08/31/2026
The Successful Farming/Loren Kruse Outstanding Iowa 4-H Leader Award is presented annually to an adult volunteer who has encouraged, challenged, and inspired Iowa 4-H members to reach their fullest potential. This year’s recipient is Donella Darrington from Winneshiek County. Darrington was honored at the Iowa State Fair on August 23, 2026.
For more than 35 years, Donella Darrington has dedicated her time, talents, and heart to 4-H and the young people of Winneshiek County. Since 1990, she has served as the volunteer leader of the Hesper Helpers 4-H Club, helping generations of youth develop skills, confidence, character, and a willingness to try new opportunities. She has supported members and Clover Kids with record books, hosted workshops in food and nutrition, sewing, pie baking, and communications, and opened her home to help young people reach their goals.
Donella’s commitment extends well beyond her own club. She served as Winneshiek County’s County Youth Coordinator for 18 years and has volunteered at the Iowa State Fair for more than 20 years. She has chaperoned and organized 4-H camps at Pine Bluff, served on the Pine Bluff 4-H Camp board, helped maintain the camp, and supported numerous county fair activities. She also serves as a superintendent and judge for county fairs and communication events in Iowa and Minnesota.
A strong believer in investing in the future of 4-H, Donella was a founding member of the Winneshiek County 4-H Endowment Foundation and continues to support its work. Her leadership and service have been recognized with the 1994 Winneshiek County 4-H Honorary Award, induction into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2012, and the 2025 Winneshiek County Friends of the Fair Award.
In her nomination, a past club member shared, ““She didn’t just teach me skills—she helped me to believe in myself. She has given me the confidence to speak publicly, pursue new opportunities, and step outside my comfort zone. Donella creates a space where every member feels important and a part of the club. She has a talent for connecting with kids and pushing them to reach their full potential.”
“We’re proud to honor Donella for her work to support 4-H’ers,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “Her selfless efforts exemplify the spirit of this award.”
The Successful Farming/Loren Kruse Outstanding Iowa 4-H Leader Award comes with a $1,000 grant, which the honoree can designate back to Iowa 4-H through their club, county, or state foundations. The award was established by Meredith Corporation and the Edwin T. Meredith Foundation through the Iowa 4-H Foundation in honor of Loren Kruse’s retirement as editor-in-chief of Successful Farming magazine. Kruse credits the outstanding guidance his 4-H club leader provided for his successes as an adult.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and provides private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. These opportunities help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors.
