LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three generations of active 4-H involvement adds up to 106 years and recognition as a “Century Family” for the Alexander-Jones clan of Lakeport.  

Paul Alexander (1918-98) racked up an amazing 44 years of service starting in Texas 1945. He moved to Ft. Jones, Calif., where he founded a 4-H club in 1947.  

In 1950 he relocated to Upper Lake and became a 4-H project leader and longtime volunteer at the Lake County Fair and the Junior Livestock Committee.  

His wife Otha Alexander (1916-2005) acted as a project leader in California and Texas, acquiring 32 years of service over the years.  

Not surprisingly, all four of their children were Lake County 4-H members and one a 4-H All Star.

In 2006 daughter Peggy Alexander-Jones helped to charter a new club in Lakeport, Blue Heron 4-H and enrolled her own children, Ethan Jones (4-H Emerald Star and seven years involvement) and Asia Jones (4-H All Star and seven years involvement). Together they can claim 30 years of participation.  

Add all the years of all five of these individuals and the grand total is 106 years of 4-H earning them the honorary title of “4-H Century Family.”

4-H has a long and proud history in Lake County and no doubt there are other “century families.” If you know of a family who qualifies, please visit the 4-H Centennial Web site by searching “Lake County 4-H century family,” visiting www.celake.ucanr.edu or find the link on Facebook: Lake County 4-H (event) or call Peggy Alexander at 707-263-1733.

Various centennial celebrations throughout the state of California are under way and Lake County is planning its own event to honor the 4-H organization and its members past and present on Oct. 6 at the Lake Country Fairgrounds in Lakeport.  

For more information on 4-H and the UC Davis Cooperative extension, contact the area’s local office at 707-263-6838.

Peggy Alexander is the Lake County, Calif., 4-H Centennial Committee chair.