Florida 4-H is proud to announce the induction of Todd and Sandra Hiett Dailey into the 2025 Florida 4-H Hall of Fame for their combined decades of service.
The husband-and-wife team are being honored for their individual and collective effort with Marion County’s 4-H program and at state and national levels of 4-H.
Todd Dailey, who is now retired from Farm Credit, grew up as a member in Marion County 4-H’s club. His father was a club leader in the county, which sparked a passion for forestry, thanks to the guidance of an influential Extension agent, Bob Renner. As a young adult, he volunteered with 4-H to educate youth about the forestry industry. Now, as the club’s forestry coach, he shares his extensive knowledge with the next generation and has served as an advisor to the state program and multiple teams from across the state.
“He was a product of the Marion County 4-H program and continues to advocate for 4-H any way he can,” said Beckie Cantrell, Marion County 4-H Foundation president. “I can’t think of anyone who deserves the honor more than he does.”
Sandra Dailey also grew up in 4-H – both her parents were club leaders in Sarasota County. She was a member of the top dairy team in the state, attended 4-H State Legislature and participated in national 4-H trips. She was a state 4-H leader, serving as the parliamentarian for two years.
Naturally, their love story began because of Florida 4-H. The pair met at a 4-H camp in Ocala the summer before they began college at the University of Florida. Both were camp managers during their college years.
After marrying and having children, they began a club of their own so their children could participate in 4-H. They led the Ocalikids 4-H club in Marion County for 15 years.
Sandra Dailey’s specialty has always been 4-H Legislature, so she volunteered with that program and took her club to Tallahassee many a summer, and she was recognized as an outstanding volunteer in service to that program.
Todd Dailey continued with his passion for bringing forestry knowledge to 4-H by coaching the Marion County 4-H forestry judging team, starting in 2007. He helped that contest secure essential funding through a partnership with his workplace, Farm Credit, to ensure a long-term solution that has made it possible for the national invitational contest to continue to this day. He has served with the national 4-H forestry contest advisory committee since 2009.
The Daileys look forward to sharing their love of 4-H with their young grandchildren when they are old enough to join.
They are among six inductees this year who will be honored at a ceremony on July 31 at the University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ABOUT FLORIDA 4-H
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.
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