Barb Determan
4-H County - Sac County
Steve and Barb Determan have been leaders of the Early Achievers 4-H club for over two decades. Barb started as a leader 30 years ago with Steve joining two years later, now giving him 28 years of being a leader. The Early's 4-H clubs were separated into a boys' and a girls' club, typical of the time. The Determan's helped to combine the clubs in 1988 into the current club, the Early Achievers. They have both made a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of 4-Hers throughout the state.
“I was completely surprised and I am very humble to receive such a high honor,” said Barb an Iowa 4-H leader who is officially in her 33 year as a volunteer Iowa 4-H leader. “I am very excited to help grow the legacy of Successful Farming’s support to Iowa’s 4-H youth. Loren Kruse’s story always inspired me, much like my mother who was my 4-H leader so many years ago.” Barb has served on the Sac County 4-H Endowment as well as the Iowa 4-H Foundation. She is currently President Elect of the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees.
Barb was born and raised in Illinois, where she was a 4-H youth for ten years. After graduation from the University of Illinois, her passion of agriculture led her to Kansas City then to Iowa where she met and married Steve. Barb and Steve have three children, Andy who is married and lives in Kansas City, Dan lives in Orlando Florida, and Kourtney from Washington D.C.
Even though all three of their children children have graduated, Steve and Barb continue to chaperone lock-ins, volunteer at county lock-ins, even travel to the State 4-H center to cook a meal for the State 4-H Council once a year. Emily Haselhoff, the 4-H'er who nominated Barb, said this is why barb is a 4-H icon. “Barb makes being a 4-H'er feel more like joining a family, rather than a 4-H club,” said Haselhoff. “Whether it is helping with 4-H awards or needing someone to talk to, she goes above and beyond being just a 4-H leader; she is an inspiration to the next generation of leaders.”
“This year, the selection committee had an extremely difficult time choosing from all of the outstanding candidates,” said Iowa 4-H Foundation Youth Trustee Michael Tupper, the chairman of the Successful Farming/Loren Kruse Outstanding Iowa 4-H Leader Committee. “After careful consideration, the committee selected a candidate that went above and beyond the call of duty to impact every 4-Her that they touched.” By developing a personal relationship with every 4-H member they meet, the 4-Hers of Sac County know they can go to Steve and Barb for help with anything.
