Ken joined 4-H in RI at age 10 in 1929. He was a National 4-H Club Congress Award Electricity Project winner. Ken’s strong leadership potential developed as a junior leader and a RI 4-H All Star. Pickett began as an Assistant 4-H Agent in RI in 1942, then worked as an Associate 4-H Club Agent in CT in 1944-1945. He came to NJ as Cumberland County 4-H Agent (1945-1987), and in 1966 became County Extension Senior Agent. Pickett started a daily radio broadcast in 1945 that still airs six days a week – one of the longest running 4-H radio programs. In the mid 1950’s, Ken established the first county 4-H Advisory Committee, composed of business people, community leaders, 4-H youth and adults. This group oversees annual event sponsorships and contributions, leader and member recognition, program development, support and growth.
Ken saw the need for teen leadership opportunities and laid the groundwork for a 10 county regional event called South Jersey Council (Teen) Conference. This conference, begun in 1957, focuses on citizenship, leadership and personal development and reaches over 175 youth annually. Pickett worked diligently in the design and construction of the Cumberland County 4-H Center, built in 1978. This facility provides a central location for club meetings, county workshops and programs. He pioneered in-school 4-H clubs and developed and conducted several school enrichment programs, including a “talking” bicycle that focused on bicycle safety elementary school children. In 1986, Pickett received the NAE4-HA United States Air Force “American Spirit Award.” He received Rutgers University Professor Emeritus status in 1987.
