Posted on August 21, 2023 at 2:26 PM by Emily Saveraid
Kathy Tabke has served almost every role imaginable in her 35-plus years as a Woodbury County 4-H volunteer. She was a 4-H club leader, helped recognize 4-H members, served as superintendent of the 4-H building, served on the 4-H & Fair Committee, chaperoned trips and Iowa 4-H Conference, and provided learning opportunities for youth and other volunteers.
A former leader of the Arlington Future Farmers 4-H club in Moville, she did something different in the club involving parent and youth input to increase participation and engagement. They decided to have four meetings to help plan special club events. The club held special project meetings with topics selected by the youth.
Kathy took on a middle management role for 4-H record keeping and recognition. In 1998 Woodbury County changed record books to record keeping and included interviews. Kathy and team members gathered input from youth and adults to design a record keeping system and recognition program for Woodbury County 4-H members.
Kathy has served in several other volunteer roles with 4-H. She was the overall 4-H Building Superintendent for the Fair, was 4-H fair superintendent in multiple project areas, served as a fair judge, and served as fair secretary for several years. In 2001, Kathy was co-chair of the North Central Regional 4-H Volunteer Forum, a 3-day event held in Des Moines involving volunteers from 12 states.
She enjoys working with youth and believes in exploring alternatives for addressing issues that confront committees and youth. Kathy recognizes youth as a valuable resource that should be consulted for improvement of the 4-H Program.
Kathy and her husband, Lane, farm row crops south of Moville, Iowa, and raise pigs and cattle. They have 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren. Thank you, Kathy, for your service to youth and the 4-H program.
