Dr. Gary and Karen Schulteis will be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame on Sunday, August 18th at the Iowa State Fair. According to “Who’s your Iowa Farmer” (On Facebook,) the Kansas transplants have dedicated their time and talents to the Adair County community since making Iowa their home. The couple have volunteered with the 4-H program for over 17 years.

Karen, a family and consumer science teacher at Nodaway Valley CSD, grew up as a member of the Hawk Husky Healthy Helper’s 4-H Club, then continued her 4-H career with Collegiate 4-H at Kansas State University. Exhibiting at the county fair, whether with cooking, sewing, home improvement, or photograpy projects, was always a summer highlight. In fact, she and two friends had a friendly competition when it came to who would have the most county fair exhibits each year, a number that was never less than 20 for each girl. With all this experience, it seemed only natural for Karen to begin judging county fairs after her days exhibiting as a 4-H’er ended. She has judged county fairs in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa, as well as evaluated exhibits at the Iowa State Fair. Locally, Karen continues to apply the leadership and organization skills she first developed as a 4-H’er by serving as a Adair County 4-H and FFA Center static exhibits superintendent.

Karen and Dr. Gary Schulteis

Karen loves to help students explore the connection between food and fiber and agriculture. She recently organized a popular “from fiber to textile” station for the first ever NV Ag STEM Festival hosted by Ag 4 All. With help from her daughter and a friend, she provided students the opportunity to examine raw cotton and wool. They could then follow the process from fiber, to cloth, to garment construction by actually operating a sewing machine as they practiced sewing a seam.

A 12-year member of the county Extension council, Karen is an advocate of strong educational programming for youth development, agriculture, families, and community. The Adair County ISU Extension & Outreach Office is one of Ag 4 All’s six partner organizations. Karen is also active in her church and uses her musical talent to share the message of Christ.

Gary, a veterinarian, was never a 4-H member, but that hasn’t stopped him for being an enthusiastic supporter of the program. In the middle of winter, his clinic provides a dry, warm spot to perform the required retinal imaging of market calves 4-H’ers plan to exhibit at the Iowa State Fair. He has donated supplies to help 4-H members master the knowledge and skills required for YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals). In addition to providing treatment to animals belonging to 4-Hers, Dr. Schulteis instructs young people on preventive care of livestock, whether as individual clients or through day camps and workshops. When those hot, hot, hot days of the Adair County Fair-Iowa finally arrive, he can be found doing health checks and offering advice to concerned exhibitors.

Like Karen, Gary is a proponent of youth development. He volunteers with the Boy Scout program as well as 4-H and the county fair. As a leader at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, he advocates for Christian education programs for all ages. Gary’s vet clinic serves as a worksite for many high school students, hosting school programs designed to provide hands-on experience for teens exploring career options. The Adair County Veterinary Clinic is also a sponsor of Ag 4 All which helps provide agriculture literacy experiences across the entire age span.

Gary & Karen are parents to three adult children: Katrina, Ben, and Landon. The family always focused on nurturing a love of learning, generosity, and community involvement by supporting each of their children as active 4-H’ers and participants in a variety of extra-curricular activities.

If you plan to be at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 18th, make sure to stop by the 4-H Exhibits Building that afternoon. Take time to recognize and congratulate all the new inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, including Adair County’s Dr. Gary & Karen Schulteis.