Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

The Honorable Adam Putnam

U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam is a fifth generation Floridian representing the 12^th district of Florida and is the youngest member of today’s U.S. Congress. His first speech was delivered in 4-H, and Putnam grew up in Polk County holding leadership positions in 4-H. He was president of the State 4-H Council and active in Florida 4-H Legislature. Putnam is a graduate of the University of Florida in food and resource economics. Prior to his election to Congress he worked in his family's citrus and cattle business and served in the Florida House of Representatives. Putnam represented the 63rd District in the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000, serving as chairman of the Florida House's Agriculture Committee from 1998-2000. Putnam said he learned many of the life skills he used to get to the top during his 4-H career, and that he proud to be one of the 50 million 4-H alumni who benefited from the program. Putnam said there are many organizations that provide our youth with opportunities to apply these skills in real-life situations, including school, athletics, churches and community-based organizations. The one organization that provided him with both and was a driving force in helping accomplish many of his personal and professional goals is 4-H.Putnam began his 4-H career as an eight-year-old showing a Hereford bull and then worked his way up through the program eventually becoming the Florida 4-H Foundation president. 4-H taught him the citizenship and leadership skills he uses today as a congressman. His experiences helped shape his outlook on life and prepared him for the world beyond county fairs. He said from public speaking to running an organized meeting 4-H continues to instill a set of life skills in today’s youth that will serve them well in big cities and country communities alike.

Click here to read the article (large pdf file) in Impact Magazine's summer edition about U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam. The magazine is produced by UF/IFAS.