Iowa 4-H Staff Honored with National Awards

By Sydney Peterson

Several 4-H youth development professionals with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach were recognized by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals for their impactful contributions to Iowa youth.

Award submissions are judged annually at the state, regional and national levels, and winners are announced at the annual NAE4-HYDP Conference. Regional and national awardees were presented with their recognitions on Oct. 29 at the NAE4-HYDP Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

National Award Winners

The following individuals from Iowa received 2025 national service awards:

• Two 4-H professionals received the Achievement in Service Award: Alexa Groff, 4-H STEM education specialist; and Jane Koppen, Kossuth County youth coordinator. The award is given to a youth development professional who has served over two years but less than seven years and is actively engaged in extension youth programs.
• Tillie Bell Good, 4-H staff and volunteer development manager; Megan Freel, Polk County youth coordinator; and Marci Vinsand, Polk County youth coordinator, received Distinguished Service Awards. This award is given to a youth development professional who has served for over seven years and is actively engaged in extension youth programs.

Regional Award Winners

In addition to national recognition, the following Iowa 4-H professionals were celebrated at the regional level for their innovative programming and leadership:

• Excellence in Urban 4-H Programming Award – Team: Megan Freel and Marci Vinsand were recognized for their work in the Polk County 4-H Chick Hatching Program. Polk County 4-H partnered with Des Moines Public Schools to deliver the Chick Hatching Program, giving hundreds of youth hands-on, research-based learning about the chicken life cycle. This no-cost, flexible initiative broadens 4 H’s presence in local schools and demonstrates a model of programming that can benefit communities statewide.