Organizational Leader: Janice Melson and Richard Melson
Club: Meado-Larks
Janice and Richard Melson are the organizational leaders of the Meado-Larks 4-H Club in New Castle County. Mrs. Melson has been a 4-H leader for 36 years and Mr. Melson has been a leader for 32 years! They are both active in the New Castle County Leaders Association and New Castle County Order of the Links.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Melson were 4-Hers in Sussex County in the Dublin Hill Yellow Jackets 4-H Club. They were both active at the club, county, and collegiate level. Richard was involved in the Foods and Food Preservation, Gardening, and Field Crops projects. Janice was involved in the Foods, Foods Preservation, Clothing, Home Improvement, Gardening, and pet projects. Their involvement earned them both two trips to National 4-H Congress. Richard also attended National 4-H Conference and the National Cherry Pie Cooking Contest. Some their fondest 4-H memories circle around Camp Barnes as campers and counselors.
Mrs. Melson says that when her oldest son joined 4-H, she felt it was natural to become a leader. Just four years later, her and her husband took over the Meado-Larks 4-H club. Their youth take whatever projects they wish and they train in as many of those areas as they can. The current club still has a multitude of interests, but they are also putting an emphasis on community service. Mrs. Melson mentions that it has been fun setting up activities they can do together. It doesn’t matter what age they are; they all participate together.
Mr. and Mrs. Melson are starting to see an increase in membership and interests within the club. They look forward to continuing the fun and excitement, not to mention the rewards and satisfaction.
