Johnson returns as Hot Springs County 4-H educator

THERMOPOLIS — A 4-H educator rejoined the Hot Springs County extension office last week.

Joey Johnson had previously served as the county’s 4-H educator from 2013-15. During the past 22 years, he has been a county 4-H educator, a vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor (with Meeteetse) and a livestock judging coach.

During his tenure with the Hot Springs County 4-H program, youth membership doubled, there was a substantial increase in the number of volunteer leaders and he helped bring in over $100,000 to the 4-H program through grant writing and fundraising, said Kim Reaman, University of Wyoming Extension federal relations and staff development coordinator.

Johnson studied general agriculture at Casper College and graduated with a B.S. in agricultural education in 1994 from the University of Wyoming.

Johnson, who returned to as the Hot Springs County 4-H educator Nov. 21, said, “I still remained in Hot Springs County. I went to work running a bank and just didn’t like sitting in an office.”

“I returned because I’ve worked with kids for 22 years and I just really feel like that’s what my calling is,” he said. “We’ve really worked on making some neat things happen here with shooting sports and some of our livestock judging and our other areas. I missed that and wanted to get back doing that.”

Johnson added, “I’m just excited to be back and I look forward to getting the word out about 4-H and all the neat things kids can do with it. There’s so many more opportunities than there used to be. I enjoy being able to offer kids things to do to enrich their lives.”