Our History

Membership in the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents from South Carolina date back to 1973. E. Joyce Richardson, State 4-H Staff, was the first to join, with W. C. Clinkscales, State 4-H Staff, joining the following year. In 1975, two Country Extension Agents, Laval Oxendine and C. M. Lester, joined and attended the National Meeting that year in Kentucky, along with Clinkscales and Mary Stone from the State 4-H Staff. In 1976, South Carolina membership in NAE4-HA was 45 and growing.

Many of these members attended the NAE4-HA Annual Conference befor the State Association became a reallity. Mary Elizabeth Outzs, County Extension Agent, represented the state at the Southern Regional Workshop in Atlanta, GA, February 1977. After several years of discussing the possiblity of organizing a State 4-H Agents Association, approval was granted by Dr. Wayne T. O'Dell, Director, on May 3, 1977. Others attending this same meeting were Mr. T. J. Bryson, President of the County Agents Association, Mrs. Sallie Loveland, President of Extension Home Econimist Association, W. C. Clinkscales, State 4-H Staff and Acting State Contact for NAE4-HA, and Mary Elizabeth Outzs, County Extension Agent in Edgefeild County.

The same year during the annual conference for Extension Professionals in Myrtle Beach, an organizational meeting was held on November 29, 1977, with W. C. Clinkscales, Acting State Contact for NAE4-HA, presiding. Dr. Wayne T. O'Dell made positive comments about the 4-H Youth Work in South Carolina and gave full support to organizing the South Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

J. Roland Flory, President-Elect of NAE4-HA, spoke on the benefits of a state association. He announced that Alabama and South Carolina were the only two southern states not having a state association.

Three pre-appointed committees were announced:

  • Constitution and Bylaw: Mary Elizabeth Outzs, Chairman
  • Membership: Bill Ruggles, Chairman
  • Nominating: Laval Oxendine, Chairman

The first officers nominated and elected were:

  • President: Mary Elizabeth Outzs
  • Vice-President: Laval Oxendine
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Janice Ruggles
  • Temporary Secretary: Peggy Kernodle

They were installed by Mr. Flory.

The following year, 1978, fifty-three professionals joined the association. Interest grew, and plans were mad to have an annual conference were held at Camp Long until 1987.

Laval Oxendine, County Agent of Florence County, was the first South Carolinian to serve in a leadership role on a National Committee. He was Chairman-Elect in 1982 and Chairman of the Public Relations and Information Committee in 1983. The next year, Mary Elizabeth Outzs served on the Nominating Committee.

Several member have served as NAE4-HA Southern Regional Contacts: E. Joyce Richardson, National Programs Committee, 1978-80; Mary Elizabeth Outzs, Policy and Resolutions, 1982-84; Janet Ensor, Programs, 1983-85; Martha Phillips, Regional Editor of News & Views, 1986-88; M. Peggy Culler, Policy and Resolutions, 1987-89; and Thad Jones, Professional Improvement, 1988-90.

The Association has conducted three campaigns for Southern Regional Director, W. C. Clinkscales in 1978, M. Peggy Culler in 1986, and Laval Oxendine in 1987. Laval Oxedine was elected and served as Regional Director, 1988-89.

Dr. Ken Hollerman, Poultry Science Specialist at Clemson, and Mary Elizabeth Outz were the first to receive the Distinguished Service Award. The 25 Years of Service recipient was George T. Robinson, 4-H Specialist at Clemson. These awards were presented at the NAE4-HA Annual Meeting held in Atlantat, GA in 1978. The association has nominated agents each year since that time for recognition.