Posted on August 21, 2018 at 12:37 PM by Global Reach
Mike and Lynn Pipho of Dunkerton, are Black Hawk County’s 2018 inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. They have developed their own unique story of involvement and commitment in the 4-H organization. Lynn, who grew up in Wakefield, Michigan began participating in 4-H during her grade school years, and was enthusiastic about sewing and knitting projects. Mike, grew up in Ely, Minnesota and spent his summers working in his family's truck garden.
The couple, introduced by mutual friends, noted they fell in love while riding a bus together during their college years. In 1982 they married. As years of college went by and Mike received his doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, four children were born. The Pipho family relocated to Dunkerton, Iowa in 1990 when Mike took a job with John Deere.
Each of their children went on to be active 4-Hers at local, county and state levels, starting first in the Barcley Hurricanes 4-H club. By 2000 the Hurricanes club joined the Lester Livewires
4-H club. Inspired by seeing what club work was capable of, Mike and Lynn assumed leadership of the Lester Livewires, continuing as leaders for the next 13 years. Knowledgeable in poultry production, Mike assumed responsibilities as the superintendent of the county's 4-H and FFA Poultry Show, while Lynn served as the superintendent of the Pet Show. Under Mike's guidance the Black Hawk 4-H poultry project grew interest, as young members wanted to learn more about caring for and feeding chickens. In 2013 he implemented the Black Hawk County's 4-H broiler project, and to date members in this program have donated over 2 tons of fresh chicken to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.
Realizing his interest in robotics, Mike organized a FTC club in 2009, the first in the 4-H organization in the county. For the past 9 years he has served as the group leader.
Additionally, Mike has found time to judge at various 4-H fairs in several non-livestock categories for the past 15 years. In 2016 he was nominated by Black Hawk County 4-H to receive the Mayors Volunteer Award. He also serves on the Black Hawk County Extension Council, Youth Committee and Omelet Breakfast Committee.
At the present time Mike and Lynn continue to live on their Dunkerton acreage, although the home they built in 1999 was destroyed by a tornado ten years ago as the massive twister that devastated Parkersburg swept northeast across the rural Dunkerton landscape.
The couple is active in their church, where Lynn is a Sunday school teacher and Mike an elder.
Black Hawk County Extension and Outreach and Black Hawk County 4-H are especially proud to introduce you to Mike and Lynn Pipho, our 2018 Iowa 4-H Hall of Famers.
Categories: 2018, Black Hawk