Archives West Finding Aid

The Kenneth C. Minnick Papers document Minnick's career as the Benton County 4-H Extension Agent from 1947 to 1974 and, most notably, his establishment of the roadside clean-up program in Benton County in the late 1960s during a time of increasing environmental awareness and development of programs to address pollution and litter control. The collection includes certificates and awards, correspondence, Oregon State employment records, newspaper clippings, publications, and a photograph. Of special note are letters from U.S. Senator Bob Packwood and Governor Tom McCall thanking Minnick for his work in the cleanup program.

The correspondence is primarily communication received by Minnick, but does include carbon copies of several letters written by Minnick.  Some of the correspondence pertains to his establishment of the road-side clean-up program in Benton County in 1968 with 4-H members as volunteers and later expansion to include many more volunteers and cover all of Benton County.  Letters of appreciation and thanks for various projects as well as retirement congratulations are included with the correspondence.

The newspaper clippings (Box 1 Folder 4) document some of the various awards Minnick received and include an interview with him on his upcoming retirement. The photograph (Box 1 Folder 5) depicts the Oregon State Class of 1939 at their 50th reunion  in 1989.

The publications include an Extension publication "Your 4-H Club Sheep Project" written by Minnick (1955) and the program for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents 55th Annual Banquet in 1970 at which Minnick received the Association's Distinguished Service Award.  Minnick was recognized for his development of livestock projects and activities for environmental improvement as part of 4-H educational programs.