Two Ross County 4-Hers inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame

Ryan Kline and Kate Wells
·3 min read

On Saturday, March 12, over 750 Ohio 4-H teens and volunteers gathered at the Greater Columbus Convention Center for the 25th Ohio 4-H Conference. The day was filled with educational sessions, creative conversations for future programs, and volunteer and teen recognition. Both Ross County 4-H teen Meredith Robinson and volunteer Betsy Moore were selected to be inducted to their respective Ohio 4-H Teen and Volunteer Hall of Fames

Since 2016 there have only been 24 teens inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame, four selected from across the state each year. On Saturday, Ross County’s Meredith Robinson from the Jr. Livestock Growers 4-H Club added her name to the exclusive list. In Ohio 4-H, the Teen Hall of Fame is regarded as a very high honor that recognizes youths’ dedication to 4-H through their Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, in their club, community, country, and world.

Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame – Meredith Robinson
Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame – Meredith Robinson

Meredith Robinson, a senior at Unioto High School, has been a major force in 4-H across the state. Robinson encourages personal growth and wellness, leads other 4-Hers to success, and strengthens the future of 4-H in Ross County through her involvement with The Ross County Junior Fair Board, 4-H Advisory Committee, Junior Leaders, serving as a CARTeens volunteer, and as a Camp Counselor. Meredith prioritizes her 4-H leadership involvement despite also holding a job at the Mighty Kids Museum and successfully showing livestock and excelling in general projects. . In June 2021, Robinson was selected as a state achievement award winner for her efforts in Creative Arts project areas. In addition, she is a member of the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council. With her induction, Meredith is the first Ross County 4-Her to be inducted and will be honored at the state 4-H Center all year with a life-size window installment.

Ross County 4-H volunteer, Betsy Moore, was inducted to the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame Saturday as well. Starting in 1977, the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame was created to recognize individuals who have made significant lifetime contributions of service to the 4-H program in their clubs, counties, state, country, and world. Only a few individuals are selected each year to received the honor.

Ohio 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame – Betsy Moore (right) with Ohio 4-H Foundation President Lisa Peterson (left)
Ohio 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame – Betsy Moore (right) with Ohio 4-H Foundation President Lisa Peterson (left)

Betsy Moore, started the Clever Clovers 4-H Club in Ross County over thirty years ago for her daughters, hoping to encourage and challenge a new generation of 4-Hers. After a vibrant 10-year career as a 4-Her herself, Moore has used her own experience to create hands-on learning experiences, develop public speaking skills, and encouraged county, state, and national participation from her own 4-Hers. Betsy was the driving force in launching the Ross County 4-H Endowment, now totaling almost $250,000 and producing over $10,000 in interest a year. Also, Betsy served on the Ohio State University Extension Advisory Committee for six years and the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board for eight years, including chairing the Foundation Board’s County Endowment committee for six years. Moore was honored for her lifelong service and received a plaque.

The Ross County 4-H program is proud to have Meredith and Betsy deeply rooted in the Ross County 4-H program and are grateful for the countless ways they work to ‘make the best, better.’

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Two Ross County 4-Hers inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame