AZ 4-H Hall of Fame 2006 Inductees
Jacque Accomazzo
Jacque has been a devoted 4-H leader in Laveen, Tolleson and all over the west side of Maricopa county for many years. Jacque was a city girl, but her husband Jimmy said he wanted his kids to be in 4-H and she thought that was a good idea too. When her son Wade was a young 4-H member, the Swine club leaders asked Jacque if she wanted to take over for them and 29 years and thousands of 4-H members later, here she is, a member of the Arizona 4-H Hall of Fame. A contributor to the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation Scholarship endowment, the Accomazzo family has always been generous with their resources, time, skills, knowledge and mostly with their hearts. Jacque says “My years as a 4-H leader have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my life. The people that I have met are some of the finest people I know and they are like an extended family to me. Watching our members grow from hiding behind their mother’s back to joining in and becoming outgoing, contributing members of our club is like magic. Seeing them learn about their project, and work hard to learn the responsibility of raising an excellent quality animal is very rewarding. One of the things I have enjoyed the most is having the sons and daughters of past members as current members of my club, knowing that I have impacted more than one generation and it is so great to see the familiar faces. I could not have had the success and longevity as a 4-H leader without help along the way. I would like to thank Beverly Crane, Kim Woodhead, and Tracy Martin for their years of help and encouragement. It is to these three, all the parents, and all the kids that I owe a debt of gratitude for any success our club has achieved.”
Margaret Bemis
Not being old enough to join 4-H when her older brother joined in 1951, Margaret tagged along with her mom and dad, Ed and Agnes Downs, and their friend, Mary Ann Bond who were the community leaders. They decided that she, along with David Bond, could be “boosters” because they were at every meeting and every community event anyway. Margaret is thankful for these leaders and those who followed: John and Mary Price, Pauline Davis, Marian Millican, Maryetta Gaskill, Jim Little, Ann Wesley, Carmy Page, Howard Jones, George Griffin and Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Moore. It was through these volunteers and home and agriculture agents that she gained knowledge of raising a lamb, sewing, gardening, food preservation, home beautification, electricity, and leadership. But more importantly, she says she gained an appreciation of working with people of all kinds, patience, understanding of others, healthy competition, and community service. These have been invaluable in growing into a responsible, caring, healthy person. As a first year member in 1955, she attended her first 4-H camp at Mt. Lemmon in the Catalina Mountains. The song she remembers most was Bill Haley’s 1950 song of the year “Rock Around the Clock Tonight.” Oh, how those Pima County kids could dance! Margaret attended camp every year after that and was a counselor in 1960 and 61. Margaret says the leadership skills learned during these formative years have been nvaluable in her life. Margaret went on to become an elementary education teacher for over 20 years and then a middle school counselor the last 10 years before she retired from public education. As a counselor, she utilized her 4-H experience to teach a core group of 8th graders to be the peer mediators. Students helping students — certainly, the 4-H model. When her sons were old enough to join 4-H, she was active as a 4-H leader. All the experience and knowledge she gained through 4-H reinforced her desire for them to become active and productive 4-H’ers. They were chosen the 4-H Family of the Year in 1991. Since retirement from education, Margaret and her husband, Ron, raise Brangus cattle on their ranch in southern Cochise County. She has served on the Extension Advisory Board and has been active as a department head at the county fair. They are both interested in helping young people through their financial donations. Margaret wishes every young person could be involved in 4-H to learn by doing.
Bob and Mary Bowman
As Arizona 4-H celebrates its centennial year, it is more than fitting that Bob and Mary Bowman of the Backward B Spear Ranch near Sonoita be honored for their longtime dedication to the goals of the organization. According to former Agricultural Extension Agent, Dean Fish, “The Bowmans have purchased an animal at the 4-H livestock auction every year for as far back as our records go. They not only support the efforts of the 4-H youngsters by buying an animal, they invariably donate it back so that it can be auctioned off a second time for the benefit of the 4-H scholarship fund.” For many years, the Bowmans have also been corporate sponsors of the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation, headquartered at the University of Arizona’s Department of Agriculture. Bob and Mary’s legendary teamwork—as evidenced by their success in running a Hereford cow/ calf operation as well as helping their neighbors with roundups and lending their talents, creativity and boundless enthusiasm to countless community endeavors—has served as a shining example to the youth of the 4-H community.
