2011 Adams County - Joyce James

Joyce James of Prescott has been involved with the 4-H program from an early age. Her parents, Herb and Mary Patience of Winterset, were 4-H members themselves and leaders for many years. Her older sister, Bev and brother Gary, were also 4-H members.  Joyce was a 9 year member of the Penn Gwens Girls 4-H Club in Madison County. Joyce had many beef, dog, food, clothing, home improvement, and entomology projects throughout her 4-H career. She made some of her own clothes and refinished several pieces of furniture. She was on the Youth Council for 2 years. She met her future husband, Doug James, at a 4-H camp in Madrid during her senior year and the rest is history!

She moved to Adams County with Doug after they got married and had 2 sons, Todd and Travis, who were 3rd generation 4-H’ers. She was a leader for 14 years for the Prescott 4-H Workers while the boys were members. She retired as a leader, or so she thought, in 2004!  When the Prescott 4-H Workers Club faced dissolving because of no leader, she emerged from retirement and become the leader once again in 2006 and is still in that volunteer role.

She is the chairperson of the Adams County 4-H Endowment Fund and started the annual golf tournament fundraiser for the endowment. She spent countless hours helping 4-H members with projects, exhibits, record books, and meetings. She is an advocate for the 4-H program and strives “to make the best better” in everything she does. She is looking forward to having 4th generation 4-H’ers with her grandsons, Ethan and Tyler.