2017 Cerro Gordo: Sterling Young

Sterling Young has been excited and dedicated to 4-H since he joined his Greene County 4-H club at the age of 9 and was finally able to exhibit his livestock at the fair along with his older brothers.   Fair time was and still is Sterling’s favorite time of the year!  

After he could no longer be a member of 4-H as a youth Sterling began giving back to 4-H and has continued to serve 4-H in many different capacities to this day.  He worked with 4-H youth serving as a Livestock Judging Team coach for two different county 4H clubs and took team members to various competitions in the Midwest.  Sterling served on the County 4-H Youth Council both as a member and as a young adult.

Sterling continued his support of 4-H by serving on the North Iowa Fair Board for several years and later transitioned to serving as a 4-H leader for the LAF

4-H club for 12 years when his two sons were active members.  Sterling served as the North Iowa Fair Livestock Judging Contest superintendent for over 30 years and still volunteers at the North Iowa Fair wherever there is a need in the livestock shows. 

Sterling served on the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board for several years and is currently serving on the Cerro Gordo Extension Council where he has served for 18+ years.     

As a 4-H Club member Sterling, along with all of his fellow 4-H Club members, had to memorize the 4-H Creed and the 4-H Motto.  At that time he did not realize the impact that those words would have on his own life path.  His example of service truly demonstrates that 4-H does indeed give people the opportunity to be become useful citizens and help “make the best better!”