AMES, Iowa--The Iowa 4-H Foundation recently approved and welcomed seven new trustees, including two high school students, to its board during the annual meeting at the Extension 4-H Youth Building on the Iowa State University (ISU) campus in Ames.

New trustees are: Dan Adams, Oskaloosa; Dal Grooms, West Des Moines; Bob Kimm, Dysart; Shannon Latham, Sheffield; Christopher Watkins, Wilton and youth representatives, Kelsie Cass, Fontanelle, and Anna Grimley, Springville.

The trustees join a board that is committed to raising more than $2.4 million annually to support the ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program throughout the state.

Board trustees come from a variety of backgrounds, including ISU Extension staff, private business and government professionals, farmers, community leaders and Iowa 4-H Youth Council members.

Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director Joe Leisz said, “I am enthusiastic about the potential the board has to raise the funds needed to strengthen the 4-H program for its126,000 participants. Several of these individuals already have joined other board members in special projects like our e-Bay Auction and Golf Tournament, marketing the 4-H program in support of our goal of seeing a 3 percent increase in 4-H club members and new endowment fundraising.”

The foundation’s mission is to provide resources for youth development through 4-H. Its work includes an effort to engage the estimated 200,000 4-H alumni in Iowa. Alumni can sign in on the foundation’s Web site at www.iowa4hfoundation.org .  Supporters also can contribute to fundraising efforts online.

A trustee term with the Iowa 4-H Foundation includes four meetings and one strategic planning retreat, and lasts three years.

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Caption for photo: Iowa 4-H Foundation new trustees (l to r): Dan Adams, Christopher Watkins, Dal Grooms, Anna Grimley and Kelsie Cass.  Not pictured: Bob Kimm and Shannon Latham.