Nominated by the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program, Lucas was one of 16 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Honorees were presented with a National 4-H Hall of Fame medallion, plaque and memory book during the ceremony. “We are proud to recognize the 2017 National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees for the passion, dedication, vision and leadership they have shown toward young people during their many years of service to 4-H,” says Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame Committee Chair.
Raised on a Lincoln County farm, Anna B. Lucas graduated in 1963 with a BS in Home Economics from the University of Kentucky (UK). Planning to teach Home Economics, she was offered a Home Demonstration Agent position prior to graduation. So began a career spanning five decades of Extension accomplishments.
In 1967, Lucas accepted an agent position in Tennessee and began a master’s degree at the University of Tennessee. She held an assistantship in Extension Education, focusing her work on 4-H leadership projects. In 1969, she finished her degree and became an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee.
Returning to Kentucky in 1976 as State 4-H Specialist, Lucas served on numerous curriculum development and planning committees in Kentucky, the Southern Region and nationally. She served as National 4-H Congress Chair, providing leadership to multiple committees to coordinate the event for 1,500 youth annually.
Lucas’ dedication to 4-H was demonstrated by her creativity, organizational skills, leadership abilities, and dedication to supporting agents and offering exemplary educational programs. She authored an overwhelmingly high number of 4-H project books and leader guides for both UK and the University of Tennessee.
Lucas coordinated 4-H Food-Nutrition programs and collaborated with specialists to update food and nutrition projects. She chaired the state planning committee for the first nutrition forum for leaders and agents, providing quality educational experiences in Kentucky’s largest project area. Noted for leadership and service, she received several awards including: UK Human Environmental Sciences Centennial Laureate, KY 4-H Distinguished Leadership, NAE4-HA Distinguished Service Award, Epsilon Sigma Phi Meritorious Service Award; and Outstanding UK Specialist.
Upon retirement, Anna returned to her birthplace, serving multiple leadership roles in her church and community. Demonstrating her lifelong commitment to youth development, education and 4-H, Anna created two annual University of Kentucky scholarships for the College of Agriculture and the School of Human Environmental Sciences.
For more information about the National 4-H Hall of Fame event and past recipients, visit www.nae4ha.com/hof