Roberta Cardona
Roberta became a volunteer for our county program approximately 24 years ago. She has served in countless positions over the years, including serving as a project leader in the Coolidge Clovers 4-H club teaching youth in horse, arts and crafts, teen leadership, outdoor recreation, and many more. She also has served as a volunteer for the Pinal County 4-H Advisory Council (currently serving as treasurer), 4-H scholarship committee, record book judging committee, Pinal County 4-H Teen Council Advisor, 4-H Interstate Exchange program chaperone, Pinal County 4-H Summer Residential Camping program. She has also served as a 4-H representative on the Pinal County 4-H Board of Directors, Incorporated (as President for several terms) and for the past 17 years has worked as a 4-H Fair Building Superintendent. She has chaperoned several groups of 4-H members to National 4-H Congress and Western Regional 4-H Leaders Forum programs in Georgia, Hawaii, New Mexico, Idaho and Utah. Roberta has given her heart and soul for 4-H youth development. Pinal County 4-H families are grateful for her dedication, trustworthiness, positive attitude, cheerful nature and smile that warm our hearts. She truly lives the motto of 4-H – “To Make the Best Better.” Roberta is proud to be an employee of the University of Arizona, working with the hearing and screening youth program.
Dan Heap
Dan Heap’s 4-H experience began as a 4-H member in the beef project when he was nine years old. One of his highlights as a youth was being the president of the 4-H club when he was a teenager. Later, he was the 4-H beef leader for three years and the 4-H horse leader for 15 years as his children were old enough to be in 4-H. Dan has been an active buyer and strong supporter of the 4-H livestock program for 45 years, during which he has purchased many animals and provided financial assistance to many, many 4-H youth. His contribution to the Apache County 4-H program is unmatched in years of service and continuous support. His wife, Virginia, was also a 4-H leader in Arizona and in Idaho, where she served as a beef leader and goat leader for many years. Currently Dan serves as the Apache County Extension Board President and has served in that capacity for at least 25 years. Besides giving service to 4-H in many capacities, he has been on the St. Johns Irrigation board for 55 years as secretary and president. He also was the local Kiwanis club president where he helped the organization provide many acts of service throughout the community. He has also served in many positions in his church during his lifetime.In addition to serving others, he spent 16 years as a school teacher, four years as a principal and 13 years as the school superintendent. He and his brother each purchased one-half interest in a black milk cow when he was seven years old and Dan has owned cattle continuously for the past 75 years.
Marian Jo (Sissy) Fischler
Some people join 4-H and some people are 4-H. Sissy Fischler has been involved in 4-H as a member, parent, or leader since she was old enough to sign up. Eventually, she went on to work for Greenlee County Cooperative Extension, specifically with the 4-H Youth Development program in the county. In that role, Sissy provided Youth Quality Assurance training and various workshops and activity days centered on demonstrations, consumer judging, project records, etc. Even now, as Sissy has moved on to another career opportunity, she continues to volunteer in 4-H, offering the Youth Quality Assurance workshops in the county. Sissy has led various 4-H projects over the years including lamb, crochet, and leathercraft. One of her most enjoyable projects was helping with Youth Civic Governance. Sissy was actively involved in helping the youth of Greenlee County participate in Citizenship Washington Focus. She encouraged and supported youth as they attended municipal events and she served as chaperone on many trips to Washington, D.C. Sissy brings a strong example of leadership to the youth of Greenlee County. She has been a two-time president of the Arizona Cattlewomen and has served as secretary for the Greenlee County Cattle Growers for many years. Locally, she has been a member of the fair board and junior livestock committee. All of these outside endeavors have made Sissy a role model for the 4-H program. Youth and adults have looked to Sissy for years as a valuable resource and friend in 4-H. She has a heart for 4-H and the people involved.
