Hill inspired many through her dedication to education
Melinda Hill, Ohio State University Extension family and consumer sciences educator in Wayne County, will retire April 30. In her 37 years of working with extension, she conducted annual checks of pressure canners as part of her food preservation specialty.
For 37 years Melinda Hill has invested in the lives of others.
As an Ohio State University Extension family and consumer sciences educator for Wayne County and area leader for four counties, she has been a teacher, mentor and guide, all with one goal in mind: “to see others succeed.”
She will retire April 30 with the reward of a mission accomplished.
“Ultimately, it’s been a privilege and a blessing beyond measure to serve in this role,” Hill said, “to share the mission and vision of extension by saying, ‘Here are the facts, here is what the research says, here is the information,’ then allowing individuals, families, communities and businesses to decide how it can be helpful to them.”
She specialized in food preservation, basic financial literacy and homeownership education and shared her expertise through a variety of outlets. She taught classes, wrote newspaper columns, answered phone inquiries, recorded television and radio spots, gave in-store presentations, and led trainings and workshops.
She co-authored the extension programs Money 101, a four-part financial series that focuses on goal setting, tracking spending and budgeting; Smart Start, a four-part program to introduce basic financial concepts to preschoolers; and Eat Well, Play Hard, a program to improve nutrition and increase physical activity in preschool-age children.
One of the most memorable success stories Hill remembers involves a grandmother who, with the help of extension programs, was able to overcome challenges and reach her goals.
The grandmother, who was raising her grandchildren, started by learning to make more nutritious meals through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. From there she was referred to Money 101, where she learned to budget and save money. By cooking at home and not eating out so frequently, she saved several hundred dollars. Hill said she followed up that class by enrolling in Steps to Home Ownership, and several months later, after saving several thousand dollars, she bought her first home.
She also lost 50 pounds and was able to go off her diabetic medication.
“That particular story just tugged on my heart,” Hill said. “She would stand up in class and say, ‘If I can do this as a grandmother, you can too.’ You just need the right help, encouragement and guidance along the way.”
Hill’s educational efforts also focused heavily on food safety preservation. She annually conducted pressure canner testing in several locations throughout the county including Lehman’s Store in Kidron.
Glenda Lehman Ervin, the store’s marketing director, described Hill as patient and knowledgeable in explaining safety techniques to generations of home canners. Hill even starred in an educational video for the store.
“Her expertise will be missed,” Ervin said.
A research project conducted by Hill and Kate Shumaker, OSU Extension FCS educator in Holmes County, and presented at a national meeting revealed the pair had inspected 1,433 canners in 11 years of testing in Wayne and Holmes counties.
Linda Prochazka, an OSU Extension master clothing educator, said she admires Hill for her ability to share information on so many different topics, whether it be family and consumer sciences or agriculture, and relate to all types of people.
“She’s caring and loving and a captivating speaker,” Prochazka said. “(As an audience member), she makes you feel valued.”
Hill set her sights on extension in junior high school. After earning a degree in vocational home economics, her career path took some turns as she worked in banking, as a classroom teacher and as an in-store home economist for Buehler’s before she landed in extension.
A challenge of the job was the long hours. Hill said one day she was describing her busy schedule to a peer who responded by saying, “It sounds like you are richly scheduled.” From that day on, Hill said she looked at her schedule more as a list of positive opportunities rather than just being busy.
Since 2018 Hill also has filled an administrative role for extension as an area leader, working with staff in Ashland, Wayne, Holmes and Coshocton counties. She has relished the chance to be involved in hiring, training, mentoring and supporting the over 20 staff members.
“I lead from behind,” Hill said, “meaning I open doors and say, ‘Here is a chance to polish your strengths and challenge the things you don’t do so well, then take the next step forward for your own success.’”
Next for Hill are three pages of projects along with long horseback rides, more family outings and invitations to friends — “Let’s go; let’s enjoy.”