IARN — The post office in Clarinda, Iowa could soon get a new name honoring the ‘Mother of 4-H.’
Iowa Third District Congresswoman Cindy Axne has introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office in Clarinda in honor of Jessie Field Shambaugh, who is a former school superintendent in Page County and longtime Iowa educator known to many as the ‘Mother of 4-H.’
Speaking via Zoom last week, Axne told the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that her personal ties to 4-H moved her to bring the bill forward.
Today, over six million schoolchildren participate in 4-H activities – learning life skills, leadership, and cooperation through the same values of ‘Head, Hands, Heart, and Health’ that Shambaugh helped pioneer over a century ago.
“Back in the day it all started with showing livestock and of course gardening and things like that,” Axne said. “We’re still doing that today, but they are also bringing in more STEM activities. We certainly know that agriculture has science in its blood. It’s great to see how much 4-H has expanded and what she’s done from right here in Page County to an international organization that’s helping kids around the world. We need those young leaders more than ever right now. So, I was so honored to be able to do that.”
Shambaugh passed away in 1971 in Clarinda. In 1977, she was named to the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame. Axne’s bill is cosponsored by Iowa Representatives Abby Finkenauer (D-IA-01), Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), and Steve King (R-IA-04).
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
