Ms. Gagne grew up in Auburn, Maine, on a diversified 200-acre farm with 70 dairy cows, 10,000 chickens, and a commercial vegetable garden. She was active in 4-H at the club, county, and state levels, taking on leadership roles and active in community service events. At the University of Maine Farmington, she was a member of Lambda Epsilon Sorority and served as President of the sorority from 1974-1975 and was a 4-H volunteer for 4 years.
Karen worked one year for UMaine Extension then moved to Massachusetts to become a 4-H Agent from 1977-1979. She received her Master of Science from Virginia Tech and returned to Maine as an Extension Educator in Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties in October of 1981.
For 34 years, Karen has worked with UMaine Extension in FCS and 4-H Youth Development. She achieved significant accomplishments, most noteworthy is her unwavering commitment and dedication to positive youth development through 4-H, making a valuable difference in the lives of hundreds of young people and families.
She was part of a team of educators who received a $1.4 million AmeriCorps Ed Award to support youth providing community service opportunities in exchange for credits for college and offered teen leadership workshops on college campuses/camps. For 10 years Karen worked collaboratively with Maine military branches, providing statewide leadership and grantsmanship for educational programs that support children of military families with parents in the deployment process. Karen was the principal investigator on grants to support Operation Military Kids. Over a period of 24 years, she generated a total of $2,289,934.00.
Karen spent seven years in a national leadership role with the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, serving as President-elect, President, and Past President, providing leadership and professional development throughout the country and also serving as Northeast Regional Director and a member of the Hall of Fame and Organizational Stewardship Committees.
Karen was selected to become the Maine 4-H Program Coordinator from 2011-2013, supporting 4-H staff and assisting with day-to-day operations of the 4-H program. Karen helped create the 4-H leadership structure in Maine, became a leader in programs, professional development and statewide projects International and Leadership Programs.
