Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:03 AM by Global Reach
The chief lesson I learned is not what you do, but how you do it.
By Jerry Dale Quote taken from his 4-H Record Book in 1958
Jerry Dale has over a sixty year history with 4-H. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 52 years and have lived on the same farm in Brooklyn, Iowa. They have been blessed with 4 children and with 7 wonderful grandchildren.
If you attend cattle or sheep shows at the Iowa State Fair, Aksarben, Kansas City or anywhere in Iowa, you will probably see Jerry. He was always there, to support his children and now his grandchildren at shows. This life-long ‘Dale’ tradition of exhibiting started with Jerry when he joined 4-H.
Jerry was a 4-H member of the Bear Creek Lively Livestock Club. His father, served as a 4-H leader and his four siblings were also members. Later his four children became members of this same 4-H club. During his 4-H years, Jerry exhibited beef, swine, dairy, and sheep at local fairs and the Iowa State Fair. He learned a lot about the livestock industry which included production and management. One of his greatest achievements, while exhibiting livestock, was having his pig receive Reserve Grand Champion at the Iowa State Fair. This spark created future goals of achievement for Jerry because since that year in 1958, he has been to the Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions with five different families thirteen times with animals produced from Jerry’s herds.
While in 4-H Jerry was creating his legacy in the livestock industry, he was also active in 4-H leadership. He served various officer positions within his club and at the county level. He was elected in 1958 as the State 4-H Vice President and was selected as an Iowa delegate to National 4-H Conference. Another honor that Jerry received was the Lew Plager Award given to an outstanding Iowa 4-Her for their 4-H work, personality, community, and church activities. Besides, using his leadership skills in 4-H, Jerry applied these same skills in FFA and at his high school.
Later these 4-H leadership opportunities have led Jerry to be a 50 year member of the Farm Bureau, serve on the ASC/FSA board, Poweshiek County Health Board, Poweshiek County Fair Board, past president for BGM school board, past president of the Grace United Methodist Church Board, a former member of the Pork Producers, secretary for the Brooklyn Mutual Telephone Company, 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher and the most important is being a father and grandfather as well as being a great husband to Mary.
Categories: Poweshiek
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