Johnston is new Extension agent

Small-town living, 4-H, FFA, dietetic studies, and a family and consumer sciences background are just a few of the things that made Deeona Johnston a perfect candidate for the Extension position in Phillips County.

As of Sept. 9, Johnston was off and running as the local family and consumer sciences agent for Colorado State University Extension.

She will be continuing some of the programs that county residents know and love — like A Healthier Weigh — and will be starting new programs of her own.

Johnston is interested in teaching and facilitating nutrition classes and is looking for suggestions from community members, whether it be a new diet they want to try or tips on nutrition for medical reasons.

She’s also looking to revive the idea of a community garden, and teaching yoga classes sounds fun to this young, energetic Extension agent.

With a strong background in 4-H, Johnston said she’d like to help get more kids interested in the family and consumer sciences side of 4-H.

Johnston grew up in Grover where her family owns a ranch and raises Red Angus, Hereford and Scottish Highland cattle as well as Boer goats.

As a 10-year member of 4-H, Johnston did everything from photography and food

preservation to quilting and knitting. She also served as the Weld County Fair queen.

In high school, Johnston was active in FFA with things like goat projects, livestock judging and serving on the officer team.

After graduating from Pawnee High School in 2011, Johnston attended University of Nebraska-Kearney. During her third year, she took a nutrition class and enjoyed it so much that she transferred to the University of Northern Colorado, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in dietetics in 2016.

In 2017, Johnston participated in the International 4-H Youth Exchange with six months of living with host families in France and Germany. She really enjoyed connecting with the Europeans through food, and she even got to practice making jams and applesauce in a whole new way.

Johnston recently graduated from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri, with a master’s degree in family and consumer sciences. Her internship included experience at hospitals, a nursing home, schools and a food bank.

In a few months, she hopes to pass her Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam that will certify her as a registered dietitian. She’s interested in using her certification in a hospital setting one day.

Johnston is excited to get back to a small town and to be able to use her education in an agricultural area.

She moved to Holyoke with her dog, Shadow, and rabbit, Mustache. Residents might see her driving around in her lime green Mustang, and her favorite activities are gardening, hiking, running and recently kickboxing.

For more information about Extension programs and events, contact Johnston at 970-854-3616 or deeona.johnston@colostate.edu.