Jim and Sandi Hotchkiss selected to represent Washington County in 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame

Jim and Sandi Hotchkiss of Washington were recognized at the Washington County Fair on July 19 as the 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame recipient for Washington County. Annually every county is to select one recipient for the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. Washington recipients are all pictured in the Extension Office dating back to the beginning of the program in 2002. All past recipients can be viewed at https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/what-we-do/recognizing-service/iowa-4-h-hall-of-fame

Jim and Sandi Hotchkiss met the summer of 1970 in the sheep barn at the Washington County Fair. One year and a 4-H trip later, these two were dating. Jim actually proposed to Sandi under the trees north of the sheep barn during the county fair on her birthday. It was a beautifully written 4-H love story!

4-H has always been a part of their life. Once members, then parents to 4-Hers, then club and project leaders, and now grandparents to 4-Hers. Jim and Sandi Hotchkiss don’t recognize a time in their life without 4-H.

Growing up Jim was a member of the Washington Hustlers 4-H Club and county council showing sheep, horses, and swine and participating in livestock judging. Jim’s dad was a great 4-H leader and served in the sheep department for many years leaving quite the legacy in which Jim has followed in closely. Sandi was a busy member of the 4-H Maidens, Hustlers and county council where she participated in a variety of project areas.

Both became 4-H leaders when their oldest daughter Jennifer joined 4-H and followed all their children through — Jennifer, Jessica, Jake, and Jillian. Sandi led the Prairie Pride 4-H Club for 20 years and Jim continues to be a leader for the Horse and Pony Club now reaching over 35 years of service. During this time he coached teams and traveled the nation with his livestock judging teams. He has taught and mentored multiple generations of families through the horse department. In addition to the regular club meetings, he spends many weeks before the county fair at horse workouts, preparing for the fun show, working the arena, assisting with club trail rides and fundraising activities. He is proud to share the leading duties with his daughter Jessica.

Three generations of the Hotchkiss Family have been involved in 4-H leadership. Jim’s dad was a 4-H leader and superintendent of sheep department. The first brick purchased for the patio in front of the Washington County Extension Office is in honor of James Hotchkiss. Ruth, his wife, was one of the greatest 4-H cheerleaders to her children and grandchildren.

As a team, Jim and Sandi had great 4-H role models and have become ones themselves. The Washington County 4-H horse department, arena, barn and kids would not be what it is without the Hotchkiss family. They have been active filling many volunteer roles and are proud supporters of the 4-H program. They are great examples of hard work, family focused and generous giving. Thank you for letting Washington County 4-H be a part of all of that!

Jim and Sandi Hotchkiss don’t recognize a time in their life without 4-H. They were actually engaged during the county fair in the exact sheep barn they met two years earlier. It was the start to a beautiful 4-H love story that continues today with chapters of raising four children in the program, serving as club leaders, coaching youth in livestock judging, horse department and nonlivestock project areas and now cheering on eight enrolled 4-H grandchildren. The Washington County 4-H horse department, arena, barn and kids would not be what it is without the Hotchkiss family.

The couple will be further recognized at the Iowa State Fair on August 18 for their dedication to Iowa 4-H.