Posted on March 31, 2011 at 12:30 PM by Global Reach
Joyce Kollar Neill was born in Washington County Ohio. Joyce was a 9-year 4-H member in Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Home Economics Education. Joyce was also active in University 4-H and worked 2 years as a 4-H aide for Clarke County in Ohio. In 1964 she married Ralph Neill of Corning Iowa and moved to a farm in Adams County. Joyce and Ralph raised 2 girls, Marta and Natalie, on the farm and in 4-H. Joyce served as a 4-H leader for 12 years. She also served 4 years on the Adams County Youth and 4-H committee, including 2 years as chairman.
Joyce received the Adams County 4-H Alumni Award in 1978. Joyce has been very active at the state and national level with Extension and the 4-H program. She has served on the Iowa 4-H Recognition Task Force during a time of transition for the program. Joyce then served 2 years on the state 4-H Recognition Event committee. Joyce has been a lay volunteer on the Southwest Iowa Area 4-H Recognition Planning committee for 4 years. During summers Joyce can be found on the 4-H judging circuit. Joyce has served two consecutive 3-year terms on the Iowa 4-H Foundation, including two years on the executive committee. She has also served on the Planned Giving committee for the 4-H Foundation and helped plan and carryout the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Joyce served 6 years as one of Iowa’s two members on the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET).
In 2003, Joyce received the Iowa 4-H Alumni Recognition award. In Joyce’s words, “my greatest thrills have come as a 4-H leader when one of the club members achieved a success! I have welcomed working with young people and tried to set a good example while challenging them to explore new worlds and to reach a higher rung on their personal ladder of growth."
Categories: Adams
