National 4-H Week

4-H has a long, proud history in Hopkins County.  All across the nation, 4-H’ers will be recognizing National 4-H Week, October 5-11.  County 4-H clubs and groups have the opportunity to showcase what they have gained from their membership at the local and county level, said Dr. Toby Lepley, assistant state 4-H leader for the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program.  A fundamental purpose of the 4-H program is to highlight our program’s success and especially the positive impact on youth involved in it.

Community service is always the focus of National 4-H Week, which includes ‘One Day 4-H,’ a statewide effort led by 4-H members and adult volunteers to give back to the communities in which they live through their service.  More than 10,000 4-H members throughout Texas will “step out into their communities” to make a difference.   Our Hopkins County 4-H members picked up trash on the Civic Center grounds and Buford Park, took the aluminum can trailer for recycling, and plan to have public service announcements on a local radio station.  My co-worker, Mario Villarino, plans to assist in making a YouTube video of our 4-H’ers as they give back to the community.

For more than a decade, a team at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, led by Drs. Richard M. Lerner and Jacqueline V. Lerner, have been conducting research in cooperation with the nation’s land-grant colleges and universities.  More than 7,000 youth from diverse backgrounds across 42 states provided information used in the study.  The report shows that 4-H members, as compared to their peers are:

– Four times more likely to make contributions to their communities, based on data from students in grades 7-12.

– Two times more likely to be civically active, based on data from students in grades 8-12.

– Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices, based on data from seventh-graders.

– Two times more likely to participate in science, engineering and computer technology programs during out-of-school time, based on information from students in grades 10-12.

“We’re proud of our state’s and nation’s 4-H program and hope more young people will consider joining 4-H and participating in the many interesting and educational activities and programs it offers,” Lepley said.  “Helping young people build life skills, expand their educational horizons, develop their character and learn to become good citizens are some of the primary objectives of the 4-H program.  We look forward to seeing more good works to benefit communities coming from 4-H clubs in Texas.”

We currently have five 4-H clubs in Hopkins County.  If you want more information on how to join, contact our office at 903-885-3443, and we’ll be glad to assist you!

Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units

Our office has received requests for information on home aerobic treatment maintenance.  A seminar has been scheduled for Friday, October 17, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Professional Ag Workers’ Building, 957 Connally Street (Buford Park).  The cost is $100, which includes materials and lunch.  Directed to the homeowner, this session provides a basic training in proper evaluation of structures, equipment and operation of already installed aerobic septic systems in homes.  A certificate of attendance will be provided.

Please contact our office at 903-885-3443 by October 10 to register.  Session is limited to 50 participants.

Closing Thought

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]