2010 Floyd County - Betty Jo Staudt

Betty Jo Staudt has been involved with Floyd County 4-H since assisting as the leader of the Ulster Future Homemakers.  During those years of leadership, she assisted her club members in developing Iowa State Fair quality exhibits and demonstrations.  Projects for her own six children included creative arts, clothing and textiles, food and nutrition, home improvement, photography, aerospace, agriculture, gardening, rabbits, poultry, and horses.  At one time, all six children were in 4-H, the oldest, Lou, being a senior, and the youngest, Les, being in 4th grade.  Since her involvement in 4-H she has never missed attendance at the Iowa State Fair.

Betty Jo organized a number of citizenship and fundraising projects for the Floyd County 4-H program, such as collecting walnuts and cleaning ditches.  She also organized and created responsibilities for the members to do during monthly gatherings, such as presentations and themed activities to teach new skills.

Betty Jo currently lives with her husband of fifty-six years on the farm that enriched the 4-H successes of her family.  She and her husband, Russell, farmed while Russell also sold Pioneer Seed Corn for many years until he retired.  He currently assists his grandchildren in the knowledge of the farming profession.  Betty Jo’s personal interests included not only things in which her children were involved, such as sewing and gardening, but also events such as tractor pulls and ballgames.  Other volunteer work she did and still keeps up with include cemetery and church grounds keeper, fundraising events for the parish and duties for the Floyd County Conservation Office.  She is also an active member of ACCW, and a Floyd County Fair Open Class Superintendent while also taking pictures during the Floyd County Fair for the Extension Office Historian‘s book.  She was active in her kids’ school programs and events throughout their school years and continues to support and attend her grandchildren’s events and activities as well.

Betty Jo is actively involved in the Barn Quilts of Floyd County where she paints quilt designs to be displayed on different barns across Northern Iowa.  She also belongs to the Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild in Charles City while also finding time to knit and crochet blankets, layettes and sweaters for her friends and family, as well as for many community benefits.  The items that have come from her sewing machine and knitting needles are countless.