Posted on March 22, 2011 at 1:42 PM by Global Reach
Creative, dedicated and committed to youth describe Mary’s work as 4-H and Youth Development Field Specialist serving Black Hawk and Grundy Counties. Mary has been with Iowa State University Extension since 1979. When Mary first came to Black Hawk County in 1980, the enrollment in the youth program was 1337, today the program reaches over 6500 youth each year.
Mary has worked to build a strong partnership with adult volunteers. She developed a Club Handbook that was adopted in six neighboring counties. Mary provides regular educational opportunities for volunteers as well as for youth. When the funding for the local county fair was lost, Mary worked with volunteers to raise funds as well as arrange youth and parents to provide in-kind services to work off fairground rent. Today Black Hawk and Grundy both conduct omelet breakfasts that combined raises over $10,000 annually for local 4-H programs. Mary has also helped establish a local 4-H and FFA foundation to assure continuation of the Black Hawk County Fair.
Categories: Black Hawk
