Bob and Bonnie Murty, 2023 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductees from Tama County. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsors the annual Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame represent the many people in Iowa who have contributed countless hours to the 4-H program.

They work tirelessly to see that Iowa’s youth have a great learning experience in a safe and fun environment. These adults have modeled volunteerism, community service, integrity, and leadership to Iowa’s youth. Their legacy is the young people they have mentored who will in turn support the continuation of a 4-H program that builds Iowa’s leaders. Only one individual or couple per county can be nominated each year. Inductees can be recognized posthumously.

When asked why 4-H is so important, Bob and Bonnie Murty will tell you that it is a great program that teaches leadership, working with people, setting goals and learning different areas as you find interest in life which they have seen in the lives of 4-H members, including their children and grandchildren.

As a youth, Bonnie was a member of the Crystal Sunbeams for 3 years while Bob was not in 4-H. Their sons joined 4-H while their daughter was in girl scouts. Throughout their children’s experiences they saw the great value in 4-H. Now their sons have served as 4-H leaders of the Wolfcreek Whirlwinds 4-H Club and their daughter is a 4-H judge at the Iowa State Fair. Their five grandchildren are also actively involved in 4-H.

Bob served as president of the Tama County Fair and Livestock Association from 1985-1988 and Vice President 1991-1993. In 1989, he became a member of the beef committee, then taking on the role of superintendent in 1996 until 2012. For many years after that, you would continue to see him at the beef check-in scale yelling out the weights! He continued to be active on the fair board until 2021.

Bonnie served on the Tama County 4-H Youth Advisory Committee from 1992-1994. She was the Tama County Livestock and Fair Association secretary from 1996-2003 and then again in 2005. Bonnie was also the Tama County Extension Office Assistant from 2001-2010. She helped with camps and helped with the Jr/Sr trip to Kansas City.

Bob and Bonnie both see great value in the 4-H program and know that what you put into the program is what you will get out of it. They will tell you that it is a great program that teaches leadership, working with people, setting goals and learning different areas as you find interest in life which they have seen in the lives of 4-H members.

Bob and Bonnie Murty will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair at 3:30 pm on Aug. 20 in the 4-H Exhibit Building. It is an honor to have this couple inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame! Thank you Bob and Bonnie Murty for your dedication to the youth of Tama County.