National 4H Week • 2023

By KAREN SCHWALLER Farm News writer ESTHERVILLE

— Gary Myers doesn’t do it for even so much as an “atta-boy.”

As an adult mentor who helps 4-H members from all over Emmet County learn the skill of welding, he just wants to be a positive influence in the life of today’s youth, and for them to learn to think outside the box and learn a skill that could take them places in life if they choose.

Myers, 64, a full-time senior director of engineering for Mediacom Communications, grew up on a farm near Graettinger. He became a 4-H leader about 18 years ago and saw a need to become more of a mentor to kids than he could be by simply being their 4-H leader.

Myers knew of some 4-H parents who had started a welding workshop a few years ago, and asked if they needed help with it. He’s been mentoring 4-H kids in his home shop ever since.

“I enjoy seeing kids and the confidence they build,” he said.

Myers said his welding shop is a resource of sorts for kids who don’t have the tools of the trade at home, but who still have an interest. Some parents have the tools and the skills, but those who don’t have a place to come and learn how to weld … and maybe how to think.

Myers said he originally had (in a large group setting) all those interested in welding at these workshops at the same time. The kids would choose from two or three projects and work on welding them.

Then it occurred to him that the kids were bringing some of the same projects to the fair, and that there were safety issues with large groups of kids in a welding setting.

It was then that he decided it would be more beneficial to mentor the kids one-on-one, with the parents’ permission and sometimes with them there to see what their kids are doing and learning.

Parental input is pivotal, he said, in learning where kids are in terms of skill level.

Myers said he has two rules in his home shop — the first is keeping them safe, in regard to eye and hearing safety, and clothing safety for the machines with which they are working.

“The second rule is that they have to have fun,” said Myers, adding that he asks each of the 4-H’ers one question nearly every time he sees them in his shop.

“What have you done to make your parents proud today?” he said, adding that he not only wishes to mentor them in the skill of welding, but in the skills of everyday life. “It’s fun to get to know them in that personal way and see them start to come out of their shell.”

Myers spoke of a quiet, shy teenage boy he mentored who wanted to make an “H” to put at the end of the family driveway to depict his last name. Myers saw it as an opportunity for the young man to learn how to explain to business people how to ask for things.

“The lumber yard ended up giving us the (scrap) rebar we needed for free because they couldn’t sell it as it was,” said Myers. “(I hope he learned that) when you’re nice and honest and fair with people, good things happen. He thought that was really cool.”

Myers said the confidence that young man gained each year was “amazing.”

He said he doesn’t know how many 4-H’ers he has mentored, but in keeping track of the hours he donates annually in the weeks and months leading up to the Emmet County Fair, he remembers donating 90 hours one year, a few hours at a time in his home welding shop. His typical busy time is from February up until the fair in July.

Project ideas come from both the kids and himself, and he also looks ideas up on the internet. He also sees ideas as he travels to other county and state fairs. He has helped a 4-H’er weld a scene that looks like a duck coming out of reeds.

A sampling of other completed projects include a peacock, chicken, rabbit, an infinity table, a possum made from horseshoes, and even a lamp made from a five-gallon bucket out of which

but the

the

GABRIELLE RICKARD was one of Gary Myers' welding “students.” Myers mentored her as she created this bear paw in his welding shop.

REID HENDRIKSON worked on this portable raised garden project with Gary Myers.

Ideas to Celebrate

Making an impact in Dallas County 4-H

Carman inducted into 4-H Hall of Fame in 2023

By KRISTIN DANLEY GREINER

Farm News writer MINBURN — Although

Minburn resident Audie Carman participated in 4-H for just two years as a kid in his home state of South Dakota, he has had quite an impact on the youth of Dallas County through his role as swine superintendent.

Born and raised on his family farm in South Dakota, Carman showed Herefords and a shorthorn cross in 4-H.

Leaving the farm behind, he missed that way of life, so he helped out on several farms in the Minburn area. As an adult, he secured a job at his local co-op, maintaining his ties to agriculture. His wife, Laura, grew up on a farm and they live not far from it. She, too, was involved in 4-H.

