Iowa 4-H Alumni & Friends

The following article was published in the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman's Editorial Section on July 28, 2010. It was written by Rita Cook, an intern with the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers. It is a strong tribute to the impact 4-H and county fairs have on youth and their development of key life skills such as public speaking, creating and achieving goals, coping with the disappointment and being humble with accomplishment. The Magic of an Iowa County Fair is as Strong as Ever Cowboy singer Chris LeDoux said it best: “Well, there’s a full moon in the western sky, and there’s magic in the air. Ain’t nothin’ I know of, can make you fall in love, like a night at the county fair.” Kids and their parents from all over the nation congregate to exhibit their 4-H and F FA projects at county fairs. Those of you who have attended a county fair before have probably felt “the magic.” For those of you that haven’t, allow me to paint you a picture. More than 30 years ago, two kids felt th...

This is the latest 4-H story we have received and we would like to share it with you. This was received from Dr. Christopher D. Hill. "My earliest memories of 4-H in Iowa started with showing model rockets at the Winnebago County Fair and giving presentations on bicycle safety that advanced to the regional Clay County Fair. My experience blossomed to include raising and showing livestock, presenting in local, area, and state settings, and much more. My three sisters and I were all able to serve as members of the State 4-H Council over several years, and I certainly will not forget days and days of fun and hard work to make the Iowa State Fair a success. 4-H is an organization that encourages Iowa's youth to become true community citizen leaders; skills that continue to help 4-H alum succeed in life. 4-H helped me to learn the importance of giving of my time and abilities while honing the proficiency of those same talents. With my family's help, 4-H helped plant the seed of...

Story County 4-H volunteers are hard at work this summer compiling photos, stories and contacts from their history. They have been sharing those photos and stories with the 4-H Foundation and we'd like to share them with you. Here are photos that were pulled from the book Milford Twp and Proud of It! by authors Dale Hughes and Jurine Borton (Moore). Both are former Story County 4-H'ers from the Milford Hustlers in the late 1940's and early 1950's. The photos are from Milford Township 4-H clubs in the late 1930's-1960's. The number indicated behind each name is the year they graduated from Milford Township. 1939 - In 1964 this group photo was taken of the first Story County Fair Board of 1939. This was 25 years after this Board developed and built the first buildings on present site in the then SW corner of Nevada. Pictured from left are TC Henryson, Story City; Victor Rilery, Ames; Otis Warren, Milford Twp; Dick Jay, Ames, who was the first board president; an...

Congratulations to former Iowa 4-H'er Max Hammond on being included in Florida's 4-H Hall of Fame! Below is the article, as posted on the University of Florida's 4-H Youth Development website. Florida 4-H Hall of Fame 1999-2009: Max Hammond A 4-H alumnus markets Brahman cattle with success and finds time to give back to 4-H. Max Hammond was a member of the “Farm Record” 4-H club in Iowa in 1926-1927. He graduated from high school in 1927 and began his career traveling the fair circuit in the western and Midwestern United States showing purebred cattle. At age 95, Hammond says that he believes 4-H was an important influence on his life, but also hopes that he has left 4-H with a legacy, saying, “I hope I’ve had more impact on 4-H than 4-H had on me.” In 1933 he joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Subtropical Research Station at Brooksville as a herdsman. In 1948, he became ranch manager at the W.H. Stuart Ranch in Bartow, Florida, a purebred Brahman cattle operatio...

We often hear from the clubs and communities who receive support from the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Here is the latest letter we received from the Turkey Valley Clovers 4-H Club in Winneshiek County . "It seems quite ironic that I sit down to finally thank you and share some photos with you on the 2-year anniversary of the "Floods of 2008." Fort Atkinson, Iowa was one of the many communities affected by those floods and after 2 years and many hours of volunteer labor we now have a beautiful ball field. In March of 2009, the Turkey Valley Clovers 4-H Club held their annual benefit bake sale. Members brought baked breads, pies, cakes, cookies, bars, and many other tasty treats. We hold our bake sale in conjunction with the local volunteer fire department's pancake and sausage breakfast. We help with bussing tables, pouring drinks, and serving and they allow us to have our bake sale so we both benefit from the partnership. At our 2009 bake sale we made $679.00 and when we a...

As the 2010 National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, comes to a close, it is nice to look back to see how counties have recognized those that put their time and effort into helping Iowa’s youth. These volunteers give to 4-H all year long, and it is great to have a week dedicated to their hard work. Here are a few counties that have made the extra effort to show their volunteer appreciation: With a “driving” theme, Muscatine County handed out cards at a recent leader’s training. “Thank you for Driving Muscatine County 4-H Youth to a Successful Future!” was written on the front, with 4-H member’s individual impact statements on the inside. The county also included a $5 gas card to fit the theme. Some quotes found in the card were: “My 4-H leader helps me to work towards my goals, learn how to write presentations/other communication, and to learn how to contribute to my community.” “Our leaders make meetings fun and educational.” “[Leaders] have shown me to grow as an individual an...

The second annual “Stitch This!” competition will be Aug. 20-21 at the 2010 Iowa State Fair. This year 13 teams of high school students will be invited to unite old prom dresses and blue jeans in a 16-hour fashion design competition. “Last year ‘Stitch This!’ rejuvenated the 4-H clothing event and provided excitement for many who saw and heard about the event,” said Shelly Greving, marketing coordinator of the Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. “People couldn’t wait to see what the teams came up with and this year we hope to expand on that excitement.” All Iowa high school-age youth are eligible to compete in teams of four. Youth can apply online with a written and video application. Past video applications can be seen at: www.youtube.com/iowa4h. Applications are due June 1. “We are excited to have VF Outlets participate this year,” said Greving. VF Outlets is collecting the jeans to be used in the “Stitch This!” competition. Through the month of April, the...