Mary Harmon retires as Imperial County 4-H adviser leaving behind a legacy
Through the countless volunteer leaders and few county advisers in the last three decades, perhaps no one embodies the 4-H program in Imperial County like Mary Harmon.
“This county program is awesome and a lot of it has to do with her,” Carla Paradise, president of the local 4-H Leaders Council, said.
Harmon retired as the Imperial County University of California Cooperative Extension 4-H adviser June 29 after 16 years in that position on two separate occasions (1978-1990, 2007-2011). Yet Harmon has been involved in 4-H throughout most of her life.
“I was a 3-year-old tag-along with my older brothers and sisters,” Harmon, a longtime Brawley resident, said. “When I was old enough to join 4-H I had a fun career myself.”
After attaining the rank of 4-H All Star in her high school years, Harmon continued volunteering with 4-H until graduating from university and working as a 4-H intern at the University of California Cooperative Extension office in San Diego County.
When the position for 4-H adviser opened in Imperial County in 1978 she applied, was hired and held that position until 1990, according to a press release.
“The 4-H adviser was someone I had worked with and he knew that this was something that I could do,” Harmon said. “I’ve been really lucky in a sense since I’ve always had people say, ‘Well I know you can do this so why don’t you apply?’”
In the position as county adviser, Harmon found that “working with adults in leadership development was where I could do the most good,” effectively training adults to become volunteer leaders who then lead their respective 4-H communities/children.
“I really strongly believe that adults have the responsibility to give back to their community and they can do it through 4-H and heading (its various) programs,” Harmon said. “It does get you excited,” she said. “It’s been a great job. It’s been more a way of life for me.”
Other 4-H leaders have always taken notice.
“She’s been a mentor to a lot of people,” Carol George, local 4-H livestock coordinator said. “She’s had a real knack for motivating kids.”
“When we go to the fair or events she knows every single child by name,” Paradise said.
“Even when she took her leave to raise her kids she was still involved as an active 4-H volunteer leader,” George said. “I think 4-H to her is not a job, it’s a family.”
“She was always like our second mom,” 4-H Leaders Council Vice President Sherry Robertson said.
But Harmon can’t leave 4-H behind as she plans to volunteer in leadership development during her retirement.
“(4-H) really is part of how I define myself. It’s been a great job,” Harmon said.
Staff Writer Roman Flores can be reached at 760-337-3439 or rflores@ivpressonline.com