CORVALLIS, Ore. — Lillian Larwood, a 35-year veteran of Extension 4-H leadership, has been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.
Larwood is the10th Oregonian to receive this national honor since the Hall of Fame was established in 2002. She will be recognized along with 16 other inductees from across the country during a ceremony on Oct. 11 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
"Oregon’s Extension Service and 4-H Youth Development programs are better because of Lillian Larwood.”
Larwood, of Albany, served in 4-H leadership roles in Montana and Washington before returning to Oregon in 1988. She joined Oregon State University Extension Service as a 4-H faculty member in Lane County, later serving as a state 4-H specialist and interim Oregon 4-H program leader.
Throughout her career, Larwood provided leadership for the 4-H Global Citizenship Program, a passion that began in 1968 when she was selected as an International Farm Youth Exchange delegate to rural India.
“My six months as a delegate in rural India inspired me,” Larwood said. “We’re all citizens of a global society. We really need to be thinking along those lines and preparing individuals to live, work and lead in a globally interdependent world. I continue to believe in Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, ‘If we are to reach real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children.’”
Expanding global impact through 4-H exchange
For 15 years, Larwood led Oregon’s 4-H Global Citizenship Program, supporting more than 1,000 youth delegates—both inbound and outbound—from six continents. In 2014, she received the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Global Citizenship Award for developing two 14-day U.S. Department of State-funded short courses for youth from South Africa and Tanzania.
Larwood frequently led workshops and mentored professionals in states developing their own global citizenship initiatives.
As assistant department head and assistant program leader, Larwood guided professional development, risk management and promotion and tenure programs. As a county 4-H faculty member, she involved older teens in teaching life skills programs focused on self-reliance and self-esteem to hundreds of youth experiencing adversity—including children of unhoused families, youth in timber-dependent rural communities and those from low-income households in Hispanic communities.
Although she retired in 2005, Larwood remained involved part-time for another 10 years, continuing to lead the Oregon 4-H exchange program. She now contributes to the development of an endowment supporting the 4-H Global Citizenship Program.
Ongoing influence and recognition
Larwood has served as president of the 4-H Association in both Oregon and Washington, as well as past president of the OSU chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi.
“Lillian’s Extension 4-H career included development of many resources and program management processes that impact 4-H today,” said Marilyn Lesmeister, interim Oregon 4-H program leader. “Since retirement from her professional career, she continues to apply her energy to pursue endowments for the 4-H Global Citizenship Program. Oregon’s Extension Service and 4-H Youth Development programs are better because of Lillian Larwood.”
Larwood has received numerous honors, including the DeWitt Wallace–Reader’s Digest Fund Youth at Risk National Recognition Award, the Epsilon Sigma Phi International Service Award, and both the Distinguished and Meritorious Service Awards from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals. In 2016, she was inducted into the Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame.
Larwood was a 10-year 4-H member in Oregon — eight years in Clatsop County and two in Polk County. She participated in projects including clothing, foods, forestry, gardening and dairy, along with leadership activities at both the club and county levels. She also attended 4-H Summer Conference and competed at county and state fairs.
Larwood earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics education from Oregon State University and a master’s in adult and continuing education from Washington State University.
The National 4-H Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for excellence in citizenship, leadership, character and career achievement at local, state, national and international levels. It honors those who have made a lasting impact on 4-H and its millions of members over more than 100 years of history.
Previously titled Oregon woman inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame
