AMES, Iowa – Kristen Gaffey of Johnson County has been selected to represent Iowa at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 28 – Dec. 2.  She is sponsored by the Iowa 4-H Foundation National 4-H Congress Endowment.  Gaffey, 16, is the daughter of Jim and Sally Gaffey of Iowa City.

Gaffey is one of 22 youth from Iowa attending the leadership conference, entitled “Accept the Challenge.”  Iowa’s Congress delegates are selected through interviews and evaluation of support materials. Gaffey, a junior at Iowa City Regina High School, was chosen for her leadership, citizenship and overall achievement in the 4-H program.

During her seven years in 4-H, Gaffey has completed several major projects including dairy goat, horse and pony, poultry, dog, and visual arts. She has received seven excellence awards and project awards for dairy goat, and poultry at the county level. She also served as vice-president of her 4-H club. 

“4-H has made me develop a good work ethic, which will help me later on in life with my career,” Gaffey said.  “It has also taught me to be more outgoing. My future plans are to attend a four-year university and major in animal science.”

For more information about 4-H, contact the Johnson County office of Iowa State University Extension. 4-H in Iowa is administered through the ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development program and headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames.

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