Calhoun's WVU Extension Service agent Jeff Himes is leaving his position on July 6th, after holding the job since 2004.
Himes is going to work for the Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension Service, serving an 11-county area.
"I'll be closer to my family and my roots," he said, a native of a small town near Johnstown.
Himes said "I've really enjoyed the wonderful generosity of the people in Calhoun. I'll never forget the experience being here."
"I grew up in a small community and worked as a coal miner, until I lost the job," said Himes, who says he "fit quite well" in a rural county like Calhoun. I consider it a great privilege."
"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 nearly 60 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.
Recent changes in the local extension office is the addition of Heather Weaver, who will be working with 4-H and Energy Express.
Nancy Bremar, Nutrition Outreach Instructor for Calhoun and Wirt counties, will continue in the Calhoun-based office.
| 
