Posted on August 21, 2018 at 3:07 PM by Global Reach
Richard and Beverly Goshorn have spent over 60 years of their lives proudly involved in the Shelby County 4-H program. They were each involved in the program as children. Rich was a member of the Southwest 4-H Club, and Bev as a member of the Lincoln Bluebirds. They were both born in Shelby County in 1947 and graduated together from Shelby-Tennant High School in 1965. 
Rich and Bev were married in 1967 and recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Within a few years of their marriage, the couple moved on to Rich’s childhood farm outside of Shelby. Today, their youngest son and his family reside on the same land.
As members of their own clubs, Beverly entered numerous exhibits into the fair from baking to sewing and providing working demonstrations. One of the dresses she sewed went on to the Iowa State Fair. Richard also enjoyed being involved in 4-H as a member, and his passion was in showing cattle.
Their love of 4-H was passed on to their four children; three sons and a daughter, who were also very involved in 4-H. Both Rich and Bev helped with the leadership of their children’s 4-H clubs. When the county fair was over, there were many years they supported their children at the Iowa State Fair watching their sons participate in livestock judging, working exhibits, and showing hogs. They supported their daughter in the 1995 State Fair Queen contest.
During and after the years their children were involved in 4-H, Rich and Bev could be seen at many 4-H functions throughout the years. Rich spent over 20 years as a member of the Shelby County Fair board; 5 of those years as president. He has also been a member of the Pork Producers, Iowa Beef Producers, the Farm Bureau and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Rich was also a 2008 Shelby County Hall of Fame recipient.
Their love of 4-H now carries on to a new generation of Goshorn children. Rich and Bev are the proud grandparents of 13 grandchildren. Ten of these children are, or have been, involved in 4-H. Rich and Bev have also enjoyed watching a few of their grandchildren show hogs at the Iowa State Fair. Although their 4-H leadership and Fair Board memberships have ended, you can often see Bev and Rich at the Shelby County Fair. Rich helps to make sure that the grandchildren are having fun while showing hogs, and Bev has been known to help each grandchild bake an entry for the fair, as an exhibit or open class. Not only are they regulars at the Shelby County Fair, but the Goshorns have spent numerous days enjoying the various exhibits and shows the Iowa State Fair offers. Watching their children, and grandchildren, make new memories at both the Shelby County Fair and the Iowa State Fair has been some of the happiest moments of their lives.
