passion, dedication, vision and leadership they have shown toward young people during their many years of service to 4-H,” says Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame Committee Chair.

Dr. Marilyn Norman's 38 year career brought leadership to Florida 4-H as State Program Leader during a critical time within University of Florida/IFAS. Marilyn brought a vision to Florida 4-H which she implemented with a clear strategy. In the role as 4-H Program Leader, she embraced a very daunting strategic plan following an external review and identified priorities for change. She was most instrumental in moving Florida 4-H forward, enhancing programs and funding, both internally and externally.

Marilyn took leadership in a successful grassroots legislative campaign that approved funding in the amount of $1.5 million annually to support programs for youth in Florida. Through this funding her vision to create five regional agent positions was achieved. These faculty mentored and supported county agents resulting in a reduction of attrition from 33% to 20%. Other significant leadership accomplishments include: 1) redeeming FL 4-H camping through partnerships with local communities and Operation Military Kids camp grants for 8 years totaling an average of $500,000 to support camp; 2) increasing external partnerships and promoting a cultural change within the Florida 4-H Foundation; and 3) ensured the safety of 4-H members through implementation of a volunteer screening policy. Finally, Marilyn was recognized as providing quality leadership experiences for the thousands of youth in 4-H. She strategically pushed for youth and volunteer engagement in all levels of programming, including governance. She was an advocate for youth voice and worked to instill a culture of youth-adult partnerships statewide.

Enhancing the welfare of others was a central theme throughout Marilyn's career. A key focus of her programs as both a 4-H agent and unit Leader in Chicago was designing programs, curricula, and family-focused methods that addressed violence reduction and family enhancement. These materials and programs were used successfully in over 400 Chicago agencies, inter-city minority families, and congregations. Marilyn's vision promoted the growth of Florida 4-H Day at the Capitol from an average of 100 participants to over 500 resulting in the delegation holding hands around the Capitol building.

Marilyn has served on countless committees as a 4-H advocate. Examples include her 7-year term on the Illinois Governor's Office Voluntary Action Advisory Board and a 2-year term on the UF Alliance Advisory Council. She served 2 terms as a city alderman, as a choir member, and an organist. Since retiring, she has served as an elementary school volunteer and remains a devoted advocate for FL 4-H annually reviewing youth portfolios, and agent award applications and permanent status/promotion (PSP) packets. Most recently Marilyn worked tirelessly as an advocate educating legislators to reinstate $500,000 of a 1.5 million budget cut and continues to support legislative funding initiatives for 4-H.

Marilyn was a 4-H member in Iowa for 8 years and began her career in Illinois (Tazewell County\Chicago North), then moved to Florida as a District Director prior to becoming the Florida 4-H Program Leader. Marilyn's work is evidenced by the countless national, regional and state publications and presentations. Two nationally recognized curricula teams in which she played an active role were "Leadership Skills You Never Outgrow" and Family 4-H". She is a life-member of NAE4-HA, after a membership of 38 years.

Marilyn is the definition of a professional. She exhibits the highest level of integrity, personal discipline, and trustworthiness both as a colleague and administrator. Her office door was open for faculty, staff, volunteers, and youth. Marilyn was a 4-H Program Leader all could trust from being on the job 6 weeks to 16 years. Her composure in the midst of chaos is exemplified in the testimony shared by a county agent who recalled she had been an agent for one year and experienced a conflictual volunteer situation. Marilyn's calm and confident support during this situation was very influential to this young agent and demonstrated her support for all in the name of 4-H.