A Year In Review: By Mario Villarino
A year in review:
2018 4-H Hopkins County Agricultural Plan
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County,Texas
Relevance: 4-H Agriculture and Natural Resources projects are an important component of the county 4-H program in Texas. Currently, sixty three percent of Texas 4-H members are enrolled in a livestock project. These projects provide youth with subject matter education, as well as valuable learning experiences, character education and leadership skills. Adult volunteer engagement is critical to administer the program and expand outreach. The development of youth volunteers as ambassadors for agriculture and natural resources will educate and recruit other youth to the project. As today youth are further removed from farming, many do not understand the importance of agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives. This plan included a Science of Agriculture (Ag Literacy/Awareness) program component to target elementary students (grades 4) and teachers in Hopkins County and provided the following educational components: Educational support materials for Science of Agriculture including Ag Day/Ag Fair field trip and information about 4-H opportunities for the participants and parents. Water conservation/protection awareness was also included. Texas A&M AgriLife in Hopkins County utilized a 4-H Livestock Project Coalitions to provide direction and support for the programs and events conducted. The programs and events provided support unities for 4-Hers to develop or improve their leadership skills and other life skills. Volunteer recruitment, training, and utilization were also an important component of the plan. This plan involved 200 youth and 60 volunteers in projects and 900 in curriculum enrichment..
Response: 12 Veterinary Science Sessions (Monthly), 2 State Heifer Validation, NETLA Steer Validation, 6 Coalition Meetings, NETLA Swine Validation (Nov), District Dairy Judging Contest (Jan), District Livestock Judging (April), HC 4-H Round Up, NETLA Project visits (36), NETLA Junior Livestock Show (Feb), Ag in the Classroom (Oct), Goat Clipping Clinic (Feb),Goat and Lamb Showmanship Clinic, Shot Gun District Competition (May), Poultry Clinic (Nov), NETLA Dairy Show (June).
Results: A specific pre and post test was conducted in a statistically significant subsample (50 students) in a randomly selected 4th grade school class in Hopkins County, with results as follows:
· 42% (16/25) agreed that agriculture touches their life every day.
· 68% (26/30) indicated that agriculture affects their life if they eat or wear clothes.
· 92% (35/36) agreed that Texas farmers and ranchers work hard to provide safe food.
· 47% (18/30) agreed that eating meat is an important part of a healthy and balanced diet.
· 81% (31/35) indicated that eating fruits and vegetables is an important part of a healthy and balanced diet.
· 68% (26/27) agreed that agriculture is more than food.
· 65% (25/36) indicated that farmers raising farm animals or growing crops are critical to produce food.
· 42% (16/23) will share the importance of agriculture with their parents.
· 68% (26/38) indicated that meat from livestock provides a good source of protein.
· 92% (35/38) agreed that dairy foods help grow strong bones and teeth.
Impact: Agriculture and Natural Resource Projects in Texas remained a cornerstone for youth programs in 4-H. Hopkins County is no exception. More than 50 livestock projects, numerous public speaking and educational presentations were based on agriculture and natural resources. The Hopkins County Extension Office will like to recognize the multiple organizations supporting curriculum enrichment experiences and to Hopkins Rains Farm Bureau for their support, leadership and commitment to our youth in Hopkins County during the 2017 Ag in the Classroom.
A Year in Review – Diabetes Education By Johanna Hicks
A Year in Review – Diabetes Education
For the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of the major program impacts from 2018. Many people are not aware of the positive influence that Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has on the health and well-being of individuals. This week, I want to focus on the diabetes education program in Hopkins County.
Relevance: According to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), approximately 29.1 million (9.3%) people in the U.S. have diabetes. Similarly in Texas, almost 2 million (9.7%) have diabetes. In Hopkins County, approximately 12% of residents have been diagnosed with diabetes. Unlike other chronic diseases, a person with type 2 diabetes can manage their disease by following a healthful eating pattern, regular physical activity, taking prescribed medications, and developing skills needed to assist in controlling their blood glucose.
The Hopkins County Family & Consumer Sciences Committee identified diabetes education as a continuing need in Hopkins County. A Diabetes Coalition took a leading role by assisting with teaching, marketing/promotion of the classes, and providing supplementary materials. Master Wellness Volunteers assisted with marketing, registration, survey implementation, tray preparations/cooking demonstrations, and wrap-up
Response: The 2018 spring series of “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” featured 5 lessons: 1) How Food Affects Your Blood Glucose; 2) Are You Eating the Right Number of Carbohydrates? 3) Improving Your Blood Glucose with Physical Activity; 4) Improving Your Blood Glucose with Medication; 5) Celebrating Diabetes Control.
The “Cooking Well with Diabetes” series was held in September, and featured 4 topics: 1) Carbohydrate Foods; 2) Making Recipes with Fat Better for You; 3) Double-Pleasure Side Dishes – Reducing Sodium and Increasing Fiber; 4) Celebrating Sensibly with Diabetes.
