Union County couple to be inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame

John Van Nostrand, The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa
·4 min read

Jul. 12—Cheryl and Danny Purdum of Kent are Union County's 2022 inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. The couple will be honored during the Union County Fair and inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, Aug. 22 in an afternoon ceremony at the Iowa State Fair 4-H Building.

"For more years than anyone can count, Danny and Cheryl Purdum have contributed time, creativity and significant amounts of energy to supporting Union County 4-H and Clover Kids," said Barb Wilmeth, president of Union County Friends of 4-H. "Cheryl and Danny's hard work and dedication helped the programs grow and develop life skills in many young people throughout our community. The programs wouldn't have been as successful without the Purdums' efforts."

Union County Fair has tentatively set to honor the two during the queen's parade July 23, beef show on July 24 and or the livestock sale July 27.

Danny's involvement with 4-H began as a 10-year club member, showing beef cattle and holding various club and county offices. He inherited his commitment to 4-H from his father, Raymond Purdum, who was a long-time leader and volunteer. Cheryl, on the other hand, was recruited into the 4-H program when the Union County Extension director recognized Cheryl's love of children and natural talent for working with them.

The couple were leaders of the Douglas Boosters 4-H club when their sons Cody and Casey were members. In addition, Danny completed six, four-year terms on the Union County Extension Council, frequently as council president. He recalls particularly challenging times, especially the year the council took the lead in keeping the Extension and 4-H programs operating because the county did not have a director on staff. During this time, council members stepped up to ensure programming was carried out and that the Union County Fair went off without a hitch. Danny also was integral in reviving fund-raising efforts and activities of the Union County 4-H Foundation in the late 1980s.

In 1996, a grant allowed Extension to hire Cheryl to launch the county's Clover Kids program. Not only did Cheryl train and assist volunteer leaders with programming that was used in community club meetings, but she also created and carried out monthly after-school Clover Kids programs in both Creston and East Union schools. She spent hours developing educational materials and fun activity kits appropriate for children in kindergarten through third grade.

Cheryl recalls that making individual apple pies was one of the kids' favorite projects and hers. She also developed special exhibit opportunities and age-appropriate county fair activities for Clover Kids. At its peak, the program served more than 400 K-3 children, many of whom continued into 4-H and were members throughout high school. In 2004, Cheryl was recognized by ISU Extension with the Pride of Extension — Program Management Award for "outstanding efforts carried out with much originality or creativity by an individual."

In 2007, Cheryl became County Youth Coordinator, working with both Clover Kids and 4-H programs for an additional eight years. Each summer, Cheryl guided AmeriCorps youth, as they organized and operated numerous day camps and occasional overnight camps for Clover Kids. During her tenure, the county launched shooting sports and robotics special-interest clubs. Cheryl worked with County Council, accompanied 4-H members as they travelled to team-building leadership events throughout the state and guided members in securing grants to build small-animal wash racks for sheep and new pens for the swine barn.

Today, Danny and Cheryl remain involved with the 4-H program as supportive grandparents of eight grandchildren.

In addition to their service to 4-H and Extension, Purdums co-chaired the Greater Regional Hospice House fundraising committee and are members of the Creston Elks Lodge. Danny also served as a director for the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association, Innovative Industries and the Greater Regional Hospital Foundation. Danny retired as president of First National Bank of Creston in 2018. Cheryl is an avid horse woman, busy grandmother and has served on the Southern Prairie YMCA board. The couple operates a family farming operation and registered Angus herd with son Cody.

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