Ann Keene joined 4-H in the 7th grade in 1953. In 1975 teachers were 4-H club leaders to Madison Parish school clubs. Ann convinced the principal to let her be a club leader. She has worked with over 5,000 youth and 3,000 adults at all levels. Ann got involved with the LA 4-H Foundation in 1981, serving as board member or committee chair every year and chair for 3 years. She attended the National Workshop for Trustees in Chicago the same year she received the LA 4-H volunteer leader trip to National 4-H Congress in Chicago. Ann served on the National Trustees Workshop planning committee and chaired it for 3 years. She was selected for a two year term on the National Planning Committee for a Kellogg Foundation grant to increase capacity of Extension and 4-H foundations.
To keep 7th graders in 4-H, Ann developed the Challenge Camp with all 64 parishes participating every year. Ann worked with Child Welfare in 12 parishes to get low income and troubled youth involved in 4-H. She paid anonymously for them to attend camp, Achievement Day, State 4-H University and Challenge Camp. She has attended the Southern Volunteer Leadership Forum for over 27 years, presenting workshops and serving on the planning committee. Ann is a charter member of the LA 4-H Volunteer Leader’s Association and has served on the executive board and planning committees. She is presently co-chair of the LA Master Volunteer Initiative Task Force. In 2002, Ann was selected chair of the LA 4-H Advisory committee.
