Johnson Retires As Richland County Extension Agent

After serving Richland County for twenty two years, MSU's Family and Consumer Service Extension Agent Judy Johnson will retire from her position effective the end of June. Johnson's duties as consumer service extension agent included family financial management, food and nutrition issues, food safety, human development, and housing and environmental quality.

Johnson's responsibilities have changed somewhat through the years, as Extension always seeks to educate and provide services where little or no service exists. "When I first started, I did a lot of work on parenting as this was an important issue," she remarks. "Funding at the national level on specific issues changes through the years, however, and as public interests change and more money becomes available for certain issues, we in extension can then shift our focus, partner with other agencies, and move into areas that are not receiving funding."

A big issue in Richland County today centers on housing issues of all kinds. This will present the new agent with the potential to initiate new programs. Along with the housing, Johnson believes food safety issues also will take a front seat with the incoming agent. "With the community changes, I see a lot of opportunities for new initiatives," Johnson comments. "Housing is an important issue. When I say 'housing' I don't mean affordability or availability issues, I mean indoor air quality and safety issues within whatever dwelling a person may live in. Food safety also needs to be emphasized. We see more vendors, work force changes within restaurants, and understaffed food service establishments."

She continues, "The new agent, who will be full time, will have a lot of opportunities to adapt and expand programming in the community. Important topics will include healthy homes, whether these homes are permanent or temporary, food safety, food preservation, child care, and estate planning."

Johnson enjoyed her time spent as extension agent in Richland County. "Every day is different, with so much variety, so I never got bored," she says. "I am a lifelong learner, and this position allowed me to learn about different issues. Extension is all about providing education for people so they can make good decisions."

She continues, "I've had the opportunity to work with and for so many great people. The County Commissioners have supported the efforts of extension, and Richland County itself has so many great people who are involved and work to make this county a better place."

Johnson urges people to take advantage of all that extension has to offer the community. "Richland County is fortunate to have three extension agents," she concludes. "I encourage people to interact and take advantage of what the agents can provide through MSU's extension programs."

Johnson has no plans for retirement other than to continue to learn something new every day, read a lot, and explore new interests. She looks forward to setting her own schedule and fully appreciating each and every day as it arrives.