Posted in: Mahaska
Posted on
08/22/2022
at 11:52 AM
Beth Fenton has served in various volunteer roles in Mahaska County over the past 35 years. After her three very active sons graduated, she decided to step down as the leader of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H Club. Throughout this time, she also served as a horticulture superintendent and continues in...
Posted on
08/23/2021
at 10:03 AM
David Willemsen has been active with Mahaska County 4-H since 1986 when he started as a project leader.
In 1990, he became an Advanced Feeder Pen Superintendent and has enjoyed working with the 4-H youth and their exhibits each year. He assists with the local beef weigh-ins and at the...
Posted on
08/23/2020
at 12:00 PM
Chuck Bogaard and his wife, Donna, were owners of Leighton Processed Meats for many years. In that time, Chuck hosted the annual 4-H Carcass Contest where 4-H and FFA exhibitors would bring cattle in to be processed and Extension staff would work with the locker to evaluate the meat and...
Posted on
08/19/2019
at 1:26 PM
Gary Verploegh has been involved with Mahaska County 4-H for multiple years, wearing many different hats. He served the county as a 4-H parent, superintendent, Extension Council member, and continues to assist with various 4-H and Extension activities.
Gary served on the Southern Iowa Fair Board and was active in planning...
Posted on
08/21/2018
at 3:42 PM
Leon De Groot served as a Mahaska County 4-H Beef superintendent for seven years. In that time, he assisted many youth with their beef projects and shared his knowledge with them. He assisted 4-H staff with weigh-ins and the county fair beef show.
He enjoyed being at the Southern Iowa...
Posted on
08/28/2017
at 8:47 AM
Jayne Ferguson fits the definition of a great mentor. She provided countless hours of volunteer service and shared her knowledge of 4-H and the horse project area with numerous youth for over 30 years. Jayne is always ready to help anyone no matter what kind of help with their project...
Posted on
08/26/2016
at 8:56 AM
Mr. Bob Jones was a 4-H member of the Mahaska County Garfield Boosters Club from 1938-1948, after a neighbor stopped by and told his father the boys needed to be in 4-H. His father, Tom Jones, was never in 4-H, but saw the benefits of 4-H and became a leader...
Posted on
08/24/2015
at 9:38 AM
Richard Sammons was passionate about the Southern Iowa Fair.
In high school, he was a member of the Eddyville FFA chapter. After high school, he married his wife Julie. They became parents of a daughter, Tayler.
Taylor was active in 4-H and FFA, so Richard became involved with her projects...
Posted on
08/18/2014
at 8:10 AM
Eileen Blom has a rich history in Mahaska County 4-H. She served as a 4-H club leader, volunteer, Extension volunteer, and currently partners with 4-H through her work in horticulture, floriculture and with the local Farm Bureau.
Eileen’s children participated in Mahaska County 4-H and now her grandchildren are Mahaska...
Posted on
08/08/2013
at 11:28 PM
Ron Bever has been active with Mahaska County 4-H and the Southern Iowa Fair for over 30 years. He helped shape the lives of numerous young people in those years as the North Mahaska FFA Advisor. Ron retired this year and moved to Oklahoma to be closer to family. He...
Posted on
08/30/2011
at 1:30 PM
There are so many reasons that Deb is deserving of this great opportunity for recognition. I have worked on many different projects and activities with Deb over the past 6 years. She is one of the great smiling faces of the 4-H program in Mahaska County. Deb has been involved...
Posted on
04/21/2011
at 1:08 PM
Carleton Meinders was a 4-H leader in Mahaska County for 15 years, starting in 1952. During that time of volunteer service, he assisted many youth with their livestock projects, especially cattle. Carleton enjoyed raising black Angus cattle and loved working with the cattle and youth. He raised 2 daughters and...
Posted on
04/19/2011
at 1:24 PM
Lee Norris was an active 4-H member, leader, volunteer and advocate for 4-H in Mahaska County, starting at the age of 9 with his first Hampshire pig, laying the foundation for his lifetime career. He served on many local, county, state, and national boards and always worked towards making the...
Posted on
04/19/2011
at 10:18 AM
Ray Poe was a volunteer for the Mahaska County 4-H program for 26 years. Ray had been an active 4-H supporter and role model for many young people in the county and continued leading the Union Pioneers 4-H club until he passed away in June of 2007. He led many...
Posted on
04/07/2011
at 1:12 PM
Vera Minenga of Mahaska County definitely bleeds green! She was a very active 4-H member in Mahaska County and loves to tell stories of her time in 4-H. Vera was the Office Assistant for Mahaska County Extension for many years and continues to fill in when they are short-staffed. She...
Posted on
04/05/2011
at 12:59 PM
Florence Vander Meiden has been a 4-H Volunteer in Mahaska County for 38 years. Over the years, Florence has been both a Leader & Superintendent. She is currently a Horticulture Superintendent and has hosted Cut Flower workshops at her home during the summer. At the workshops, she shows 4-H members...
Posted on
03/31/2011
at 2:25 PM
Ray Holdsworth has been a dedicated 4-H leader for 31 years! He leads the Mahaska County Dog Trainers, a specialty club. Hundreds of youth have learned how to properly train their dogs in both obedience and agility. Ray’s enthusiasm for the 4-H program has inspired 57 4-Her’s to enroll in...
Posted on
03/31/2011
at 11:19 AM
Nettie has been a stable and solid 4-H leader in Mahaska County for 28 years. The youth that are lucky enough to learn from Nettie receive gentle, loving instruction on essential life skills. She is genuine in her care and love for the kids she works with. The love and...
Posted on
03/29/2011
at 1:10 PM
Charles and Barbara Oldham have been dedicated to the 4-H program in Mahaska County. Barbara is the organizational leader of the Harrison Zippers 4-H Club, and Charles is the organizational leader of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H Club. Even though their own children are no longer members, Barb and Charles continue...
Posted on
03/24/2011
at 2:08 PM
Mrs. Cadwallader was instrumental in the early 4-H days of Mahaska County from about 1918 through the 1950’s, as was her husband. Mrs. Cadwallader was a leader with the Harrison Zippers, and her son, Eves, was a long time leader for the Harrison Hustlers. Mrs. Cadwallader firmly believed in the...
