Each year, the Tennessee 4-H program recognizes a supporter who has gone above and beyond to support 4-H Youth Development. The Tennessee 4-H Foundation honors outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed their time and resources to help young people enrolled in 4-H all over the state.
This year, we honored Bill Johnson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Farm Credit Mid-America, a $23-billion agricultural cooperative serving more than 100,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Farm Credit Mid-America has been a long-time supporter of 4-H youth development programs. Investments have focused on scholarships, leadership activities and conferences designed to improve both individuals and the organization as a whole. Additionally, Farm Credit’s efforts support capital investments that will serve many generations to come.
Johnson grew up on a small farm in southern Indiana before attending the University of Evansville, where he received a Bachelor of Science. After completing his undergraduate studies, Johnson earned a Master of Business Administration from Gonzaga University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Vanderbilt University. Johnson joined the Farm Credit team in 2001, and today he has more than 35 years of financial services experience.
Under Johnson’s leadership, giving in Tennessee has increased significantly. As an organization, Farm Credit maintains a personal connection, as more than half of employees were members of 4-H and many are still involved as advisors or volunteers. For Johnson, it’s very personal.
“4-H has been a part of my life since grade school,” says Johnson. “It taught me important skills of organization and respect. 4-H also helped me learn how to work as part of a team. Most importantly, my 4-H leaders modeled what it meant to serve and helped us become better people.
“I am very grateful for the time and attention they gave us as part of the 4-H experience.”
Johnson has been both a loyal friend to 4-H and the Tennessee program, and we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of the award!
PAST FRIENDS OF 4-H RECIPIENTS
1948 W. P. Ridley, Columbia
Clyde B. Austin, Greeneville
1949 J. Frank Porter, Columbia
1950 W. H. Dilatush, Memphis
1951 Joel B. Forst, Jr. Nashville
1952 Mrs. D. W. Bond, Jackson
1953 Jim McCord, Lewisburg
1954 F. Dwight McDonald, Knoxville
1955 L.C. Jacobs, Nashville
1956 Edward (Ed) Hicks, Nashville
1957 Mouzon Peters, Chattanooga
1958 Tom J. Hitch, Columbia
1959 W. F. Moss, Nashville
1960 Buford Ellington, Nashville
1961 Clyde York, Columbia
1962 John Hembree, Memphis
1963 Jessee Safley, Nashville
1964 Leonard Rogers, Knoxville
1965 Tommy Lynn, Cookeville
1966 Walter Jones, Nashville
1967 Ross Buckley, Chattanooga
1968 Lonnie Safley, Columbia
1969 Mrs. R. H. Lee, Martin
1970 Don Spencer, Nashville
1971 Crosby Murray, Knoxville
1972 Murray Miles, Columbia
1973 Alice Jarman, Nashville
1974 Bob Battle, Nashville
1975 Arch E. McClanahan, Nashville
1976 Robert W. Basse, Nashville
Webster Pendergrass, Knoxville
1977 Bill Bennett, Nashville
1978 J. C. Hunley, Nashville
1979 James S. Putnam, Columbia
1980 K. C. Dodson, Columbia
1981 Robert W. Gilliam, Nashville
1982 George S. Foster, Nashville
J. Franklin Nix, LaVergne
1983 Ted Vaughn, Nashville
1984 Bill Walker, Brownsville
1985 Robert Primm, Cincinnati, OH
1986 Howard Simmons, Knoxville
Harold Smith, Martin
1987 Roy Palk, Carthage
W. W. Armistead, Knoxville
1988 Frank Perkins, Nashville
1989 Linda Carmen, Nashville
1990 William E. Bailey, Nashville
M. Lloyd Downen, Knoxville
1991 Judy Basse, Nashville
1992 Bill and Ruth Hale, Charlston
Joe Johnson, Knoxville
1993 Raymond E. Ingram, Nashville Ray Wilson, LaVergne
1994 Tommy Burks, Monterey
1995 Tom Purkey, Nashville
1996 A. C. Clark, Cookeville
1997 Jim Rainey, Gallatin
Ben Powell, Knoxville
1998 Dan Wheeler, Nashville
1999 L. H. “Cotton” Ivy, Decaturville
2000 Charles Colley, South Fulton
2001 Charles Darnell, Lafayette
2002 Martha Jo Tolley, Knoxville
2003 Mike Keel, Knoxville
2004 Joe Jackson, Nashville
George Criss, Knoxville
2005 Jack Britt, Knoxville
2006 Flavius Barker, Dunlap
2007 Phil Bredesen, Nashville
2008 Bob Brinkmann, Manchester
2009 Alice Ann Moore, Blaine Waymon Hickman, Columbia
2010 Joe Johnson, Knoxville
2011 Jim Byford, Martin
2012 Joe Huffine, Murfreesboro
2013 Lacy UpChurch, Columbia
2014 Bart Krisle, LaVergne
2015 Steve Sutton, Knoxville
2016 Ruth Henderson McQueen
2017 George Brown
2018 Dr. Joe DiPietro