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 a...

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 I...

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!

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 b...

1.   Education :   4-H is education for life that uses a hands-on approach.   4-H prepares youth for higher education and potential careers by emphasizing life skills such as problem solving and critical thinking.   When members participate in activities such as creating a project or developing a nutritional plan for livestock, learning is taking place without being noticed.   4-H has a special way of creating many learning experiences that are fun and engaging for 4-H members.   It has been proven that 4-H members are two times more likely to get better grades in school and are two times more likely to attend college than individuals that don’t partake in 4-H. 2.   Companionship:   4-H members share many common interests with one another such as static projects, livestock, or working exhibits.   There is always another 4-H or family member that shares the same interests.   Common interests are quite often the foundation for ...

Thanksgiving is a special time to be thankful for the opportunities we are given and the people who have influenced our lives. We are approaching the holiday season and want to take the time to reflect on what we are thankful for in our life . Among many things that we have to be thankful for this year, we would like to take the time to give a special thanks to 4-H. We would like to take time to reach out and recognize members in our community that have made our 4-H experiences successful and helped to create great memories. 4-H Members: Thank you for everything you do. You are the reason we do what we do. Without you, 4-H would not exist. You dedication to the 4-H program, your hard-work and your talents do not go unnoticed. By living through the 4-H pledge each and every day, you inspire us to make the best better for our 4-H youth! We have seen many time over and over again, the impact that 4-H leaves on 4-H youth. It is an important role in youth development and we se...

The annual Iowa 4-H Foundation Call-A-Thon has been underway for over 10 weeks raising money for Iowa 4-H. Members of the Iowa State University Collegiate 4-H Club have been taking to the phones on behalf of the foundation during this annual fundraiser. The fall of 2012 had set the record with a total of $21,251 raised for the Iowa 4-H Foundation. On November 12, 2013, the collegiate 4-H members broke the 2012 record with a total of 22,135. Two days later, they raised an additional $2,000!   The running total is now at $27,345!! There are still four weeks of calling remaining, and they are not slowing down! The Call-A-Thon is under the direction of ISU Collegiate 4-H Programming Chair and Iowa 4-H Foundation student employee, Ashley Kinkade.  Current ISU Collegiate 4-H members have spent numerous evenings calling prospective 4-H supporters requesting donations.  Over a period of 19 calling evenings, they have volunteered over 47 hours of their time makin...

The holiday season is right away the corner; a time for family, celebration, giving thanks and gift giving. During the holiday season, we would like to give thanks. Thank you to all of our 4-H supporters, 4-H members, 4-H volunteers and 4-H staff for helping us “Make the Best Better” for Iowa 4-H year-round. The beginning of the holiday season is quickly approaching… Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday….but have you heard about the latest day to celebrate, #GivingTuesday? What is #GivingTuesday? #GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a global day of giving on December 3, 2013. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners— charities, families, businesses and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smar...

Does a 4-H member forget 4-H experiences? Does a 4-H member forget what they learned throughout their time as a member? Or does 4-H stay in an alumni's heart forever?  We thought we would find out asking former 4-H member, Nikki Seehusen of Pocahontas County. Q: What are the HIGHLIGHTS of your 4-H experience? A: I was a nine-year 4-H member of the Guys & Gals of Grant 4-H Club in Pocahontas County.  Every year I took static and livestock (sheep and cattle) exhibits to the fair.  I did educational presentations and working exhibits as well.  I was fortunate enough to have some of my exhibits and presentations advance on to the Iowa State Fair.  There were numerous committees I was involved in at a 4-H'er and I held many offices in my 4-H club and for the Pocahontas County 4-H Council.  In 2009, I competed in the Pocahontas County Fair Queen Pageant and was honored to be crowned queen and represent my county at the State Fair. Q: What do...

Being green is actually not that hard, especially when it is National 4-H Week! But do you need help on coming up with ideas to celebrate 4-H? Well we are here to help! The purpose of the 4-H Program is to highlight the program’s success and most importantly the youth that are involved in it.  Each year, during National 4-H Week, the local and county 4-H clubs/groups have the opportunity to showcase what they have gained from their membership in 4-H through activities and events at the local and county level.  The Iowa 4-H Foundation joins the rest of the nation to celebrate the organization and youth we love so much.  National 4-H Week is October 6 through the 12, 2013! Show off your 4-H pride and join the Iowa 4-H Foundation’s mission to turn Facebook 4-H Green for a week! Take the picture below and download it as your profile picture on any of your social media pages, especially Facebook! Who  doesn't  love green? Help turn Facebook 4-...