Linda was a 4-H member in Fallsburg, KY for seven years. She credits her parents, the values of the small community, her 4-H experience and community mentors with her success as a youth and adult. Her career in education spans 40 years, including 11 as a high school teacher, two as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia, and nearly 27 with Extension in three states. She was President of NAE4-HA in 1990. During that period, she led the NAE4-HA Board through the first strategic planning process where vision, mission, values and strategic goals were developed. Linda represented NAE4-HA on a US 4-H/USSR Committee on Youth Organizations Design Team and traveled to the USSR in 1990.
For NAE4-HA’ 50th anniversary, Linda coordinated the making of three commemorative quilts. She designed and implemented Oregon’ first required training program for new 4-H leaders in Clackamas County. In the 1990s, she redesigned and implemented 4-H programs for high-risk youth and families in public housing. As an advocate for “youth as resources,” she was asked by the Clackamas County Commission on Children and Families to develop the first County Youth Advisory Committee. In retirement, Linda is actively involved in Oregon politics, the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Friends of Liberia. She still conducts 4-H education programs and judges at county fairs. 
