Janice Orienne Harwood, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor, of Saline, Michigan, passed away on Aug. 5. She was 84.
Jan, who was born and raised on her family’s farm in Saline, earned a bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University and a master’s degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Jan began her career as a high school home economics teacher, a role she held for seven years before beginning a long and distinguished career in Cooperative Extension. Over the years, she served as a 4-H agent in Sanilac County, Michigan, as well as in Pennsylvania and California, and later worked as an Extension family and consumer sciences educator in both Pennsylvania and California. Jan joined UCCE in Merced County in the 1970s, then was transferred to Monterey in the 1990s after home economics and 4-H advisor Pat Snow retired in 1991. Jan served Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties until she retired in 2002.
Throughout her career, Jan was passionate about helping families and improving the lives of children. During her years in California, she worked with specialists from UC Berkeley and UC Davis to study the food habits of Hmong immigrant families. In 2001, she received a grant from the San Benito County Children and Families Commission to develop a project addressing childhood obesity, placing her at the forefront of an issue that would become increasingly important in the years that followed. 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.”
Jan’s commitment to 4-H and education continued long after she retired.
“4-H introduced me to the possibilities of attending college and the value of lifelong learning,” Jan told the Michigan 4-H Foundation. “I chose working as an Extension Agent as it gave me an opportunity to give others similar experiences. 4-H helped me grow and gain confidence that was critical in my career.”
Her generosity to the Michigan 4-H Foundation helped make possible the development of the outdoor trails and arboretum at Kettunen Center in Tustin, Michigan. As a lasting tribute to her parents and her belief in the importance of education, Jan co-funded the Ada May and Webb Harwood Endowment, providing college scholarships for Washtenaw County 4-H members.
Her dedication and accomplishments earned her numerous honors, including UC ANR’s Affirmative Action Award, the Soroptimist International of Merced Women Helping Women Award, several awards from the National Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, including the Distinguished Service and Continued Excellence Awards, and the 4-H Emerald Clover Award in 2006.
Donations may be made in Jan’s memory to the Ada May and Webb Harwood Endowment.
Read more about Janice Harwood’s life in her obituary.