Iowa 4-H Staff Recognized for Outstanding Youth Impact

By Andi Anderson

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach professionals were celebrated in October at the annual Iowa 4-H YouthFest professional development conference in Ames. The event recognized staff across the state for their exceptional contributions to youth education, community engagement, and the advancement of the 4-H mission.

Held on October 21, the award ceremony was part of YouthFest’s annual celebration that brings together Extension and Outreach staff for workshops, networking, and educational programs focused on youth development. “Our Iowa 4-H team continues to exemplify excellence, preparing youth to be ‘Beyond Ready’ for life’s challenges,” said Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa 4-H state program leader and director. “This celebration reflects the creativity, dedication and impact each nominee brings to their work.”

Several awards were presented to recognize various stages of service and achievement. The Achievement in Service Award honoured Ashlee Bell of Scott County, Sara Hoerichs of Clay County, and Jennifer Sellner of Shelby County for their impactful work within three years of service.

The Distinguished Service Award went to Jenny Hulme of Tama County and Carter Oliver of Harrison County, acknowledging their strong influence within four to ten years of service.

The Meritorious Service Award recognized long-serving staff members Dennis Johnson of Worth County and Marci Vinsand of Polk County for over a decade of commitment to the Iowa 4-H program.

Mary Taggs earned the Youth Program Specialist Award for her outstanding leadership in supporting county staff programming and overall youth development efforts.

The Visionary Award was presented to Paige Roberts, Wright County K-12 program coordinator, for creating the innovative Wright County Chick Hatching Program. The program introduced hands-on STEM lessons to 165 students, expanded into a Poultry 101 workshop, and resulted in 125 pounds of chicken donated to a local food pantry.

Through such initiatives, Iowa 4-H continues to empower youth with practical skills, agricultural literacy, and community values. The recognition of these dedicated educators underscores the lasting impact of Iowa’s 4-H Extension professionals in shaping the next generation of leaders.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university