O’Brien County is home to 14 graduating senior 4-H members. As they enter their post high school endeavors, these graduates look back upon their years in 4-H and what they enjoyed most.
Seniors took a minute to reflect on a beloved memory or share advice for younger 4-H members as they round out their time in O’Brien County 4-H.
Joseph Billings
Joseph Billings is a 9-year member of the O & O Kids 4-H Club. He is the son of Kent and Jamie Billings of Hartley. “My favorite 4-H memory is winning beef of merit with my steer off of my first heifer,” Billings said. “My favorite part of 4-H is watching new members get involved and work with livestock. Some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is don’t be afraid to ask questions and be involved. Find a good mentor; it can be a family member, a friend, or a neighbor.”
Kourtney Dekker
Kourtney Dekker is a 9-year member of the Western Workers 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Kirk and Tina Dekker of Sheldon. “My favorite 4-H memory is showing my Grand Champion steer at the Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair in 2022,” Dekker said. “My favorite part of 4-H is showing livestock and meeting a lot of new friends throughout the years. Some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is to have fun, get involved with your 4-H club, and try new projects.”
Bryce Dodge
Bryce Dodge is a 9-year member of the G & W Feeders 4-H Club. He is the son of Mark and Sara Dodge of Hartley. “My favorite 4-H memory is bringing in a couch table for a woods project to the county fair and it went on to the State Fair,” Dodge said. “My favorite part of 4-H is making friends with new people and learning new skills, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is to try everything you can. New experiences aren’t always bad. They will lead to new memories and possibly unlock new skills.”
Whitney Einck
Whitney Einck is a 9-year member of the Center Farmers 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Tony and Heather Einck of Primghar. “My favorite 4-H memory is when I modeled on stage for fashion review in fourth grade for the first time with my best friend and we couldn’t stop laughing,” Einck said. “My favorite part of 4-H is getting to show off your hard work that you’ve spent with your animals and projects at the fair and spending the week with your friends. Some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is to try everything before you count yourself out.”
Payton Farquhar
Payton Farquhar is a 9-year member of the G & W Feeders 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Ryan and Heidi Farquhar of Sutherland. “My favorite 4-H memory is when Bob Steinkamp gave me a hug after selling my 4H pigs for the first time,” Farquhar said. “My favorite part of 4-H has been showing my pigs, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers, try all different kinds of projects to find your interests.”
Morgan Grooters
Morgan Grooters is a 9-year member of the O & O Kids 4-H Club. She is the daughter of David and April Grooters of Sanborn. “My favorite 4-H memory is staying at the fairgrounds during fair,” Grooters said. “My favorite part of 4-H is doing good in the ring and seeing the little 4-H kids showing for the first time. Some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is don’t be afraid to try a new animal to show.”
Dante Johnson
Dante Johnson is a 9-year member of the G & W Feeders 4-H Club. He is the son of Darin and Jenny Johnson of Sutherland. “My favorite 4-H memory is going to the Plunge [into 4-H] camp all three years with my friends,” Johnson said. “My favorite part of 4-H is spending time at the fair with friends, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is to never be afraid to try new things in different project areas. Trying new things helps you grow as a person and 4Her.”
Brayden Meyer
Brayden Meyer is a 9-year member of the Caledonia Ramblers 4-H Club. He is the son of Mike and Kristi Meyers of Hospers. “My favorite 4-H memory is hanging out with friends and family in the beef barn and having water fights,” Meyer said. “My favorite part of 4-H is showing cattle and having a great 4-H leader, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is don’t be afraid to try new things and have fun.”
Dain Moermond
Dain Moermond is a 9-year member of the G & W Feeders 4-H Club. He is the son of Josh and Becca Moermond of Sutherland. “My favorite 4-H memory is having water fights in the wash rack and representing the O’Brien County Fair as Fair King,” Moermond said. “My favorite part of 4-H is showing swine, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is don’t be afraid to try out lots of different project areas. You never will know if you will like something unless you try it.”
Leo Sells
Leo Sells is a 9-year member of the Caledonia Ramblers 4-H Club. He is the son of John and Lauri Sells and the late Jennifer Sells of Granville. “My favorite 4-H memory was competing at the Western National Roundup 4-H Meats contest back in January,” Sells said. “We got fifth as a team and I got 16 individually. My favorite part of 4-H is it’s a good time with all the people, animals, and activities going on, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is to work hard and make sure to take good care of your animals.”
Abby Stout
Abby Stout is a 9-year member of the Highlanders 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Doug and Joleen Stout of Primghar. “My favorite 4-H memory is showing sheep and rabbits with my brother,” Stout said. “My favorite part of 4-H is showing projects and hanging out with my friends at the fair, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is don’t be afraid to try something new and pick a project outside of your comfort zone.”
Colton Vande Brake
Colton Vande Brake is a 4-year member of the Western Workers 4-H Club. He is the son of Ben and Ranae Vande Brake from Sheldon. “My favorite 4-H memory is helping my sister show her first year,” Vande Brake said. “My favorite part of 4-H – I enjoyed being treasurer. The last year we have had several high school-age kids and it is fun to connect with everyone on a different level. I love my goats and am excited to show them. Some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is don’t think you can’t come back if you take a year off. Don’t be scared to try something new, show a new animal or run for leadership. You will enjoy it and be successful and surprised in the end!”
Grant Wagner
Grant Wagner is a 9-year member of the Highlanders 4-H Club. He is the son of Tom and Holly Wagner of Prigmhar. “My favorite 4-H memory is my calf escaping during the fair,” Grant said. “My favorite part of 4-H is meeting new people, and some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is to get involved with many different opportunities. You will learn many things and be a better person because of it.”
Samantha Wilbur
Samantha Wilbur is an 8-year member of the Highlanders 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Michelle and Randy Sohn of Primghar and Jason and Kris Wilbur of Paullina. “My favorite 4-H memory is participating in the clothing event at the state fair,” Wilbur said. “My favorite part of 4-H is getting to be a mentor for younger kids and helping them in their 4-H journey. Some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is don’t be afraid to try something new. It might turn out to be one of your favorite things to participate in!”
It is evident that the memories made, fun had, and lessons learned in 4-H will remain with these graduates for years to come. They all saw the benefit in trying many new things and developing life skills, a key component of the 4-H program.
For more information on the O’Brien County 4-H program, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach O’Brien County office at 712-957-5045 or xobrien@iastate.edu.