Posted on August 19, 2019 at 1:32 PM by Global Reach
4-H has played a very important part in the lives of this year’s Montgomery County Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductees, Karlette and her late husband Donovan Hultman, for over 70 years. From their early years as 4-H members, to their service as a club leader and member of the County Extension Council to the years their children and grandchildren where in 4-H, Karlette and Donovan have been involved in some capacity with 4-H.
Karlette was a member of Page County’s Washington Township 4-H Rough Riders 4-H Club as a youth. Her love and passion were her horses and being part of the Rough Riders who performed at rodeos and other events.
Donovan was a member of the Grant Spitfires 4-H Club in Montgomery County. His projects over the years included showing swine, cattle and sheep at the county fair along with being a member of the Montgomery County 4-H Livestock Judging Team and judging at the state level.
After returning home from Iowa State University, Donovan married Karlette, an Augustana College graduate, and they started their lives on a family farm in Montgomery County.
Donavan served as the club leader for the Grant Spitfires 4-H Club for several years where he loved to work and help the kids. Karlette served on the Montgomery County Extension Council.
Donovan and Karlette’s children, Bret and Kenda were both active members in 4-H. During this time, the Hultman’s spent countless hours over the years together exhibiting livestock at local, state and national shows. This tradition continued later with the Hultman’s grandchildren, who were also active in 4-H.
Donovan and Karlette found great joy helping young people get started in 4-H. Over the years, they helped numerous kids get started with either a beef or sheep project by selling them the project and assisting during the duration of the project. It was very important to both, to see kids get involved with agriculture in some capacity. Donovan spent many years helping with Montgomery County 4-H Beef show running the ring gate and helping line up classes.
In Donovan’s last year as a 4-H member, he wrote the following in his record book, “I plan to be a farmer in the years to come. All in all, I can’t say enough for 4-H club work and its activities. If everybody could have been in 4-H, I am sure this world would be a better world in which to live. May 4-H continue to gain and inspire others so every rural boy and girl in the United States of America may have the chance to be a member of such a wonderful organization.”
Categories: 2019, Montgomery