I had the honor of networking with Trinity Christus Clinic and Dr. Angela Doddy to provide “Sí, Yo Puedo Controllar mi Diabetes,” a diabetes curriculum targeting Hispanic audiences. This is a 7-lesson series, providing recipe sampling and materials.
Results: “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” series: 13 participants completed the pre-and post- surveys
– Demographics: 11 females, 2 males; average age – 66; 85% (11) had never attended a diabetes class
– Behavior: 30 minutes of physical activity most days – 85% (11); spacing carbs throughout the day – 92% (12); will have 30 minutes of physical activity daily – 54% (7); will focus more on fruits & vegetables – 100% (13).
– Confidence: ability to control diabetes – all participants increased their confidence, with 54% (7) rating it “Extremely confident;” 100% (13) understood how to prevent low blood sugars when exercising.
– Economic impact: based on potential health care cost savings, the financial impact is $379,995.
“Cooking Well with Diabetes” series: 8 participants completed pre- and post-surveys
– Demographics: 7 females, 1 males; average age – 70; none had attended a diabetes cooking class
– Adoption of practices: 100% (8) more closely check the nutrition facts label; 100% (8) mostly or always add extra vegetables to casseroles, soups, sandwiches and salads; 75% (6) mostly or always use herbs/spices in place of salt in recipes
– Understanding: 100% increased knowledge on meal planning; 100% increased understanding on making healthy choices when eating out
– Ability to control diabetes: One participant reported that her blood sugar had dropped to normal ranges during the 4 weeks, and she lost 9.2 pounds. Others indicated learning how to recognize carbs in foods.
Future Implications:
I will once again network with Christus Trinity Clinic in Sulphur Springs to implement “Sí, Yo Puedo Controlar Mi Diabetes” in 2019, targeting Hispanic audiences. Dates will be announced soon. Additionally, the two diabetes series, “Cooking Well with Diabetes” and “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes,” are on the calendar for 2019. Marketing and promotion will be done through mass media, including newspaper, radio, social media, and flyers.
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop
This is an exciting time of year – celebration of the birth and life of Jesus, family gatherings, beautiful music, special events, and delicious food. Many couples choose this time to get engaged for marriage.
Twogether in Texas is a workshop designed to equip couples with skills needed to create a healthy, loving marriage. Topics are: marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams. The 1-day workshop is taught through open conversation, video sketches, hands-on activities, and couple interaction.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided, and the workshop is absolutely free. Another perk is that engaged couples will receive a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. In 2018, twelve couples completed the workshop. The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs.
Please call the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 to reserve seats.
Closing Thought
A good night’s rest, a good cup of coffee, and a good talk with the Lord make a good start to a good day – Harold Easdon (my dad)
Recipe of the Week
Hot Fruit Compote
Ingredients:
· 20-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
· 16-ounce can peach slices, drained
· 16-ounce can sliced pears, drained
· 11-ounce can mandarin orange segments, drained
· ¼ cup butter
· ½ cup brown sugar
· 1/3 cup orange juice
· 2 tablespoons lemon juice
· ½ teaspoon cinnamon
· 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
· 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
· Maraschino cherries (optional)
· Sliced or slivered almonds (optional)
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375°F.
2) Combine fruits in a 1 ½ quart casserole dish.
3) In a saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except cherries and almonds. Heat and stir until sugar is dissolved and butter in melted.
4) Pour sauce over fruit and sprinkle with almonds. Garnish with cherries.
5) Bake for 25 minutes.
6-A Powerhouse Fort Bend Elkins 68, Wildcats 63
The #8 ranked Wildcats’ basketball team lost its first game of the season to Class 6A powerhouse Fort Bend Elkins, 68-63 in their second game of the Mansfield ISD Spring Creek Barbeque Classic Tournament Thursday (November 29) at Mansfield Lake Ridge High School.
Elkins is ranked #7 in Class 6A in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Poll. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said Elkins was tough and just outplayed the Wildcats the entire game. He said they deserved to win the game. Coach Cipoletta called the loss a learning experience for his team.
For the Wildcats, Keaston Willis scored 23 points, Sadaidriene Day Day Hall added 15 points, Cameron Kahn had 10 points, Jeremiah Roland scored 8 points, Xavier Cork scored 4 points and Boo Wilkerson had 3 points.
The Wildcats season record is now 6-1 and they are 1-1 in the MISD tournament. The Wildcats play Killeen Ellison in the tourney Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Mansfield Timberview.
Lady Lions Defeat Lady Owls in Dodd City Tourney
The Saltillo Lady Lions opened play in a Dodd City tournament with a 55-31 win over Yantis on Thursday (November 29). The Lady Lions will now play the winner of a Campbell versus Sam Rayburn game Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the tournament.
The Thursday win against Yantis evened the Lady Lions season record at 6-6. Against the Lady Owls, Chandler Bain led the Lady Lions with 17 points. Jocelyn Ochoa added 14 points. Paisley Kastner scored 9 points. Anna Reeder and Maddy Smith had 7 points each. Kristina Wade had 1 point.
