Posted on August 21, 2023 at 12:59 PM by Emily Saveraid
Audie was born and raised on the family farm in South Dakota where he showed Polled Hereford calves in 4-H. He was a 4-H member for two years before his family moved to Minburn, Iowa. His heart was always on the farm. As a teen he helped on several farms. As an adult, his job at a local Co-op gave him a county fair assignment selling wood chips to 4-H exhibitors. Through this assignment he offered to help do a “few things”. Helping to do a “few things” turned into 15 years as the Swine Superintendent.
One of his first challenges as superintendent was the computer systems coming into use. He spent many hours entering needed information for the fair. He was not a very fast typist, but he spent the time needed to get it all done every year.
One year, there was an outbreak of erysipelas at the fair. While working with the fair vet to manage the disease he also found a local feedlot to house the quarantined animals until they could be released. Audie coordinated the 4-H families to take turns caring, feeding and watering of the animals. There were no other animals that caught the disease. In part due to the outbreak, he in persuaded the Fair Board to lay concrete and build new wash racks for animals. This would help prevent a future outbreak.
Each year prior to the swine show Audie would hold a meeting with the 4-H members to explain the process of showing and the expectations of the youth while showing and caring for the animals.
When a permanent small animal building was built, Audie determined that new pens were needed. He obtained funds and built solid, functional cages that continue to be in use today.
Even after Audie was no longer superintendent Audie continued to sponsor trophies for the county fair. Audie believed in pledging his heart to greater loyalty and his hands to larger service for all 4-H’ers and families in Dallas County.
