Lansings inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame

CUTLINE: Neil and Julie Lansing of West Union wee among the inductees into the 2013 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during the recent Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

Neil and Julie Lansing of West Union were among the inductees into the 2013 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during the recent Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. 

All honorees were selected by their local counties for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4-H Foundation as they were introduced on stage.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees serve(d) as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension staff members. 

All inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

Neil and Julie Lansing have each been lifelong supporters of the Fayette County 4-H program. All six Lansing children have been very active in 4-H, and five of them served on or are currently serving on the Iowa State 4-H Council. 

Neil and Julie continue to encourage their grandchildren to be 4-H members. One currently is a member, another is a Clover Kid, while the remaining two wait patiently to reach 4-H age.

  Neil graduated from high school and immediately became a 4-H leader with encouragement from a former leader of the Eldorado Eagles 4-H Club. Julie didn’t grow up in 4-H, but it didn’t take long for her to join. Ten years later she became the leader of the Diligent Doverettes 4-H Club. Later, the club name was changed to Diligent Dovers. 

Each summer Neil and Julie serve as camp cooks and project assistants at Pinebluff 4-H Camp near Decorah. Serving in this volunteer position allows them to reconnect with former 4-H members who are bringing their children to camp.

Over the years the couple have assisted five county youth coordinators and served as advisors for the Fayette County 4-H Youth Council. Each month Neil and Julie meet with the members to encourage countywide leadership and citizenship projects. 

In addition, Neil and Julie were advisors for the Northeast Iowa Area 4-H Council until it disbanded in 2008.

Neil has served on the Fayette County Extension Council from 1984-1987 and from 1991 to present. He also represents Fayette County on the Region 4 Regional Council. He has also served 16 years on the Fayette County Youth Committee.

Being a lifelong dairy farmers in the county, Neil has assisted at Iowa’s Dairy Story at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, educating youth about the cow’s digestive system and providing barn tours to the youth who visit the facility.

   The Lansing family is involved not only in 4-H, but also in their community and church, where they are in charge of Sunday night cards and Neil is active in Knights of Columbus.

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