After a vacancy of about a year, Calhoun County has a new County Extension Agent. Jeffrey J. Himes, who has worked for the WVU Extension Service, was a native of a small town near Johnstown, PA.
"I grew up in a small community and worked as a coal miner, until I lost the job," said Himes, who says he "fits quite well" in rural counties. He is moving to the county.
"Most of my family worked for mining companies. My dad and I worked for
the same mine along with many uncles and cousins. I lost my job in
1985 when the mine closed," said Himes. "I have two brothers and two sisters. Mom and Dad have been together
for 55 years."
Himes has a Master's Degree from WVU in sociology, with a specialization in applied social research, but he has also majored in agriculture.
He has worked in a youth center, the Sociology and Anthropology Department of WVU, was an AmeriCorps VISTA member and was a carpenter on house construction. He has also been a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
He received the
WVU Extension Service New Program Excellence Award in 2003, was
named the Outstanding Teaching Assistant in Sociology in 2001, and was a
Ronald E. McNair and Morris K. Udall Scholar.
Himes said he is looking forward to being part of the Calhoun Community.
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