Beverly Hobbs, a 10-year 4-H member, joined Oregon State University as a 4-H Youth Development Specialist in 1993 after a 23-year career as a public school teacher. Over her 15-year career in 4-H, her major focus was on the development of new 4-H programs for new audiences: K-3 children and Latino youth. Through these efforts she significantly helped expand the impact of 4-H in Oregon and nationally.
- Beverly provided leadership for a team that developed and implemented Oregon 4-H Adventures. This activity-based K-3 program is built on a foundation of cooperative learning and best child development practices. After 20 years, the program was still relevant, with significant enrollment across Oregon.
- The Oregon 4-H Outreach Project team was created under Beverly’s leadership to design, implement, and evaluate culturally responsive 4-H programs for Latino audiences. Working with Latino groups and county 4-H faculty, a model for culturally responsive programs was designed, curriculum and promotional materials were developed, and cross-cultural training was provided for extension staff. To support these endeavors, Beverly secured over $1.8m in grants.
- Beverly’s career efforts added significantly to the experience of thousands of 4-H youth in Oregon and across the nation. Her pioneering efforts in researching and promoting programs tailored to Latino audiences contributed to the body of knowledge that undergirds 4-H outreach programs nationally. Years later an Oklahoma State University adjunct professor said, “I still see her work quoted in papers that are written about diversity for my class in Extension Program Development. Her legacy lives on.”
