Both David and Sue Benedetti were 4-H’ers, Junior Leaders, and IFYEs. Sue worked in India’s Extension Training Centers, training women in health and nutrition; David worked with rural youth for the Mexico’s Agricultural Education Ministry. Sue was a National 4-H Fellow, both were County Agents and joined national 4-H leadership: Sue as USDA’s 4-H Information Specialist and David as National 4-H Foundation Associate Director of Resources. They mentored the “4-H Report to the Nation” team, a group of 4-H’ers traveling the US to publicize 4-H. David helped raise money to expand the National 4-H Center. Sue provided technical advice to “Mulligan Stew,” 4-H’s largest television series. David taught Extension Education at University of Maryland and was 4-H Information Specialist at University of DC.
In Botswana’s Agriculture Ministry Extension Service, David helped create community farmers’ groups to increase production. Sue developed and taught Botswana/Lesotho/Swaziland Institute of Development Management’s first Communications curriculum to train private- and public-sector managers and directed the US Ambassador’s Self-Help Fund.
Sue developed US 4-H Global Learning materials, and co-authored a youth leadership handbook for Liberia 4-H. David led a life-skills-training project for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
In five Central Asia ‘Stans, Sue managed an NGO development and media communications project while David directed regional legislative training.
In Namibia, Sue created and managed the Education Ministry’s Rural Youth Development Program. David directed the Basic Education Support project, including student grants for 4-H-type projects.
Both are 4-H Heritage Club members and co-founders of the National 4-H History Preservation Program.
