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Gary Johnston retires Oct. 1 after 36 years with University of California Cooperative Extension, most recently serving as director of the San Joaquin County office in Stockton.

Johnston was first exposed to Cooperative Extension from 1965 to 1967, when he worked as a field assistant in Santa Barbara County immediately after earning an animal science degree at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona.

"I have never stopped being amazed at the real life problems that Cooperative Extension advisors find answers to," Johnston said.

He worked for two years in private industry, then became a staff research associate to poultry specialist Milo Swanson at UC Riverside.

"During the next three years, I came to the conclusion that one of the greatest variables in all agricultural production was the human factor," Johnston said.  "The people who took care of the birds, controlled the environment, followed the instructions and shared their observations could make or break a flock, a ranch or a whole company."

That realization would shape Johnston's career.  While at UC Riverside, he conducted a personnel management study of the poultry industry, which became the basis for numerous personnel management workshops around the state.  He earned a master's degree at Colorado State University at Fort Collins in 1976 in avian science with a special emphasis on personnel management and human relations.  In 1977 Johnston became the first-ever UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor assigned to develop educational and research-based programs aimed at more effective management of human resources in California agriculture.

In 1981, Johnston was one of the 110 founding members of the Agricultural Personnel Management Association and its first president.  Today, APMA has 400 members and will hold its 24th annual forum Feb. 25-28, 2004, to share proven personnel management practices.

In 1986, Johnston put his management expertise to use as a manager himself.  He became director of UC Cooperative Extension in San Joaquin County.

"I have never regretted the decision," he said.  "I have hired and worked with some of the most talented and dedicated advisors in the state."

Johnston received the California Association of Farm Advisors and Specialists Distinguished Service Award in 1987 and served as president of the Cooperative Extension Academic Assembly Council in 1996. 

He has plans for an active retirement.  Johnston said his membership in two RV clubs and a jeep club, and a desire to complete a 26.2-mile marathon will be among the activities to keep him busy.