Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Virgil L. Elkins

During Virgil L. Elkins’ tenure as District 4-H Agent 4-H membership in counties served by Florida A&M university doubled to more than 4,000 members in an eight-year period. He began working in the Florida Cooperative Extension service in 1949 as Assistant County Agent in Jackson County. During his stay in Jackson County he was responsible for programs in agriculture and 4-H club work for boys. From 1961 to 1965 he served as the District 4-H Agent at Florida A&M University. In that position he was responsible for supervision of FAMU county agents and shared in supervision of the state 4-H program for African-American youth at FAMU. Elkins played a pivotal role in the smooth transition to joint 4-H programming by FAMU and UF. Elkins encouraged many boys to participate in livestock and crop project areas during his career with the extension service. He continued to encourage agents that he supervised from FAMU to involve boys in 4-H as a means for them to become interested in agricultural careers. His zeal encouraged boys to become professional in their community and the world helped him realize that a life of service is the life that counts.