By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
As we ponder the events of 2022, there are many good things that took place, along with some not-so-good, but by-golly, we made it! I pray for a good start to 2023 and that you will look up from where your help comes. As I wrap up my columns for 2022, I’ll conclude with a final program summary – the 6th in a series!
4-H & Youth Development – Family & Community Health
Relevance
The Texas 4-H Youth Development Program exposes 4-H members to the academic discipline of family and community health (FCH) and helps youth gain valuable skills and knowledge which they can apply to daily life – projects such as clothing and textiles, food and nutrition, consumer education, health, leadership, community service, and safety. One of the top 4-H projects in Hopkins County is Foods & Nutrition. During workshops, contests, and other functions, 4-H members are given leadership and community service opportunities.
Response and Results
Three Hopkins County 4-H’ers served as Healthy Texas youth Ambassadors, which means they participated in training on various topics and agreed to give back service to the community. One was active in community service projects, 4-H contests, served on district and state 4-H council, participated in leadership events, and will soon be participating in the Wester National 4-H Fashion Show. This individual provided 95 hours of service. A second HTYA contributes a weekly column to the Sulphur Springs News Telegram and has assisted with a county Extension Leadership event.
- Workshops implemented in 2022 included “Sewing Fun Day”
- 27 youth and 6 volunteers participated
- Provided the opportunity for 4-H members to create love bug pillows
- Stations included: assortment of fabrics, cutting stations, ironing stations.
- Participants were able to keep what they sewed. All materials were provided, and eight sewing machines were available for the 4-H’ers to use.
- Foods Fun Day consisted of “Grilling 101”.
- 21 youth and 4 volunteers participated
- Several youth also participated in the Rib-eye Roundup as a result of attending
- provided the opportunity for participants to learn how to cook steaks on a grill
- Eight work stations were set up with grills, charcoal, utensils, seasonings
- All steaks provided by NETBIO
- Participants were able to enjoy their steaks with sides provided by Extension.
- Product Drive
- Month-long community-wide collection sponsored by 4-H Council
- 75 items were collected for the Sulphur Springs Middle School Communities in Schools
- Souper Bowl of Caring
- Collected over 500 pounds of food for NE Texas Food Bank
- 4-H Project Tour Day included tours of:
- Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport (aeronautics/STEM),
- Animal Shelter (Dog/companion animal),
- Municipal Water Treatment Plant (natural resources/STEM)
- 19 youth attended the tour
In addition to these, Cumby ISD is participating in Edu-Nation and the Rural School Success Initiative. They receive support and guidance from the state 4-H headquarters. 4-H is the largest youth organization in the nation for good reason. We touch many aspects of life including family & Community health, agriculture, leadership, photography, public speaking, community service, communications, and much more.
Closing Thought
Let your light shine before others. – Matthew 5:16
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent, at the Hopkins County Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; and [email protected]
