Iowa 4-H Alumni & Friends

Giving the Gift of Grain   If you ask Eastern Iowa farmer Steve Tubbs why he donates through the Gifts of Grain Campaign his response is a simple two words, “Why not?” For him, donating to Iowa 4-H through this simple campaign is a no-brainer, and in his opinion it is the easiest way for farmers to donate funds to the Iowa 4-H program.  “4-H is something I believe in,” said Tubbs. “It’s a family tradition passed down to each generation, so we’ve had a family member in 4-H for the last four generations.” This family tradition is even carried out through his grandkids who are located in the heart of Iowa’s capital city, the most urban location in the state. “4-H is a lot different now than when I was in it, which I would say is a good thing,” he said. For Tubbs, his 4-H story focuses on the memories in club shows and 4-H camp. It is because of these experiences, as Tubbs explains, that he is an Iowa 4-H Foundation donor. “Then, and still today, the 4-H program has been about oppo

The Iowa 4-H Foundation would like to send a big THANK YOU to everyone involved in making the 2014 Iowa State Fair a success! Thank you  to all fair-goers who stopped by the 4-H Builidng to see this year's State Fair exhibits from all 100 4-H counties. Over 3,900 4-H projects were on display with hundreds of communication projects (working exhibits, educational presentations, ect.) were staged and judged during the 11 days of the fair. All created by the best Iowa 4-H'ers!   Thank you to all the passionate alumni that stopped by the Iowa 4-H Foundation booth to enter our drawing for a T.V., to take a #4Hselfie, or to talk to a member of the Iowa 4-H Foundation team! Thank you to the supporters, donors, and sponsors of the Iowa 4-H program who helped fund this year's Iowa State Fair! Thank you to the volunteers who judged, arranged, organized, and dedicated their time to the Iowa    4-H program for the last 11 days! Thank you to the Iowa State University Extension a

It's time for all 100 4-H counties in Iowa to show the nation why Iowa 4-H is #1! We want to see you at the 4-H pig show, you washing your cow, you cooking in the kitchen for your food and nutrition project! We want camp, 4-H friends, and county fair selfies! Share with us YOUR 4-H story with a selfie and use the hashtag #4HSelfie! Share your selfies with us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram or email iowa4h@iastate.edu and we will share our favorites! Share with us your 4-H Selfie... and we'll show the nation why Iowa is the #1 place for 4-H!

For Carter, 4-H was something he couldn't wait to do...until his best friend Spencer, left, was old enough to join. This means Carter didn't join Iowa 4-H until the fifth grade. "Looking back it was a really strange reason for me not to join," Carter said when looking back on his reasoning. "My sister was in an all girls club, my best friend was younger, and I was just so scared of starting this thing called 4-H all on my own." Even missing an entire year didn't hold him back from taking full advantage of Iowa 4-H. Carter went on numerous trips through 4-H including one to Chicago with students across the state, he participated in every 4-H and extension council locally, and went on to become the Top 4-H'er of Franklin County in 2011. Besides 4-H leaders and extension staff Carter said one of his biggest influences in 4-H was his mom. "She was not a 4-H member, but when my sister join it didn't take long for her to become a firm believ

The Iowa 4-H Foundation will be hosting an open house reception in honor of C.J. Gauger's 100th birthday . When: Saturday, March 8 Time: 10:30 AM - 12 PM Where: Green Hills Retirement Community  Ames, IA Parking will be available at nearby ISU Foundation. There will be a van to shuttle guests to and from the parking area to Green Hills. Please refer to the map below and look for signs and volunteers to direct you when you arrive. We invite you to share a card with C.J. highlighting  your  4-H story and/or the impact 4-H has had on your  life. Cards and gifts can also be sent to the Iowa 4-H Foundation at: Iowa 4-H Foundation Attn: CJ's 100th Extension 4-H Youth Building Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011

On March 6, 2014, we celebrate the 100th birthday of a true 4-H icon, C.J. Gauger. C.J. Gauger was born in Giard, Iowa on March 6, 1914. Giard was a wide spot in the road in Clayton County. He had a sister, Marie, who was 10 years older and a brother, William, who was 1 ½ years older.  C.J. and his siblings have all lived long lives. Marie died at 109 and William was 93. His parents were Albert, a Methodist minister, and Lydia.  The family was living in Holstein in 1931 when Gauger graduated from high school. He said he didn’t do all that well in school, that he was ranked 13 th out of 27 in his class. The day after graduation, the bank in Holstein went bankrupt. These were the depression days.  After graduating, Gauger went to Rudd, Iowa, to live with his father’s sister and her husband, Martha and Ed. He called Rudd “home” for 4 years and he said in the years he was there, he received his real education through participating in 4-H. He was “allowed” to be in 4-H becau