Posted on August 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM by Emily Saveraid
Steve and Carol Vinton have been involved in the Mills County 4-H program and the county fair for many years. Steve grew up in Mills County and was active in the Jolly Juniors 4-H Club for several years. He joined 4-H to learn how to raise pigs. He had several mentors who taught and guided him in this endeavor. He raised pigs for over forty-five years until the day before he passed away in July 2023. Carol grew up in Shelby County and was active in the girls-only club, Fairview Funksters 4-H Club. She was active in many officer roles and cooking and sewing projects. Her true passion was working with and training her brother’s cows, which was frowned upon for girls at the time.
When Steve and Carol’s daughters, Stephanie and Amy, became old enough to join 4-H, the family jumped into Mills County 4-H with gusto. Stephanie joined the Mills County Prize Winners 4-H Club, and when her sister Amy turned 9, they joined the Country Cousins 4-H Club. The family raised and showed pigs and cattle, exhibited many static projects, and participated in numerous communications events.
Carol served on the Mills County Fair Board for many years, along with the Mills County Extension Council. Steve and Carol were longtime leaders of the Country Cousins. Carol currently serves as a judge for Communications Contests across Southwest Iowa county fairs and at the Iowa State Fair. As Steve and Carol’s girls grew out of 4-H, they remained involved with the fair by providing animals for the petting zoo. The Vinton’s true love is their grandkids and seeing them begin their 4-H journeys in Mills County and Montgomery County 4-H.
