In 2008, Texas AgriLife Extension Service volunteers numbered 103,861.

They made almost 3 million direct teaching contacts and contributed more than 5.3 million hours of service. That’s equivalent to 2,559 full time employees at a value of $107 million.

AgriLife Extension volunteers touch the lives of many Johnson County citizens. It is a service valued at about $265,235 last year, according to Extension estimates.

Johnson County 4-H leaders mentor children, Master Gardeners beautify communities, and family and consumer science volunteers help build strong families.

This week is National Volunteer Week, April 19- 25, 2009, and we are thankful for our wonderful volunteers who are improving lives in Johnson County.

The Johnson County agricultural producers committee provides valuable educational programming and demonstration work in the areas of agriculture and natural resources.

Johnson County 4-H volunteers promote youth leadership, values, work ethic, public speaking and life skills that 4-H teaches.

Johnson County has always been a leader in Texas and has won competition at the national, state and district levels. Numerous youth scholarships are awarded that provide youth with opportunities to attain higher education.

Johnson County Master Gardener Association volunteers conduct educational programs including the annual lawn and garden show and lecture series.

Master Gardeners help beautify the communities with projects such as the Guinn Justice Center, Courthouse Annex, McGregor Park and others.

Family and Consumer Sciences and Extension Education Association volunteers reached citizens with educational programs.

The Better Living for Texans Program, a nutrition education curriculum, reached thousands of Johnson County residents.

The Better Living for Texans program encourages people to make healthy choices and stick with them, which will help people improve their health.

The work of these volunteers is vital to the success of Extension programs in Johnson County.

Extension offers practical, how-to education based on university research and is available to any resident of Texas.

Volunteers do the hard work extending Extension’s reach into every community.

In return, they receive the satisfaction of knowing they are helping their fellow citizens lead more productive lives and making their communities a better place to live.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities and activities available in communities throughout Johnson County visit johnson-tx.tamu.edu, call 817-556-6370, or stop by the Johnson County Extension Office at the Bank of America Building, 1 N. Main St., Ste. 309, Cleburne, Texas.

Chris Schneider is a County Extension Agent with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Johnson County specializing in agriculture and natural

resources.