Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, Jody & Jim Kerns and Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H Staff and Volunteer Development Program Manager.
Kerns Inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame
Jim & Jody Kerns of Edgewood were inducted into the 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 18. Inductees were presented a certificate by Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation and Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H Staff and Volunteer Development Program Manager.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsors the annual Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Counties nominate volunteers, community leaders, and Extension staff members who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their county. The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as 4-H celebrated 100 years of a program dedicated to teaching youth life skills. During those 100 years, it became evident that one of the essential elements of the 4-H program was the caring adults who were committed to the program.
Inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame represent the many people in Iowa who have contributed countless hours to the 4-H program. They work tirelessly to see that Iowa’s youth have a great learning experience in a safe and fun environment. These adults have modeled volunteerism, community service, integrity, and leadership to Iowa’s youth. Their legacy is the young people they have mentored who will in turn support the continuation of a 4-H program that builds Iowa’s leaders.
Jim and Jody Kerns are from Edgewood, Iowa where they are business owners at the Edgewood Locker, and Jody has spent the majority of her career at Regional Medical Center working as a Mammographer in Radiology and serving as the Director of Religious Education at St. Mark Parish. They also operate their crops and tree farms, and a small cow/calf herd. Kerns are also very active members within their community and have served on several committees and volunteer roles over the years. They are the proud parents of 6 children, Baili, Payson, Madalyn, Emma, Noelle, and Ava. They also are blessed with 4 grandchildren and number 5 joining their family in Oct.
Neither Jim or Jody grew up with the 4-H program, but after a county council presentation in 4th grade their daughter Baili asked to join the program, as they say the rest is history! Their family quickly became engaged in the 4-H program and took in every experience possible from many various static projects to several livestock species, camps, state conferences, and other experiences. They are proud that all 6 of their children served on county council.
The Kerns have been fully committed to the 4-H program with their kids and have spent many hours and years volunteering where needed, supplying meat to the omelet brunch, use of their vehicles for various events, chaperones as needed, and serve as leaders for the Woodcenter Eagles 4-H club. They have also been a supporter of Extension over the years and have hosted several Forestry Field Days and have served as a host and educators for the Master Conservationist Program.
Jim and Jody are firmly rooted in the 4-H program and believe that it has been instrumental in helping shape their children into well rounded individuals and adults. 4-H has provided a basis to teach their children strong work ethic and numerous life skills. They do point out like anything; you get out of it what you put into it and encourage parents to become involved. They stated that they’ve learned so much over the years supporting their children with all the many various ideas they wanted to try for projects. Their motto always seemed to be “I have NO IDEA how, but I guess we can learn!”, and a lifetime of learning it has been! After having children in the 4-H program for the past 25 years straight, they will miss having their kids involved, but only have to wait 1 year before their granddaughter will begin clover kids! They will forever be grateful to the 4-H program for the opportunities, strength, and bonding it provided their family over the years.
-30-
Comments