June 2, 2020
Forshee to Retire June 30, 2020
John Forshee has announced his retirement from K-State Research and Extension effective June 30, 2020. Forshee graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Agriculture Education in December of 1982. He was the Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor at Miltonvale High School for six years and began his Extension Career in June of 1989 when he was named Agricultural Extension Agent in Rooks County. Forshee provided education in Agriculture, 4-H, and Community Development for over 11 years in Rooks County.
In October of 2000 he took the chance to get closer to home and spent the next nine years in banking in Concordia and Clay Center.
Forshee served as a River Valley District Board member from 2007 until 2009 when he was hired as the Director of the River Valley Extension District. Over the years he has provided supervision to the staff of up to 18 people and has provided education in Community Vitality, 4-H and Youth, Horticulture, and Farm Management.
As an Extension Professional, Forshee belongs to the Kansas Association of County Agricultural Agents, Kansas Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, and Epsilon Sigma Phi. He served as the Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and President of KACAA. He served as the President of ESP and is currently completing the term as President of the Kansas Joint Council of Extension Professionals. Honors include the Kansas 4-H Clover Award, ESP Horizon Award, ESP Mid-Career Award, and NACAA Achievement Award. He won multiple KACAA and NACAA Communication Awards during his career.
Forshee and his wife Debra plan to move to Washington State to be closer to kids and grandkids. Debra has a BS in Nursing and is a Pre-service Coordinator for naviHealth.
Due to COVID-19 Protocols, no retirement reception will be held. Cards may be sent in care of the River Valley Extension Office, 322 Grand Avenue, Clay Center, KS 67432.