State 4-H Leader, Director of Cooperative Extension
Raleigh, NC
T. Carlton Blalock served as Dairy Specialist, State 4-H Leader and Director of NC Cooperative Extension Service for over 30 years. He led the NC movement for integrating 4-H clubs and shifted the program from a school-based to community and project club model. He introduced 4-H to urban counties, particularly with Special Interest Clubs. Blalock worked with agents funded through NC A&T to bring 50 black youth to NC 4-H Congress. He also integrated his 4-H Specialist staff in Raleigh.
Following his retirement, Dr. Blalock served for another 31 years as a 4-H volunteer. He was name President of the NC Cooperative Extension Service Foundation, the first in the nation to support a total state extension service. Most recently, he created and chaired the Raleigh Golf Association 4-H Tournament that provides 4-H camp scholarships. In the first two years, it funded 300 scholarships.
Quote
While 4-H might be thought of as a worthwhile opportunity for the state’s youth, even without awards for outstanding achievements, thankfully, no other youth program, public or private, enjoys 4-H’s broad spectrum of support.” — Dr. Blalock in a 1999 interview
My 4-H Story
The North Carolina 4-H Development Fund
completed its first $1 million campaign
under Dr. Blalock’s leadership.
Dr. Thomas Carlton Blalock is celebrated by 4-H’ers, 4-H volunteers, 4-H donors/sponsors and Extension 4-H professionals nationwide as a consumate servant leader. During his Extension 4-H career, he built many of the bridges across which we all continue to walk: transition from a school-based to a community-based program, moving from segregated to integrated programs, and moving to a volunteer delivered program.
Dr. Blalock still supports young people by leading the Raleigh Golf Association’s annual 4-H Benefit Tournament.
Honors & Activities
NC 4-H member 8 years.
Served as Dairy Specialist, State 4-H Leader (1964-1970) and Director, NC Agricultural Extension Service.
Initiated the first NC 4-H development fund which raised over $1,000,000.
Negotiated acquisition of land and $250,000 gift to build Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Camp.
NCAE4-HA established T.C. Blalock Young Agents Awards to recognize outstanding 4-H agents with 1-7 years of service.
Epsilon Sigma Phi Ruby Award
NC CES Foundation President’ Award, NC 4-H Honor Club Honorary Member
