Posted on August 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM by Anna Egan
Jamie and Lisa Wilkerson are the current poultry superintendents for Dallas County. Originally from West Des Moines, they moved to Adel in 1997 to raise their children. Their children, Kyle and Emily, were active members of Dallas County 4-H with the Dallas County Aggies 4-H club from 4th grade until they graduated from high school. Not having grown up in 4-H, Jamie and Lisa were able to experience the program with their children, raising and showing poultry, rabbits, and cattle.
In the summer of 2013, Jamie and Lisa took over as superintendents for the Dallas County poultry program. Over their time as superintendents, they have faced many challenges, such as avian flu shutting down live exhibitions a month before the county fair, where they quickly adapted to still hold a show through poster exhibitions of projects. Not only have they faced challenges over the years, but they have also found new ways to grow interest in the program. One of their most notable additions is the boiler challenge. This change modernized the broiler show to mirror the Iowa State Fair broiler show and provides poultry exhibitors with the opportunity to participate in the county premium auction. A class with one to two entries in 2013 now has over 25 entries for 2025 and continues to grow each year.
Jamie and Lisa have enjoyed spending the last 12 years growing the poultry program for Dallas County, teaching showmanship, mentoring, and sharing their knowledge and experience about 4-H in Dallas County.
