This year’s Volunteer Impact Program award from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau went to Janet Robinson of Oxford in recognition of her long history of volunteer service to the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau.

“Every organization should have their Janet Robinson – if they are so lucky,” said Duncan Allison, CDCFB media relations director. “She is a people person with strong management skills, excellent writing and editing ability and heartfelt dedication to farming and the farming community.”

As a Farm Bureau volunteer since the late 1970s, Robinson has been the organization’s secretary and financial overseer, edited its newsletter and helped increased membership from a few hundred members to 7,651.

Janet and her husband Howard live on a 69-acre farm in Oxford.  Now retired, Janet was formerly a stay-at-home mom, and an administrative assistant at both Lincoln University and Winterthur Museum.

Janet was committed to Farm Bureau activities as it grew to include Delaware and western Philadelphia counties.  She retired as its secretary in March but continues to be its treasurer and edit the newsletter.  Articles have covered policy and legislation affecting farming.

In the 1980s dairy and mushroom farmers dominated the local board,  which has expanded to include Amish farmers and reflects the diversity of farm operations in the county.