2015 Tama County- Ann McMullin

Ann McMullin began what has become a lifelong association with and dedication to 4-H and Iowa State University Extension while growing up on the family dairy farm.  At age 10 she joined both a girls club and 4-H boys club.  During the next decade, she completed many home economics and dairy projects, served as local club and county 4-H officer, was on demonstration teams to the Waterloo National Dairy Cattle Congress, exhibited at local, county and state fairs, and participated in a wide variety of activities.

A scholarship from Kerr Canning Company awarded for her 4-H record book helped get her started in her Home Economics Education studies at Iowa State College.  She served as a summer Extension intern in Clinton County.  She later served three years as Louisa County Extension Home Economist.  Her marriage to the late Richard M. McMullin took her to various counties as he served as an Extension Director in Lee, Tama, and Emmett counties.  After Dick completed graduate work, Ann and Dick returned to Tama County.  Ann taught Home Economics/Family Consumer Science at Ft Madison, Graettinger and South Tama schools.  Ann not only taught skills like cooking and sewing but also leadership and better communication skills, such as public speaking. Students and 4-H members, alike, learned to do things for themselves and learned to help others. She taught goal setting and that follow through was a large part of life.  The lesson learned was not only what to do, but how to do it.

Since the late-60’s, Ann, has volunteered at the Tama County fair, helped evaluate 4-H record books, judged various home economics/non-livestock events in Tama and other counties, and assisted with many 4-H events.  In the 70’s and 80’s she served as leader of the Toledo Go-Getters 4-H Club.  From 2005 to 2010 she served on the Tama County Agricultural Extension District Council.  For many years she represented 4-H/Extension on the Tama County Livestock and Fair Association Board of Directors.  

4-H was a family tradition for the McMullin family. Ann and Dick encouraged and supported their children, Maureen Drees and Dianne McMullin, in their various 4-H activities. They demonstrated the true 4-H spirit in volunteerism, mentoring, friendship and being a long time 4-H supporter and 4-H family.  

Ann has always been involved in the community, church activities, and the Iowa Federation Woman’s Club.  She and her husband were original founders/supporters of the STC Scholarship Foundation.  Ann has now moved to Ames and volunteers at the Reiman Garden Butterfly Wing, and serves on committees at Green Hills Retirement Community.

Ann’s more than half century commitment to 4-H youth and related Extension and community service is admirable.  Her humble spirit of cooperation, unselfish generosity of time, and personable demeanor made a difference in the Tama County 4-H program, and more importantly, in the lives of 4-H Club members and their families.  It is with sincere pleasure that we recognize Ann McMullin with this Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame honor.