One year, he was asked to sell wood chips to 4-H exhibitors at the county fair. He ended up volunteering to help with a few things. One thing led to another, and he was soon asked to be the swine superintendent, a position he held for 15 years.

“I hung a sign saying if you need wood chips, come to the scale and I’d be over there. While sitting there, next thing I know, I’m helping a guy push hogs onto the scale to weigh them. Then he resigned from being superintendent and Linda Nelson, the ISU Extension youth coordinator at the time, asked if I’d take over. 1993 was my first show,” Carman said.

In his newfound role, Carman found himself needing to learn how to use a computer system back when floppy disks were used. Once he had that down pat, he logged countless hours entering the information needed from exhibitors.

Another big challenge was

when an outbreak of erysipelas struck the county fair.

Carman partnered with the fair vet to manage the disease, and while packing plants wouldn’t take in the exhibitors’ hogs, he found a local feedlot where he could set up temporary housing so the swine could be quarantined for 30 days. 4-H families took turns feeding, watering and tending to the animals. His swift response and actions helped prevent the disease from spreading.

“The day of the show, we had one pig that just wasn’t feeling good and didn’t want to be out in the ring. The vet diagnosed it and we sent that pig home. But since everything had been in the show ring and in contact, we had problems. I called several packers but nobody wanted them. A lot of counties had an outbreak. The vet gave the remaining pigs their shots and then we quarantined them at that site south of Perry,” Carman said.

“A lot of the hogs were ready for market and had never been together, so we were worried about fighting and heat stress. We lost one, but finally they were ready to ship to the packer. I told the kids we would cut a check straight across based on weight and head of hogs. Then I worked closely with the vet to make sure it didn’t happen again.”

That meant Carman began requiring all pigs to be vaccinated at weigh-in. All pigs had to be vaccinated, not just a select class. So 30 days before fair time, he divided the county into quadrants and set up times to visit the 4-H exhibitors to vaccinate their hogs.

“I took extra clothes, water, a disinfectant bucket and a brush, rubber overshoes, everything.

I’d visit three or four families every night after I got off work, then go home and wash my coveralls and everything,” he said.

He also requested the fair

board pour concrete and build new wash racks for animals to prevent future outbreaks. After a small animal building was constructed at the fairgrounds, Carman decided that new pens

were needed. So he set out to raise the funds and built cages that are still in use today. He even helped build rabbit cages for youth exhibitors.

Before the swine show, Carman made sure to gather up the 4-H exhibitors to walk them through the showing process and describe his expectations while caring and showing their animals. His kids showed pigs also, so other dads had to step in and help at the show while he was busy fulfilling his superintendent duties.

“We did their books at the kitchen table, showing them what we spent, what they’ll make and what goes into the bank,” Carman said. “We then switched to sheep and when they got out of 4-H, I stayed in the sheep business until three years ago and then I finally got out. There were two girls in town who wanted to show sheep so they bought lambs off me. I wouldn’t have them pay until after the fair was done. They kept them here at my house and used my facilities. I showed them how to shear and show them.”

Once he stepped down from his swine superintendent position, Carman remained involved with the fair. He sponsored trophies for 4-H’ers during his time as superintendent and thereafter. His dedication to Dallas County 4-H’ers ended up earning him an induction into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in August at the Iowa State Fair.

“It was a total surprise. I came home from work and saw our tickets to the sponsorship supper at the fairgrounds. She told me we’d been given the tickets and I figured we were there just to enjoy the event. I was shocked when they called my name,” Carman said. “I leaned on some pretty good people during my time, especially the dads who helped my kids get their pigs to the show ring while I was superintendent. I really appreciated it.”

is America’s largest youth development organization-empowering nearly six million young people with

skills to lead for a lifetime.

-Submitted photo

AUDIE CARMAN, of Minburn, served as the swine superintendent at the Dallas County Fair for 15 years. He was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during the Iowa State Fair in August.

