Shirley Grimm, of Muscatine County, was inducted into the 2023 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair last month.

Grimm grew up in a 4-H family. Her parents served as 4-H leaders for over 20 years so it was only natural that she and her three siblings all became members. She remembers her activities in 4-H, especially helping her parents as they organized county-wide dances. She received a State Award in Food & Nutrition and was selected to attend the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago.

When Grimm was asked about her experience in 4-H, she said, “Those were the best years of my life!”

She also shared her love of serving as a 4-H volunteer for many years and her two children’s involvement in 4-H.

In 1999, Shirley joined the Muscatine County Extension staff as Office Manager. She retired in 2020. With her extensive knowledge and experience in 4-H, she provided support to 4-H youth, families, leaders, volunteers, and staff for 20 years.

Every year during the county fair, she made sure show programs were prepared, printed, and delivered to the fairgrounds in time for each event. She would arrive early and stay late to make sure everything was ready. She was known for doing whatever was necessary to get the job done.

One of Shirley’s former colleagues, Daleta Thurness, said, “She was up for solving any problem before her, but what I will remember most fondly is her care for each person for whom she came in contact. From her delicious chocolate cakes to just checking in on you, your family, or others, not only was Shirley a great contributor to 4-H, but someone who also truly believed in and embodied Making 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. Many inductees serve 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 honorees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“We are honored to recognize Shirley, for her advocacy and dedication to the Muscatine County 4-H program,” shared Muscatine County 4-H Program Coordinator, Katrina Bostwick.

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

4-H is a community of 6 million young people across the world who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills to make good decisions for their future and their communities’ future. 4-H focuses on healthy living, leadership and civic engagement, science and technology, and communication and the arts through afterschool programs, camps, events, and clubs. Learn more about Muscatine County 4-H at www.extension.iastate.edu/muscatine/join-4-h