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Jeffrey D. Orndorff, of Morgantown, was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame Tuesday for his lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.
Honored by West Virginia University and the West Virginia 4-H Youth Development Program, Orndorff was one of 20 people inducted during the ceremony held at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.
The National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council; the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP); or the Division of Youth and 4-H, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.
Honorees were presented with a National 4-H Hall of Fame medallion, plaque, and memory book during the ceremony. The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as part of the Centennial Project of National Association of Extension 4-H Agents in partnership with National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters at USDA.
“We are proud to recognize the 2021 National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees for the passion, dedication, vision, and leadership they have shown toward young people during their many years of service to 4-H,” says Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame Committee Chair.
West Virginia University (WVU) Extension Associate Professor Emeritus Jeffrey D. Orndorff’s journey in 4-H spans five decades as a 4-H member (10 years), county youth development professional (two counties for 12 years), and state 4-H specialist (28 years). Jeff provided transformational leadership for county, state and multi-state camping, educational events, international and military programs. Jeff’s efforts at the county level expanded the number of 4-H members from 345 to 3,655. He established two county 4-H foundations and worked to create science camps that served as a model for West Virginia 4-H. Jeff implemented innovative camping program delivery for afterschool programs before such programs became an acceptable delivery and worked to create camping programs for the under-served, poorest communities that had no camp facilities.
Jeff served as the co-chair for the 1990 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) National Meeting. While during his state tenure, he raised over $830,000 for county and state programs, directed 84 state-level residential camps that reached over 25,000 youth and implemented weekend camps and educational events that served an estimated 200,000 youth for all 55 W. VA. counties. Jeff trained nearly 1100 state and multi-state volunteers on best camping practices. He coordinated the National Camping Institute that reached 350 volunteers and professional staff. On an annual basis he selected and trained more than 120 camping volunteers. While WV State Fair 4-H Exhibit Department Superintendent for 40 years, he saw nearly
51 of 55 counties participate with approximately 4,000 annual exhibits. Jeff coordinated international exchange programs for 320 youth from four countries. Operation Military Kids program as an effort for Guard and Reserve military families reached 400 youth and 200 families while training 75 professional and volunteer staff.
Jeff was recognized for his service as WVU Most Loyal Mountaineer Faculty Member and received NAE4-HA Awards: Meritorious Service, 25 Years of Service, Outstanding Service as a Board Member, Leadership, and Distinguished Service and from the WV Association of Extension 4-H Agents Awards: Outstanding Service and as a 4-H member was a state winner and 4-H Congress participant and a member of the WV 4-H All Stars and WV 4-H Hall of Fame. Jeff’s service included being on WVU Faculty senate, an Extension Association of WV board member and vice president and Epsilon Sigma Phi treasurer. He served on the National 4-H Congress committees for many years. His philanthropy includes creating multiple endowment funds including one in his name in the WVU Foundation. Other local community service efforts include memberships in the Lions, Kiwanis, Volunteer Fire Department, the Burlington Children’s Home, the Council of Ministries chair, and Band treasurer.
When WV experienced a 100-year flood that killed 29 and devastated homes, properties, and entire towns, Jeff worked tirelessly for 100 days straight, including weekends, to help with repairs. He pumped out basements, shoveled mud, put out fires, delivered meals, and buried animals to prevent disease. And where many find it difficult to go to college, over the past 25 years, he has coordinated events on the WVU campus that acquainted many rural youth with college life providing support during and after their WVU experiences.
“Jeff was truly the model of an Extension Professional working hard to better his community by teaching residents new skills, fostering leadership and serving the people.” —Brent A. Clark, Director, WVU 4-H Youth Development Program
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