Henderson County Center: Joyce Armstrong and Earl Smith 4-H Endowment

STREET ADDRESS
Henderson County
740 Glover St.
Henderson County Center
Hendersonville, NC 28792

(828) 697-4891 Phone
(828) 697-4581 Fax

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Joyce Armstrong and Earl Smith, former 4-H Agents

Celebrate Henderson County 4-H
in a special way this year!

The 4-H Advisory Committee is pleased to announce the establishment of the Joyce Armstrong and Earl Smith 4-H Program Endowment for Henderson County. This fund is being established in recognition of Mrs. Joyce Armstrong and Mr. Earl Smith, 4-H Agents who worked with countless youth from throughout the county during their careers. Mr. Smith began his career as a 4-H agent in the late 1950’s and is fondly remembered for his passion for 4-H camp and for leadership and citizenship development of the youth in clubs. He retired in the late 1980’s with more than 30 years of service. Mrs. Armstrong began her career as a 4-H agent in 1966 and later became Home Economics Agent. She is remembered for her belief in the 4-H demonstration/presentation program and project records; she helped many young people achieve state and national recognition. Both Mrs. Armstrong and Mr. Smith have always been strong 4-H supporters and were instrumental in creating the first community clubs in the 1960’s when 4-H moved from the schools to a community-based program.

Please join us in paying tribute to these two legends by making a contribution to The Joyce Armstrong and Earl Smith 4-H Campaign. What a tribute to Joyce and Earl and to the difference 4-H makes! With your gift, you’ll also help make a difference for future 4-H’ers. If you have questions about the endowment or how the funds will be used, contact the Extension Center at 828-697-4891.

This fund will remain as a tribute forever, with only the interest from the endowment being used to support 4-H and youth programs offered in Henderson County. Representatives from the Henderson County 4-H Advisory Committee will monitor funds locally.

We encourage you to join us in making a gift that is appropriate for your family. Imagine the possibilities with this new endowment…it might pay for scholarships for camp or Congress, fund teaching kits to help your club members learn, and send volunteer leaders to training sessions. When the fund is endowed at the $15,000 level, we will invite all donors to join Joyce and Earl and the Advisory Committee in a celebration of the past, present and future of 4-H!

Click here for a form to complete and mail, or here to donate to the Henderson County 4-H Endowment through the NC 4-H Development Fund. Type "Henderson" as the keyword in the search. Choose the "Henderson Co. 4-H Program Fund."

Memories of Joyce and Earl

Doug Moon, Executive Director, Opportunity House:

Young people yesterday and today seek out role models. From my football coach I learned how to run a post pattern, from my basketball coach I learned to drop step and from my baseball coach, how to keep my back elbow up to hit a pitch. As I have grown I found these tips, while appreciated have not served me well into life.

Earl Smith and Joyce Armstrong were my county 4H leaders who shared with me life skills that I use every day of my life. Earl, the Head, with his deep voice, taught me how to conduct a meeting by setting an agenda. Joyce, the Heart, with her loving laugh, taught me how to involve all ages, all people in an activity by sharing of myself. While I don't have a need to run a post pattern, drop step on the court or hit a hanging curve, Earl and Joyce taught me life skills that continue the pattern of sharing to be a role model to young people.

Stan Duncan, Henderson County Assessor:

"Earl Smith and Joyce Armstrong were Mr. and Mrs. 4-H!

Club members might come and go, but the one constant was in knowing that Mr. Smith and Mrs. Armstrong were always there, always available, and always looking out for our best interests. Sometimes they prodded us into action, sometimes they were forced to chide us towards a more appropriate choice, but no matter what, they always encouraged us to do our best.

What we didn’t necessarily realize at the time, but now with each passing year must acknowledge; they were great role models!"

Janet Gover, 4-H Volunteer, Clinical Nursing Instructor and 4-H Honor Club Member:

“Often seen driving around in his Scout, Earl loved working in the community with his 4-H’ers. There is probably no way of knowing how many miles he has traveled, but he did so for his love of working with the Henderson County youth.”

“Year after year Joyce sat through many presentations and helped develop the public speaking talents of multiple youth. She was always available to assist with home economic questions including food preservation and clothing construction.”

Judy Drake Gossett:
My years spent as a member of the Henderson County 4-H Club were some of the most memorable and happy times of my youth. As an adult, I can now look back at all the fun and enjoyment I was having, and realize that at the same time, I was learning valuable lessons and principles that would influence me later in life.

Mr. Earl Smith, Henderson County 4-H Leader. helped me to successfully compete at the District and State Competitions. There were many successes, but when we did lose, we knew Mr. Smith was still proud of us.

What a positive influence Mr. Smith and 4-H have been on so many people!

Jean Miller, 4-H Secretary:

"They're wonderful people to work with. There's nobody quite like them."

Karen Eve (Bayne) Pfotzer
1974 4-H Honor Club

I’ve been fortunate to have a very varied and wide professional career. I’ve been all around the world as a project manager, park ranger, international business executive and even the General Manager of The London Philharmonic Orchestra. Now as a local trainer, facilitator, speaker and storyteller, I have settled back in Henderson County. Many times, I have been asked how did a young girl from rural NC learn the skills that helped me succeed. The answer is many pronged: inspirational teachers & preachers, fine parents, Star Trek, and 4-H. Specifically, 4-H is all about leadership development. With the help of people like Joyce Armstrong and Earl Smith, I learned about project management, goal and key performance indicators, marketing and especially about public speaking. I learned how to give presentations, answer questions, manage long term projects and how to work with PR and marketing groups. As a 4-Her I learned by doing and by teaching. 4-H offers wonderful skills to the youth in our county and state. That’s why once I returned to the area, I decided to serve on the County Council.

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Celebrate Henderson County 4-H in a special way this year!

Memories of Joyce and Earl

Celebrate Henderson County 4-H
in a special way this year!