2003 East Pottawattamie County - Claire Vance

Claire Vance has been an asset to the 4-H program in East Pottawattamie County for over sixty years.  As a 4-Her, Claire exhibited dairy cattle, beef cattle and workhorses at the local county fair in Avoca, IA during the thirties and forties, with the exception of the three years that everyone took off during WWII.  Claire then moved into the position of leader, mentoring his three children in their many 4-H projects, and also as an organizational leader for the Westside Feeders 4-H club for ten years.  Whether it has been through his work as the sheep superintendent for 7 years, as the announcer for the Pottawattamie County Fair sheep show for the past 15 years, or as an active member of the Pottawattamie County Sheep Producers, Claire has encouraged 4-H and FFA youth to be involved in the sheep project.  His dedication has earned him recognition as a county Honorary 4-H member and as an Honorary FFA Chapter member.  

Claire continues to farm 660 acres of row crops, while staying active in his church, the Farm Bureau, and maintaining a sheep flock with his family.  Claire has watched two grandchildren finish ten years worth of 4-H projects, and continues to watch as the youngest competes with the family’s lambs each year.  The East Pottawattamie County 4-H program is proud to have Claire Vance as their 2003 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame honoree.