Chuck Morris began his 4-H career as a member of the Walnut Progressors 4-H Club in Dallas County. He participated in beef; swine; and science, mechanics and engineering projects early on, but especially appreciated his opportunities in the leadership program, where he learned about himself and the person he wanted to be. 4-H became a part of Chuck’s life, including a 37-year professional career in ISU Extension, seven of those years serving as the Iowa State 4-H program leader.
One of Chuck’s special memories as a 4-H’er was representing Iowa at National 4-H Conference during his senior year in high school. At that time, Iowa had added “and my world” to the 4-H pledge, but the rest of the country had not. Through his and others’ work on the international committee at National 4-H Conference, they proposed that addition be adopted nationally, which came to fruition in 1973.
Chuck attributes many of his connections and special relationships to shared 4-H experiences, his most important being his wife, Mary, who he met through 4-H. They, in turn, prioritized 4-H activities and encouraged and supported their children, Emily and J.C., to be involved in 4-H experiences at the club, county and state levels as well.
Chuck began his extension career as Extension 4-H and Youth Leader in Clay and Buena Vista counties in 1975 and was soon asked to join the State 4-H Youth Staff on campus. On campus, Chuck provided leadership in Agriculture and Volunteer Development prior to becoming Assistant State Leader and finally, State 4-H Leader in 2006. After seven successful years as state 4-H leader, Chuck retired in 2014.
A few of Chuck’s notable professional accomplishments which have created lasting impacts on the Iowa 4-H program today include creating new recruitment materials for 4-H volunteers; developing a volunteer training and support plan; creating animal species advisory committees to provide oversight and assistance in decision-making; creating the horseless horse program for youth who want to learn about horses but do not own one themselves; and leading the Strengthening 4-H Clubs effort that included club assessments and efforts to improve vibrancy in our 4-H clubs.
Chuck served in various leadership roles across the 4-H and larger Extension system, including the National 4-H Curriculum committee; the Iowa State Fair Board; president of Epsilon Sigma Phi; Chair of the NCR State Leaders and Iowa Excellence in Extension committee. Chuck has also served as a member of the Governor’s Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service; member and Chair of the Governor-appointed State Task Force on Youth Education Employment and Training; a member of the Iowa Arboretum Board of Directors; FarmHouse Fraternity Association Board President; and various roles in his local church.
Chuck Morris has always had a smile and handshake for everyone he meets. 4-H staff, volunteers, and members would agree Chuck is a most supportive, encouraging, and caring leader. Those that have worked with him have grown from his guidance.
Brian Worden grew up in Dows, joining the Morgan Merrymakers 4-H Club for nine years. His favorite project areas were Beef, Swine, and Woodworking, winning the State Woodworking Award in 1979.
Joni was a member of the Belmond Pleasant Peppy Pals 4-H Club for nine years. Her favorite project areas were Home Improvement, Food and Nutrition, Clothing, and Fashion Review! Joni had projects advance to the State Fair every year. Her fondest memories were being on County Council, being a camp counselor, and the amazing friends she met. One of the biggest impacts Joni had was being awarded the Main Street Grant to have the Santa House built in Belmond. She has also taken photos of every aspect of the fair for years!
Brian’s involvement in 4-H and FFA led him to a career in Agriculture. While obtaining his Animal Science degree at Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, he met Joni. After graduating in 1981, the couple married and lived in Dows for a short period. In 1988, they moved to a farm in Wright County where they both joined Joni’s families printing company, Printing Services Inc. (PSI). The couple has raised five children. All kids were enrolled in 4-H, where Joni served as a 4-H Volunteer and was on the 4-H and Youth Committee for 24 years!
During Brian’s 24 years on the Wright County Fair Board, he oversaw many improvements including expansion of the Cattle Barn, blacktop sidewalks, handicapped-accessible restrooms, Fair office, and continuous fencing. In 2013, the Board completed a successful $600,000 capital campaign to build a 100’ x 200’ Steel-framed structure becoming the new Show Arena, Swine Barn, Sheep Barn, gating and bleacher. Brian also served as Poultry Assistant, Horse Assistant, Beef Assistant and Swine Superintendent. “Our feeling is if someone is on a board that means the whole family is on the board when help is needed,” said the Wordens.
