Posted on August 28, 2017 at 8:55 AM by Emily Saveraid
Lisa Tallman has been a lifelong 4-H’er, beginning as an outstanding 4-H member, and continuing to positively impact youth and adults in Mills County for more than three decades. Her passion for sharing the skills she gained through 4-H has been evident through her volunteer work as a youth committee member, 4-H club leader and fair superintendent.
Lisa was very shy when she started 4-H. She says, “We had great club leaders and they were very encouraging, supportive and challenged us to try new projects. My great-grandmother taught me how to embroider; my mother and grandfather taught me how to refinish furniture…. and then there were the hog sorting days. [We called it family therapy]. I believe 4-H is the best family activity there is.”
As a 4-H club leader, Lisa passed on that support to the shy new members joining the club. She watched them blossom under her guidance, becoming confident speakers and leaders. You can often catch Lisa quietly talking to a 4-H’er, out of the way of the surrounding chaos. She empowers young people, giving them the confidence to believe in what they are doing, and to take a chance at doing something out of their comfort zone.
Lisa has utilized her leadership and calm demeanor to persuade youth to set goals, take on challenges, and enjoy new experiences. One of her greatest joys as a leader is convincing the high school youth to continue membership. She knows they get very busy, and think they have outgrown 4-H. Of all of the youth she convinced to stay in the program, not any of them ever came back and said they wished they had quit. In fact, they express appreciation that she took the time and interest to encourage them to continue.
Lisa continues to make a difference for the 4-H program in Mills County while serving as co-superintendent of the static exhibit judging. Again, her ability to keep people calm during what can be a high stress time, is imperative to the success of the 4-H family experience.
Lisa’s dedication to 4-H, and her passion for helping and encouraging others, has inspired countless youth to become successful in their 4-H careers, as well as to become productive, giving, young adults.
Mills County is honored to induct Lisa Tallman into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame!
