4-Her Draws On Experience To Emcee Anniversary Party Moscow Man Says Programs Gives Young People Self-Confidence And A Chance To Excel

Opening ceremonies at the North Idaho Fair will be a pleasant homecoming of sorts for Coeur d’Alene native Maurice Johnson.

Wednesday at 11 a.m., Johnson will act as emcee at the celebration honoring the 75 years of 4-H in Kootenai/Shoshone counties. Johnson worked as Idaho State 4-H leader at the state office in Moscow from 1969 to 1981.

Until his retirement from the University of Idaho in 1994, he also served as assistant to the dean and directors of the College of Agriculture, and professor in the Agricultural Extension and Education Department.

“It’ll be fun being a participant in the fair,” he said. “It’s been quite a while since I’ve been up there.”

Johnson now lives in Moscow where he consults on Internet programs and does editing for a Japanese company. He also volunteers at the theater and at the U of I Athletic Department by officiating at indoor track meets.

Like many other local 4-H graduates, Johnson has good memories of his years as a member. He began his 4-H career in 1942 in the Roaring Meadowbrook Club with a first aid project under the supervision of leader Millie Stockton.

Alta Johnson, his mother, taught clothing and foods, while Marjorie Leinum, Marguerite Carder and Eldon Koehler led other projects in the club that served the Cougar Gulch area. Throughout his nine years of 4-H, Johnson took dairy, forestry, weeds, gardening, foods, nutrition and electricity.

He recalled the good times of taking cattle down to the old fairgrounds near Tubbs Hill and letting them jump in the lake for their bath.

“I remember the parades downtown. We put up window displays up and down Main Street,” he said. “It was a fun time.”

Johnson said he avoided one popular activity. “I never did the greased pig contest,” he said. “I was afraid I might have to take care of it (the pig) if I caught it.”

Along with the fun came hard work, rewards and an impressive 4-H resume.

In 1946, Johnson was one of four 4-Hers selected by Washington Water Power to attend the Pacific International Livestock Exposition in Portland. Three years later he returned to the Expo on a livestock judging team.

In 1949 as a state safety winner, he attended National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. In 1951 he participated in National 4-H Camp in Washington, D.C.

Twice he won the outstanding forestry project for Idaho. He also received the Union Pacific 4-H scholarship. Johnson traveled to Sweden in 1954 for the International Farm Youth Exchange.

During his tenure as state 4-H leader, his most proud achievement was creating the Japanese 4-H Exchange program.

The program began in 1971 when Johnson and other leaders took 152 Idaho youngsters to Japan. The 4-H’ers, some as young as 11, stayed almost five weeks with Japanese families. Since that time more than 35,000 exchanges - Japanese and American - have participated in the program that eventually spread from Idaho and Washington to other states.

“I feel good about that,” Johnson said. As a graduate of the University of Idaho, a former Jefferson County agent and assistant state 4-H leader, Johnson has no problem acting as a cheerleader for the 4-H program. He believes the organization provides a positive strong influence on its participants.

“Everyone can excel at something in 4-H,” he said. “It can be a real builder of self-confidence, speaking in front of groups and working with people.”

Johnson points to his own experience when telling the 4-H story.

“It provided a situation where I was very comfortable, and it led to my career,” he said. “It’s about learning by doing and having fun … making lifelong friends. I look forward to seeing some of those people when I come back.”

, DataTimes