All week long on SusanvilleStuff, in celebration of National 4-H Week, we will be featuring this year’s six inductees into the Lassen County 4-H Hall of Fame.
by Lily Ammon and Maddi Johnson
Lassen 4-H Ambassadors
In the 1960’s the 4-H program received funds from Congress to help fund youth programs to serve urban areas and youth work. In 1964, there were 37,000 4-H members in 1,000 clubs across California. By 1969 4-H had grown to 50,000 members!
Shirley Lee, then known as Shirley Nagel, was a member of Richmond 4-H from 1960-1968. Shirley was chosen to serve as a Lassen County 4-H Ambassador in 1968. She participated in the sheep, beef, horse, sewing and interior decorating projects.
Shirley said that the community clubs provided the best learning experiences. They did everything together including community service projects, National 4-H Week, and presented different booths at the Lassen County Fair.
She is a firm believer that the most important reason kids should join 4-H is for the various learning experiences they will be provided. During the time Shirley was in 4-H Lassen County had a point system and Richmond 4-H worked extremely hard to win “Club of the Year”. They successfully did so for her last few years as a member.
Shirley showed market steers at the fair for several years and always gave it her all to compete at the top. In 1967 she went above and beyond with her steer project and brought home the title of Grand Champion.
Still to this day Shirley gives back to the Lassen County Beef Exhibitors. Happy Valley Ranch, which has been owned and operated by the Nagel family for years, sponsors an award called the Lassen County Bred and Raised Hereford Award. The ranch also awards the member with the High Placing Hereford Steer at the Lassen County Fair. Shirley and her family have a long history with the Hereford breed and continue to encourage its attendance at our fair here locally.
Shirley attributes most of her success in the 4-H to her mother, Barbara Nagel. We appreciate 4-H parents that help their children flourish!
Thank you for continuing to give back to the youth of Lassen County Mrs. Lee. Welcome to the Lassen County 4-H Hall of Fame.
Photos submitted by: Lassen County 4-H Office & Callie Rohl
