Barron County 4-H Volunteer

“Where there’s a need, there’s a way!” perfectly captures Joyce Ann Nelson’s incredible journey through 4-H. Starting in 1967, Joyce has been a dedicated 4-H volunteer for 58 years. Known affectionately as “Grandma Joycie,” she has worn many hats in 4-H, including clown, Santa Claus, leather craft project leader, Project Discovery Days Coordinator, club leader and more.

Joyce’s greatest joy has been being part of 4-H through four generations: herself as a volunteer, her children, grandchildren, and now her great-grandchildren.

Joyce’s trademark program is Project Discovery Days, which involves coordinating 20-25 sessions a year covering a wide range of activities: from woodworking and small engines to sewing, stitching, crocheting, and painting. More than 12,500 youth have attended this program over the years.

Beyond 4-H, she does clowning, lots of face painting, has been a member of the Friendship Homemakers Club (HCE) for more than 20 years, and has served as the area’s Red Hat Scarlet Queen for more than 20 years. Joyce is a volunteer at school, has taught hunter’s safety, is a certified judge for Wisconsin Fairs, is a superintendent for the Barron County Fair, and serves on her church council.

She was a seamstress at the Barron Apron Factory for 37 years and eventually became a manager.

As of 2025, Joyce continues to organize Project Discovery Days, leads the Leathercraft project, and serves as club leader for the Prairie Lake Eagles 4-H Club. As she says, “you can’t quit just because your kids are out of 4-H!”