Released: June 01, 2001

Jefferson County 4-H Leader Honored

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Following in his brother’s and sister’s footsteps opened some new doors for Art Johnson. For example, he joined the Blue Ridge 4-H Club in Wabaunsee County because he saw others in his family enjoying – and benefitting from – the youth development organization.

"At the time, I couldn’t have realized how much joining 4-H would influence my life," said Johnson, who is being honored as one of two 4-H Alumni Award winners in the state this year.

"The Alumni Award recognizes outstanding leadership and citizenship," said Gary Gerhard, Kansas State University Research and Extension assistant director and state leader, 4-H youth development, who presented the award at the Emerald Circle Awards & Scholarship Banquet May 31 in Manhattan.

"Art Johnson is a good example of how 4-H can help young people grow. He was able to explore new interests (like learning how to work with a variety of people; how to judge livestock, and how to be a better public speaker) and grow into leadership roles (like serving as a superintendent at the county fair and later, as club president). As a 4-H member, he learned to be a thoughtful, productive citizen – he has practiced the lessons he learned throughout his life," Gerhard said.

Johnson credits his parents, Leonard and Esther Johnson, and his 4-H community leader – Erma Rolff – with bringing out the best in him.

"4-H has been as important to me as the formal education I received. I learned how to work with people; value their point of view; present my ideas, either in conversation or a presentation; learn to know others and to appreciate the differences in people," said Johnson, who credits his experiences in the youth development organization with influencing him to choose a career as an Extension agent. He worked first as a county agent in Finney County, and then in Shawnee and Jefferson Counties, where he served for almost 40 years.

In addition to his K-State Research and Extension career, Johnson has participated actively in his community. He initiated a 4-H exchange program; assisted with funding and construction of five new buildings at the county fairgrounds; and helped establish the Jefferson County 4-H Foundation.

And, retirement hasn’t seemed to curtail his interest or enthusiasm.

"Helping people will always be important to me," said Johnson, who also has received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agents; Extension Appreciation award from the Jefferson County Extension Council; and Kansas Agricultural Leader-of-the-Year from the Kansas State Grange.

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
npeterso@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News