Florida 4-H is pleased to announce the induction of Oliver “Pat” Miller, a retired University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension director for Okeechobee County, into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. He has been a passionate supporter of 4-H and youth throughout his career and into his retirement, often being found at the latest 4-H volunteer opportunity in his county.

He began his lifelong dedication to 4-H as youth in rural Indiana. As a student at Purdue, he served as a volunteer and after graduating with a master’s in dairy science, he got a job with Purdue University and the Purdue Extension system as a multi-county dairy agent. He immediately began working with 4-H by conducting dairy workshops, managing youth dairy shows and judging activities.

When he moved to Florida to work for UF/IFAS Extension Okeechobee County, he kept up his commitment to 4-H. From the beginning of his time in Florida, he was heavily involved in 4-H county and camp programs, often spending an entire summer week at Camp Cloverleaf.

His involvement went far beyond his own county programs, from youth dairy shows at the Florida State Fair, training dairy contest judges, emceeing for the annual county awards banquet and serving on the inaugural organizing committee for the UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center Youth Field Day in Ona.

“Pat would not, and could not, ever say ‘no’ to any request for assistance with any 4-H- or youth-related activity or event,” said Patrick J. Hogue, a retired UF/IFAS Extension director for Okeechobee County, “and because of his involvement and that of the Okeechobee 4-H agent, Okeechobee County had and still has one of the most successful 4-H programs in Florida.”

In retirement, Miller has refused to slow down, remaining actively involved in 4-H volunteer work. He still cooks at the annual 4-H barbeque fundraiser, judges local 4-H youth speaking contests and other volunteer opportunities.

He enjoys watching his own grandchildren participate in 4-H and the National FFA Organization activities – and is always right there beside them as a volunteer.

“He still believes strongly that having many youth involved in 4-H activities is the key to growing successful adults, and if you get the youth involved, the parents and grandparents will follow,” Hogue said.

He is among six inductees this year who will be honored at a ceremony on July 31 at the University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville.