Landra Reece is starting a legacy, a legacy of service and keeping
Iowa 4-H strong. And she’s still in college! Reece is a student at Drake
University majoring in Environmental Science. During the summer she works for
the Iowa DNR as a water patrol officer. “In 4-H, I was able to volunteer,
network, and work in natural resources and outdoor recreation programming, this
helped me get to where I am today,” says Reece. “4-H really gave me a heart of
service and a want to always help others, which I am proud to still have
today.”
Reece started her 4-H career in the Montana Miners Club in
Boone, Iowa. She was involved in many of the project areas which gave her a
very well-rounded experience. Some projects included Food & Nutrition,
Photography, Clothing & Fashion, Communication, Safety & Education in
Shooting Sports, Outdoor Adventures, Environment & Sustainability, Dog and
Sheep.
“I think 4-H set me aside from my peers in helping me learn
communication, time management, leadership and teamwork,” Reece said. “I use
these skills every day, but they have especially helped me in college and in my
jobs.”
While in 4-H, Reece was a member of the State 4-H Council
and attended Citizenship Washington Focus, National 4-H Congress and National
4-H Conference. She says she has many amazing memories from her 4-H experience.
These range from county fairs and state 4-H conference to state council
retreats at the former 4-H camp.
“I would say that my favorite memory out of all of these is
attending National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.,” says Reece. “I met friends from all over, including
different states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Iowa had a small delegation of 5
people and one chaperone, so we were lucky to have fun adventures around D.C.
and get close and make great memories!”
Reece also had the
opportunity to speak to leaders of the USDA and NRCS and meet with U.S.
Representatives and Senators while at National 4-H Conference. She
currently volunteers with various political campaigns and is a proponent of all
ages being involved in the political process. She is also encouraging college
students to stay active with their 4-H roots. With several other 4-H alums, Reece
recently started the very first Drake University Collegiate 4-H Club. They work
closely with Collegiate 4-H at Iowa State and the Polk County 4-H Program to
grow their club and help youth in the area. The Drake Collegiate 4-H Club hopes
to pass down what 4-H has done for them and start an urban 4-H club at the Boys
and Girls Club located on Drake’s campus.
“There are
experiences that 4-H gave me that I could have gotten other places, but I truly
don’t think I would have made the friends, memories, or had the same community
support that I received in 4-H,” Reece said. “In 4-H I had great older youth
and adults as role models and friends and have had the opportunity to be that
role model for younger kids.”
Reece wants to encourage current 4-H’ers to take every
opportunity they can to do new things and get out of their comfort zone. Reece
also wants fellow alums to stay involved. She says reach out to your Extension Office and see if you can volunteer, network
with 4-Hers, or see if your employer can help the program in any way. And as
always, if you feel comfortable, financial giving is always appreciated.
“The 4-H Program
is unique because it has so many stakeholders who are able to help youths in
the program. There are so many opportunities, and the experiences it gives can
carry youth on to more success in college, career, and personal life,” Reece
said.
As she participates
in 4-H judges training to judge and volunteer at county fairs and with
Collegiate 4-H next fall when Drake University on-campus classes resume, Reece will continue her 4-H legacy.
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