N. John Hansen, Retired Polk County Extension Staff Chairman

“4-H work has been important in my life and in our family.”

It all started in 1927 when Bill Cyrus, our Washington County Agent visited our 2 room Union Grade School, located between Bethany and Cedar Mills north of Beaverton.  He explained that the 4-H program and then told us (6 boys) that Al Lindow, a prominent Holstein dairy producer and our neighbor had agreed to serve as our local 4-H club leader.

I started out with a Holstein calf and the next year a purebred Brown Swiss calf from my grandfather’s herd.  I became very active in 4-H work with 10 different projects in dairy, swine, different crops and 4-H news writing for the Beaverton paper. In 1936 as I completed 10 years of 4-H work, I was named one of two top 4-H boys in Oregon.

My attendance at 4-H summer schools at Oregon State College and with the urging of my extension agents and support of my parents, in 1936 I enrolled at Oregon State College in agricultural economics.  While in college I was active in the campus 4-H club and also was elected president of the Ag Club in my senior year. 

I graduated in the class of 1941 taking my first job as secretary of the Marion County Agriculture Conservation Program…the AAA.  After two years I was appointed Linn County 4-H agent where I served for 6 years.  We had 1,600 4-H members.  In 1949 I was named chairman of the Polk County Extension staff where I served until July 1, 1972.  I was then appointed Extension Water Resource Specialist for 9 western Oregon counties.  I retired from Extension in December 1973.

In early 1960 our extension staff had a 15 minute radio program following the noon news on the Dallas radio station.  I interviewed a member of the state committee looking for a site for a proposed Oregon 4-H Center.  When I returned to the office, I had a phone call from Ivan Stewart of Salem.  When I returned the call, he said “I heard your radio program at noon.  Did you ever think of my place for this Center?”  His “place” is 750 acres, mostly wooded, and located on the east slope of the Eola Hills near Lincoln & Zena and 8 miles NW of Salem.  After his call I contacted Burton Hutton, state 4-H leader and arranged for Ivan and Burton to meet.

The result…the Oregon 4-H Foundation purchased this property for ¼ of what Ivan had been offered. Today, the 4-H Center is used all year by 4-H groups, businesses, government department meetings, weddings, family gatherings, etc.  Also, the YMCA Grieder summer camp is located at the Center.  In 2005 one of the residence cottages was named The Hansen Cottage for the 4-H participation by my wife, Ruth, and myself.  We have established two endowments with the Oregon 4-H Foundation.  One to support the Oregon 4-H Center and the second one to Polk County 4-H Leaders Association for 4-H member awards and for training local 4-H club volunteer leaders. In 2004 I was inducted into the Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame.

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.