Some of what Stenberg has had to offer as an educator was shaped while in Tanzania, Africa, where he helped people with agricultural projects. “It honed my value system some,” he said. There, in the Peace Corps, Stenberg taught Tanzanians about fisheries, soil conservation, livestock, poultry and horticulture and helped them increase flocks, herds and crop production. While in Tananzia, Stenberg also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro which, at 15,100 feet from its base, is the highest peak in Africa. He said he’d like to return to Africa, perhaps through the American Lutheran Church where he teaches a Bible study.
Dave Stenberg was in the Peace Corps in Tanzania, from 1964-66 and helped the people learn a multitude of agricultural practices
Dawson County folk reason Stenberg stayed so long as Extension agent
Wausa native retires after 40 years
by Elizabeth Barrett
November 15, 2008
With a master’s degree in hand and experience in the newly founded Peace Corps, Dave Stenberg traveled to Lincoln to see about working in the university animal science department.
He ended up in Dawson County as an extension educator—a job he has had for 40 years.
Stenberg, 66, will retire from the position he had planned on taking in 1968 for only a couple of years.
“I was going to stay for two years and then go home to farm near Wausa,” he said. “But the good people of Dawson County and the 4-H program kept me here.”
Although Stenberg’s official retirement date is Dec. 31, he had enough vacation time to leave the office on Oct. 31.
He’s currently the longest-term extension educator in the state, something not seen much anymore, he said, because people change jobs more and because of the number of night meetings and weekends his job entails.
As an educator, Stenberg said he felt he was serving a purpose working mostly with kids and later with more adults.
“We all kind of grew up together,” he said, noting that he’s seen the grandchildren of kids he had in 4-H enrolled in the program. “I always enjoyed the educational side.”
For example in helping kids learn oral communication skills, Stenberg remembers when 4-H’ers have been too frightened to tell a judge why they placed livestock or meats a certain way.
As those 4-H’ers learned to speak confidently, Stenberg said he’s taken satisfaction that he was part of the development.
“It’s important to have confidence in what you do,” he said.
One of the highlights of his job was seeing a livestock judging team in 1971 win at the state, national and international levels—the only time a Nebraska 4-H team has won the international contest.
Stenberg said 34 teams from the county have won the state meats judging contest with five of those teams going on to win national championships.
“It’s the best record in the United States for a county meats judging team,” he said.
Story image 2
NEW ARENA: Stenberg worked with Harold Stevens, who was also an extension educator, in erecting the Harold Stevens arena at the fairgrounds. However a landscape project at the fairgrounds that Stenberg spearheaded is what most people will remember.
In addition to working with youth, Stenberg said he also liked his relationship with commodity groups such as cattle and hog producers and corn growers.
“I loved the diversity of what I did from farm management workshops to crops to livestock projects,” he said.
In his early years, Stenberg said he worked more directly with the agricultural and organizational 4-H clubs which other educators now direct.
Through the years, he said 4-H projects have grown in number and diversity and both parents and youths have become busier.
“It’s a challenge for volunteer leaders because people are so busy and society is so mobile,” Stenberg said.
As an extension educator, Stenberg also led eight youth and four adult 4-H heritage tours to Washington D.C. and sites along the way.
At the fairgrounds, Stenberg is still involved in a landscape project he spearheaded.
It began after he wrote a successful grant to the Nebraska State Arboretum and received a $35,000 grant that was matched by selling inscribed bricks that were placed in a wall at the fairgrounds.
Smaller grants followed which resulted in specially selected trees, shrubs and flowers which 4-H clubs helped plant.
Some of what Stenberg has had to offer as an educator was shaped while in Tanzania, Africa, where he helped people with agricultural projects.
“It honed my value system some,” he said.
Story image 3
PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER: Stenberg was in the Peace Corps in Tanzania, Africa, from 1964-66 and helped the people learn a multitude of agricultural practices.
There, in the Peace Corps, Stenberg taught Tanzanians about fisheries, soil conservation, livestock, poultry and horticulture and helped them increase flocks, herds and crop production.
While in Tananzia, Stenberg also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro which, at 15,100 feet from its base, is the highest peak in Africa.
He said he’d like to return to Africa, perhaps through the American Lutheran Church where he teaches a Bible study.
In retirement, Stenberg said he also plans more visits to his 95-year-old mother who lives in Wausa.
“It’s been a good career,” Stenberg said. “I’ll miss the people the most—that’s why I stayed.”
ebarrett@gothenburgtimes.com 308-537-3636
