Posted on August 28, 2017 at 9:21 AM by Emily Saveraid
The Poweshiek County 4-H program is proud to honor George Graham as their 2017 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee. George has been involved with 4-H and agriculture since he was 10 years old. He was part of the Chester Chaps 4-H Club where he used to show at the old sale barn in Grinnell. He remembers the girls having to show at the Congregational church and the boys were at the sale barn. Later he became the leader of Chester Chaps, serving for 24 years.
He was part of the Poweshiek County Extension Council for 15 years, as well as serving on the Poweshiek County Fair Board. While serving on these boards, he strived to improve the programs and was able to fundraise money to support these changes. In 1948, they were able to finance and build the Quonset, which was recently taken down. In addition, this was the time girls and boys clubs could finally show together. As more and more kids were moving to town, the Extension Council and Fair Board needed to urbanize the fair. While serving on these boards, they sought project leaders to help build each program, as well as creating new 4-H clubs in each town. George states that, “He caught a lot of heck, but it was worth all of it since it helped the kids and communities grow”.
George served for nine years with the Farm Service Association and was chair for 3 years. One of the many responsibilities of this committee was to make sure farmers complied with state regulations. Other memorable services George participated in were his many trips with 4-Hers to the International Livestock Expedition in Chicago and traveling long distances to help 4-H’ers show their Angus cattle
To this day he is still mentoring young adults by teaching them rations for cattle and how to maintain and operate a farm. He has helped not only our community but has kept generations of young 4-Her’s and FFA members involved with agriculture.
George is a cherished asset in Poweshiek County. It is an honor to have him inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame! Thank you, George for your dedication to the youth of Poweshiek County!
