Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Henry F. Swanson

Henry F. Swanson has given more than 38 years of his life to the 4-H program, starting as a young boy in Lake County. He won many high honors for his dairy project and poultry projects during his 4-H career. During his 30-year extension career in Orange County his job description changed five times as the 4-H program developed.  When he began his career as an agent Orange County 4-H was severely limited by a lack of facilities. Swanson’s leadership dynamically changed the face of Orange County 4-H. 4-H went from having one room in the county courthouse to  having a three story house and later an agricultural complex that was built under his leadership. During his career Orlando changed from an agricultural area to the tourist mecca of Florida and Swanson documented this change in his book Countdown For Agriculture. “I owe everything to 4-H,” Swanson said. His service and devotion to 4-H have left a lasting mark on his community.