The couple has been active in the community for 40 years, volunteering on as Belmond Township Trustee, BK FFA Advisory Committee, BK Wrestling/Football Boosters, Gridiron, PSI Chairman of the Cheer Fund, and UMC Sunday /Bible School teacher.
The Wordens have held state and national leadership positions on the Iowa Jr. Maine-Anjou Association where they were Iowa Jr Advisors for over 25 years, and American Jr. Maine-Anjou Association, named Maine Couple of the Year, and Brian Maine Man of the Year. Joni was awarded the American Junior Helper Award. The Wordens are still active in the swine industry sponsoring the Iowa Swine Jackpot Series and Verified Iowa Purebred program.
The Wordens have made a positive impact on Wright County 4-H members with their dedication to Making the Best Better making them Wright County’s 4-H Hall of Fame nominees.
Susan and Darrin Kliment have been amazing volunteer 4-H Club leaders for the Worth County Hartland Achievers 4-H Club. In addition, Susan has been the 4-H County Youth Coordinator two separate times in the past. Through these experiences she found that the key ingredients to a successful 4-Her are communications, citizenship and leadership skills.
Under Susan and Darrin’s mentorship, club membership skyrocketed dramatically. 4-H members took part in presentations and Share the Fun skits which resulted in the club being chosen to present at the Iowa State Fair several times. Citizenship and Service were also emphasized in the club, including trips to the women’s shelter, raking leaves for those who couldn’t, haunted house fundraisers, decorating doors at the retirement home, and caroling to shut-ins. These experiences taught youth that it is important to love and care for others.
In addition, numerous club projects were undertaken, such as building a gaga pit and carpet ball table for all kids to use during the county fair. Furthermore, the club’s successful fundraiser was a Taco Feed which netted the club thousands of dollars. For “play” the club took trips to Valley Fair, Adventureland, Sky Zone, Fun Zone, Roller City and hay rides.
All in all, the youth enjoyed playing together, eating together, working together and growing together. The impact that Susan and Darrin Kliment made on 4-H youth in Worth County is, in one word, PRICELESS !
Steve Christiansen has been an active supporter and volunteer for the Woodbury County 4-H program close to 40 years. His volunteer roles include 4-H Beef Superintendent, 4-H Overall Livestock/Animal Superintendent and committee member on the 4-H and Fair Committee. Steve’s favorite part of 4-H is helping the kids and he does his volunteer work for the 4-H members. When Steve is helping at the fair his wife Barb is always by his side.
As the 4-H Beef Superintendent, Steve helped to coordinate beef weigh-ins, teamed with the other beef superintendents, made suggestions on 4-H beef rules, enforced those rules and always helped by answering questions and helping 4-H members. In the early days of the carcass program there was extra work with finding a packer, loading the animals after fair, finding sponsors for the program, and helping with the follow-up carcass meeting.
Steve also served as the Overall Livestock and Animal Superintendent. This role encompassed not only beef but all livestock from horses, poultry, rabbits to small pets and dogs. When the superintendents needed help with a solution to a problem, Steve would provide guidance and support. Steve is presently a member of the 4-H & Fair Committee. Through the years Steve has been helpful on this committee by giving his opinions and suggesting ways to make rules better.
Steve is active in the Woodbury County Cattlemen. He has served as president and was awarded Cattlemen of the Year. Steve helps with grilling events, golf tournament and the bucket calf program. He has also been on the Woodbury County Fair Board and has served as president.
Not only does Steve volunteer but has also been generous by donating money towards the 4-H program. He has sponsored numerous 4-H trophies over the years. Through the Cattlemen he helped secure funds for a breeding beef workshop and supported funds towards the Woodbury County Extension building fund.
Steve and his wife, Barb, live in Moville, Iowa. They have a farming operation with beef animals and crops. The Woodbury County 4-H program wants to thank Steve Christiansen for his many years of volunteer services and for “helping the kids.” Thank you Steve!
Winneshiek County is honored to present this year’s Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee, Beth Einck. Beth has served as the dog superintendent for Winneshiek County since 1989. When the dog program began there were 6 participants and 2 classes. The program has grown to 18 classes and over 40 exhibitors including her grandson Karter. Beth has spent countless hours training with the youth, having weekend workshops and the program has grown so much she has had to get additional volunteers.
