Spotlight on: Janice Dixon
Morgan County
Extension Director
The sheep and I
have changed over the years. I joined the Grover Bakers and Basters
(northeastern Weld County) when I was nine and that's what I did, a lot of
baking and basting (and ripping out stitches). Cupcakes were the first year
cooking project in 4-H at that time and we ate a lot of chocolate cupcakes
(none too good), but that's the kind I liked - chocolate. It was a new
experience with Mom's mixer and one day alone in the kitchen, I pressed the
button that rotated the beaters. Well, I had chocolate dough flying and
sticking to every wall, appliance and cupboard in the kitchen … but
managed to mitigate the damage before my Mother reappeared! A new recipe - 7-Up
cupcakes (Yuk) and I ended up with a blue ribbon at Fair (before interview
judging) and I was hooked.
I never really enjoyed the sewing and cooking
much, but that's what most of the girls did and it kept me in 4-H and that's
what was important. Throughout the years, I convinced my parents that I could
also enroll in knitting, home beautification, leathercraft, range management,
photography, soil conservation, leadership, veterinary science and I was on my
way in 4-H.
When I was 12, my cousin was in FFA and had a large sheep
herd. I ended up with a bum lamb and I was hooked again. About the same time,
the Bakers and Basters joined with the 4-H Livestock Club and we all became the
Guys and Gals - sheep and boys at the same time; it was great!
4-H did
for me many of the things for what I truly believe it does for many youth in
the program … provides outstanding adult role models who truly make a
difference for youth. My Mom couldn't knit so my aunt was my knitting
instructor and I appreciated her patience and faith in me throughout my life.
My first trip to Denver was with my 4-H club to attend National Western Stock
Show. I was severely warned by my parents not to lose my ticket - so I put it
in my boot. Needless to say, I lost my ticket, and to this day, I don't know
how my 4-H leader got me in to see the rodeo, but he did.
Because of
growing up on a farm and ranch and 4-H, I started college to become a vet. But
five years later and after a summer internship in the extension office in Logan
County, I believed that 4-H youth work was for me.
One of my true loves
in extension work is the road trips, camps and conferences with kids, the
laughing, the sharing, how they interact with each other - the fun! I can still
remember the 4-H counselor at camp asking me … and you get paid to do
this?