Senator Franklin L (Jake) Flake (Deceased)
The late Senator Jake Flake felt a duty to give back to his community. Besides working at the Legislature for a dozen years, Flake served as a board member and president of two school boards, an irrigation district, a hospital operating board, and a farm credit council’s board of directors. He also spent 18 years on the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America, served on the Arizona Rural Health Association Board, the Blue Ridge Natural Resources Working Group, the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation and the Snowflake Heritage Council. Sen. Flake served on the state Senate Appropriations and Government committees in the state legislature. He chaired the Natural Resources and Rural Affairs and the Appropriations subcommittee on Education and Natural Resources. He had served in the Senate since January 2005 and in early May filed his nomination papers seeking a third term when he died suddenly after recuperating from a fall from his horse. Flake previously served in the Arizona House, beginning in 1997. He was speaker of the House in 2003-04. Flake was one of the Legislature’s last cowboys, running cattle on his family’s F Bar Cattle Co. his entire life. He was the Legislature’s most prominent voice on agricultural issues and was known for his homespun quips and references to ranch life.
Andy Groseta
Andy Groseta is a third-generation cattleman from Cottonwood, Arizona. His family is one of the pioneer mining and ranching families that settled in north central Arizona. Andy’s family ranching operation has included the Pine Creek Ranch, a stocker ranch, located north of Williams which was owned and operated by the family from 1980-2000; and the W Dart Ranch, a cow/calf operation headquartered in Cottonwood, which has been in business in the Verde Valley since 1922. Andy is a 1972 graduate of the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Agricultural Education and Animal Science and he received a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education in 1978. While earning his Master’s degree and for three years after, Andy served as an FFA Advisor and teacher at Amphitheater High School. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have three children, Paul (Gretchen) Groseta, and Katy (Kelly) Wright, and Anna (Bass) Aja, and seven grandchildren. Since 1983, Andy has been a partner in Headquarters West, Ltd., a statewide agribusiness firm specializing in farm and ranch brokerage, appraisals, management and consulting. He is a Past President (2008) of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He has served as Chairman of the University of Arizona Yavapai County Cooperative Extension Advisory Board. He has served as President of the School Board at Mingus Union High School. Also, he is past Chairman of the Catholic Community Foundation and is past Chairman of Northern Arizona Healthcare System. He is a past President of the University of Arizona Alumni Council and was recognized as the 2011 Agriculturalist of the year by the Ag Alumni Council. Also, he has served on the Arizona Department of Water Resources Advisory Board; Verde Watershed Association where he was a “Charter Board Member;” and former member of Yavapai County’s Water Advisory Committee (WAC); representing Yavapai County District 3. In addition, he is President of the Cottonwood Ditch Association a local irrigation company. He is currently President of the Arizona Cattle Growers Association. He has been and is involved in several other agricultural organizations. Andy Groseta’s commitment to agriculture and education have positively influenced multiple youth in Yavapai County and across Arizona. Aside from his civic commitments and ranching/agriculture activities, Andy has always shared his knowledge and experience with 4-H and FFA youth – especially in the area of animal science and leadership. For many years, he organized and hosted livestock judging contests at his family’s ranch in Cottonwood, doing much of the hands-on instruction himself. In August 2006, the Groseta family donated five acres of land adjoining Highway 260 in Camp Verde, Arizona to the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for the purpose of building an Extension and Research Center. His generous, multi-faceted efforts have positively influenced youth in Yavapai County, Arizona, and across the nation.
Tom Rye
Tom Rye has been an active volunteer leader for over eighteen years in the Pleasant Valley/ Young community. The hundreds of children he has impacted will be forever grateful to him for the positive difference he has made in their lives. Mr. Rye has been a market animal leader in Young for the “Huff N Puffers” swine club as well as an active part of the Pleasant Valley leader’s council. Tom is widely known for his dedication to the youth of Pleasant Valley. He tirelessly makes sure that every child who desires to participate in 4-H has the opportunity. He knows the difference that 4-H involvement can make in a child’s life and often seeks out children that would benefit from being a part. Mr. Rye works for the Young Public School System where he is a stellar member of their staff. He truly has a fondness for children and seeing them succeed. His ability to perceive the needs of children is truly unique. As a foster parent, Tom has been able to incorporate 4-H into those childrens’ lives. He has a belief in all children and their abilities.
