2003 Marshall County - Gene Neven

Marshall County’s Hall of Fame nominee has been involved with Iowa 4-H practically his whole life, first as a member, then as a County Youth 4-H Assistant, as an Extension Director and more recently as a poultry judge at the Central Iowa Fair. Marshall County 4-H is proud to nominate Gene Neven as our 2003 Hall of Fame nominee.

While growing up, Gene was a 4-H member in Polk County for nine years. He graduated for ISU in 1954 with a degree in Agronomy and with a minor in Ag. Journalism. His first job took him to Van Buren County Extension as the 4-H Agent and a summer Extension Director.  After serving two years in the Air Force, Gene returned to 4-H in Jones County as the County Youth 4-H Assistant. While working there he took groups of 4-H’ers to Kentucky and to Canada as part of the 4-H Exchange Program.

Gene filled in on the WHO farm radio program with Herb Plambeck for five months before going to Woodbury County Extension as their 4-H Youth Director. He moved up to the County Extension Associate position and remained there for seven years doing weekly TV and radio programs.

In 1968 Gene became the Marshall County Extension Director. Gene recalls that one of his first years in that job there were 552 beef entries in the Central Iowa Fair and that 4-H was becoming more urban. Gene was a key figure in establishing the Marshall County 4-H Endowment Fund, the 1st in the state. He continues to be a member of the Endowment Executive Committee. Gene has helped evaluate 4-H area awards and has judged poultry at the Central Iowa Fair for 25 years. Gene and his wife Joan continue to be strong supporters of Marshall County 4-H and we are excited that Gene Neven is our Hall of Fame inductee in 2003.