“It was a total surprise. I came home from work and saw our tickets to the sponsorship supper at the fairgrounds. She told me we’d been given the tickets and I figured we were there just to enjoy the event. I was shocked when they called my name.”

AUDIE CARMAN, 4-H Hall of Fame inductee

Ideas to Celebrate

• Host a 4-H Rally

• Set up Information Booths

Dreeszen cites 4-H as guide to adulthood

Credits her 4-H experiences with helping her move forward when life doesn't go as planned

By DOUG CLOUGH

News

Farm

writer HOLSTEIN — Alyssa

(Lundgren) Dreeszen sits behind three binders of 4-H work, nine years in all, and reflects on her experiences and how each has made her the person she is today. Taking risk for success is her mantra, and she’ll tell you that everything she touches doesn’t turn to gold.

“We gave it a good go to have an Oktoberfest fundraiser for Ida Sheltered Industries (ISI),” said Dreeszen, “and, after a couple years of trying, determined there were better ways to raise funds.”

Dreeszen credits 4-H with giving her the moxie to move forward when things don’t go right.

She is mostly known for her efforts to revitalize and manage the State Theatre in Holstein, but there are more projects on her dossier. As a member of the Holstein Chamber of Commerce, she assembles welcome bags for new residents, she cares for the downtown flower planters and she’s a cheerleader for community events.

just south of Fort Dodge.

“Webster County has a good county fair,” said Dreeszen, “and, when I was in it, we had a very strong coordinator for the county.”

Dreeszen’s parents have an Angus cross cow-calf herd and farm corn and beans; Dreeszen’s father participated in 4-H and the family lived on the farm where he grew up. Dreeszen has an older brother Alex, 37.

all the difference.”

Dreeszen participated in photography, visual arts, leadership, share the fun, woodworking, aerospace, cats, citizenship, computers, horticulture, and livestock, among other projects.

“My favorite category was visual arts, and I’m obsessed with cats,” said Dreeszen who currently has a cat and a new puppy.

“I won the congressional art competition for ‘Kitten with Pink Flowers,’ which was displayed at Tom Latham’s office at the capitol for one year.”

Dreeszen has fond memories of winning the cat costume contest with a patriotic feline flair featuring her cat, Matthew.

ALYSSA (LUNDGREN) DREESZEN met U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, during her 2006 4-H trip to Washington, D.C. “I won the congressional art competition for ‘Kitten with Pink Flowers,’ which was displayed at Tom Latham’s office at the Capitol for one year.” Dreeszen has fond memories of winning the cat costume contest with a patriotic feline flair featuring her cat, Matthew.

She and husband Adam own and operate Cornerhaus 101, the local coffee shop, utilizing their conversation spot to promote local happenings. She farms with Adam, which requires modification of their coffee shop hours from time to time.

Dreeszen grew up in Lehigh,

“Parents are such a deciding factor when it comes to 4-H success,” said Dreeszen. “My parents had to drag me through it when I was busy with sports, and now I’m thanking them later. My mother used to paste pictures of my project on the page for me, telling me just to write something about it. Taking pictures of all the projects, that’s the parents. Taking you to the meetings; staying at the meetings — the parents make

-Submitted photo

“I liked doing the livestock projects, which heavily involved my dad,” said Dreeszen. “He would teach me how to mix feed and do the record keeping. All 4-H projects required me to write goals, breaking down what I did and reflect on it.”

As an adult, Dreeszen has taken training to be a judge and has done so most summers since.

“Education is such a big part of being in 4-H,” said Dreeszen. “It’s not just about trophies and ribbons; you can keep the achievement-oriented kids in it for that part. Even with cats, I had to take a quiz on animal health and terminology. We’d have to present our projects to

a crowd full of people. I got the ‘People’s Choice Award’ one year for all the work that went into my project.”

“Adults volunteer time to make 4-H work,” said Dreeszen.

