Posted on August 23, 2021 at 10:15 AM by Emily Saveraid
Barbara (Wiese) Fuller joined the Colfax Cloverettes of Boone County in the 1960s and enjoyed membership until she graduated. She participated in a number of project areas, including raising and showing dairy cattle. She also attended the Citizenship Washington Focus in Washington, DC. Both of Barb’s parents were 4-H volunteers and her siblings were also 4-H members in Boone County.
After graduating from United Community High School, Barb attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in dietetics. She first took a job with Rosary Hospital (now CHI Health Mercy Corning) and moved to Adams County. She met and married David Fuller in 1983 and they welcomed their daughter, Mary, in 1985.
Mary became a third-generation 4-H’er by joining the Jasper Specialists as soon as she was eligible. While Barb initially resisted volunteering as a leader, she eventually gave in and was the leader of the Jasper Specialists for many years, volunteering even after her daughter graduated. She has impacted many Adams County 4-H’ers through the years, guiding them through projects and paperwork, making sure that anyone who wanted to participate in 4-H had the opportunity. She also encouraged everyone to participate in a variety of project areas and to explore beyond their comfort zones.
In 2006, Barb got involved in 4-H Shooting Sports and became the Adams County Coordinator, as well as a rifle instructor. Along with her husband, David, she instructed youth as they competed at the local, state, and national level. She has also volunteered as a Hunter Safety Instructor for more than 25 years, teaching youth and adults alike the importance of responsible gun handling and hunting.
Barb is an honorary 4-H alumni recipient in Adams County. Barb has served as a member of the fair board and Extension Council and served in that role until taking a job as a Nutrition & Wellness Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Barb recently retired after 13 years in that role. If you have eaten at a restaurant in Southwest Iowa, there is a good chance that the people handling your food learned to do so safely from Barb’s instruction.
Barb has proudly participated in, promoted, and facilitated 4-H youth programming for many decades, touching many lives and futures; she is heartily welcomed into the Adams County 4-H Hall of Fame.
