DES MOINES, Iowa—Rich Wrage was inducted into the 2018 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 19. Ninety-nine Iowa counties participated this year and selected 131 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4‑H Foundation President, Holly Grandin, and Interim State 4-H Program Leader, Andrea Nelson, as they were introduced on stage.

Rich started his career with ISU Extension in February of 1994 serving Boone County as a county extension education director. In 2009, he became a regional extension education director, and still serves in that position. Over the years, Rich helped with many youth programs including summer day camps, outdoor classrooms and county fair.  During the 2004-2009 Boone County Fairs, he served as bucket/bottle calf superintendent and beef pen of 3 volunteer. In 2007, he chaperoned the Citizenship Washington Focus Trip to D.C. Rich also served on the State 4-H FSQA and Animal ID Advisory Committee and is currently serving on the North Central STEM Advisory Board and on the Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee.  His dedication as an employee, volunteer and committee member have helped advance both Boone County and Iowa 4-H programs.

Rich was instrumental in establishing the Boone County 4-H Endowment in 1998 that provides funds  for youth from Boone County to attend Tri-County Camp, Citizenship Washington Focus, National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, Omaha Zoo trip, state 4-H camps and more.

Rich is great at helping people recognize their strengths and where those strengths could be best put to use for the betterment of the community, ISU Extension and Outreach and Boone County 4-H.  As REED, Rich helped the Boone County Extension Council find a new office building that would best serve ISU Extension and Outreach including fulfilling the needs of the 4-H program and clubs.  Rich continues to support the 4-H program today by championing for it through interactions with legislators, community partners and local funders.

Rich is always willing to support the 4-H program. At the Boone County Fair, he helps by leading a shift of council members in the 4-H Food Stand. At the Bi-Annual Ag Omelet Breakfast that raises money for 4-H scholarships, he serves as a celebrity omelet cooker. He can also be seen attending numerous 4-H events throughout the year supporting the youth members involved.

Rich is also an active community member, participating in numerous groups including Daybreakers Kiwanis, Boone County Community Foundation, Boone County F.O.R.C.E Board and many more.

Rich was a 4-H member in Black Hawk County, first in the Lincoln Links 4-H club and then the Black Hawk Stars 4-H club.  While in 4-H, he enjoyed raising and showing dairy cattle. Rich and his wife, Colleen have two daughters (Emily and Holly) that were active 4-H’ers. Boone County 4-H is proud to honor Rich Wrage as their 2018 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee. Rich has been a strong supporter of 4-H and we thank him for helping to “make the best better”.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Natalie Hedlund, Boone County 4-H Youth Coordinator. Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“Iowa 4-H volunteers and staff greatly impact our youth and this is one way we can recognize them for their remarkable service and commitment,” said Tillie Good, volunteer specialist, Iowa 4-H Youth Development.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H.

A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2018 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building.  These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select “Recognition”.

Pictured: Rich Wrage, 2018 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee, Emily Saveraid, Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director and Tillie Good, 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist.

(contributed article and photo, Boone County EXtentee