Posted on August 23, 2020 at 12:00 PM by Global Reach
Daniel Nesheim, DVM, known to most as “Doc”, played a significant role in the 4-H program in Palo Alto County in 1980’s. He was born in Wright County where he lived on a farm near Goldfield, IA. He was an active 4-H member who enjoyed showing beef at the county fair. He graduated from Goldfield High School in 1961 and went on to college at Iowa State University. In 1968 he graduated from Iowa State University Veterinarian School. While in college he also played baseball for Iowa State until it interfered with his laboratory classes. Upon graduation Doc moved to Mallard, Iowa where he started his veterinarian business. He has been serving the Mallard area as a vet for over 50 years, caring for both large and small animals throughout his career. His family includes his wife, Nancy, and two grown children, Jason and Heidi. 
Doc Nesheim joined the Palo Alto County Fair Board in 1983 and served until 1990. Doc was elected as the vice chairman of the board in 1984 and presided as chairman in 1985 and 1986. He also served on the beef committee and the committee to construct a new horse barn. During his time on the board, they were able obtain financial support for the fair from the Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors, which continues today. Several improvements were made to the fairgrounds under Doc’s leadership, among these were repairs to the show pavilion including new siding and a fan for ventilation, building a track with a surrounding fence in the northwest corner of the grounds, updating the water lines, and adding showers to the cement block restrooms. They also added wash racks for livestock, installed phone lines to the fair office, trimmed trees, and obtained a portable stage. In an effort to bring more people to the fair, they added entertainment for the general public. Doc Neisheim understood the importance of volunteers and established an annual Fair Appreciation Night to recognize those who had given their time to the planning, organizing and implementing the Palo Alto County Fair. After stepping down from the board, he has continued to support the 4-H and FFA youth and their projects through the fair auction and his work as a veterinarian.
Doc also served on the Palo Alto County Board of Health for 20 years, retiring in 2018. Dr. Nesheim was the only veterinarian on the board, showing a combined interest in the health of the county's animals and humans, especially in areas of human-animal transmitted disease. He was also a member of the Mallard Commercial Club who successfully established the Spring Hills Country Club in Mallard.
Doc is a man who knows how to make positive change and the Palo Alto County 4-H Program has greatly benefitted from his efforts. Palo Alto County is proud and honored to have Doc as their 2020 inductee to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
