On November 10, 2025, our family attended the Appanoose County Extension Council meeting regarding the 2025 county fair. At that meeting, the Council determined that our family violated multiple provisions of the Iowa 4-H Code of Conduct and voted to revoke our household’s participation in Appanoose County 4-H for five years.

This decision affects all four of our children—ages 16, 14, 10, and 6—removing their opportunity to participate in 4-H activities, learning experiences, and community involvement. Two of our children had not yet even had the chance to fully participate before this ban was imposed.

Since that time, we have respectfully requested documentation, evidence, and clarification regarding the decision. To date, no supporting materials have been provided to us. We were also directed to communicate only through legal counsel and were not allowed to speak after the meeting in which the decision was made.

We have learned that guidance from Iowa 4-H Risk Management recommended that no punitive action be taken against the youth at this time, and instead suggested communication with adults regarding behavior expectations. This recommendation was not followed.

We believe this decision is disproportionate, lacks transparency, and unfairly impacts children who deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and participate in positive youth development programs.

We are asking the Appanoose County Extension Council to:

• Reconsider and reverse the five-year ban on our children
• Provide transparency and documentation regarding the decision
• Ensure fair and consistent application of 4-H policies moving forward

Our children were excited to participate, learn responsibility, and be part of their community through 4-H. They are deeply disappointed and deserve a second chance.

Please support our family by signing this petition.

We also invite community members to attend the public hearing on this matter:

May 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Appanoose County Extension Office

Let kids learn, grow, and return to 4-H.

Sincerely,
Brock and Janee Carson