—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 1,1977 90 Together , Murrens led 4-H 81 years By SALLY BAIR Feature Writer HANOVER - Francis, Theresa and Thomas Murren have served as 4-H leaders in Adams County for a combined total of over 81 years! That’s a lot of years in 4-H, but doesn’t even count the number of years' they participated as 4-H’ers themselves. Sound remarkable 9 Well, it is. The Murren family, led by matriarch Rose Murren, has been involved in 4-H in Adams County since 1925 when Francis joined the Baby Beef Club and went on to win grand champion honors at the Farm Show with his first Hereford. Since then, there’s probab ly always been a Murren serving as leader or being a 4-H’er. Tom, Rose’s grand son, explained that his grandmother was an active, ardent supporter of the agricultural Extension Service because she was widowed with nine children from ages nine months to 14 years and left with a large farm to run. For assistance she called upon the Ex tension Service and relied heavily upon their advice. Therefore, when a baby beef 4-H club was formed, she made sure her children were involved. Over the years, each one of the children was a member, and eventually, at least six of them took their turn as leaders. Francis received his 20- year service pin and then served several more years before he had no more children in 4-H Theresa continues to serve after 32 years and Thomas is an active dairy club leader after 29 years Another SiSter, Elizabeth, now deceased, served about 13 years with Theresa; Grace, (Mrs. Paul Dennis) served as a leader in the northern end of the county; and brother Simon, served for one year as a swine club leader Francis, now 69, recalls that he was a member for just two years before he was too old, and then he became a leader. Subsequently he and his wife had six sons who were 4-H members. He said, “AH six boys completed 10 years of 4-H work. That was 60 steers. And everyone of them showed at Farm Show.” Two years ago Francis was invited to present the wmning ribbon at the Farm Show along with Agriculture Secretary Raymond Kerstetter in honor of his 50th anniversary of having grand champion. As a former beef club leader, Francis readily admits that there have been a lot of changes over the years, “especially with breeding. Before, there were no crossbreds. Steers are of better quality today ” He remembers the time when judges started changing what they were looking for in a steer He is also quick to point out that judging cows - like judging people - is a very individual thing. V£jr* *■ < A * * ; ' • '< * * k> Tom and Theresa Murren talk about some of the things they’ve shared over the years as 4-H leaders. Tom has served the dairy club for 29 years and Theresa is in her 32nd year as leader I i I * v A i > » i * ... ,j 4* ' »'* ♦