Posted on August 21, 2018 at 2:58 PM by Global Reach
ISU Extension & Outreach Dickinson County is proud to nominate the Johnson Family, of rural Milford, to be inducted into the 2018 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. Three generations of Johnsons, the late E.O., the late Dale and Dr. Jack have given a combined 90 years of service to the Dickinson County Fair and 4-H and FFA programs. 
It is written that the elder Johnson purchased some registered Hereford cows 100 years ago in 1918 in Sioux Rapids, IA and walked them to the farm south of Milford. E.O. along with Jack’s father, Dale, continued to house purebred Hereford cattle into the late 1940’s. Jack and wife, Lynne, continue the Johnson tradition and maintain a Hereford cattle operation today on the home farm.
The late E.O Johnson was one of the founding members of the Dickinson County Fair. In the 1930’s, E.O. along with 15 other local farmers and residents each gave $100 to complete the $1,600 land transaction for the purchase of the fairgrounds. E.O. was very active in the Dickinson County Fair through the years.
The late Dale Johnson, continued the 4-H spirit and fair participation, winning the Grand Champion Hereford in 1932. He instilled in his son, Jack, the importance of ag involvement. After Dale’s death, the Johnson Family began the Johnson Hereford Farms Award given annually to the Grand Champion Dickinson County Born and Raised Beef Producer at the Dickinson County Fair.
Dr. Jack Johnson, a local Veterinarian, has given countless hours to insure the overall safety and health of the 4-H animals exhibited at the Dickinson County Fair. In younger years, Johnson was involved in 4-H and FFA, raising beef on the farm with his family. In 1962 and 1963 he showed the Grand Champion Steers at the Dickinson County Fair. Dr. Jack graduated from Iowa State University in 1970 and keeps busy as a vet at Spencer Ag Center. For 20 years, he was a member of the executive board of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. He served on the Dickinson County Fair Board for a number of years, retiring in 2017. He has also served on the board of directors of the Iowa Hereford Association and in 2013 he was inducted into the Iowa Hereford Hall of Fame.
The Johnson family 4-H and Hereford tradition continues with Jack’s 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
