AZ 4-H Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees
George T. Peabody
George T. Peabody is credited with a number of accomplishments, but for Extension his most important contribution was starting the first 4-H club in Chandler in 1913. As a volunteer, Peabody got involved by starting a boy’s Cotton Club with 18 members. By 1914, 4-H membership numbered 87 in 12 boys’ and girls’ clubs which included seven corn, three cotton and two grain sorghum clubs. Born in 1879 in Newport, California, Peabody graduated with a degree in forestry from the Biltmore School of Forestry in North Carolina in 1899. Peabody worked at a variety of jobs over the years eventually living in California. Dr. A.J. Chandler, owner of the Chandler Ranch in Arizona recruited Peabody to come to the ranch in 1911 at the age of 32. Peabody is credited with creating the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and served as its first secretary. Peabody also worked with Dr. Chandler to get funding for a state highway that would connect Phoenix to Tucson, and he asked the people of the town to help grade the road once it had been cleared. In February 1913, Peabody donated $100 in cash for the boys’ cotton growing contest and a thoroughbred Poland China gilt. At this same time, he was chosen to lead the Chandler Cotton Growers’ Association. He also worked tirelessly lobbying members of the state legislature to prevent the division of Maricopa County into small counties. In May, he visited boys at their homes who were participating in the boys’ cotton growing contest and observed that some of the boys were doing better at growing more cotton than their parents, but that the fields needed more cultivating. The Peabody family returned to Newport, California in 1918.
Kay Moreno
For over 20 years, Kay Moreno has been an important part of the lives of Pima County 4-H families. Parents can attest to her caring, knowledgeable, professional and patient manner. Children can tell you how kind and patient Kay is. The important part is that Kay has always made it so much fun. She encouraged them to “Make the Best Better” and they had fun! It’s just her way. Kay started in 4-H by signing up her young daughter for the Tanque Verde Livestock cavy project. Many wonderful families have shared the amazing experiences 4-H has to offer and then move on. But not Kay. She is one of the special ones who stay and give back those experiences. It’s in her heart to care about the kids of Pima County seemingly endlessly. Pima County 4-H is so fortunate to have someone like Kay in the lives of our children. She served as cavy project director for several years. Eventually she and her daughter became a part of the Rabbit project as well. Soon she merged her TVL rabbit and cavy club with the TVC rabbit and cavy club. Kay has been actively involved with the Community Clubs of both TVC and TVL for many years. Her love of cooking and sharing her skills with the kids prompted her to start her cake decorating and cooking club. Kay and her husband would often judge the 4-H Fair food entries. She also devoted her time to an arts and crafts club. Her commitment to the Small Stock Committee and running the Small Stock auction has been a strong focus for a long time. Her focus and dedication to assisting 4-H youth to advance their projects through the auction is her passion. She organizes and works the food booth each year to provide the small stock awards at the Pima County Fair. Kay is active in her church and is a loving mother and grandmother. She continues to be an excellent role model to not only her family but her extended 4-H family. Undoubtedly Kay will be there to lead the way for many more 4H members for many years to come and thankfully so. Congratulations, Kay on your induction into the Arizona 4-H Hall of Fame
Tina Johnson
Our first inductee is Tina Johnson. Tina is from Cochise County and I have had the personal pleasure of working with her on the state 4-H horse committee. Tina jumped into 4-H with both feet as a 4-H volunteer 14 years ago and hasn't stopped since. She has served as a project leader for horse, community service, leadership, hiking, and performing arts; community club leader; on multiple county committees - Livestock Council, Horse Advisory Committee, Small Stock Committee, and County 4-H Council; and as I said, on the State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee. For the past several years she has been encouraging teens and leaders to attend the Western Regional Leaders Forum, usually coordinating transportation to get them all there. Tina is always looking for ways to involve and motivate youth, their parents, and other leaders to take advantage of all the opportunities within the 4-H program. She is generous in sharing her knowledge and her time with everyone. During county fair you will see Tina everywhere--lending a helping hand and always asking what more she can do. Even though her children are no longer in 4-H, she continues to work just as hard for all the youth in Cochise County to help develop our future leaders. Congratulations, Tina, for being inducted into the Arizona 4-H Hall of Fame
Leon and Jerry Hughes
Sadly, Leon passed away in July 2009, but fortunately Jerry is still with us to accept this honor for both of them. Leon and Jerry were both 4-H members as young adults, with Leon being a 4-H member in Reydon, Oklahoma raising Market Beef and Jerry in Socorro County, New Mexico where she raised the Grand Champion Market Beef in 1955. It just seemed natural to have their children and grand-children become 4-H members.
Upon moving to Arizona in 1966, their oldest daughter became a 4-H member in 1969. They would become co-leaders with Frank and Frances Hunt for the Peach-Trux-Val-Berry 4-H club, where members came from the communities of Peach Springs, Truxton, Valentine and Hackberry, Arizona. They both were very active with the market animals and in Livestock judging contests that were held throughout Mohave County--not only taking their children but other club members as well.
In 1973 Peach Springs branched off into their own club so Leon and Jerry started the Truxton 4-H club and were Volunteer Leaders until 1981.
Said Jerry--“Even after our children had all graduated it was just natural to still help the 4-H kids in our community.”
They both continued volunteering with the Peach Springs 4-H club and the 4-H clubs that their grandchildren were members of in Kingman. Leon helped the members of the club in Peach Springs with feeding problems, training and showing of their animals until 2008 when he became ill.
Says Jerry--“4-H is a great way to teach our children responsibilities and how to set and reach their goals in life”.