Lady Cats Win Second Game at Hoopfest
After an emotional victory over host Winnsboro Thursday morning, the Lady Cats’ basketball team had just enough gas in the tank to survive against Emory Rains, 41-39 Thursday afternoon (November 29) on the first day of the Winnsboro Hoopfest tournament.
The Lady Cats scored the first basket of the game against Emory Rains but then fell way behind. Rains led after the first quarter, 17-8. The Lady Cats did some catching up during the second quarter but still trailed 27-23 at halftime. Both teams managed only 6 points in the third quarter and Rains led after three quarters, 33-29. The Lady Cats finally pulled into a tie at 29-29 in the fourth quarter. Danielle Godbolt had two big baskets down the stretch that kept the Lady Cats in the lead until the end. A desperation 75-foot shot at the buzzer by Rains fell way short and the Lady Cats had a two point win.
Autumn Tanton led the Lady Cats with 13 points, Godbolt had 10, Nylah Lindley scored 8, Sadavia Porter, was hampered by foul trouble and finished with 4 points. Latavia Smith also scored 4 points. Kate Womack scored 2 points before rolling her ankle in the games final minute. She may be able to play Friday after getting her ankle taped.
The win gives the Lady Cats a 5-0 season record. They will advance to Gold Bracket play on Friday. More details are expected at the end of play on Thursday.
NH Panthers Defeat Sulphur Bluff bears
There was a victorious win for both the North Hopkins basketball girls and boys against Sulphur Bluff this past Tuesday (Nov 27) in the Sulphur Bluff gym.
The NH Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Bears with a score of 48-39. The NH basketball boys had a triumphant game as well, wining by a score of 57-27.
The North Hopkins Basketball girls and boys have been working vigorously, to earn successes this season.
Wildcats Win in Mansfield ISD Tourney
The #8 ranked Wildcats’ basketball team remained unbeaten at 6-0 with a win over Mansfield Lake Ridge, 81-73 Thursday morning (November 29) on the first day of the three-day Mansfield ISD Spring Creek Barbeque Classic Tournament.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Wildcats played really well. He said Lake Ridge was one of the best teams the Wildcats have faced so far this season. Coach Cipoletta said they constantly wore the Wildcats down. He added the Wildcats battled the Lake Ridge pressure and made the Eagles play at the Wildcats pace.
Keaston Willis led the Wildcats with 30 points. Xavier Cork scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for a double double. Sadaidriene Day Day Hall scored 16 points. Jeremiah Roland scored 6 points. Cameron Kahn had 5 points and Grayson McClure added 1 point.
The Wildcats play next at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Lake Ridge High School against the winner of a Fort Bend Elkins and Midlothian game. Elkins is ranked #7 in Class 6A in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Poll.
Lady Cats Win Thriller Over Host Winnsboro Thursday Morning at Hoopfest
The Lady Cats’ basketball team, 4-0 for the season, won a thriller in their opening game in the three-day Winnsboro Hoopfest defeating the host team, 56-52 Thursday morning (November 29). The Lady Cats overcame a packed partisan gym and a loud student group right behind their bench.
The game was a nip and tuck affair with the Lady Cats leading by two after the first quarter, trailing by one at halftime and up by one after three quarters. The Lady Cats began to open a slight lead in the fourth quarter leading by as many as five points.
The Lady Cats got big late game points from several players: Kate Womack hit a big three pointer, Autumn Tanton had a big basket and Sadavia Porter hit several key free throws. Porter led the Lady Cats with 24 points. Porter also hit three three-baskets including a 40 foot shot right before the buzzer at the end of the second quarter. Porter also fell hard to the court twice but mostly played through elbow injuries. Tanton had 14 points and some big rebounds. Nylah Lindley poured in 8 points and did a solid job rebounding. Danielle Godbolt scored 5 points and was a force on defense blocking numerous shots. Womack had 3 points and Latavia Smith scored 2.
As Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell was being interviewed near the Lady Cats’ locker room after the game, she could barely be heard over the delighted shrieks coming from the victorious locker room. Coach Tisdell called it an awesome win and well earned. She said the two-man referee crew did a good job calling such an intense game. Coach Tisdell said Womack had a big contribution to the win playing during critical times in the game due to foul trouble for other players.
The Lady Cats complete pool play against Emory Rains, Thursday at 2:40 p.m. in the Winnsboro Middle School Gym.
Hearts Of Life Receives Donation From Local Corvette Club
Debra Balkom, representing the Hearts of Life Animal Shelter, receives a check from the Sulphur Springs Corvette Club treasurer, Mike Hart. The local Corvette Club, a long time supporter of the local animal shelter, presented the charity with a $1,000 check to help with their current needs and ongoing efforts. Mrs. Balkom said, “This will go a long way in helping to feed the animals as well as help with some roof repairs.” As winter approaches, the animal shelter’s expenses go up, and currently they are faced with needing some roof repairs to help keep the animals warm and dry.
This non-profit charity relies on support and donations from our local community. If you would like to adopt a dog (or cat) or would like to donate to this 501(c)3 charity, visit their facebook page, or call Debra Balkom at (903)243-1414.
