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Area 4-H Youth win International Harvester Awards at the 2024 Iowa State Fair
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
AMES — The International Harvester Collector’s Club Award Program recognized Iowa 4-H members for their state fair project achievements on Aug. 10 at the Iowa State Fair.
All Iowa State Fair 4-H participants with exhibits associated with the International Harvester brand family qualify for this additional award sponsored by the IH Collector’s Club. Youth participants who applied provided information about their project goals, processes, problem solving, expenses and learning opportunities.
“We want to thank the Iowa International Harvester Collector’s Club Chapter 5 for sponsoring this award program. We greatly appreciate their support of this 4-H program,” said Alexa Groff, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H STEM program specialist.
“This is the seventh year of our International Harvester 4-H partnership,” said Paul Schaefer, IH Chapter 5 4-H scholarship chair. “We’ve really enjoyed working with the young people and we just know how creative they are, how much they really care about their projects and the detail they go through to get things done.”
This year’s winning exhibitors included Joseph Von Muenster, Cedar County; Karson Lehrman, Cedar County; Cole White, Clarke County; Bethany March, Dubuque County; Eli Dickinson, Harrison County; Owen Forbes, Ida County; Kale McBeth, Jefferson County; Alayna Isenhart, Jones County; Kaylin Heims, Jones County; Isaac Dehne, Keokuk County; Jenna Rosener, Monona County; Josiah Dagel, Osceola County; Caden Heisner, Washington County; Wyatt Blair, Webster County; Domanic McNear, Woodbury County; and Mason and Carter Tomas, Johnson County.
Along with public recognition at the 2024 IH Awards Ceremony, these winning 4-H members also receive a one-year membership to IH Collector’s Club Chapter 5, an invitation to share their exhibit at a chapter club meeting or the Farm Progress Show and a monetary award. While exhibits in every class are eligible for IH awards, tractor restoration is a favorite of 4-H members.
Cousins Mason and Carter Tomas restored a 1970 international 826 gold demonstrator. Carter said his goal was “to learn how to do metal bodywork and paint a quality glossy finish in a controlled environment … I also wanted to learn about old International Harvester tractors, what goes into them and why they are a sought-after tractor.”
Mason added, “I am improving my ability to work with my hands more while enjoying learning about the history of tractors. We had to research the golden era and what the main purpose was for the tractors at that time. My favorite part of restoring this tractor was learning how to disassemble, clean and paint parts. It’s important to learn the process of restoring a tractor.”
“The best thing was getting to see my grandpa smile when he saw his favorite tractor all restored and [knowing it] will stay in the family forever,” he added.
“The IH award-winning projects are truly amazing this year. I am always in awe of the skill and level of detail these youth projects exhibit,” Groff said.
Eli Dickenson used a 1952 Farmall M steering column to create a custom-built lamp for his room. "I think restoration projects are important because it is like making something new from a piece of history. It is also like you are recycling something," Dickinson said.
Kale McBeth, who restored a Farmall H, said, “The most rewarding part of refurbishing the tractor was when I heard it start for the first time.” He added, “Restoration projects are important because it is nice to show the newer generation what [old tractors] are like and how everything is supposed to work and look. I would also like this tractor to be a family heirloom.” McBeth looks forward to enjoying his finished tractor restoration project by participating in parades and utilizing it around his goat farm.
For many, 4-H exhibits at the Iowa State Fair and county fairs across Iowa represent the time invested by young people learning in partnership with caring adults. Families, volunteers and partners work together to provide an encouraging and supportive environment for 4-H members to learn and explore their interests.
Jenna Rosener explained that she wanted to restore a tractor with her grandpa, Harvey Thies. “He’s very good at painting and restoring old tractors and machinery, so I wanted to spend some time with him in his shop.” She continued by explaining that he’d been meaning to fix up his 1948 Farmall C tractor and that her grandpa guided and mentored her through the restoration process. “This tractor has been in our family for nearly 40 years with four generations using it. We had lots of great bonding throughout the restoration process, and Grandpa was able to share his knowledge of farming and restoring tractors with me.”
In Cole White’s nine years of 4-H, he restored six tractors as 4-H projects. He restored a 1957 Farmall 450 tractor as his final senior year project. “I feel it is important to do restoration projects, as it is about preserving the history of the antique International Harvester tractors,” White said. He looks forward to using his restored tractor in parades and tractor rides with his family.
Kaylin Heims, who painted an IH tractor on a live edge board, said, “The most important thing I learned during my project was patience. It took patience in everything I did for this project, and it was stressful. I had to draw and make sure everything was proportional, I had to make sure that everything was painted the correct color, and I had to get all of the details right to bring the whole thing together and make it look right.”
“This special award opportunity is a great example of our industry partners supporting our 4-H members by providing a high-quality experience for our 4-H members, as well as support and recognition for their efforts to pursue their educational goals,” Groff said.
“I would encourage others to apply for the IH award because it is an amazing program giving back to 4-H. It shows that someone enjoys and appreciates all of your hard work that has gone into your project,” Heims said.
McBeth added, “I honestly would encourage future 4-H [members] to apply for the International Harvester Award because of all the cool people you get to meet, like the judges. Also, it feels good to tell the judges what you have accomplished through this project.”
For more information on the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program or how to apply for the International Harvester Collector’s Club Award, please contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit the Iowa 4-H website.
