2016 Adams County: Jim Amdor

James R (Jim) Amdor joined 4-H as a member of the Adams County Jasper Specialists 4-H club in the 1950’s. He came from a strong 4-H family. His parents and 4 siblings were involved in 4-H at the county and state levels. Jim had a passion for livestock projects. That love for hogs and cattle he developed in 4-H carried over into his farming career and has served as a connection to community service throughout his life. In more than 40 years of doing what he loves--raising livestock-- Jim developed a specialty in show pigs and show cattle. Throughout his adult life, he used his livestock knowledge and expertise as a 4-H club leader, as a 4-H committee member, as a workshop demonstrator, and as a 4-H livestock judge to encourage and teach his own children and many other young people in 4-H about raising livestock, having fun, and serving the community.

After high school, Jim served his country in the Peace Corps in Nigeria, Africa teaching ways to improve farming and livestock practices. He then served his country as a Marine in Vietnam. When he came back to Adams County, he married Beverly Brown. Bev became an elementary school teacher in Corning and together they started farming ---- raising corn, soybeans hay, pasture, cattle, and hogs. They had two children, Aaron and Jennifer, who had nine year 4-H careers.

In the early 1970’s, he helped start the Adams County Cattlemen’s Association. In the 1980’s and 90’s, Jim served more than 10 years as a 4-H leader for the Jasper Specialists 4-H club. Jim was always there to do what he could to help 4-Hers prepare for county fair and other state and interstate livestock shows. After Jim and Bev’s own kids were out of 4-H, Jim volunteered his livestock judging and speaking skills not only at the Adams County fair, but other county fairs and 4-H events around the state and at the national level. Through the years, Jim also served on the Adams County 4-H Endowment Fund committee and the Adams County Youth and 4-H committee in support of the Adams County 4-H program.

Jim was a 20-year member of the board of supervisors in Adams County. In addition to serving on other committees and boards in the community, he meets with the daily Southend of Main Street coffee drinkers and helps with fund-raisers for their charitable causes. Jim is an honorary 4-H Alumni in Adams County, an Iowa Master Pork Producer, an Iowa Master Farmer, and an Adams County Cattlemen Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.