Miss Emmie Nelson helped to build the achievement capacity of 4-H, strengthened its public/private partnership, and elevated the skills of young people to reach their peak performance.
Her 4-H Club history began as a child in the (4-H) Girls’ Club in Bartow Co., GA. Her career began in 1923 as a Home Demonstration Agent; in 1935 she became assistant state 4-H Club leader. In this role, she was responsible for statewide program planning, college 4-H Club activities, training of Extension workers and assisting with general supervision of 4-H. She was named an honorary Georgia Master 4-H member in 1945.
In 1945 she joined the National Committee on Boys’ and Girls’ Club Work as one of the first 4-H Field Representatives. In her national role, Miss Nelson assisted all state and county programs with leadership training on standards, criteria and processes of the National 4-H Awards program and worked with award donors. She was a consultant to the National 4-H Record Judging Committee for 12 years.
At the 1951 National 4-H Conference, USDA presented Miss Nelson with a special citation for her service to 4-H. In 1954, she traveled to Puerto Rico to assist with 4-H Club programming. The “Emmie Nelson Library” in Euharlee is a tribute to her dedication to her hometown to establish essential services and preserve its heritage. A cabin at Rock Eagle 4-H Center is named for her, and her portrait hangs in Talmadge Auditorium.
