Shelton to be inducted into 4-H Hall of Fame
Longtime C/C Sidekicks leader to be honored at Iowa State Fair
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A longtime Webster County 4-H leader will be inducted into the 2026 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon at the Iowa State Fair.
Debra Shelton will be honored for 23 years of leading the C/C Sidekicks 4-H Club in a program her family has been part of for three generations.
"For the past 23 years, Debra has served as the leader of the C/C Sidekicks 4-H Club, dedicating countless hours to mentoring, encouraging, and supporting young people," said Kristyn Klemp, Webster County 4-H youth coordinator. "Through her guidance, members have grown not only in their project work, but also in confidence, responsibility, citizenship, and leadership. She has a unique ability to make every young person feel valued, welcomed, and capable of achieving great things."
Shelton’s own 4-H career began as a member of the Byron Green Leaves 4-H Club in Buchanan County. She came from a 4-H family as her grandmother, her mother, and her sisters were all involved in the program, and she has stayed with it ever since, first as a member and then for more than two decades as a volunteer leader.
Much of that work has happened through community service. Shelton has led the C/C Sidekicks through numerous service projects over the years, using them to show members what giving back to a community actually looks like in practice rather than in a meeting agenda.
Shelton's nomination to the Hall of Fame credits her with teaching by example, and with a steady willingness to make first-year members feel like they belong in the room.
"Debra is known for her kindness, patience, and unwavering support of youth," said Klemp. "Whether helping a first-year member complete their first project, encouraging members to step outside their comfort zones, or celebrating the successes of her club members, she consistently puts the needs of young people first. Her influence extends far beyond club meetings, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the youth and families she serves."
Shelton will be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the 4-H Exhibits Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
"Debra truly embodies the 4-H motto, 'To Make the Best Better,'" said Klemp. "Her passion for youth development, commitment to service, and belief in the potential of every young person have made an immeasurable difference in the lives of so many."
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002, during 4-H’s centennial year, to recognize the adult volunteers, community leaders, and Extension staff who keep county programs running. Inductees are nominated through their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office.