West Chester family makes state 4-H Hall of fame

DES MOINES — Vicky and Duane Fisher of West Chester were inducted into the 2023 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 20. Ninety-one Iowa counties participated this year and selected 127 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4 H Foundation President, David Bolte, and Interim State 4-H Program Leader, Mitchell Hoyer, as they were introduced on stage.

Duane and Vicky Fisher have been a dynamic duo for Washington County 4-H paving a path where there was none. They were the start to the 4-H goat department in 2006 and annual 4-H pancake breakfast in 2009. They have been significant contributors of their personal time, talents, knowledge and sweat to establish these great improvements to the program.

It was humble beginnings in 2006 when Vicky was starting her own goat herd and was asked to be the first goat superintendent. The department previously was combined with dairy cattle but was growing and needed their own time slot, space, and volunteer team. Her husband, Duane, said his inspiration to volunteer was supporting his wife on something she wanted to do. They were both 4-H alum and wanted to raise their children Zeb, Zane, and Zoe in a 4-H family.

Vicky has a personality and care for others 4-H families have come to know and love. The goat barn is a place where they work together, get the jobs done and get along. Duane and Vicky have been a model of all of that.

But that goat department and even the barn didn’t always exist. Goats have been bunked up with about every species in every barn. They have been a department that flexed over and again. Despite it all, the department continued to grow under Fisher’s leadership. The department grew from 16 to 118 head and Fisher’s literally built THE barn through an intense couple years of fundraising and grant writing. They put in countless hours and hard work selling raffle tickets and making plans.

It was their ability to see a need, their vision, their belief, their work ethic and inspiration that have made much 4-H success come to life. The annual 4- H pancake breakfast began under Vicky’s leadership for 14 years. In the early years they served 300 and now over 800 visitors come annually in April to enjoy breakfast and support Washington County 4-H.

Duane says he was just “along for the ride in all of that,” but Vicky quickly recognizes him to be her hands and feet. What she needed done, he did it. Found it. Fixed it. Built it.

Duane and Vicky are proud to have been a part of such significant 4-H activities but are humble to give credit to fair board and the goat department show help for always being such good people to work with. They are honored to hear judge’s comment on the facilities and quality of the Washington County Fair goat show and livestock.

“Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program,“ said Amy Green, Washington County 4-H/Youth Coordinator. “Washington County 4-H is thankful for Duane and Vicky Fisher’s dedicated leadership. Their work ethic and caring personalities are 4-H role models for us all.”

Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” said Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid. “This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and under the heading “What We Do” select “Recognizing Service” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”