Sam Gwinn came to Sussex Co., Delaware in 1948 as a young 4-H agent and retired 36 years later as Director of Extension. Sam grew up on a general purpose farm and attended a one-room school. His teacher introduced him to the county extension agent when he was 10, and extension has been in his life ever since. His 4-H projects included corn, pigs and vegetables, as well as judging contests, camps, fairs, and other 4-H activities. In his late teens, he attended National 4-H Camp in Washington D.C., living in tents on the mall in front of the USDA Building. He got to know his county agents and state specialists – people who became his role models when he chose an extension career.
After high school Sam earned a teachers certificate and taught for two years in a one-room school before joining the Army to serve under Gen. George S. Patton in Europe during WWII. Three years after coming to Delaware, Sam became State 4-H Leader. In 1959 he became associate director of Extension and he was named director in 1961, a position he held until retiring in 1984. While Sam had many accomplishments, the one for which he is best known and that still impacts hundreds of kids each year is 4-H camp. Prior to Sam’ arrival in Delaware in 1948, Delaware had no overnight summer 4-H camp. Under Sam’ leadership, Delaware’ first 4-H camp was held in 1949 and has continued uninterrupted since.
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