Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Barbara Eveland

Barbara Eveland began her involvement with 4-H as a parent and volunteer when the 4-H club leader stepped down and the club was in danger of folding.  Eveland stepped up and took the reins.  She served as leader through the years her children were involved and continued to support Cassia club later with scholarships for camp. In 1993 she joined the Lake County Advisory Committee and was an active member until her retirement, when she decided to support 4-H  financially because other commitments kept her from attending meetings. Her legacy continues through the trust she and her husband set up to reward hard working 4-Hers with camp scholarships. Barbara Eveland’s dedication to children was evident through her involvement with 4-H. She formed, along with other concerned parents, a group that served as an advocate for the best interest of children in Lake  County schools. She constantly asked the school board to ask the question “Is this good for the children?” and even had a sign hung in the back of the meeting room so board members would be reminded of the children when making decisions. She also personally answered thank you notes from children her scholarship fund sent to camp. After her death, her husband Vern took on the role of answering the thank you notes. Vern Eveland said, “Her 4-H experience began as a mother taking our older children to 4-H and being a volunteer helper, very soon the club lost its leader and was in danger of collapse. Rather than risk losing Cassia Barbara became the new leader, beginning what became a lifetime of leading and helping 4-Hers in our community and Lake County while also mothering six and caring for home and husband.”