Sharon Runion Rowland of Bakersville has been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Rowland was honored with the top 4-H award for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Nominated by the North Carolina State University 4-H Youth Development Program, Rowland was one of 15 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Rowland’s 12 years as a Mitchell County 4-H’er and her 36-year career as a 4-H professional have been supplemented by years as a volunteer for three 4-H clubs and provided the basis for the top award. Throughout her years of service, Rowland and her husband, Steve, have supported the NC Cooperative Extension Foundation, the NC 4-H Development Fund and the NC Family and Consumer Science Foundation, all of which provide leadership for programs at state and county levels. They have also established an endowment that supports the Mitchell County 4-H Program with an internship fund, and along with her family, have established the Robert and Helen Runion 4-H Scholarship Endowment. She continues to support Mitchell County 4-H in her retirement by serving as a volunteer, club leader and in any other capacity she can to see the program she grew up in being successful.
