(Editor’s note: I asked Roger Allen to write a story about his daughter, Brenda, who is about to be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. He used a story by J.O. Parker of The Monte Journal, which is a community website, and information furnished by Poweshiek County Extension in preparing this.)
The Poweshiek County 4-H Program has named Brenda Allen, a native of Montezuma, the 2022 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee.
The announcement came at the Poweshiek County Fair on Thursday, July 14. She will officially be honored at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 21 in the 4-H Building.
A spokesperson with Poweshiek County Extension noted that Brenda has exemplified outstanding service and leadership in 4-H in a way that not only honors the county, it honors the State of Iowa and the National 4-H.
Her 4-H involvement has been part of her whole life as it started with her attending 4-H events with her mother, Nancy, a former Poweshiek County 4-H agent and her father, Roger, a 4-H photography leader.
“I feel very honored and touched that the Poweshiek County 4-H program thought of me,” said Brenda. “I definitely credit my 4-H experience to the leadership and communication skills in my work and everyday life.”
She credits her 4-H experience, her club leaders, her mentors and her parents for allowing her the opportunity to try new things, to grow and learn in life. Those experiences have led Brenda to a 23-year career to date in extension and outreach work with youth.
Brenda was a member of the Jackson Busy Bees 4-H Club and has continued throughout her career with numerous leadership positions within 4-H and ISU Extension and Outreach in Ames.
She currently serves as the professional development manager for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Ames.
“One of Brenda’s first responsibilities when she was first hired by the Iowa 4-H program was to provide guidance to an elite group of 40 Iowa 4-H teenagers (Iowa 4-H Council) in their role to lead and implement the Iowa 4-H Conference (a conference that yearly attracts 800 – 1,000 teens from across the state),” noted Judith Levings, Ph.D., retired Iowa 4-H Assistant Director.
“Brenda did a spectacular job at this – she had a knack that all of us (her colleagues) desired for working with adolescents, so much that she became widely viewed as the go-to “teen expert” with staff and faculty.”
Chuck Morris, retired, Iowa Director of 4-H Youth Development, shared, “Brenda was an excellent adviser to the State 4-H Council members as well as being an excellent role model for them which created many lasting friendships. She is an intelligent and dedicated extension professional.”
Kelli Tallman, ISU Extension and Outreach, Program Development and evaluation Director, shared, “Brenda intentionally implements and supports positive youth development principles and practices such as being a caring adult to help foster youths’ sense of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. She values young people as tomorrow’s leaders and today’s leaders with their own unique interest, abilities and strengths. I am grateful to call Brenda a positive youth development advocate, professional and friend.”
Nancy Franz, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, ISU School of Education, said, “In Brenda’s time with 4-H as a member and IFYE exchange member, 4-H camp staff and 4-H staff state specialist, she deeply served others through youth development, volunteer development, leadership development and group facilitation. She is one of the best development and service leaders I’ve had the pleasure to work with and know.”
Brenda is a 1992 graduate of Montezuma High School. Now, she has a Ph.D.
(Author’s note: Speaking for his wife, Nancy, Roger Allen wrote, “We are pretty proud of Brenda and her professional accomplishments!”).