Posted on April 5, 2011 at 11:52 AM by Global Reach
Elmer was a 4-H leader for 20 years. He received the Honorary 4-H Member award in 1974. He has eight children who have shown over 216 beef cattle, as well as sheep, chickens, rabbits, swine, and non-livestock projects. Twenty-one of his 22 grandchildren have shown in 4-H and are still showing. The youngest grandchild is only five. The Schneider family has shown cattle at the International in Chicago, AK-SAR-BEN, Dairy Cattle Congress, State Fair, All-Iowa Fair, American Royal, and numerous preview shows, as well as the Washington and Johnson County fairs.
Elmer has been to the county fair every year since 1941. He even took a leave of absence from the Marines one year just to come back for the fair. He started showing cattle at age 10. By the time he was done in 4-H, he had shown four grand champions, which is still a record for Washington County. “We’ve had lots of grand champions over the years, but that’s not important,” said Schneider. “Raising champion kids in the family is what’s important, and we’ve done that.”
Elmer still has a small Shorthorn herd and sheep. Seven sons and son-in-laws of Elmer’s are engaged in agriculture full or part-time. His grandkids are the seventh generation to live or work on the Century (1972) family farm. Several of his grandchildren have graduated and are still in agriculture programs. Several other grandchildren are in college in agriculture programs.
Elmer has been a proven leader and supporter of 4-H for decades and continues to share his love of the program. In addition to his contributions to 4-H, Elmer was involved in starting up baseball for the Riverside youth program. He also coached youth basketball. Elmer served on the School Board from 1967-1975 and served on the Washington County Board of Supervisors from 1975-1986.
Categories: Washington
