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CORVALLIS, Ore. - H. Joe Myers, retired state leader of the Oregon 4-H Youth Development program and Oregon State University professor emeritus, has been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

The long-time OSU Extension Service 4-H youth educator was recognized for his many contributions to 4-H during his tenure at OSU spanning three decades and after his retirement in 1980.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as part of the 4-H program's centennial celebration. A new class of 4-H volunteers, supporters, and professional staff who have made major contributions to 4-H at local, state and national levels is inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame annually.

Myers began his Extension career in Linn and Marion counties working with 4-H youth programs in the 1950s and 60s. He was state leader of 4-H youth programs for the OSU Extension Service from 1971-80. Following retirement, Myers continued his service to the Oregon 4-H program as a volunteer, contributing to program development and facilities improvements.

Myers provided leadership for the Oregon 4-H Japanese youth exchange program and has continued to support international 4-H youth activities. He has contributed many years of volunteer service in Costa Rica helping to develop the Extension Service and the 4-S program, which is the Costa Rican version of 4-H.

Closer to home, Myers volunteered extensively over the past two decades to help improve the Oregon 4-H Conference and Education Center, located near Salem, serving as a member of the 4-H Center advisory committee since the early 1980s.

In addition to his National 4-H Hall of Fame recognition, Myers was inducted into the Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame in 2004, and named to the Diamond Pioneer Agricultural Achievement Registry by the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences in 2003. Diamond Pioneer recognition honors Oregonians 75 and older for their contributions to agriculture, their communities and OSU.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame can be viewed online at www.nae4ha.org/hof.