Why is 4-H Important? What Can it Do For Our Youth?

View our Region 18 4H Story.  Learn about former 4H members that have returned home to pursue their careers.  Includes Ringgold County residents Becky Hays and Bonnie Larson. 

Here's an excerpt from a news release created to highlight the video clip:

Another Northwest Missouri State alum, Becky Hays, says that 4-H experiences and college training were instrumental in the start-up recently of two new businesses for her Ringgold County family. Becky is owner/manager of UltraInsights, a cattle genetics tracking company, founded in 2002, while husband, Craig, oversees operation of Hays Beef Development Center.

UltraInsights utilizes sophisticated computer software and the Internet to analyze and deliver ultrasound carcass data to customers throughout the Midwest and Canada. Last year the Diagonal firm was recognized by the Iowa Farm Bureau as one of five finalists for its Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Year award.

“Growing up on my parents’ (Jim and Ann Werner) farm and working in 4-H made me aware of many of the challenges facing the cattle industry today,” Hays said. “College can open your eyes to new solutions and, sometimes, if you’re willing to take a chance, opportunities come along.”   

For more comments from former 4-H’ers who’ve returned home to southwest Iowa to pursue careers, visit Iowa State University Extension’s video website: http://video.extension.iastate.edu/2010/01/22/region-18-4-hers-return-to-rural-iowa/ .