COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ruth Henderson McQueen, of Tennessee, Patricia Brundige, of Ohio, and George Heersche Jr., of Kentucky, were among 15 inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in an Oct. 14 ceremony at the organization’s national conference in Boise, Idaho. All 14 were honored for their lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame laureates are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council, the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals or 4-H National Headquarters of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

“These individuals have touched the lives of many people, from 4-H staff and colleagues to thousands of 4-H volunteers and members throughout the nation,” said Pamela Van Horn, chair of the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

McQueen’s journey began in Philadelphia, Tenn., as a 5th grade 4-H member. For a little girl growing up on a family farm with no indoor plumbing, television or telephone, the world literally opened when she joined 4-H. The opportunities led to experiences in citizenship, leadership, parliamentary procedure, public speaking and project work. These opportunities gave McQueen the motivation to pursue a college degree, an advanced degree and a 26-year career in UT Extension.

Following college, McQueen returned to 4-H in 1975, beginning her career and her lifelong journey at the Sequatchie County UT Extension office in rural southeast Tennessee. After two years, she transitioned to the statewide 4-H office in Knoxville as a 4-H specialist, coordinating an estimated 10,000 volunteers each year across Tennessee and training agents to work with volunteers.

After taking early retirement in 2001, she continued to use her skills and resources to serve the university, UT Extension, her community, agriculture and especially 4-H.

McQueen is a charter member of the Tennessee 4-H Alumni and Friends. She has served that organization as a state 4-H adviser to the board, board member and state president (2007-2009).

In 2017, the University of Tennessee looked at its 370,000 alumni and selected 100 of the most accomplished graduates to be distinguished alumni. She was one of those honored.

In 2022, she received the State 4-H Alumni Leadership Award.

“I was blessed to have effective mentors and like to pass this blessing on by serving as a mentor to others, especially young adults,” McQueen said. “None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the guidance and support of others.”

Brundige’s lifelong support, volunteerism and philanthropy have empowered countless youth, ensuring 4-H’s continued growth and success across Ohio.

Brundige grew up in Franklin County and participated in 4-H as a youth, maintaining a deep connection to the program throughout her life. After attending Ohio State University to study home economics education, she began an extensive career in the food science industry.

For more than 50 years, Brundige has generously supported Ohio 4-H, contributing to Ohio State’s College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and OSU Extension. Among her many gifts is the creation of the Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building, named in honor of her parents. The facility is a hub for teaching, research and community engagement, supporting CFAES’ mission of advancing agriculture, food systems and environmental sustainability.

“Pat’s passion for Ohio 4-H and her extraordinary generosity have shaped the future of our college and touched the lives of so many young people,” said Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “Her contributions go far beyond financial gifts. She has invested her time, her heart and her vision, just like she did when she came through 4-H.”

George Heersche Jr. was inducted posthumously for a lifetime of achievements and contributions to 4-H youth development.

Heersche was raised near Mulvane, Kan. A 10-year 4-H member, his first 4-H project was cooking, and he was a Kansas Dairy Project winner. Although Heersche never had a 4-H appointment at the University of Kentucky, he made 4-H Youth Development an integral component of his position as state dairy extension specialist and animal sciences professor.

Heersche was a dairy extension professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. For more than four decades, Heersche educated a myriad of farmers on best practices in reproduction management for their dairy cattle.

During his 45-year career, Heersche served as coach of the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Judging Teams, coordinating the first North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest and chairing the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest Management Committee. From 1978-2020, Heersche coached the Kentucky 4-H dairy judging teams to three national championships.

Heersche was the Youth Show Superintendent for the Kentucky State Fair Dairy Show and superintendent/co-superintendent of the North American Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.

“We must give our youth advice, not criticism,” Heersche said in an excerpt in The Farmer’s Pride. “Youth need to have an opportunity to learn in an environment of integrity, honesty and trust and not have any pressure to be dishonest or be put in a position to have to go along with a dishonest act. We teach by example.”

Heersche retired from UK in 2020. However, he continued to be an adviser and mentor until his death in 2023. Heersche died before he could be nominated as a laureate for the National 4-H Hall of Fame.