Randy and Chris Kilburg of rural Bellevue attended the Iowa State Fair this year and were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame for Jackson County.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsors the annual Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Counties nominate volunteers, community leaders, and Extension staff members who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their county. Only one individual or couple per county can be nominated each year. Inductees can be recognized posthumously.
Randy and Chris Kilburg have been dedicated supporters of 4-H for over 30 years and continue to volunteer today. Chris was an active 4-H member growing up, and their shared journey deepened when their four children — Tony, Kaitlin, Nick, and Allison — joined the Bellevue Pioneers 4-H Club starting in 1999. The family often joked they truly had “4 in 4-H,” according to their nomination paperwork.
Their children participated in cattle, goats, and a variety of indoor projects, and now, as adults, they remain involved in 4-H and their communities. Today, the couple’s grandchildren are beginning their own 4-H journeys.
Chris has been a leader of the Bellevue Pioneers 4-H club for 21 years and also leads the Bellevue Clover Kids. She volunteers at the fair by writing comments for indoor project and clothing events. Together, the couple have helped lead numerous community service projects, including securing environmental grants to help Boyer Hall “go green” and organizing activities like cleaning up Bellevue State Park and teaching youth to make dog treats for donation.
For the Kilburgs, 4-H is more than preparing projects and showing animals—it’s a family. The relationships built, the fun shared, and the memories made are what make 4-H so special to them, according to their nomination.
Outside of 4-H, the Kilburgs remain active in their church. Chris has been a kindergarten teacher at Andrew Community School for many years, and Randy is a member of the Jackson County Cattlemen while continuing to farm.
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as 4-H celebrated 100 years of a program dedicated to teaching youth life skills. During those 100 years, it became evident that one of the essential elements of the 4-H program was the caring adults who were committed to the program.
Inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame represent the many people in Iowa who have contributed countless hours to the 4-H program. They work tirelessly to see that Iowa’s youth have a great learning experience in a safe and fun environment. These adults have modeled volunteerism, community service, integrity, and leadership to Iowa’s youth. Their legacy is the young people they have mentored who will in turn support the continuation of a 4-H program that builds Iowa’s leaders.
The induction ceremony for the 4-H Hall of Fame honorees was held on the last Sunday of the Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibit Building.
