Posted on August 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM by Anna Egan
Black Hawk County is pleased to nominate Maynard and Mary Jean Murch as 2026 4-H Hall of Fame recipients. Their years of dedication to 4-H is visible throughout their story.
Mary Jean was raised on a farm in Black Hawk County and as a member of the Mt. Vernon Pals 4-H Club. Maynard was born in Fargo, ND and began his 4-H invovlment when their children were born, after they married in 1977.
Mary Jean was a 13-year 4-H leader for the Bennington Boosters 4-H Club. Their five children (Herb, Becca, David, Mike, & Nick) all became 4-H members in this club. During that time, the club undertook a major community service project: restoration of a one room country school in their township - Bennington School #4. The project offered citizenship and leadership projects for the members including oral histories of the alumni, a newsletter sent to community members, a tree planting at the school site, and grant writing for the project. Additionally, Maynard served on the Black Hawk County 4-H Youth Committee, and they have both led numerous woodworking workshops for county youth. They have also had involvement with the county fair. They chair the annual fair picnic, Mary Jean has been a superintendent for static projects for almost two decades, Maynard is involved with the sheep project, and he also constructed dog agility obstacles which continue to be used today.
They continue to support 4-H in various ways, one of which is next-generation involvement: they have 18 grandchildren with 13 presently in Iowa 4-H. Maynard and Mary Jean are also involved in several other community organizations.
Categories: 2026, Black Hawk
