Posted on August 19, 2019 at 1:28 PM by Global Reach
Mary Bolton grew up in Montgomery County with her parents as 4-H leaders. She was a member of the Happy Home Helpers 4-H club for 9 years, where she exhibited static exhibits and beef projects at the county level, Iowa State Fair and Aksarben. As a 4-H’er she attended numerous state and national 4-H camps. She also served as vice president on Montgomery County’s 4-H County Council. One of her best memories includes winning the county livestock judging contest.
She became a leader of the club she grew up in, serving in that capacity for seven years until she and her family moved into Mills County. With the raising of their children, she had no second thoughts about getting her kids involved in 4-H. She later became a project leader, assistant organizational leader, and then organizational leader of the Henderson Hornets/Ambitious Andies 4-H club in Mills County remaining in that position today. She also assists with their Clover Beez club.
On a county level, Mary has organized numerous 4-H events, along with attending to support her club members through the judging of their events during the fair week. Mary organizes the youth queen and king coronations, a project her daughter started as a 4-H member. She has served twice as a chaperone to Citizenship Washington Focus and has helped the youth committee with evaluating record books.
Mary continues her leadership role in many ways to help the youth of Mills County and Southwest Iowa. In 2004 she became a member of the Mills County Fair Board and has been serving as secretary of the board since 2014. She is a strong supporter of the Mills County Fair and is always trying to find new experiences for the 4-H’ers and fairgoers. She helps with the organization of the fair as fair board secretary, open class contests and events. In 2017 Mary was elected to the Association of Iowa Fairs Board of Directors, representing 18 county fairs in the Southwest District.
Mary is a strong believer in 4-H and tells everyone that once it’s in your blood, it’s always in your blood. She encourages all 4-H’ers to do their best and put their best effort forward, as someday they will realize why they are being pushed to strive for the best. “It is so satisfying to watch our own children and our 4-H kids to grow over the years, knowing that 4-H has been a great foundation of their growing life into adulthood.”
