The Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsors the annual Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Counties nominate volunteers, community leaders, and Extension staff members who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their county. Only one individual or couple per county can be nominated each year. Inductees can be recognized posthumously.
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as 4-H celebrated 100 years of a program dedicated to teaching youth life skills. During those 100 years, it became evident that one of the essential elements of the 4-H program was the caring adults who were committed to the program.
Inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame represent the many people in Iowa who have contributed countless hours to the 4-H program. They work tirelessly to see that Iowa’s youth have a great learning experience in a safe and fun environment.These adults have modeled volunteerism, community service, integrity, and leadership to Iowa’s youth. Their legacy is the young people they have mentored who will in turn support the continuation of a 4-H program that builds Iowa’s leaders.
The induction ceremony for the 4-H Hall of Fame honorees is scheduled for the last Sunday of the Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibit Building. If the honoree is deceased, a family member may represent that person at the induction ceremony.
Because of the extraordinary number of families and friends who attend the induction ceremony, there are two induction ceremonies to provide a quality experience for the inductees and their supporters. The first ceremony, for counties Adair through Jasper, begins at 1:30 p.m. The second ceremony, for counties Jefferson through Wright, begins at 3:30 p.m. (both East and West Pottawattamie are included in the second ceremony at 3:30.)
View photos from the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction ceremonies!
| O.H. Benson (2003) | Max Exner (2003) | Emelda Kunau (2003) | Lyle Mackey (2003) | Don Muhm (2003) |
| Glen Thompson (2003) | Kenneth Fulk (2004) | Don Greiman (2004) | Shirley Stakey (2004) | Florine Swanson (2005) |
| Phyllis Olsen (2007) | Loren Kruse (2014) | Jerry Parson (2014) | Jim Pease (2016) | JaneAnn Stout (2016) |
| Jerry Perkins (2017) | Janis Stone (2018) | Lois Warme (2018) | Roy Hougen (2019) | Darrell Busby (2019) |
| Tom Baas (2020) | Joe Sellers (2020) |
To suggest nominees for induction into the Hall of Fame, contact your ISU County Extension Office.
ISU Extension & Outreach staff submit Hall of Fame nominations here.
