Posted on August 19, 2019 at 2:25 PM by Global Reach
Kathy (McCormick) McCoy grew up in Warren County where she was a 9 year 4-H member. Her roles on the county and state levels have been crucial to Warren County and Iowa 4-H success. Kathy is married to Tim McCoy and has 4 children who are in or have been involved in 4-H. Starting off in 4-H at just 9-years old, Kathy would take up to 20 static exhibits to the fair every year while also showing livestock. Giving her first 4-H presentation at the county level was what sparked a passion for communications. 
During her high school days Kathy became active not only on her County and Area 4-H Councils, but on the state and national level as well. While on County Council in Warren County, she helped start Clover Buds. This program would later take off at the State 4-H level and is one of the reasons we have Clover Kids today!
During Kathy’s senior year of high school, she was selected to represent the state of Iowa at the National 4-H Congress. While there, she was awarded the National 4-H Educational Scholarship based on achievement in leadership, citizenship and communications. Of the 1,700 applicants, only 68 were selected to receive scholarships.
Kathy was on State 4-H Council for 2 years and was a state 4-H officer. When Kathy was on State Council she worked with a local news station to video all 4-H’ers at State 4-H Conference as they chanted, “Good Morning America” for the national TV show. Hearing 1,000 4-Hers chant “Good Morning America!” was a pretty fun way to end State 4-H Conference.
In the later years of her 4-H career, Kathy also traveled to Norway for a month-long exchange program. In 1985, she applied to be on paid staff for the 4-H Communications Department at the Iowa State Fair. This staff position evolved from running working exhibits to later being the communications intern for all communication events. During this time, she became the 4-H Clothing Superintendent. 2018 Iowa State Fair marked her 28th year! Ironically, her daughter Hannah is serving as the communications intern this year.
For the past 30 years, Kathy has served as a 4-H communications judge for countless county fairs and the Iowa State Fair. When her kids became old enough for 4-H she started the Clover Kids club in her area and then moved on to be a 4-H club leader. She has served as the Warren County Superintendent for the 4-H building, clothing events and communications programs for the past 10 years.
The 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus trip is one of the 4-H experiences that she encourages all youth to attend. Kathy attended as a youth and has since chaperoned the trip twice. Kathy feels it is a trip of a lifetime that kids can not only learn from, but can bring back changes along with new ideas for their communities.
Kathy graduated from Grand View College with a mass communications degree and worked for a non-profit for 10 years as their Communications Director. While there she completed her Master’s Degree from Drake University. No matter what service project, workshop or meeting Kathy is helping with, she always makes sure the kids come first and is always willing to go above and beyond for others. Kathy, thank you for all your years of hard work and dedication to 4-H’ers and the 4-H program.
