Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Mary N. Harrison

Mary N. Harrison, retired Consumer Education Specialist at the University of Florida,  was one of the first 4-H club members in her community in Alabama. When she began her career as an extension agent she wasted no time in doing what she could for the 4-H program. During her career she developed two widely used school enrichment programs, and she obtained grants totaling more than $900,000 to support 4-H programs with publications, program incentives and visuals. She has conducted inservice training annually since 1967, and built the Consumer Choices program into an active statewide program. She prepared the teaching materials, handled county requests for help, distributed materials and wrote about seventy judging situations a year for the program. Harrison also assisted 4-H by conducting demonstration, illustrated talks, workshops, field trips and other educational events at Florida 4-H Congress. Harrison said, "My experiences with 4-H determined my goals in life. Without 4-H I am not sure what career I would have chosen or where I would be now. 4-H has been a very positive part of my life, and it also played an important role in the lives and careers of my children." During her career with 4-H she was also very active in her community, and is a member First Baptist Church, the Gem and Mineral Society, and the Consumer Credit Counseling Advisory Board.