Beth helps with 4H programs in other counties and is the dog program superintendent for the Big Four Fair in Postville. Each year Beth has several of her 4Hers participate in the Iowa State Fair dog show.
Beth was a 4H member for many years in Fayette County. Beth also trains and shows her own dogs in AKC obedience and has gotten several AKC titles on her dogs throughout the years.
Beth and her husband Gerry, live in Decorah. Their family includes sons Russell and friend Jessica, Ryan and wife Michelle, daughter Suzanne and husband Chad. They have five grandchildren, Keagen, Karter, Alexis, Conner and Karlie. All five grandchildren are involved in the 4H program.
Beth also volunteers at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and has been on the Winneshiek County Fair Board Auxiliary for many years.
Mary Peterson was born and raised in Winnebago County and still resides here with her husband, Dave. Her love for 4-H began at a young age when she became a 4-H member of the Buffalo Center 4-H club. Later in life, Mary added council member to her title, as she served on the council for over 20 years. In that time, she served as secretary and vice-chair.
Her roots to 4-H and Winnebago County made her an essential part of the Extension Council, as she has always been a strong believer in promoting and supporting all youth in the Winnebago County 4-H program. Mary’s biggest asset while being on council was her eagerness and willingness to help programs grow by using her connections to help create partnerships. She has always been ready to take on the hard jobs with a fun and positive outlook. Every year, she would volunteer to manage the inflatable slides and bouncy houses at the annual Winnebago County Family Fall Festival. She was also heavily involved in the Winnebago County Fair Board, and served for a number of years.
Mary was instrumental in forming the Winnebago County Fair Enhancement committee, which helped to create a stronger relationship between the Winnebago County Extension Office and the Winnebago County Fair Board.
While Mary retired from the Winnebago County Extension Council in 2020, she still serves as an active volunteer and essential part of the office.
Webster County is pleased to announce the induction of Nicholas Schelle into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
Nicholas began his 4-H volunteer work with the Webster County 4-H program in 2005 when he chaperoned the Chicago 4-H trip and joined the Webster County Youth Committee. Additionally, Nicholas has been involved in several volunteer roles including leading a 4-H Tech Project Club for nearly three years, assisting as a Citizenship Washington Focus trip chaperone in 2010, and chaperoning State 4-H Conference for over ten years. Nicholas has served as the Webster County Youth Committee president for several years. He provides incredible leadership skills and is a great a role model for our 4-H members.
Other areas he provides assistance include helping with the state fair dog show, assisting with the state fair’s “Little Hands on the Farm,” county fair judging, lending an extra hand during the Webster County Fair’s dog show, and the “Share the Fun” event. Nicholas is ready and willing to help whenever and wherever extra help is needed whether at the county fair or during other events throughout the year.
Nicholas is humble about his years of valuable volunteer service to the Webster County 4-H program. He considers volunteering a payback or repayment for the opportunities he received as a 4-H member. He has enjoying watching kids have the same experiences and fun that he once had. Nicholas explained, “It is an honor to have kids look up to me. It is no surprise that many of them are people that I look up to.”
When asked about a special memory throughout his volunteer years, Nicholas shared that he was flattered when former Webster County Youth Coordinator, Linda Cline, initially asked him to be a volunteer. He emphasized that he has enjoyed being a Webster County 4-H volunteer.
Wayne County would like to recognize Barry and Tracy for their numerous contributions to the Wayne County Fair and 4-H youth.
The couple met in 1992 and resided on their family farm where they raised their children Makayla and Kyle. They manage a row crop and cow/calf herd operation. Barry and Tracy enjoyed watching and supporting their children while they exhibited beef, swine, and sheep throughout their 4-H involvement.
Barry has been a part of the Wayne County Fair since he was participating in 4-H himself. Throughout Barry’s childhood he was involved in the beef show and various community service projects around the fair. After high school, he served on the Wayne County Fair Board where he actively supported the growth of the program during the fair as well as other events throughout the year. Barry led the Fair Board as President for two years. He also supported the 4-H program while serving as the Beef Superintendent and continues to volunteer as a Scales Superintendent and provides support to various fair fundraising efforts.
