It was a recent late Saturday afternoon, and Decatur County farmer Alan Davis had a question about some chemicals that he was about to apply to some of this crops.

He thought a minute, and without too much hesitation, Davis called Decatur County Extension Agent Joel Hudgins on his cell phone.

Although somewhat surprised that Hudgins answered it, Davis wasn’t surprised that Hudgins answered his question without hesitation.

“Joel answered my question, and I went on to do what I had to do,” Davis said during Hudgins’ retirement reception Wednesday. “He’s been accessible.”

Approximately 50 persons—from University of Georgia Extension Agency officials to farmers from throughout the county—attended the reception held at the Cloud Livestock Facility. And the opinions of most of them one was that Hudgins was always willing to help, accessible and will surely be missed.

Hudgins has been working at the Extension Office for 11 years.

In fact, his wife, Ann Hudgins, who retired in March from the Seminole County Extension Office, and him started on the same day—Nov. 1, 1997.

Hugdins’ position won’t be filled, said County Extension Coordinator Mitchell May.

“Joel is a good guy,” said May, who has worked with Hudgins for more than 10 years, both as his supervisor and as his subordinate. “It’s been a real pleasure to have worked with Joel.”

Hudgins, 60, said Wednesday he has no plans other than to concentrate more on the other two jobs he’s had—being a preacher and a farmer.

“I’m not quitting. I’m just refocusing,” Hudgins said.

He said he grew up on a farm, had a career in agriculture, and feels blessed that he can retire from an agricultural related field. “It’s as good as it gets.”