Gevock to enter 4-H Hall of Fame

The late Jim Gevock will be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

Linda Gevock of Fairfield plans to attend the ceremony to accept the honor for her husband, who died earlier this year on Feb. 24.

?I think it?s very nice,? said Gevock. ?There are many more people who have done far more for 4-H ? that?s what Jim would say.?

Jim Gevock?s contribution to the Jefferson County 4-H program was operating the scales when 4-H?ers brought in their animals to be weighed.

?I don?t even remember how many years he did that,? she said.

Gevock also recalled he interviewed 4-H?ers for their bottle lambs and bucket bottle calves.

?He enjoyed doing that a couple of years,? she said.

Jim Gevock, as a commissioner on the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation Board, also promoted and rewarded 4-H?ers for projects and posters advocating conservation.

?4-H is absolutely a wonderful program,? said Gevock. ?It?s an opportunity for kids to learn to do things. When I was growing up, 4-H was more for the country kids; I lived in town. I think I missed a lot.?

Gevock didn?t think her late husband had been a 4-H member when he was growing up. The son of Roman and Evelyn Gevock, he graduated from Fairfield High School in 1968, attended college and then had a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

After his retirement, the couple returned to Fairfield, and he began farming his parents? farm in 1992.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was organized in 2002. Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees have served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents, fair board members, Iowa State University Extension County Council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension staff members.

?This is a wonderful opportunity for the counties and state to recognize and celebrate 4-H volunteers and staff who have shown outstanding service and dedication to Iowa?s 4-H program,? said ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development director Chuck Morris.

Iowa is fortunate to have many people who have worked to ?make the best better,? Morris added.

Since the 4-H Hall of Fame began, the Jefferson County Youth Committee has nominated an inductee each year. From 2002 through 2012, the inductees have been: Juanita Bray, Mary Smith, Shirley Stanley, Wayne Mitchell, Marvin Larson, Leland Stanley, Doug Johnson, Korwin Hinshaw, Lona Harbison, Dennis Thomes and Mark Goehring.

A summary of all previous honorees will be displayed in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the state fair.

Anyone who would like to suggest a possible nomination for induction into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame can call the Jefferson County ISU Extension Office at 472-4166.

For information about the 2013 Iowa State Fair, which opened today and continues through Aug. 18, visit the website www.iowastatefair.org.