Janet Maeschen is pictured holding her Hall of Fame induction award, with some of the members of her Town ‘N Kountry Kids Blue Group 4-H Club; back row, left to right: Cooper Goldammer, Brady Larson, Janet, Delaney Zoss, Payton Uecker; front row: McKenzie and Brody Uecker, Brooklyn Larson, Memphis Moody, Bryce Larson, Layton Zoss, Teagen Moody.

Janet Maeschen was inducted into the South Dakota 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame on Sunday at the State Fair.  This honor recognizes and celebrates adult volunteers in South Dakota who have dedicated themselves to making significant contributions to the development of the SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program in the areas of character, citizenship, leadership and career accomplishment.

For 34 years, Maeschen has been an active 4-H volunteer, serving at the local and state level. 

Maeschen has taught 4-H members how to sew outfits, make quilts, bake bread, and can vegetables, fruits and jam. She has encouraged youth to participate in Youth in Action activities including public speaking, judging, fashion revue and special foods.

Community service is at the heart of the monthly activities of her club, the Town ‘N Kountry Kids 4-H Club.

At the state level, Maeschen has served on the South Dakota 4-H Leaders Association, the South Dakota 4-H Livestock Industry Trust Board, and volunteers as a foods judge at numerous county Achievement Days, as well as at the State Fair. 

Maeschen says that her favorite part of 4-H is seeing a kid’s smile when they complete a project, and firmly believes 4-H gives youth a positive future.