Woodrow W. Brown was born in 1914 in a tiny community in Florida’ panhandle called Walnut Hill. He graduated with Bachelor’ and Master’ degrees from the University of Florida. He was employed by the Farmers Home Administration at Crestview and served as an agricultural teacher. He became an agricultural extension agent in Calhoun and Leon Counties, and then Assistant Boy’ 4-H Club Agent at the University of Florida in 1946. He met his wife of 50 years while working for the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
Brown was the first department chair for the 4-H Youth Development Program when it was integrated at the University of Florida and served as state 4-H leader until his retirement in 1972. His family described him as a loving and caring father and husband who would even take his young daughter along while doing 4-H work. The family fondly remembers the the excitement in the house the night that Woodrow had to pick up Miss America from the airport to speak at Florida 4-H Congress. His daughter got to accompany him in the car and ride with Miss America to the 4-H event.
First state 4-H leader after four separate programs at three different state universities were merged in 1964 in Gainesville – strongly believed in 4-H programs for all boys and girls of all races. Led the charge to shift from a school-based to a community 4-H club leader model. Helped organize the Florida 4-H Foundation – first treasurer and active Board of Directors member for 25 years.
