Our North Star – Juanita Burtner

The North Star Award was inspired by the late John Adamson, our 2022 North Star, and honors individuals who are no longer with us, but lived the Alliance’s mission and vision through their own conservation efforts in the Valley.

Juanita Burnter, of Keezletown, was one such individual who dedicated much of her life to sharing and nurturing the beauty in life. She was an artist and avid flower gardener who helped establish the Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market where she was a vendor during its early years held under the Water Street parking deck. She sold floral products from her gardens and thus became known as “the flower lady”. She shared her home-grown flowers with so many, spreading joy through her bouquets. We learned from her friends that she would regularly visit a local retirement home to share these treasures with the residents – a small, beautiful act of kindness. 

Juanita also had a broad perspective for the importance of protecting working farmland in the Shenandoah Valley. She was a founding member of one of the Alliance’s legacy groups, Community Alliance for Preservation (CAP), as her way to ensure that the rural character of the Valley was preserved. Her passion was shared with family as they were also involved with CAP. Mrs. Burtner also served on the Rockingham County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and was the first woman to serve on the county Bureau’s Board of Directors. She served on the Bureau’s legislative committee and made numerous trips to Richmond and Washington DC to advocate for farmers. She lived according to her own advocacy, generously donating historically significant property to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation so that it would be preserved for future generations.

Saturday, November 8
2pm – 5pm

Tenth Legion Mt. Valley
Ruritan Club
1037 Mauzy Athlone Rd,
Broadway, VA
(directions)