Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Helen H. Fleming

A major part of Helen H. Fleming’s life has been contributions to youth and the 4-H program. As a young girl she participated in 4-H fashion reviews and home environment projects in West Virginia. Fleming was an avid camper and met her husband at 4-H camp.  She and her husband were both 4-H leaders before she became and extension agent and after she retired they became club leaders again. Located in a low-income housing project, her club has helped countless young girls considered to be at-risk make the transition from high successfully. With her support each year 10 or 15 of “Helen’s Kids” attend 4-H as a camper or counselor. “4-H leaders, home economics teachers and extension agents influenced my selection of home economics as a career goal. My activities in the camping program developed friendships which grew throughout college and my career. Competition in 4-H helped me to change from a shy child to an outgoing teenager and adult,” Fleming said. Fleming has set a precedent for other agents in the extension service by establishing clubs and giving visibility to 4-H in minority neighborhoods, where others had difficulty establishing relationships. She had a tremendous impact in home economics and other family related fields. Fleming was recognized as Citizen of the Year 2001 by the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and has won many distinguished service awards in the West Virginia and Florida 4-H programs.