Fran Mansue was a county 4-H agent for 18 years in both Passaic and Ocean Counties. This county experience made him an effective Chair for the New Jersey 4-H Youth Development Department and allowed him to position New Jersey 4-H to work in an increasingly urban environment. Fran encouraged youth to get involved in every aspect of the 4-H program. Leader education highlighted the importance of a member’ participation, serving as officers, giving presentations and involvement in county and community events. He saw the importance of hiring women as 4-H professionals and encouraged all 4-H staff to be involved in professional development. Fran believed strongly in private sector support and worked hard to establish donors.
Early in his career, Fran conducted seminars on the development and utilization of private support. He and the Ag Agent in Ocean County were the driving force in the building of the Ocean County Ag Center in 1958. He later obtained a $150,000 grant to establish a first of its kind, inner-city 4-H program in Newark, NJ. Fran was also committed to profession. He was active in the state and national 4-H associations, including serving as NAE4-HA president. He was appointed to the ECOP Program Development and Management Committee and the National 4-H Development Committee on the 4-H Program Evaluation & Accountability. He was an active member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, Alpha Xi Chapter and the Alpha Zeta Fraternity.
