Posted on August 21, 2018 at 12:36 PM by Global Reach
Denise Schwab has been a tremendous asset to Benton County 4-H. As a young girl her love and passion for 4-H and livestock was evident when she joined two 4-H clubs. She was involved in the traditional girls club with the sewing and cooking projects but also loved beef cattle and wanted to show them. So she joined a boys club and so began her passion for livestock. 
She continued this passion attending Iowa State University and pouring herself into all aspects of learning about the animal industry. Denise followed her ISU graduation into a career with 4-H as a County Youth Leader and then on to the State 4-H Office in Youth Development. She helped develop the crop production curriculum and the Food Safety Quality Assurance program to teach 4-Hers the importance of good stewardship of livestock to raise a quality product for the end consumer.
Denice went on to expand her love of livestock by becoming a beef livestock field specialist. With this great knowledge and experience, she became a key part of Benton County 4-H. She and her husband, Terry, raised 2 sons who were involved in 4-H and FFA. Denise also spent 30 years as a club leader of the Iowa Ever Readies 4-H club. By working with many 4-Hers with horse projects and taking them to many Horse Quiz Bowl competitions she helped start something new in Benton County, a specialty horse project club BEHIP (Benton Equine Horse Interest Project).
She has also been instrumental in the Open Beef Performance Show at the Benton County Fair. She taught many FSQA classes in Benton County and for other county 4-Hers throughout the years. She has also taught many horse safety classes and helped foster the love for horses with many 4-Hers giving countless hours of training.
Thanks, Denise, for all your dedication to Benton County and the Iowa 4-H program.