“I’ve judged visual arts in Buena Vista and Sac County. When I was in college, I judged the cat show in Webster County.”

Her husband Adam, who she met on a 4-H trip, has given back by judging mechanical engineering projects.

“Using the talent you have and being of use is so important,” said Dreeszen. “The scope of the pledge covers being of service and thinking of the wider bubble: My Club. My Community. My Country. My

World. It’s not just my group or my project; it’s about the larger picture.”

Dreeszen documented her civic service over her nine years in 4-H. In 2006, she painted the mural at her high school library as a citizenship project; it was titled, “How to paint a mural in nine days.” She also created a new town entry sign for her hometown.

“For me, it was about going from being a little girl doing pastel portraits of kittens to finding a way to use creative gifts externally as I got older,” said Dreeszen.

“Head. Heart. Hands. Health. The four ‘H’s.’ It’s a good holistic way to teach.”

-Farm News photo by Doug Clough ALYSSA DREESZEN sits behind the binders where she documented every project she completed from 2009 to 2018 as a 4-H participant. “For me, being in 4-H was about going from being a little girl doing pastel portraits of kittens to finding a way to use creative gifts externally as I got older,” said Dreeszen.

'Do all the good you can'

McAlexander inducted

By DARCY DOUGHERTY MAULSBY

Farm News writer

“Do all the good you can” defined the way Jacy McAlexander lived his life, in the good times and the bad. Although he’s been gone five years now, this Rockwell City native continues to inspire people across Iowa and beyond.

Family and friends gathered recently to honor Jacy (20002018), a former Logan Larks 4-H Club member, who was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

“4-H was such a big part of Jacy’s life,” said his mother, Kerri McAlexander, who was a Logan Larks 4-H club leader for 15 years along with her husband, Earl.

Not only was Jacy an active member of the Logan Larks 4-H Club, but he also served on the Calhoun County 4-H Council and State 4-H Council. Even after the teen was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of cancerous tumor that grows in the bones or the soft tissue around the bones, he never quit serving others.

He became a National Honor Society member, achieved his dream to become an Eagle Scout and attended the National 4-H Congress in the fall of 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia, as cancer weakened his body.

Jacy embraced a wide range of 4-H projects, from photography and pets (he was a lifelong cat lover) to communication and citizenship. He even channeled his cancer journey into 4-H educational exhibits on radiation treatment.

“Jacy always set the bar high,” said Kerri McAlexander, who noted that many of his projects earned top honors at the Calhoun County Exposition and the Iowa State Fair. “He believed that nothing less than his best was good enough.”

Building Iowa’s leaders

This kind of dedication defines the people who are inducted each year into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 when 4-H celebrated 100 years of a program dedicated to teaching youth life skills.

Counties across Iowa nominate volunteers, community lead-

into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame

Special delivery: 4-H mailboxes carry on Jacy McAlexander’s goal

Why are there green mailboxes located around Calhoun County? Take a look at the name and 4-H logo on the boxes. The boxes were installed several years ago in honor of Jacy McAlexander, who collected hundreds of thousands of popcan tabs during his lifetime to donate to charity. The pop tabs can be recycled to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines. This unique home offers a safe, welcoming place for families across Iowa to stay close to their hospitalized child, at little or no cost.

Thanks to Jacy’s legacy, people can drop off pop tab donations around Calhoun County to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines.

THANKS TO

-Submitted photo

JACY MCALEXANDER (2000-2018) was an active Logan Larks 4-H Club member from Rockwell City, even after he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma cancer when he was 8 years old. Jacy was a three-time Calhoun County Outstanding 4-H member, National 4-H Congress participant, National 4-H Conference attendee, plus he received the Iowa 4-H Foundation Contributing 4-H Youth Award.

ers, and Extension staff members who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their coun-

ty. Inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, including Jacy, represent the many people in Iowa who have contributed count-

On Aug. 8, 2020, a small ceremony was held at the Calhoun County Expo Center in Rockwell City to officially dedicate one of three of Jacy’s mailboxes. The three mailboxes are located at the Calhoun County Expo Center in Rockwell City, the west side of South Central Calhoun High School in Lake City, and at Manson Northwest Webster High School in Manson. The public is welcome to collect pop-can tabs, package them in zippered plastic bags and deposit them in the mailboxes. Calhoun County 4-H Youth Council members periodically clean out the mailboxes, sort the tabs and prepare them to be donated.

less hours to the 4-H program.

