Holland, Janie Medlin

oseph Hubert Holland donated this page in honor of Ms. Holland on her birthday, September 20, 2004. On September 20, 1953, William Harvey and Cathleen Lewis Medlin gave birth to their daughter, Janie. At that time, the family resided in North Carolina's Glendale community. Janie's education included attending Stancil's Chapel Elementary School and North Johnston High School.

After her graduation in 1971, she earned her associate degree in medical technology from Johnston Community College before working for Wilson and Johnston Memorial Hospitals from 1973 to 1981. Making a bold career change, Janie left the medical field to open the Kenly Farm and Home Supply Company. In doing so, she became one of the first women to operate a retail fertilizer distributorship in eastern North Carolina. Soon afterward, Dixie Fertilizer Company, W. S. Clark Company, and Royster Clark Fertilizer Company commissioned her as an agent.

In addition to fertilizer, her company carried lawn and garden supplies, feed, chemicals, and agricultural hardware. Janie's outstanding salesmanship quickly earned her numerous awards. On July 9, 1995, Janie married Joseph Hubert Holland and moved to his farm near Kenly where they still live today.

The couple had two children, Janna and Justin Rogerson who brought into the family two stepdaughters, April and Samantha Holland. Janie's interest in agriculture extended to her home where she fulfilled the duties of an active farm wife and secretary of Holland Farms Inc. She also enjoyed such varied hobbies as gourmet cooking, decorating, fishing, and taxidermy.

When not on the farm, Janie spent much of her time working in the community. She served on the Agriculture Extension Advisory Committee, volunteered at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, served on the first Kenly Area Parks and Recreation Committee, was an active member of the Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce, worked as a 4-H leader and Cub Scout Den Mother in Johnston County, became an officer in the GlendaleKenly Elementary School PTA, and volunteered at a shelter for battered women called Harbor House.

For her outstanding commitment to help better her community, the ---- named her Outstanding Woman in Agriculture in North Carolina in 1984. Along with her involvement in community-based organizations, Janie was an active member in the Kenly Missionary Baptist Church. She expressed her faith as a Sunday School teacher, member of the choir, teaching a Mission Friends group, and serving as the director of the Women's Missionary Union.

Throughout her life, Janie made significant contributions to her work, family, community, and church which she still upholds today. For all of her past efforts and the commitments she still plans to nurture, Janie's husband lovingly acknowledges the caring and inspirational women he married.