State Fair Ceremony to Honor the Late Eric Holm

The Indiana 4-H Foundation will host a reception to honor the contributions of the late Eric Holm to Indiana 4-H on Saturday. August 14th at 9 a.m. in Centennial Hall in the Exhibit building of the Indiana Fairgrounds. Holms has been chosen to be the 2010 inductee into the Indiana 4-H Hall of Fame.


Holm’s career in Indiana 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the state, spanned more than 30 years and continues to have a lasting positive influence on Indiana 4-H to this day. Holm served as an Agriculture teacher in Blackford and Grant counties before he became a County Agent in Tippecanoe County. He then went on to join the State 4-H stuff. He worked extensively with Horse and Pony, Dog Obedience, Jr. Leaders and adult leader training. Once recognized with the first Hoosier Hero Award for his involvement in improving Indiana life and commitment to Indiana values. Holm’s dedication to 4-H lasted even into his retirement, wherein he and his wife donated their farm to Purdue University.


Marjorie Beasley, one of Holm’s children who nominated him for the Hall of Fame, says that her father “was a living example of the 4-H pledge. His love for agriculture and education in the Hoosier state motivated him to serve Indiana 4-H intelligently, loyally, and with unceasing energy throughout his life.”


The contribution that Holm will perhaps be most remembered for is the part he played in founding the Indiana International 4-H Youth Exchange program (IFYE), the IFYE Alumni Association, and the IFYE Host Family Organization. The IFYE website states that the goal of the program is the 4-H alumni and other young adults who live with host families in other countries are able to, “increase global awareness, develop independent study interests, and improve language skills.” Holm’s determination to bring IFYE to Indiana stemmed from his belief that it was essential for Hoosiers to learn about other cultures and ways of life.


The Indiana 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2009 to honor individuals who have made significant contributions statewide to the Indiana 4-H Development Program. The ceremony to induct Holm into the Hall of Fame will be held at the Indiana 4-H Congress at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 2nd. Indiana 4-H Congress, in addition to inducting Hall of Fame members, is an annual event that honors 4-H youth from across the state who have been selected as scholarship recipients for their outstanding work in different 4-H programs. For more information about the
August reception to honor Holm or the 2010 Indiana 4-H Congress, visit the Indiana 4-H Foundation website at www.in.4h.org.

The Indiana 4-H Foundation supports the statewide Indiana 4-H program that is administered by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service in all 92 counties by building partnerships to secure financial support, advocacy and promotion of Indiana 4-H Youth Development now and for generations to come. For more information about 4-H Resource Development now and for generations to come. For more information about 4-H Resource Development and how you can become involved, visit www.in4h.org or contact the Resource Development Officer/Executive Director, Shelly Bingle-Coffman, at sbingle@purdue.edu or 317-445-7977, or the Wells County Extension Service, 824-6412.

(submitted)