These exceptional volunteers have modeled community service, integrity and leadership.

Their legacy is the young people they’ve mentored, who will in turn support the continuation of a 4-H program that builds Iowa’s leaders.

Jacy proved that teenagers can embody all these skills. During his school years, Jacy participated in a variety of 4-H activities and had many projects advance to the Iowa State Fair.

He used the skills he learned to help organize and lead workshops during his time on the Calhoun County 4-H Council, as well as the State 4-H Council.

MCALEXANDER’S LEGACY, people can drop off pop tab donations around Calhoun County to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines. This drop-off box is located in Lake City, outside the high school gymnasium on the west side of the school.

Jacy was often recognized during his time as a 4-H’er, including as a three-time Calhoun County Outstanding 4-H member, National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference attendee and more. He also received the Iowa 4-H Foundation Contributing 4-H Youth Award.

Jacy learned from a young age how challenging life can be. He was first diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma cancer when he was 8 years old. During treatment, he received therapy from a child life specialist. Because the specialist provided such fun during a scary time, Jacy wanted to say thank

-Farm News photo by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby

JACY

-Submitted photo

THE FAMILY OF JACY MCALEXANDER was on hand at the 2023 Iowa State Fair when Jacy, a former Logan Larks 4-H Club member from Rockwell City, was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.

See JACY, Page 6D

Ideas to Celebrate

Griffieons have foundation in 4-H

Couple attributes success in life to 4-H involvement

By KRISTIN DANLEY-GREINER Farm News writer

ANKENY — From raising livestock to canning farmraised produce, rearing kids and patching up clothes, the experiences 4-H’ers learn as youth last through adulthood.

LaVon and Craig Griffieon farm outside Ankeny in Polk County. Their grandkids are the seventh generation to grace the Griffieon family farm. LaVon grew up in northwest Iowa near Spirit Lake and enjoyed being involved in 4-H.

“We had clothing, food and home improvement. Home improvement was always my favorite. I love to refinish furniture,” LaVon Griffieon said. “Craig showed beef cattle and horses through 4-H.”

The couple didn’t meet until LaVon was a student at Des Moines Area Community College.

Craig’s neighbor was a classmate of LaVon’s and told her she just had to meet and marry the farmer near her.

The Griffieon farm was designated a Century Farm in 2002 and the family has been farming in the area since 1862. They raise beef, chickens, turkeys, pigs, sheep and horses, along with corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa. Their meat doesn’t have added hormones, is antibiotic-free and described as humanely raised.

They also rent four acres to area gardeners for their own vegetable production.

Four kids and years of farming later, the Griffieons credit their involvement in 4-H for helping them become the successful adults they are today.

“I can’t tell you a day that goes by when I don’t use something I learned in 4-H. Recently, I canned 33 pints of applesauce and nine quarts of spaghetti sauce. I’m also redoing a play structure, sealing and staining it. Those are all things I learned through 4-H,” LaVon Griffieon said.

In fact, their son, Nick, now serves as the Polk County Fair Board president and Craig Griffieon’s parents were 4-H club leaders, too.

“We even had one fair king and two fair queens,” Griffieon said. “I was a 4-H leader for 16 years and Craig handled the beef projects. We also helped a lot of kids and allowed them to keep their cattle here. In fact, even when our kids got out of 4-H, my third cousin’s granddaughters lived in Polk City and they kept their 4-H steers and heifers here. This is the first year since the 1993 floods that we haven’t had 4-H calves on the farm. I’m afraid Craig will go through withdrawals.”