Shortly after their children started 4-H, Tracy became the club leader for the Warren Willpower 4-H Club where she explored new ideas, inspired 4-H members to participate in various activities, and was an active supporter of community service. Tracy continues to help with the children’s crafting tent and supervising the 4-H exhibit building.
Both are longtime supporters of the youth at the Wayne County Fair. The couple sponsor awards for the Wayne County Fair and donate to the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Wayne County is proud to recognize Barry and Tracy Andrews who advocate for the Wayne County 4-H Program and all 4-H youth.
A familiar and beloved face on the fairgrounds is Kevin Hora. 4-Her’s have been known to comment, “He’s on the tractor again!” when Kevin Hora drives by during fair week. His commitment to 4-H is undeniable, starting with the strong and long-lasting family tradition of 4-H members. Hora’s father was a fair board member, giving him a behind the scenes view of the work it takes to put on a county fair. That experience paved the way for him to be a future fair board member himself.
Hora was a member of the Jackson Boys 4-H Club from 4th grade through 12th grade and he participated in a variety of project areas, including swine, beef, woodworking, welding, and educational presentations. His most fond memory took place in the “original” Washington County show ring (known now as 4-H Hall) during the Grand Champion Drive at the 4-H swine show, when he was selected as the Reserve Champion.
All three of Hora’s children – Cody, Sarah, and Caleb – followed the tradition, going through the Washington County 4-H program as well. In 1992, Hora joined the Washington County Fair Board Association and has served as the all-around handyman ever since.
In his nearly 30 years of service, Hora notes some of the large projects that he helped come to life, including the building of Dallmeyer Hall – complete with a banquet hall and space for the Extension Office and fair board, creation of a livestock entrance for improved traffic flow, and the installation of a new cattle wash rack.
These projects have been only a few on the long list of transformation and growth that have happened on the fairgrounds, thanks to Hora’s hands in dirt work, electrical work, water lines, and sewer lines. In regard to all of those odd jobs that he is tasked with, Hora says, “It just needs done” and sees the project through its completion. A county fair is not possible without dedicated volunteers like Kevin Hora. His impact is evidenced on nearly every square inch of the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Dick Wittry was first introduced to 4-H at a young age while living on his family farm near Mt. Carmel, Iowa. Due to being one of ten kids and moving to town in 6th grade, Dick did not have the typical 4-H journey and did not become involved in 4-H again until his two daughters became members of the Indianola Thunder 4-H Club. The family enjoyed all the activities that 4-H had to offer, with the girls showing rabbits, cattle and static entries at the Warren County and Iowa State Fairs. You could frequently find Dick frantically encouraging his girls with their 4-H exhibits. As his daughters got older, Dick became the leader of the Indianola Thunder 4-H Club. He enjoyed seeing the growth and development of the club members when he started to explore the possibilities of robotic and STEM activities for the 4-H members. As interest continued to grow in these project areas, he formed the Warren County Robotics Club.
The Warren County Robotics Club presented all kinds of possibilities and opportunities for youth when most thought 4-H was just for the farm kids. Dick held robotic workshops as a way of outreach to the community, drive interest in STEM activities in our youth and raise funds to support the program. Members of the Warren County 4-H Robotics Club competed for many years in the Bratney Challenge at the Iowa State Fair, as well as First Lego League and First Tech Challenge. As the program and club grew and developed, the Warren County 4-H Robotics Team competed and advanced to the First Tech Challenge World Championship in 2016.
Dick was also involved in 4-H as a member of the 4-H Youth Committee and also a board member for the Warren County 4-H Foundation. Over the years, Dick Wittry has been a judge for static 4-H exhibits and frequently volunteered for Food Safety Quality Assurance testing and classes and record book judging. Furthermore, Dick assisted with various 4-H workshops; not only for 4-H members, but parent volunteers and adults, as community outreach. He currently serves as a 4-H Building Superintendent for Science, Engineering and Technology at the Warren County Fair.
Dick encourages adults to reach out to your local county Extension Office for volunteer opportunities in your communities. You don’t have to be an expert, just have a passion for positive youth development.
