After 30 years of leading the community club 4-H program in Woodbury County, Lujean Faber of Sioux City has been inducted into the 2009 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. Ninety Iowa counties selected inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. In recognition, Faber received a plaque from the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
“Lujean is the hub around which the community club 4-H program revolves in Woodbury County,” said friend and fellow 4-H supporter Nancy Burright. “She empowers the youth, encourages the leaders and energizes the volunteers, all of which are important to the success of the programs.”
Faber began as the ISU Extension 4-H program assistant in Woodbury County in 1979 where she finds and works with 4-H leaders, guides the 4-H County Council youth, and coordinates the many volunteers necessary to make the 4-H part of the Woodbury County Fair function. In past years, Faber has also received both the 4-H Alumni Award and the Outstanding Service Award in Woodbury County.
As a youth, Faber was a seven year member of the Leeds Leaders 4-H club where her favorite projects were sheep, poultry, forestry, horticulture and woodworking.
“Lujean is a most valuable asset to the 4-H program in Woodbury County,” said Burright. “4-H is her job and her passion.”
Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Extension council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or Iowa State University (ISU) Extension staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the counties and state to recognize and celebrate 4-H volunteers and staff who have shown outstanding service and dedication to Iowa's 4-H program," said Chuck Morris, ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development director.
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. For additional information about 4-H, contact Iowa State University Extension in Woodbury County at (712) 276-2157 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/woodbury.