“Everything I’ve done goes back to 4-H. It gave me the friendship, competitiveness, background to be able to be part of the community and to give to others. It formed my character. I started out being shy, but today I have no problem speaking or addressing a group,” explained Janet Burgess as she recalls her many years of being associated with 4-H.

Her 4-H work began in Newport News, the hometown of Janet and her family. “My mom was in a Home Demonstration group, so that’s how I got started with the 4-H in 1956. When I was in the seventh grade it was at a birthday party that a fortune teller asked me if I wanted to stay in Girl Scouts or go with 4-H. I chose 4-H of which I had been a member for four years. My mother supported and encouraged me.”

Janet began her most successful association with 4-H, winning her first blue in 1959 and going on to capture district, state and national awards with her bread-making. Later she took up sewing and more awar...