J. Harold Johnson graduated from Kansas State Agricultural College (Kansas State University) in 1927 with a degree in Animal Husbandry. He was assigned to Sedgwick Co. (Wichita) as the first full-time 4-H agent in Kansas, where his lifelong dedication to the principles and values of 4-H took root. He served as Assistant State 4-H Leader for nine years and then state leader in 1945 through 1958. Perhaps his greatest legacy was recruitment of outstanding Sedgwick Co. citizens to give leadership and support to 4-H youth development. The impact of his leadership is found in 4-H programs that emphasized music appreciation, parliamentary procedure, safety, health, various 4-H events and contests.
His career is linked with the start of the IFYE program in 1948, continued development of the Kansas 4-H Journal, the nation’ only 4-H magazine, support for Clovia Scholarship House, and formation of the Kansas 4-H Foundation. His dream of a 4-H leadership center started to be a reality in 1945 with the purchase of land which is now Rock Springs 4-H Center. Johnson was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Rotary International, and served as a trustee and first Executive Director of the Kansas 4-H Foundation. He held a Master’ degree from George Washington University. He married LaVerne Phillips on June 15, 1930. He passed away at the age of 94 in Manhattan, KS.
