WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ina Metzger Linville was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development, Linville was one of 16 inducted in October during a ceremony at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

Linville’s career with Missouri 4-H spanned more than 30 years. She served as Missouri 4-H program director from 2009 until her retirement in 2017.

National 4-H Hall of Fame laureates are nominated by their home states, the National 4-H Council, the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals or 4-H National Headquarters of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Honorees were presented with a National 4-H Hall of Fame medallion, plaque and memory book during the ceremony.

“Ina’s state and national leadership helped 4-H develop effective national programs in 4-H Afterschool, 4-H STEM and 4-H Mentoring,” said Eddie Locklear, former national director for after-school, STEM and mentoring programs at the National 4-H Council.

“Ina's induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame highlights the impact and importance of her work with 4-H,” said former Missouri 4-H program leader Jo Turner, who was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2018. “Her work improved the lives of thousands of young people in Missouri, in the U.S. and around the world.”

“We are proud to honor and recognize the outstanding individuals who are the class of 2022 laureates for the National 4-H Hall of Fame,” said Pamela Van Horn, chair of the National 4-H Hall of Fame. “These individuals have touched the lives of many people, from 4-H staff and colleagues to thousands of 4-H volunteers and members throughout the nation.”

Linville’s doctoral work explored how 4-H’ers learn over time. She led the Extension Consortium for School-Age Child Care, a collaboration of 4-H and child development faculty from nine different universities that later became the National Network for Child Care. She co-authored the theoretical framework for 4-H after-school programming, as well as the evaluation methodology for nationally created 4-H curriculum.

About the National 4-H Hall of Fame

In 2002, the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals, National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture created the National 4-H Hall of Fame during 4-H’s centennial year. The National 4-H Hall of Fame recognizes 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major impacts within the 4-H movement at the local, state and national levels.

About the 4-H Youth Development Program
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America annually with research-based programs in leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. For more than 100 years, 4-H has connected the science, engineering and technology innovations of land-grant universities to local youths and families. 4-H National Headquarters at the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture provides programmatic leadership for the 4-H Youth Development Program. 4-H programs are offered in every county in the United States. For more information, visit www.4-h.org.