The Youngstroms

During his years as associate director of Extension at the University of Idaho, Carol O. Youngstrom “was a consistent supporter of 4-H programs,” say his son, Robert C. Youngstrom ’57, ’61, Boise and daughter Mary Youngstrom Stunz ’61, who lives in California’s Sacramento area.

The siblings have each given $100,000 to establish the Youngstrom 4-H Faculty Excellence Endowment honoring their parents, the late Carol O. and Elizabeth E. Youngstrom.

Their gifts helped launch 4-H’s efforts to raise $1 million for the 4-H Foundation, which would bring the total of the Friends of 4-H Endowment to more than $3 million. Interest earned from the endowment provides college scholarships for 4-H youth, helps low-income 4-Hers attend state and national events and awards county 4-H leaders with numerous opportunities to initiate and sustain youth programming.

Carol, who was raised in Culver, Oregon, began 40 years of service to the university in 1929 as an assistant agricultural economist. In 1939, the family moved to Boise where, in 1944, he became associate director of Extension, a position he held until his retirement in 1969.

“Both mother and dad believed in the value of 4-H and were early contributors to 4-H’s endowment,” said Robert.

“Both were inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002,” added Mary. “Mother served as honorary co-chair of the Idaho 4-H Endowment Campaign in 2002 to ’03. We’re pleased to be able to honor our parents in this way. Dad was such an Idaho advocate. He knew everybody in agriculture. He was so good in Extension because he paid attention to legislators and to all people.”