In fact, last year, Craig Griffieon recruited a neighbor girl to have a beef project and

she ended up taming one of their Limousin heifers for the Avenue of Breeds and showed her at the county fair.

“Our granddaughter is 8 and a Clover Kid, so we’re still in the 4-H business though,” LaVon

Griffieon said. “But it won’t be long before she can do a beef project and we’ll be back at it. It’s exciting to see the grandkids get involved. When I think of a project I need to do, I contemplate whether it could

be saved as a 4-H project for someone down the road.”

The Griffieon kids were hands-on on the farm, including the two girls.

“I was always pretty handson. I was the youngest in my family so as everyone left the home, I inherited their chores. My girls can do anything. They can back up the tractor, load up the livestock trailer, handle livestock,” LaVon Griffieon said.

Being involved in 4-H helps youth develop a good work ethic, Griffieon said. As a 4-H’er, she had to complete record books, which she said isn’t a requirement any more.

“Having deadlines for projects, being responsible for

America’s largest youth development organization-empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

-Submitted photo

PICTURED ON THE FAMILY'S CENTURY FARM, from left to right are Nick Griffieon, with his wife Samantha and daughter Harper in front of him; Phil Griffieon, with wife Amanda Smith-Griffieon and daughter Charlotte Griffieon in front of him; Craig and LaVon Griffieon, center, with dog Case, Julia Balbiani, holding daughter Addison with husband, Jordon Balbiani; Autumn Ogden, with daughter Brooklyn Ogden in front of her, and husband, Laramie Ogden, with their daughter Mackenzie Ogden, who is a 4-H Clover Kid.

“I can’t tell you a day that goes by when I don’t use something I learned in 4-H. Recently, I canned 33 pints of applesauce and nine quarts of spaghetti sauce. I’m also redoing a play structure, sealing and staining it. Those are all things I learned through 4-H.”

LAVON GRIFFIEON, 4-H volunteer and former member

See GRIFFIEON, Page 6D

-Farm News photo by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby DURING HIS CANCER TREATMENTS, Jacy McAlexander learned about the Ronald McDonald House, which helps keep families with critically ill children together during their time of need. Jacy started saving pop tabs when he was challenged to collect 1,000,000 tabs (more than 800 pounds). After reaching that goal, Jacy immediately started on a new goal to collect a ton of tabs. He documented much of this through some of his 4-H projects.

Jacy

Continued from Page 4D

you. He held a garage sale, sold his old toys and books, and donated the proceeds to the specialist.

During his treatment, Jacy also learned about the Ronald McDonald House, which helps keep families with critically ill children together during their time of need. Jacy started saving pop tabs when he was challenged to collect 1,000,000 tabs (more than 800 pounds). To help meet his goal, Jacy recruited everyone he knew. It took about three years, but he was able to meet that goal.

He immediately started on a new goal to collect a ton of tabs. Jacy was pretty sure he met his goal in May 2018, but he passed away before the tabs could be offi-

Griffieon

they cut the bottom.

Myers has taught kids how to make something decorative or even useful out of scraps of metal or metal objects, even if those objects are old. But when he just needs a good oldfashioned session going to get the creative juices flowing, Myers turns to the internet.

“If you go to millerwelds.com there’s a gallery there with thousands of ideas, from simple to complex,” said Myers.

He said he contacted that Wisconsin-based company early on as he started those home-based welding workshops to see if they could find a way to support what he was doing with the 4-H kids, and they replied generously.

cially weighed and turned in. Jacy left such a big impact on his friends, family, and the 4-H community that Iowa 4-H’ers have continued to collect thousands of pounds of pop tabs in Jacy’s memory. These efforts provide ongoing support for the Ronald McDonald House.

“Jacy wanted people to know that everyone can do something to help others — even if it’s something as simple as pulling the tab off your can when you finish a drink,” noted the press release that announced his Iowa Hall of Fame award.

“In an interview shortly before he passed away, Jacy challenged everyone to find something that needs to be done in their local area and get to it.”