Geraldine Eberline Schultz
Gerry received her bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University in 1946 and her master’s degree at University of New Mexico in 1979. Gerry served as Executive Director of the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation from 1979 to 1990, and as Director of Development for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from 1984 to 1988. Gerry was a gracious, energetic, friendly and passionate woman. She always knew your name, had a smile for all, and laughed with everyone. Gerry never ever missed an opportunity to plug the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation in casual conversations with leaders and members, with corporate executives and with leaders and agents. She reminded us all of how we should be supporting 4-H with our time, our talents, and with our financial resources. She traveled the highways of Arizona before there were super freeways, courted business execs, visited county events and was a positive influence about 4-H on campus and in the college. She was a strong advocate and fund-raiser for 4-H scholarships and programs. In addition to establishing a 4-H Foundation endowment with her late first husband, Rex Eberline, she single handily put many more endowments on the books that are all still supporting Arizona 4-H today. After Rex’s passing, Gerry married John Schultz. She continued to serve 4-H as a volunteer, she loved her music and was active with the church choir in Green Valley for many years.
Marvin and Patsy Selke
Animal Sciences Department, was the recipient of the University of Arizona Creative Teaching Award and Professor of the Year. During his 34 years in the Agriculture College he taught more than 5,000 students in his classes. On top of his teaching duties, he coached the livestock judging team for 14 years. Marvin, a former 4-H and FFA member in Iowa, obtained his agriculture education at the Iowa State and then the University of Kentucky. At the Pima County Fair from 1965-1972 he judged beef, swine and lambs. For approximately 20 years he was the Beef and Judging Leader in the Tanque Verde Livestock 4-H Club. From 1979 to 1984 he was the Pima County Beef Director. As one of the incorporators of the Pima County Junior Livestock Sales Committee in 1986, Marvin served as president for five years and currently is a non-voting member. While doing all of this, he wrote the Livestock Judging Manual used by 4-H Clubs. For 22 years, 1990-2012, he served as the Master of Ceremonies at the Junior Livestock Auction. Lastly, he has been involved for 49 consecutive years with the Pima County Fair, having been on the Southwestern Fair Commission for 27 years. He currently serves as president. Public service is a big part of his life to this day. He has judged at every County Fair in Arizona as well as in five other states. Marvin served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona National Livestock Show, the Arizona Hereford Association, and the Arizona Angus Association. He was also an Arizona National Livestock Show Collegiate Judging Chairman, Junior Livestock Judging Contest Chairman, SAILA Junior Livestock Show Committee member and a Steer Show Chairman. Being in charge of conducting Livestock Judging contests at the University of Arizona Junior Livestock Field Day, FFA Field Day and SAILA kept him busy. Patsy Selke was a leader in Tanque Verde Livestock 4-H Club for approximately 20 years. She took on the duties of keeping club records, making more than 150 club vests and baking monthly birthday cakes for the club meetings. At the county level, she judged 4-H record books, and then helped those same kids prepare for the record judging at the state level. She was also a member of the committee that selected county 4-H scholarship winners.
Linda Short
Linda began her association with 4-H at the age of twelve with membership in a sewing club in Flagstaff, Arizona and later a horse club in Kingman in 1965. By 1980, her children had joined the Bunnyhoppers 4-H Club, a rabbit club in Kingman and a few years later she was asked to step up and lead the club. This afforded Linda a wonderful opportunity to join her two favorite things: children and animals. Linda later became Small Stock Project Director for Mohave County 4-H and then Treasurer of the 4-H Leaders’ Council. In 1990, she was the recipient of the Outstanding 4-H Leader Award of Northern Arizona presented by the Arizona Agricultural Agents Association Linda truly enjoys helping youth learn about their animals and how to care for them. She also admires how 4-H promotes basic skills from record keeping and public speaking to spending time volunteering in your community. According to Linda, the best part of being a leader was interacting with young people and especially helping the shyer and more reserved youth grow in confidence as they took on the responsibility for caring for these small creatures and helping other members achieve their goals, not just awards. When children learn to think of others first, the benefits are limitless. Not only does 4-H teach children about animals and projects, but it helps them gain skills that will last a lifetime. The most rewarding part of being a leader for Linda was watching these children grow into caring, confident and successful adults of whom we can all be proud.
