Helgerson family honored with Heffern Memorial Award ...

The Heffern Memorial Award was established by the Heffern family in memory of Bernie Heffern, who passed away in 2008. Bernie was very passionate about all areas of 4-H and its importance in the lives of youth and their families. She and her husband, Bob, were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2007 for their lifelong dedication to 4-H. Each year during fair week, the Allamakee County Fair Board observes families and selects a family who emulates the Heffern family attitude of helping others, working well with each other, and going above and beyond for the fair.

The Hefferns hope that creating this award and honoring a family each year will help to develop the kind of passion and dedication Bob and Bernie showed for the 4-H program. They also hope that it will instill the kind of family involvement that was important to Bernie.

The Erik and Janelle Helgerson family of rural Waukon was awarded with the 2019 Heffern Memorial 4-H Family Award before the 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction Sunday, July 21 by members of the Bob and Bernie Heffern family. Erik has instilled his love of agriculture and stewardship of the land into his children, who are all active in 4-H and FFA and showing livestock at the Allamakee County Fair. Erik started volunteering on the Allamakee County Fair Board in 2004. He has put in long hours and even longer nights during the off-season to make sure the Allamakee County Fair is truly bigger and better each year. Pictured above are members of both the Erik and Janelle Helgerson family and the Bob and Bernie Heffern family. Photo courtesy of Allamakee County ISU Extension and Outreach.