Continued from Page 5D

another living thing, hard work, everything you learn in 4-H can be applied to everyday life,” she said.

There’s also a lot of fun to be had at the county fair.

“It’s almost like a family vacation. Everything just stops at the farm and you spend the entire week at the county fair,” LaVon Griffieon said.

Because they have a working farm in predominantly urban Polk County, the Griffieons allow 4-H club members from Ankeny to visit their farm every May.

“We direct market our meat — beef, pork, chicken, turkey and lamb — so they look at our operation and how we do things here,” LaVon Griffieon said.

Even though Griffieon has cherished raising kids, crops and livestock on the farm, her newer role of grandma is one she loves. She watches granddaughter Addie Monday through Friday and granddaughter Harper on Wednesdays and Fridays. Charlotte hangs out with her grandparents when her mom has to work on a weeknight, too.

“So add child development to my list of 4-H projects that help me today, along with food and nutrition. I still patch jeans and I’ve probably used my communications skills a time or two over the years. It’s too bad 4-H didn’t teach a unit on the importance of eight hours of sleep,” she joked.

“They sent welding helmets, safety glasses and welding gloves — and all they asked in return is that I send them a picture once in a while,” said Myers. “There are a lot of people out there who really want to help the kids.”

Myers said he does research for possible projects that might match up with kids’ skills, and that it fills up many of his hours. He said he was not raised to watch television at night.

“I like to encourage them to think outside the box — doing one-ofa-kind things, things that nobody else has made. Just doing something different,” he said. “In terms of possible projects, there are no rules.”

Myers said the longer he works with the kids, the more he understands how they think and the kinds of projects they would like to do.

“I try to help get them motivated into being their own person through these workshops,” said Myers. “I just want them to be a positive person, and for me to have a positive impact on their lives.”

Growing up welding

Myers said he grew up welding on the family farm with a father who loved to invent.

He said one of the first things he remembers his father making was a burner chamber with a bin fan on it. He burned corn cobs in it and it heated the air, and he pushed it in the bin to dry corn.

“I still have Dad’s original welder in my shop,” said Myers. “Dad always taught us to think … to think ahead … use your head. I can still hear him saying that.”

He said some of his enjoyment comes from giving a kid an idea and letting them run with it — letting them think about how to accomplish something, without interjecting — like his father did. Teaching a youth to set the welder would be an example.

Myers said he doesn’t know if any of the kids have or will grow up to become welders, but some of them

will have gained much experience by the time they have grown up.

“I have had a girl as young as 9 years old (a first-year 4-H'er) learning to weld,” he said.

Myers gives 4-H kids experience using lots of tools of the trade in his shop, including an arc welder, plasma cutter, drill press, bandsaw, mitre saw, sander, TIG welder and more.

“It’s fun to be part of their lives, and when you ask them what the 4-H motto is, and they say, ‘to make the best better,’ and I tell them they’re all the best,” said Myers.

He added that working with the kids one-on-one produces skills that flourish in time.

-Submitted photos

ABOVE: This welded spider was a project that 4-H member Reid Hendrikson took to the 2022 Clay County Fair — a project he worked on with welding mentor Gary Myers.

LEFT: Zoe Olesen had the working hands behind this copper rose, which she created with the help of Gary Myers.

“It’s fun to see the smiles on their faces when they show their parents what they’ve made and what they’ve done,” Myers said.

Myers was named to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2021. He is a regular contributor to the Clay County Fair’s “Town and Country Innovation Show” as well, which showcases creative inventions or improvements to existing inventions.

Myers brought a sweetcorn silker he invented one year, which was the “grand-slam” of the adult division that year.

He also encourages youth to bring exhibits to that show as well. Last year one of his “students” entered a spider, complete with a light bulb that “lit up” its back end.

“The kid put a red light bulb on it because red means it’s poisonous, and then we put on a photo cell and motion detector so at night when somebody walks by, the spider lights up,” said Myers.

“This is my stress relief,” he said.