FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Warren County’s Kathy McCormick McCoy Named 2025 Outstanding 4-H Leader
Iowa 4-H Foundation awards the 13th annual Successful Farming/Loren Kruse Outstanding Iowa 4-H Leader Award
AMES, Iowa – The Successful Farming/Loren Kruse Outstanding Iowa 4-H Leader Award is presented annually to an adult volunteer who has encouraged, challenged, and inspired Iowa 4-H members to reach their fullest potential. This year’s recipient is Kathy McCormick McCoy from Warren County. McCormick McCoy was honored at the Iowa State Fair on August 17, 2025.
A 4-H volunteer for nearly 40 years, Kathy’s service to 4-H has been widely varied. From club leader to project superintendent, fair judge to filling in for Extension staff, Kathy’s commitment to the youth of Warren County and beyond has impacted hundreds of 4-H’ers.
Realizing there was not a Clover Kids Club in Carlisle, Kathy took it upon herself to fill that need for youth, including her own children. She later founded the Carlisle Trailblazers where she worked to provide varied opportunities for members and cultivated a spirit of mentorship and community service. The club is well known for its community service projects. Each year, she challenges the club to complete ten service projects. These projects are incredible learning opportunities for youth, helping them to step out of their comfort zone, build leadership skills and learn how they can make an impact on their community.
Having participated in state and national level 4-H opportunities herself, Kathy is quick to promote those opportunities to senior 4-H’ers and works to make those opportunities possible. Kathy genuinely cares about youth and loves helping young people be the very best version of themselves.
In her nomination, a past club member shared, “Kathy’s leadership has fostered creativity and growth in youth for over 30 years. Kathy has impacted generations of 4-Hers--her tireless work ethic, vision, and unwavering dedication have positively impacted hundreds—if not thousands—of 4-H’ers.”
“We’re proud to honor Kathy for her work to support 4-H’ers,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “Her selfless efforts exemplify the spirit of this award.”
The Successful Farming/Loren Kruse Outstanding Iowa 4-H Leader Award comes with a $1,000 grant, which the honoree can designate back to Iowa 4-H through their club, county, or state foundations. The award was established by Meredith Corporation and the Edwin T. Meredith Foundation through the Iowa 4-H Foundation in honor of Loren Kruse’s retirement as editor-in-chief of Successful Farming magazine. Kruse credits the outstanding guidance his 4-H club leader provided for his successes as an adult.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and provides private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. These opportunities help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors.
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Cutline: Kathy McCoy_LKSF_25.jpg: Kathy McCormick McCoy (center) accepts the 2025 Successful Farming/Loren Kruse Outstanding Iowa 4-H Leader Award from Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and Marty Wolske, Publisher of Successful Farming Magazine on August 17, 2025 at the Iowa State Fair.
For More Information:
Emily Saveraid, Executive Director
Iowa 4-H Foundation
esaver@iastate.edu 515-294-1537
