T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY Haverhill Hustlers leader Cassie Sawyer, right, pictured alongside presenter Kaylee Young, was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Central Iowa Fair on Wednesday evening.

Cassie Sawyer may have grown up a few counties to the east, but the Blairstown native has dedicated herself to local 4-H youth ever since she met her husband Nick, who was raised here, and moved to Marshall County with him.

Sawyer, who played a pivotal role in relaunching the Haverhill Hustlers 4-H Club and still serves as the leader of the group, was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a special recognition ceremony under the big top tent at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds on Wednesday night. It was an exciting kickoff to the annual Central Iowa Fair for Sawyer, who now resides near Le Grand, and a meaningful recognition for a woman who has donated so much of her life to helping kids get involved in the program.

“I grew up showing cattle and doing working exhibits, so I kind of was rooted in the 4-H world,” she said. “I always thought it was important for my kids and other people’s kids that might not have the opportunity to experience certain things, whether it’s woodworking or rabbits or whatever, to have that opportunity to grow in that area.”

She has always appreciated the efforts of the kids she works with and the support their parents have provided over the years. Her favorite part of what she does, Sawyer said, is helping a child who may not know what he or she wants to do initially find a niche in 4-H.

This year, she’s tutored five first-time rabbit showers, and she was happy to report a grand champion and reserve champion winner on Wednesday.

“It’s always that sense of accomplishment that you help them grow in an area, but this was rather surprising,” Sawyer said of the recognition.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.