National 4-H Week in Jefferson County

FAIRFIELD – The 4-H spirit is alive and well in the Pickard family.

The Jefferson County family has three generations of 4-Hers, starting with grandparents Edwin and Eileen Pickard, who were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2014. Their daughter, Heidi Pickard, was active in the club for 11 years, and now Heidi has passed that tradition onto her daughter, Hailey Burke.

Burke is a fixture at the Greater Jefferson County Fair, showing animals practically every day of the fair including rabbits, dog, cat, sheep, dairy goats, meat goats, poultry, bucket bottle calf and bottle lamb.

As if that wasn't enough, Burke is going to try a new project this coming year by showing a beef cow. And she doesn't just show animals, either. Burke participates in the static exhibits where she's competed in categories such as food and nutrition, visual arts, photography and home improvement.

Heidi grew up on a farm north of Libertyville. She joined 4-H at the age of 9, encouraged to do so by her parents, who also encouraged it among Heidi's siblings Heather, Gretchen and Benjamin.

Their parents were both in 4-H for several years. Eileen was in a club in Wapello and competed in areas such as food and nutrition, sewing and baking.

Edwin, from the Packwood-Pleasant Plain region of Jefferson County, was more into showing animals. Since they were raising their children on a farm, it seemed perfectly natural that they would continue the tradition of participating in 4-H.

'We had all kinds of livestock,” Heidi recalls. 'And I wasn't involved in many other school activities. I thought it was a great way to get involved in the community by showing off our skills and our animals.”

Heidi showed dairy cows, dairy goats, rabbits, poultry and sheep. One year, she showed the family's dog, but it didn't go well.

'He wasn't into dog obedience,” she said.

Heidi did quite a few static exhibits, too, which meant that the weeks leading up to the fair were busy for her. During the fair itself, she would spend all day, from early morning until late at night, at the fairgrounds.

Eileen was a 4-H leader of a group called the Dynamics, which broke off from the Des Moines Ramblers because that club had grown so large. Heidi is following in her mother's footsteps by leading a 4-H group today, Future Forgers, which Burke is in. Heidi leads the club with Michelle Manning.

'It's definitely a two-person job,” Heidi said.

A 4-H club leader is responsible for overseeing the members, planning monthly meetings and helping to coordinate community service.

4-H clubs have helped with Carry On Bags in Fairfield and helped pack Christmas boxes for The Lord's Cupboard. Every Christmas, the Future Forgers shops for SIEDA kids in need of presents.

The club has helped with Trunk or Treat at the fairgrounds the last few years, and in 2019 club members helped Libertyville welcome RAGBRAI riders. Each 4-H club is responsible for covering a food booth during the fair, and they take turns picking up trash at the fairgrounds.

Heidi was in 4-H for 11 years until she graduated out of the program at age 19. Her daughter got an early start in the program, too, joining the club's Clover Kids in kindergarten, a precursor to the full responsibilities of 4-H that kids can join in third grade. Burke has been in 4-H for six years, and has joined the FFA now that she's in high school at FHS. Heidi said her daughter is even considering a career in the ag field.

'She's been around animals her whole life,” Heidi said. 'That's where her passion lies right now.”

Heidi said 4-H has given her family many opportunities to grow, and it's provided long-lasting friendships. She said it teaches important skills in communication and record-keeping.

'It's a great way for families to work and play together,” Heidi said. 'I'm glad I've been a part of it, and I foresee being part of it for many years to come.”