Dr. Virginia Gobeli has been involved in 4-H for over 60 years as a member, volunteer and a staff member. Starting as a RI Extension Home Economist, she later served as State Home Economics 4-H Specialist in MA, 4-H Specialist in NV and NE. In Nevada she started the State 4-H Camp, developed curriculum and managed the State Fair 4-H section. In Nebraska, she worked with teams developing 4-H projects, managed the State Fair 4-H exhibits, was responsible International Exchanges and managed the Volunteers for the Future grant. At USDA, Virginia managed National 4-H Conference and served on or coordinated projects including USDA Team Nutrition, National Recognition Model Team and IFYE and Japanese exchange committees.
Virginia was active planning and conducting various interagency conferences on youth development. At National 4-H Conference she introduced Real Colors and Character Counts! to the 4-H system. Her work to bring technology into 4-H led to National 4-H Headquarters web site, National 4-H Technology Team and Conference, and Teens Teach Technology with Medicare. Her 4-H International responsibilities included the IFYE World and 50th Anniversary Conference, various conferences and meetings abroad and recruiting assistance to 4-H and youth development programs in Estonia, Latvia, Tonga and Uzbekistan. Virginia remains an active 4-H volunteer assisting at 4-H events and activities and the 4-H Alumni working group.
