Janice O. Harwood

Janice O. Harwood’s career included seven years as a high school home economics teacher and the remainder of her career in Extension until retiring in June 2002. She served as a 4-H agent in Michigan (Sanilac County), Pennsylvania and California and also as Extension family and consumer sciences (FCS) educator in Pennsylvania and California. During her FCS tenure, she worked with UC Berkeley and UC Davis specialists throughout California to study the food habits of Hmong families as immigrants to California. In 2001, Harwood received a grant from the San Benito County Children and Families Commission for a project to address the high rate of childhood obesity in the county. She was at the forefront of addressing childhood obesity. She authored Nutrition on the Bookshelf, A Curriculum for Preschool Parents and co-authored the California 4-H Clothing Leader’s Guide and Member’s Manual. Harwood’s generosity to the Michigan 4-H Foundation made it possible to develop the outdoor trails and arboretum at Kettunen Center. She also co-funded the Ada May and Webb Harwood Endowment to provide college scholarships for Washtenaw County 4-H members. She is a member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, International Federation of Home Economists, Association for Professional Financial Counseling and Education and the Society of Nutrition Education. She has received the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Affirmative Action Award, the Soroptimist International of Merced Women Helping Women Award and several awards from the National Association of Family and Consumer Sciences including the Distinguished Service and Continued Excellence awards. Harwood is a member of the Pittsfield Township Historical Society, Pittsfield Township Historical Comission, and Saline Area Historical Society. She is also the Publicity Chair of Reutschler Farm Museum.