Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Francis Gindl

Francis Gindl believes that 4-H helped him become a people person, improve his speaking ability, and raise his level of confidence. Gindl says 4-H enabled him to successfully teach classes at a huge industrial plant. He devoted 63 years of his life to 4-H as a youth and as an organizational leader to the oldest continuing 4-H club in Florida.  Gindl still serves as a resource volunteer, advisory member, and he sits on the Langley Bell 4-H Center Board of Trustees. As a youth Gindl was involved in 4-H for nine years in projects ranging from corn production and beef to public speaking and tractor maintenance.  His club was the first one to be integrated with boys and girls in 1965 and then racially in 1972. The impact Gindl made on Escambia County is still felt today in livestock, public speaking and community service project areas.  He shared many of his skills with youth and adults in 4-H. He taught the record book workshop for extension agents at the University of Florida and obtained community service grants for 4-H projects. Gindl’s support of and participation in 4-H at the county, district and state levels makes him an outstanding volunteer for 4-H in Florida.