Phil and Debbie Townsend
Miss Debbie became involved in 4-H when her children started in the rabbit project almost 25 years ago — and to her, family is what 4-H is all about! As her children grew out of the program, she stayed involved to help other youth experience the opportunities available. Debbie is very passionate about 4-H and all of the opportunities available for our youth and feels that it more important to raise grand champion kids than grand champion animals. Debbie encourages members to take full advantage of all of the leadership projects and opportunities not just at the local and state level, but also nationally and internationally. However, something that really makes Debbie proud is to watch local youth develop into amazing adults who come back to help the next generation of 4-H members! Debbie’s strong leadership, professionalism and compassion makes for a special lady that 4-H is lucky to have on our side. She is at nearly every 4-H function, keeping tabs on what is happening throughout the organization, not just within her club. If an issue arises, she’s working on a solution and she works tirelessly at making people a part of the group. Miss Debbie thinks of others first and is always looking out for Yuma County 4-H. Debbie is a leader, an advocate and most importantly, a friend! Phil is a great advocate for youth and our 4-H program as well as for the agriculture industry and the community. Phil has a pulse on the issues facing our community and our state and he works tirelessly to educate, motivate and get others involved — adults as well as young people. As a young person, Phil was very involved in FFA and 4-H and today he is a strong supporter of both organizations. Phil serves on the High School Board, Farm Bureau, Hospice of Yuma and Crossroads Mission to name a few. He’s worked hard to ensure that our Ambassador Teams have as many opportunities as possible and has organized many meet and greets with our local, state and national dignitaries. From meeting the governor to former Vice President Dan Quale, and Senator Jon Kyle, he always tries to ensure that the 4-H Ambassadors, or “The Green Coats” as they’re often referred to, are there to welcome them to Yuma. Natives of Yuma, the Townsends are a building block in the community. They own an Ag Chemical company that is supportive of many organizations, but none more than 4-H. They are involved in all areas of the community, from the Yuma Visitors Bureau Agritourism Program to the Heritage Festival, and are very active with the Harvest Dinner that raises more than $150,000 each year for agricultural education. As the 4-H and Agriculture community in Yuma County are nearly one and the same, Mr. and Mrs. Townsend seek out opportunities for 4-H youth at every function. They are both very involved in the annual Yuma County 4-H BBQ, where more than 4,000 people are served pitted beef, beans, slaw and tortillas in just three hours. It’s weeks of planning, coordinating and hard work, and they are involved every step of the way!
Sterling Sherwood (Woodie) Winans (Deceased)
Sterling Sherwood Winans, known to Arizona 4-H’ers as “Woodie,” passed away in December of 2006 at age 74. Woodie was born in Santa Barbara, Calif. in 1932. He majored in agriculture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, then at Cal State Fresno where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1955. In 1971 he earned a master’s degree in Environmental Education from Colorado State University. During his 35-year career with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, he served as a 4-H Agent in Santa Cruz, Yuma, and Pinal Counties, and as County Extension Director in La Paz County for the final 17 years of his career, retiring in 1999. Throughout his career Winans was active in 4-H Youth Development programs. In La Paz Colo., he also worked zealously on Colorado River water issues and Master Gardener Training. In addition, he worked extensively with the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Winans loved working with people, helping them to use research-based information to address the challenges of life. Thousands of Arizona families remember Woodie Winans as a friend, mentor, and teacher. He was passionate about the environment and creating outdoor camping experiences for youth. He worked closely with key leaders in the state to establish camping programs in Yuma, Pinal and La Paz Counties. His love of the outdoors and dedication to helping youth and adults learn the value of community was without equal. In retirement he continued to be a force for positive action, serving as a leader in his community. He served as President of the Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc., President of the Board of the Patagonia Community Garden, and as a member of the Governing Board of the Patagonia Union High School. He is survived by his wife Janet; sons, Mark and Scott Winans and Stephan Cowan; daughters, Jill Winans, Jennifer Lootens, Jessica Cobb; and 10 grandchildren. Woodie is remembered for his smile, his upbeat, positive attitude, his willingness to help where needed, his memorable repertoire of songs to be sung by the campfire, his unforgettable guitar accompaniment, and his ever-present #10 can of cowboy coffee which spoke for itself.