By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
For over 100 years, 4‑H has inspired families, shaped careers, and impacted communities. On October 4 through 10, we will celebrate the impact of 4‑H during National 4‑H Week. The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week is “Opportunity 4 All.” In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people.
With so many children struggling to reach their full potential, in 4-H we believe every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed. We believe every child should have the skills they need to make a difference in the world. In Hopkins County, we are celebrating with a National 4-H Week proclamation signed by the Commissioners’ Court. Our 4-H flag will fly throughout the week at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. The TSC Paper Clover Campaign will take place at our local Tractor Supply, Inc., Wednesday October 7 thru Sunday, October 18. Contributions at check-out made at that location will benefit our Hopkins County 4-H program, so give generously!
4-H Projects Updates
This fall, we are also introducing updates to one of our most popular 4-H projects – foods and nutrition. In September, 17 4-H members took part in the Fall 4-H Foods event. Each participant was given 5 separate kits containing supplies to complete 5 projects pertaining to measuring, setting a table, reading a nutrition label, experimenting with spices and herbs, preparing a meal in a slow cooker, and experimenting with various kitchen gadgets. From the responses received in our office, the projects were a hit!
4-H Project Show
Another fall 4-H event is the 4-H Project Show. 4-H members may enter items through October 8 by taking them to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. Categories are: Art, Crafts, Clothing Construction, Decorated Clothing/Accessories, Food Preservation, General Sewing, Holiday, Horticulture, Jewelry, Leather Work, Metal Work, Needlework, Photography, Poetry (original), Scrapbooks, and Woodwork. Entries will be judged on Friday, October 8. Projects will be available for public viewing October 12 thru 16 at the Extension Office.
Enrollment for 4-H is now open for the 2020-2021 year by logging onto http://texas.4honline.com. We currently have 5 clubs in Hopkins County: Infinity, Paws (4th and 5th grade campus), Equine, Miller Grove, and Vet Science. Contact the Extension office at 903-885-3443 for instructions on selecting a club and projects. Membership is open to all youth grades 3-12.
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B W. Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]