When Hopkins County Commissioners Court convened for what is the last scheduled meeting of 2022, County Judge Robert Newsom announced what he called a bit of sad news: it would be Johanna Hicks’ last regular Extension activity report during Commissioners Court. Hicks plans to retire at the end of January as Hopkins County’s Family and Community Health Extension Agent.
Hicks has dedicated 27 years of service to educating families and community members about consumer science, health and wellness topics. She has filled the role since Janie Crump’s retirement in 2001 as the home economics Extension Agent for Hopkins County.
Hicks also has aided with 4-H topics, served on a number of community planning, educational and service boards. She has earned recognition from her peers at the state level regularly and has even received national honors for several educational projects she’s created, facilitated, tweaked and led during her career.
Her passion, of course, has been diabetes education, due to her son’s diagnosis with diabetes at a very young age. She has offered the 5- lesson “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” course to help people with Type 2 diabetes better manage the disease with dietary and self-care management, increased physical activity and evidence-based interventions. She too offers the four-lesson “Cooking Well With Diabetes” course, a program that offers practical dietary and self-care management focusing on healthy cooking alternatives. She partnered with a diabetes educator and pharmacist to speak during certain sessions of these programs. Three others attended the course in support of a loved one with diabetes. Over the past year along, she consulted with six individuals on a one-on-one basis regarding diabetes and chronic disease management, participated in the National Diabetes Awareness Month Exhibit and provides regular information about the topic in her weekly columns, distributed by KSST and other media sources. Walk Across Texas was implemented throughout hte year as a way to encourage physical activity. Hicks estimates that the programs had a $261,242 economic impact for Hopkins County — a great savings in health, time and medical expenses.
She also trains Master Wellness Volunteers, who provide valuable community service throughout Hopkins County, especially for Extension-related functions; this year, three new individuals completed the MWV training, which requires a 40 hour volunteer commitment upon completion of training the first year and 10 hours each subsequent year. They contributed 1,431.5 hours of volunteer work in 2022, reaching 7,365 individuals. She estimates the volunteer hours would have a value of $27,200.
The MWVs and Community Health/Wellness Alliance identified a need to continue addressing childhood nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing. In the past, they’ve partnered with Sulphur Springs ISD to highlight some of these topics during summer day camp programs. Over the past summer, the partnership extended to Cumby ISD. where a summer day camp for youth in grades 1-5. This included partnership with numerous area, state and local organizations and agencies. Overall, 285 students and 25 adults participated in the summer programs
Additional programs with wide reaching activities she’s been involved with over the past year have included Better Living For Texans/family nutrition outreach programming, youth family and community health outreach topics, general family and community health programs, hosting Twogether in Texas marriage education workshops, partnering with other area Extension Agents and MWV to host the annual Christmas program each November, hosting a 3-day sewing workshop in the summer.
Hicks has served on school health advisory councils, Community Resource Coordination group, Community Chest Board, Eclipse 2024 Committee, Chamber of Commerce, School CTE Advisory Committees, been involved with planning and events at local fairs, the annual 55+ health fair, promotes 4-H enrollment and hosted workshops and events for the youth development program.
During Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting, Hicks said it has been a pure pleasure to serve as a county Extension Agent.
“Thank you for your service to Hopkins County. I do not think anyone an take your place,” Newsom said, noting that the process of seeking a new agent will soon be under way, however. “I tell people we have the best Extension Office and staff in Hopkins County.”
Steve Hudson concurred. He said previously while camping, he encountered individuals from out-of-the county. They asked him if he knew Johanna Hicks, and noted that Hicks is one of the best in the state. So, Hudson noted, she is very well thought of by her peers, and represents Hopkins County very well. Hudson said he’s known Johanna since she was Johanna Easdon, before she and Jay Hicks were married.
“You’ll always be my second favorite Extension Agent. My mom is first, of course. She would be proud of you,” said Tanner Crump, the late Janie Crump’s son.
Mario Villarino, Hopkins County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, said he has enjoyed working with and getting to known Hicks, and appreciates her very much.
A come and go retirement reception is planned Friday, Jan. 27, 2022, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Extension Office, 1200-B West Houston St. in Sulphur Springs.
