Posted on August 21, 2018 at 12:45 PM by Global Reach
Born and raised in Independence, Emmett Donnelly developed an early interest in agriculture while helping on the family farm. He carried that interest with him to the Washington Eagles 4-H Club, where as a member, he raised and showed beef cattle. While in high school, he worked at the Independence Livestock Sale Barn and quickly gained a passion for auctioneering. He combined his passions for agriculture and auctioneering and graduated from the Reisch World Wide College of Auctioneering in 1978 and the University of Northern Iowa in 1981. Emmett became the owner and operator of the Independence Livestock Sale Barn after completing his education and has been expanding his auctioneering and real estate appraisal company ever since. 
As an auctioneer, he has donated his time and talent for church groups, school organizations, the Boy Scouts, a variety of wildlife organizations, private benefits, and several community organizations; however, his favorite auctions are the annual 4-H pie, flower bucket, and livestock auctions at the Buchanan County Fair. Emmett especially enjoys the fair auctions because he can help area 4-Hers showcase the projects they’ve worked tirelessly on and raise money to provide them with future opportunities.
Besides donating his time as an auctioneer, Emmett has volunteered on the Buchanan County Extension Council, mentored several 4-Hers on cattle grooming and showing skills, and provided 4-Hers with equipment like grooming chutes, clippers, brushes, combs, show sticks, and fans. He also helped his two children with their beef cattle projects while they were members of the Washington Eagles 4-H Club and looks forward to helping his two grandchildren when they are old enough to join 4-H.
Emmett is always willing to share his time and talents to improve the lives of others and to make the best better. He believes the 4-H program empowers and enriches local youth by giving them hands-on opportunities to build the life skills they need to be positive leaders. He is honored to be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame and looks forward to many more years of volunteering his time and services to the local 4-H program, extension, and community.
