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>> Narrator: Melvin H. Johnson’s contributions to
Agricultural Education in Georgia have allowed
the program to flourish and grow more than
any other state in this nation.
As a teacher,
leader in the agricultural and education communities,
State Staff member, and
State Director of Agricultural Education in Georgia,
Johnson is recognized as being the foundation of
the state’s improvements in Agricultural Education.
>> Mr. Melvin H. Johnson: My Ag teacher was very influential
in me wanting to be an Ag teacher.
But I liked agriculture.
We lived on a farm, we grew crops and livestock
and that was just a way of life.
I always thought there was a real need to help farm boys.
>> Narrator: Mr. Johnson attended
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and
graduated from the University of Georgia.
Mr. Johnson began his service as an Vocational Agricultural
teacher at Berrien County High School in 1958.
>> Mr. Johnson: Nothing is greater;
I have had no greater experience in my work than to watch
young students come into my class and then graduate
as a senior and be one of the leaders in the program and
in the school system and in the community.
>> Narrator: While teaching, Johnson earned the award for
“Young Teacher of the Year” for Berrien County Schools in 1964
and a place in the
Georgia Agricultural Teachers Hall of Fame in 2000.
>> Mr. Johnson: I can remember very well my first class
when I went to Miller County under Mr. Harry Davis.
And the first class I taught had to do with procuring seed corn
which was a very fundamental but it’s a job that everybody,
all the boys had had so they could relate to it.
What I thought, I had a lesson plan like Dr. O’Kelly
taught us to do, I thought I had a lesson plan
that would last about 2 weeks, I finished it in 30 minutes.
>> Dr. Ray Herren: The world is full of visionaries,
but the thing that I think makes Melvin very extraordinary is
the fact that not only is he a visionary but
he had a very clear cut idea of where that vision needed to go.
Not only that, he had a very clear cut plan
of how to get to that position in Agricultural Education.
Plus the fact that Melvin has the determination
and the drive to get it done.
And he, by and large, did it.
>> Narrator: After leaving the classroom, Mr. Johnson served as
Director of the State FFA-FHA Center from 1979 to 1996.
During his years as State Director of
Agricultural Education, Mr. Johnson received the
National Outstanding State Supervisor Award in 1999.
>> Dr. Herren: While agriculture is a very important part
of our curriculum, that’s what our curriculum is based on,
the real impact the program has is on rural youth development.
Melvin very thoroughly understands that.
We use agriculture as a means to develop that youth and
the program is very much a youth development program,
a human resource development program.
That’s something that Melvin has always pushed and
that’s what makes the program strong and keeps it strong.
>> Narrator: Johnson’s other accomplishments include
the past president of the local chapter of the
Georgia Educators Association,
an Executive Board member of
the Georgia Agriculture Teachers Association,
and past president and member of
the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Farmers Club.
>> Dr. Herren: I think Melvin’s big attributes, personally,
is that he is an extrovert.
Melvin really like people.
Melvin will sit down and visit with you.
He will sit down and carry on a conversation with you.
I think that’s one of the things that makes him very strong.
>> Mr. Johnson: I would like to think that I was
somewhat energetic; that I was somewhat innovative.
I had never worried too much about the past but
I was actually looking forward to the future.
>> Narrator: Mr. Johnson has served in various capacities in
Southern Baptist churches,
as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent
and Sunday School Director.
>> Mr. Johnson: It’s much greater to have
a positive affect on people than it is things.
Sometimes you have to change things and
you have to make things available to affect people.
But you certainly like to see a person’s life
mature in all areas.
>> Narrator: Other service to his community include
past president of the Exchange Club,
member of the Newton County Olympic Committee in 1996,
Director of the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce,
and past president of the Jaycees.
>> Mr. Johnson: It means a lot.
It’s hard to put in words what it means.
I have certainly enjoyed seeing other people
receive this award, this recognition.
While I’ve had a lot of goals in life,
winning this or becoming the Hall of Fame participant
has not been one of them but I certainly consider it
one of the highest honors I’ve ever received on this earth.
>> Narrator: Congratulations to
Melvin Johnson
as the 2007 inductee into the
Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame.
(c) 2013 University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Office of External Affairs