Washington County 4-H Family Feature: The Conrads

'Having our kids in 4-H has opened the door to a wide-variety of activities that pique all of their interests,” said Ashely Conrad, mother to Eli, Alex and Isaiah, all members of a Washington County 4-H or Clover Kid Club.

Eli is the oldest Conrad child and in 6th Grade at Mid-Prairie Middle School. He started in Clover Kids as well and is currently a third-year member of the Limecreek Livewires. He has participated in photography and really taken advantage of the learning opportunities 4-H has to offer in that area. He has participated in local photography workshops but is also a member of the Iowa 4-H Camera Corp which provides monthly photography challenges with coaching. Those photos are then put in competition on social media against all other Iowa 4-H Camera Corp members. He has been selected for honors already in as a first-year participant! Eli also has participated in woodworking, visual arts, home improvement, communications, along with showing goats and rabbits.

Alex is in 4th grade at Mid-Prairie West Elementary. He was in Wellman Clover Kids for 3 years and now is a first-year member of the Limecreek Livewires. He's looking forward to getting his own goats this spring and doing photography like his older brother. Isaiah is in kindergarten at Mid-Prairie West Elementary and is a current member of Wellman Clover Kids. He has loved playing all the fun games and making all the fun projects at the monthly club meetings.

The Conrad boys became members in the Washington County 4-H program after receiving information sent home from school and talking with a friend who was a volunteer. Ashley is now a volunteer herself serving on the 4-H & Youth Committee. She said she was happy to join and to help with this program her boys are a part of.

'Our boys have been excited when building woodworking projects for fair, showing livestock and growing their public speaking skills,” said Ashely. 'We would encourage your family to get involved in 4-H because you get to do so many activities together as a family and your kids learn so many important life-lessons and skills along the way.”

Ashley is a stay-at-home mom who loves to garden and craft. She is a member of the Mid-Prairie Boosters. Her husband, Trevor, works as a Mechanical Engineer for Modus Engineering and loves to fish, camp and hike with the entire family. During the spring and summer, this family is found outside together; whether it be fishing at their pond or pitching a tent and hiking at a local campground or working with their goats. Their love for the outdoors has been the perfect combination for their three boys in 4-H to spend more time outdoors.

'It has been fun to see the entire Conrad family getting involved in the 4-H learning and projects,” said Amy Green, Washington County 4-H/Youth Coordinator. 'Ashley does a great job sharing pictures and writing posts about what the boys are doing and learning together.”

Ashley says they would love to chat about 4-H or help others learn how to join a club. Connect with her at aeaconrad@gmail.com.

Washington County 4-H looks forward to featuring a new family each month. They are seeking stories of Washington County 4-H families. Contact Amy Green at 319-653-4811 with nominations.