Posted on August 24, 2015 at 9:41 AM by Global Reach
The Poweshiek County 4-H Program is proud to honor Betsy Cranston as their 2015 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee.
Betsy became actively involved in the Poweshiek County 4-H program in 2011 by taking on a leadership role within the Deep River Helping Hands 4-H Club. As a club leader, Betsy was generous with her time and always attentive to each individual member who came to her seeking assistance. She went above and beyond to help club members learn important life skills, such as record keeping, by holding educational workshops and working one on one with those who were interested. Michelle Cheney, co-leader of the Deep River 4-H Club, states “She [Betsy] is an outstanding friend of 4-H and community supporter.”
Betsy is now an active leader of the Junior Master Gardeners 4-H Club. She shares her knowledge and gardening skills with interested 4th-8th graders. Throughout the spring and summer months, she dedicates time to helping the club’s participants learn how to plant vegetables, prevent garden weeds and yield higher quality produce all while teaching them the importance of hard work and perseverance. She also enables these youth to go on field trips and encourages them to showcase their produce at the Iowa State Fair.
The Poweshiek County Fair has also been benefited by Betsy who has served as their rabbit superintendent since 2002 and recently took on the role of poultry superintendent. Not only does she help set up the barns, create classes and help organize the show, she has also taken it upon herself to help the 4-H exhibitors become better producers by holding workshops where they can learn how to care for their animals, inspect them for illness, and showcase them to a judge.
In Poweshiek County, many consider Betsy the “go to person” for her expertise in horticulture, poultry and rabbit project areas. She is always willing to answer questions or find the answers for anyone who asks. As one of her former 4-H club members states: “While in 4-H, she [Betsy] 
became a role model to many as she has been helpful, attentive, dedicated, eager, available, driven and most importantly generous.”
Betsy and her husband, Donny Cranston, currently reside in Deep River, Iowa. They have been blessed with three children; Katie, Brett, and Kendra, who share Betsy’s passion for agriculture and helping those around learn. When she is not volunteering for 4-H, the county fair or Master Gardener’s, Betsy works full time for Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
Betsy is a cherished asset within the Poweshiek County 4-H program. It is our honor to have her inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. Thank you, Betsy, for your dedication to the youth of Poweshiek County!
Categories: Poweshiek
