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Joseph F. Major, a longtime Walpole resident, has been selected as the Northeast Region’s Lifetime 4-H Volunteer of the Year by the National 4-H program and as such will be considered to become the National Lifetime 4-H Volunteer of the year.
Present and past 4-H members and their families gathered at Ward’s Berry Farm on March 12, 2017. Jay Field from the Norfolk County UMass 4-H Extension proudly announced Joe’s award at a surprise celebration attended by over 100 people. The Ward Family graciously provided a place for to hold the celebration and luncheon.
Joe Major accepts congratulations after being named Northeast Region Lifetime 4-H Volunteer of the Year. Major was dressed in his farm clothes for the surprise celebration; he thought he was heading to a class to talk about sheep delivery. Photos by Anastasia Aranmovich Photography.
As a 4-H educator, Joe tries to run a program in which each child walks away with a greater sense of self worth through the many tasks associated with caring for farm animals. He stresses the importance of teamwork and how cooperative interaction can be fun and lead to developing new friendships, which not only occurs among the younger members but their parents as well.
Joe hopes to give club members and farm visitors visitors a greater appreciation for all living things. He also hopes to impart a lesson of what it takes to establish trust - time, patience, and kindness. Major helps the members develop a work ethic that calls for each of them to do their very best at whatever they are doing.
Perhaps most importantly, Joe hopes to provide his members, families and visitors memories that make them smile when they recount their experiences years down the road.
