Derry Pitsenbarger of Dallas County was a member of the Lincoln Workers 4-H Club starting at the age of 10. Exhibiting beef and swine was the main focus of project involvement. He assisted his younger siblings as they exhibited at the Dallas County Fair, Ak-Sar-Ben and the Clay County Fair. 4-H was a family affair at the Pitsenbarger's.
Following high school Derry attended Oklahoma A & M where he participated on the livestock judgiing team, rodeo and was inducted into the Who's Who in Junior Colleges in 1967. During the summers he worked at the Iowa State Fair in the beef department.
Derry's passion for agriculture, rural life and admiration for 4-H and the values and skills the organization taught sparked his interest in being involved at the leadership level. He was a leader of the Lincoln Workers 4-H Club five years and served on the Dallas County Fair Board 36 years including 10 years as president. In addition Derry served on the Association of Iowa Fairs nine years again including a term as president.
Derry and his wife Joyce farm in Dallas County and had three daughters who were all involved in 4-H, exhibiting livestock in numerous shows over the years. Today they support their grandchildren involved with 4-H. They speak of the memories shared together at county and state show experiences. 4-H continues to be an important part of life for the Pitsenbarger family.
Derry has always believed in sharing farming as a way of life, with youth and promoting agricultureto other generations, hoping more and more family farms will spring up throughout the county and state. Though his years in leadership roles are past, he continues to support local 4-H'ers by purchasing their livestock at the fair auctions and making donations to the fairgrounds/fair board as well.
To Derry, 4-H is timeless. Back in 1956 the four "H's" in the 4-H pleadge represented important considerations in being a good citizen. Despite the many changes in the world since the 1950's those core values of the 4-H organization seem even more important today. Derry Pitsenbarger has been very honored to be involved with something so meaningful for so many years of his life and hopes to continue involvement and support for years to come
Sharon Thill is the true definition of a 4-H volunteer. Her career in 4-H started when she joined the Merry Maidens 4-H Club in 1970. She held multiple leadership positions, took many exhibits to Iowa State Fair, volunteered her time for community service, served on the area 4-H council, and was always a leader for committees in her club.Sharon has a loving personality and is a devoted leader. She puts many long hours in helping with judging and the displaying of the static exhibits at the Marion County Fair. She helps set up, oversees the building during the days of the fair, and helps prepare the exhibits building for the next years at the Marion County Fair. Sharon has provided many hours of service to her community and to Marion County 4-H. It seems only fitting that Sharon is inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame because she has touched so many lives around her.
Vern and Cindy Poll live in Maquoketa and are the nominees for the 4-H Hall of Fame for Jackson County. They have been involved with 4-H for many years. Cindy started in 4-H in the Buckhorn Busy Bodies 4-H club. While in that club she exhibited in clothing and food and nutrition. Then she became a member of the Southfork Stockmen so she was able to exhibit Purebred Angus cattle.
Howard and Jane Goldsworthy have been dedicated 4-H volunteers and "cheerleaders" for more than 30 years. They were 6-year members of the Howard County 4-H Youth Committee. Howard and Jane have been advocates of 4-H, and the positive self-confidence 4-H instills in youth and encouraged the idea of "Learning By Doing". Jane served as a 4-H leader and assistant to the Cresco Merrymakers 4-H'ers for over 15 years and has been a 5 county 4-H judge for over 12 years with much help and support from Howard. Howard and Jane have two daughters Gretta and Gena. Both daughters were active members of the Howard County 4-H Program and were participants in state 4-H programs as well. The couple are proud grandparents to 4 grandchildren.
Neither Jane or Howard grew up with 4-H programs in their youth but became involved as their young daughters grew. They saw the importance and valuable life experiences 4-H could provide to their daughters and worked tirelessly to grow the county 4-H program. Howard and Jane served Howard County 4-H well beyond the years their own daughters were active in county 4-H programs. Jane and Howard were instrumental in the development and success of their daughters learning experiences in local and state 4-H programs and that has continued onto the next generations with their 4 grandchildren. The couples work ethic and community service carries over into 4-H and serves to motivate others to be involved and encourage today's youth to the important life experiences 4-H can provide.
The couple carries on the pledge of 4-H in their retirement years. They enjoy wintering in Arizona and traveling and learning about unusual places all over the world, serving their church and community, and spending time with family and friends.
A mainstay is defined as “a thing on which something else is based or depends.” Helen and Gene Kline certainly fit that definition for 4-H in Monroe County. In 1990 they became co-leaders of the Georgetown Shamrocks 4-H club and remained in those positions for 17 years, and their son Steve was an active member in the Monroe County 4-H program. They were leaders of the Dog Obedience Club from 2007 through 2009, and they are faithful donors of trophies and awards for the dog project areas.
Judi Hertle’s mother was a 4H leader and introduced her to 4H when she was nine years old. Judi was a 4H’er in Benton County for nine years. She was the county secretary in 1961 and met her husband, Terry, at 4H events. They were married in 1964. Judi received many blue ribbons during her 9 years as a 4H member. She also repesented Benton County at the Iowa State Fair in the “Better Grooming Contest” and the “Fashion Revue”.
Marlene Miller, currently leader of the Cass County Cowpokes, has nearly 50 years of experience as part of the Cass County 4-H program. Marlene Miller was a youth member of the Massena Merry Maids from 1965-1972. As a member, horse was one of her favorite project areas. She did not stop there though. She went on to have a long history with the Cass County 4-H program that continues still.
Dean and Adele Bowden have given a substantial gift to Hamilton County Extension and to the 4-H program when they gifted the Newcastle Building on June 30th, 2011. Dean Bowden bought the Newcastle Building in 1982 as an investment, which he managed until he gifted it.
David Turner of Arlington has been a life-long supporter of the Fayette County 4-H program. David is the parent of two children, Dan and Mary, who were also members in Fayette County. He is the proud grandfather of two.
