Posted on August 17, 2014 at 4:29 PM by Global Reach
Ed Ahrendsen is a longtime supporter of 4-H, the Audubon County Fair, and the Iowa State Fair. He started his 4-H career in 1938 as a member of the Leaping Leaders.
Throughout his 4-H career he helped with many club and county projects, and served on several committees for the Audubon County Achievement Day. In 1942, he was one of several who rented a box car and shared it with 4-H’ers from Carroll and Crawford Counties to haul their calves and exhibits to the Iowa State Fair. He received many Champion and Reserve champion beef placing’s at the county fair, Iowa State Fair and Ak-Sar-Ben.
Because of his passion for 4-H and the Audubon County Fair, he also became a leader of the Fiscus Future Feeders and helped his children and many other 4-Hers reach their goals within the 4-H program.
In 1970, he was elected to the Audubon County Fair Board and was the secretary for 34 years. He was a dedicated advocate for 4-H and the Audubon County Fair. Several hours of his time were invested serving on the 4-H Youth Council and spearheading the drive to build the Agri-Hall in 1979. He was instrumental in bringing the Bill Riley Talent show to the fair.
In 1981 he was elected to the Iowa State Board where he acted for many years as the liaison to the open class Foods Department and is considered by many to be the “Official Ice Cream Taster of the Fair”.
Throughout his years of dedication and commitment, he received many honors for his achievements. These included Fairman of the year, Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame Inductee, Hall of Fame award from Associations of Iowa Fairs, Support and Loyalty from IMCA Racing, and now the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. It takes a person who has passion and involvement to be recognized for their efforts.
Categories: Audubon
