Hitt Inducted into Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame

MADISON, Wis. — Wally Hitt, retired Marinette County 4-H and Youth Agent, and current Marinette County 4-H volunteer, has been inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame.

Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development announced is the 2023 & 2024 Hall of Fame Laureates including 10 volunteers, supporters and staff who have impacted Wisconsin 4-H. The newest classes of laureates were inducted in a ceremony at the Wintergreen Resort in Wisconsin Dells on April 28.

“We are incredibly grateful to this year’s laureates and the countless hours of service they have provided to the youth of Wisconsin,” says Jessica Jens, Positive Youth Development Institute Director and Wisconsin 4-H Program Associate Director, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. “They have supported and inspired a generation of 4-H members to challenge themselves to learn, lead, and contribute to their communities. Their selfless contributions of time, energy, and talent have created ripples of impact which will continue to positively impact the world around us for years to come.”

Hitt was the Marinette County 4-H and Youth Agent for 29 years, treating the 4-H members and leaders like family. He encouraged everyone to meet and exceed their potential and helped with projects and events.

Hitt helped build the 4-H Food Stand at the fairgrounds. He also helped create a 4-H reserve fund, a camp scholarship fund, community prevention programs, Teen Court, and a Friends of Camp Bird group. His impact on Wisconsin 4-H continues today, as Hitt was instrumental in developing the 4-H Cloverbud program in Wisconsin.

Hitt continues to serve as a 4- H volunteer on county committees, food stand and teaching archery. If there is a 4-H project or idea to be worked on, you will find Hitt there to help.

The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame was established to recognize 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major contributions to the 4-H movement at the local, state and national levels. The candidates represent 4-H in the broadest sense — people who had an impact on the lives of children, their community or state through significant contributions of time, energy or financial resources to 4-H and its members.

Other 2023 & 2024 Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame Laureates are:

2023

• Gwen Dado, Polk County 4-H Volunteer

• Lynn Feldman, Oneida County 4-H Volunteer & Retired 4-H Youth Development Educator

• Jane Marquardt, Retired Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Office Manager

• Mike Perkl, Retired Clark County 4-H Agent & UW-Extension Western District Director

2024

• John & Jean Gurtner (In memoriam of John), Barron County 4-H Volunteers

• Bob Traynor, Pierce County 4-H Volunteer

• Fred Washa (in memoriam), Waukesha County 4-H Volunteer

• Michele Zimmerman, Jefferson County 4-H Volunteer