Posted on August 19, 2019 at 1:23 PM by Global Reach
Ron Burgetts’ love and dedication to the Lucas County 4-H program can be seen and proven throughout his 48 years of involvement in the program. He joined 4-H at the age of nine and continues to serve as a club leader and sheep superintendent today. He believes the program teaches youth valuable life skills and is a place to make memories to last a lifetime.
Ron’s love of agriculture started as a young boy on his family farm northwest of Chariton. As a toddler he spent hours sitting in the bed of his father’s truck watching him farm and helping his father with livestock. Prior to joining 4-H in 1971 he started raising his own sheep herd. His grandmother, Martha, retired from farming and gave him two ewes to start his own herd. He then purchased two of his sister’s ewes to further develop his herd. Ron was able to bring home many champion trophies from his herd throughout his 4-H career.
Ron later started his own cattle herd; beginning with a bottle calf, Sis, he got from his father. He bought more heifers over the years from his grandmother to extend his herd. Later in his 4-H career he entered some beef projects and enjoyed showing cattle as well.
After graduating from high school, he attended Indian Hills Community College, but returned from school the week of fair to help with the sheep show and livestock sale. In 1981, he became the assistant club leader of The Liberty Flyers 4-H club along with Don (Mac) McFarland. He remains the club leader today. In his 38 years of leadership he has led many nieces, nephews, his three children, and one grandchild. In 1992, he became a 4-H parent when his daughter, Nicole, started 4-H. He remained in this role for 17 years until both his sons, Shane and Austin, finished their 4-H careers. He enjoyed showing his children how to raise and show sheep and even took on assisting them with showing pigs. The past nine years Ron has helped his oldest grandchild, Paige, start her own show sheep herd, prepare her animals for show day, and guide her in growing into an excellent showman; just as he did for his own children.
Ron has served as a Lucas County sheep superintendent for the past 20 years. He has spent countless days weighing in sheep, making show bills, assisting behind the scenes on show day and sale day, and even loading and delivering sheep to the packer for the sheep project members.
His passion for agriculture started as a young boy and his dedication to the 4-H program began when he became a member and continues today as a volunteer for this youth program.
