Locally, folks know Duane Asbe for many reasons. He’s the mayor of Clarion and works with the Wright County Charitable Foundation as well as with the Iowa Specialty Hospitals Foundation. He has been very involved in the community for the last several decades. But most people might not know that Asbe was an avid 4-Her many years ago and continued to stay active in that organization over the years. Because of his contribution to 4-H and beyond, Asbe was recently honored as a 4-H Alum of the Day by the Iowa 4-H Foundation at the Iowa State Fair.
Active mostly in the 1960s, Asbe was a member of the Norway Ramblers 4-H Club in the northcentral part of Wright County. During his nine years in the club, Asbe primarily showed swine as his family raised hogs on their farm. He enjoyed competing at both the Wright County and Hancock County Fairs. He described the fairs as an “annual highlight where we made lifelong friendships.”
Other fond 4-H memories involve what was called the “club tour.” Asbe explained this took place before the fair when everyone would pile in a few automobiles and go to the different club members’ houses to check out their fair projects. He also enjoyed participating in skits at 4-H Fun Night and playing on his club’s softball team where they traveled around the county to play other clubs.
Even after his time as a 4-H club member, Asbe still valued and stayed active in the organization. After college, he moved back to Wright County and was working at First National Bank in Clarion. Since he lived at his parents’ farm for a time, he was still living in Norway township, which made him perfectly located to now be the leader of his former 4-H club, a position he held for over ten years.
He remained busy with 4-H activities even after his time as a leader ended. Asbe served two terms on the Wright County 4-H and Youth Committee, including three years as president. He is also a past two-term member of the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees and helped co-chair the Wright County Fair Show Arena’s Capital Campaign Committee, helping to raise over $500,000 to build a new show arena for the fairgrounds. Asbe eventually received the Wright County 4-H Alumni Award and was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2016.
Though he has largely retired from his 4-H involvement in recent years, Asbe has been very active in both Clarion and Wright County, as previously mentioned, holding positions on a variety of boards and committees over the past fifty years. All of this community involvement, in addition to his 4-H service, is a contributing factor to being honored as Iowa 4-H Alum of the Day.
According to the state 4-H Foundation, the Iowa 4-H Alum of the Day is a recognition event that seeks to thank 4-H alumni for their service in spreading the word of 4-H and living out the values of the 4-H program. Ten deserving individuals were recognized each of the first ten days of the 2021 Iowa State Fair. The individuals honored exemplify the 4-H spirit, contribute to their local community, and continue to support the 4-H program.
“We are always thrilled to recognize Iowa 4-H alums who continue to live out what they’ve learned in 4-H, and still support the 4-H program,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “We congratulate Duane on this award and thank him for his support of Iowa 4-H.”
Asbe was recognized at the fair on Friday, August 20 in the 4-H Exhibits Building. He received a certificate along with a few fair perks including a parking permit, fair admission and food coupons. He added that he and his wife, Louise, had a fun day taking in the fair and especially the 4-H activities. “I always enjoy going through the livestock buildings,” Asbe said. “I also like looking at all the 4-H projects that members come up with. I admire their hard work and creativity.”
Years later, as he looks back at his time in 4-H, Asbe said he learned valuable skills in the program that he still uses to this day. For instance, as a mayor, he still relies on his knowledge of parliamentary procedure in meetings that he learned as a 4-Her. He also attributes his leadership skills to his 4-H days.
“4-H taught me to be a servant and volunteer in all areas of life,” Asbe emphasized. And to this day, he also says he works to live up to the 4-H Pledge that he first recited all those years ago: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.”
