Gerry Gast recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Published on by jackie.askins
Gerry Gast

Attached photo: Gerry Gast receives 4-H Hall of Fame award with Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Associate Program Director Kandi O’Neil and Wisconsin 4-H Youth Leader Council Vice President Debbie Heth

The University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H Youth Development Program inducted 100 laureates into the brand-new Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame Saturday, November 15. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony was the last statewide event celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame was established to recognize 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major contributions to 4-H at the local, state and national levels. The honorees represent 4-H in the broadest sense, according to Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development State Program Director Dale Leidheiser.

“We are inducting volunteers, supporters and UW-Extension employees who had an impact on the lives of children, their community or state through significant contributions of time, energy, or financial resource to 4-H and its members,” Leidheiser says.

Wisconsin 4-H is proud to be represented by Gerry Gast in the 4-H Hall of Fame. Gerry started his career in Wisconsin as a County 4-H Youth Agent in Green Lake and then Kenosha County from 1962-1979. In 1971 he served on the Chancellor’s Committee to create the academic department of Youth Development, and in 1977 he was one of the first faculty members to be granted the rank of Full Professor. In 1979 he became an Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois until his retirement in 1991. He was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2012.

Professional development and the advancement of the youth development profession was a lifelong passion for Gerry. Both his Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation focused on the Youth Worker profession. He served in many elected positions of NAE4-HA including Vice-President, President-Elect, and President.

Since retirement he served ten years as a volunteer for the Day on the Lake program for 40 special needs people. He works with the Needy People Program at his church and reads to pre-school students. Gerry has a passion for providing quality resources and services to youth and those in need. Gerry knows we all play a role in helping make the world a better place.

Since 1914, Wisconsin 4-H has helped youth grow the leadership, critical thinking and communications skills necessary to be successful in a constantly changing world. Visit the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame website to learn more about the individuals who supported 100 years of growing Wisconsin leaders.