Due to Rain – Cancelled – THE NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY OCTOBER 28, 2023
HOPKINS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/HOPKINS COUNTY SHERIFF’S POSSE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEA ANNOUNCE
THE NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY
EVENT DATE : SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2023
TIME : 10 AM – 2 PM
PLACE : ATWOOD’S (PARKING LOT)
817 GILMER ST.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX. 75482
The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
DEA and HOPKINS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE is committed to making our communities safer and healthier. We can do this by reducing overdoses and overdose deaths. While the community does its part to turn in unneeded medications and remove them from potential harm, we are doing our part to further reduce drug-related violence.
Intravenous solutions, injectable items, and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.
New CT Scanner at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs
October 15, 2023 – Sulphur Springs, TX – Healthcare and community members gathered on Thursday, October 12 to celebrate the unveiling of the new CT Scanner at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. The event marks the culmination of the two-year project which required a room to be specially lined and renovated to accommodate the new equipment.
The scanner was purchased by CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation.
The day was marked with comments from Foundation Chair Maleta Reynolds and CMF-SS Chief Nursing Officer Anitha Sanderson. A blessing of the equipment was provided by Fr. Justin Wylie, manager of pastoral care, which also involved Andy Navarro, vice president of mission integration at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, and Sister Rose Marikudi, member of the Sisters of the Mother of Mount Carmel.
During Reynold’s comments, she mentioned the benefit the community receives due to the Hopkins County Hospital District, CMF-SS, and the Foundation working together to provide the best local healthcare for citizens.
Sanderson shared the need for the new CT Scanner, which is the second one in use at CMF-SS. She said that it had been estimated prior to purchase that the new CT scanner would be used at least 7 times a day. Currently, it is averaging 9 times per day. And the need is expected to continue to increase.
To find out more about the Foundation or how to donate, contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, at 903-438-4799.
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Paris District Road Report for week of October 16, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Oct. 16, 2023. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
Grayson County: US 75, from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project.
Mainlane traffic has been switched from the old mainlanes to the existing frontage roads to allow for construction of the new mainlanes and bridges between South Travis Street and Center Street. During this operation, northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road approximately one-half mile north of South Travis Street and transition back to the existing mainlanes at Middleton Street. Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road approximately one-half mile north of Park Avenue and transition back to existing mainlanes approximately one-half mile north of South Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and bridges at Post Oak Creek. During this phase, US 75 frontage road traffic will be reduced to a single travel lane while US 75 mainlane traffic will maintain two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic will be separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Park Avenue under US 75 are closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to allow for construction of the new overpass at Park Avenue. To detour, eastbound Park Avenue traffic will continue on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on South Travis Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Park Avenue. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Park Avenue.
US 75, at the US 82 intersection. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads on the northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as well as on the eastbound and westbound US 82 frontage road lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
The eastbound entrance ramp to US 82 at the US 75 intersection is closed to traffic. This ramp serves as the entrance ramp to eastbound US 82 at US 75. This closure is needed to complete the construction of the US 82 eastbound frontage road and new entrance ramp. Motorists are advised to use the eastbound frontage road and continue east through the Loy Lake intersection and use the eastbound entrance ramp from Loy Lake Road to gain access to US 82.
FM 1417, from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 121, from Main Street in Van Alstyne to SH 160. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 11, from FM 697 in Sherman to US 69 in Whitewright. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers replace guardrails, backfill the pavement, and seed the project. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Park Road 20 in Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures within Eisenhower State Park as workers perform base repairs on the roadway and then overlay the roadway with a hot-mix surface. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 131 in Sherman. Watch for lane closures as workers replace the bridge railing and guardrail approaches at each bridge structure and install median barrier. During construction, the bridge location will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing. Currently, the contractor is working on the westbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek and on the eastbound lanes at Post Oak Creek. On this project, the contractor is also installing a center median concrete traffic barrier between FM 1417 and FM 131. Motorists should expect lane closures and occasional lane closures while this work is ongoing.
US 75 full depth concrete repair. Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 75 debris pickup, from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday during the nighttime.
FM 902, from US 377 to SH 289. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 3133, from SH 5 to the Collin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Fannin County: SH 78, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Watch for daytime shoulder closures and occasional lane closures as workers install sloped end treatments on drainage structures and replace bridge rail and guardrail.
FM 100, from SH 56 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 271, from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 34, from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for traffic shifts and traffic-signal-controlled lane closures as workers build the bridge approaches for the new SH 34 roadway at the future Lake Ralph Hall.
FM 1550, from SH 34 to CR 3544. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work on building the connection of the realigned FM 1550 to the existing roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2077, from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 69, in Trenton from SH 121 to FM 981. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform road repairs. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
Franklin County: I-30, from SH 37 to County Road 3050. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews perform pavement widening for truck parking area.
Spur 423, at I-30 N Frontage Road. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews install traffic signal.
Hopkins County: FM 900, from I-30 to FM 3019. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews begin road widening operations.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
Lamar County: Loop 286, from FM 1497 around the north loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures and perform bridge maintenance.
Loop 286, from US 271 North going west to FM 79. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, crossing closures and merging traffic while crews place a bonded concrete surface and perform asphalt paving operations.
US 271, from LP 286 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews resurface the pavement and perform bridge maintenance.
FM 1507 (Jefferson Rd), from SH 19 to 0.8 MI North of Loop 286. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews install sidewalk.
CR 26320 at Morrison Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 1497, from FM 1184 to FM 3426. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures
SH 24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from the FM 64 intersection to 1,540 feet east of FM 198. Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge rail upgrades.
Delta County: FM 64, from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 2068 at East Fork of Jernigan Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 2675, from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Red River County: Cedar / Church Street (Clarksville, Texas), at the intersection of Cedar and Church Street. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
FM 410, from US 82 to FM 3281. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews install sidewalk and improve drainage.
CR 2127 at Scatter Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
Hunt County: SH 11, from Culver Street to Live Oak. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has begun milling for overlay operations to begin this week. The contractor has placed hotmix for turn lanes and intersections, curb work and sod placement will begin soon. This project is a traffic calming project and pedestrian improvements on SH 11. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2642, from FM 35 to SH 66: The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. Excavation work for the detour is ongoing. The contractor has been performing saw cutting edge lines of the existing roadway for detour tie ins. Crews worked on fine grading flex base. This contractor will perform detour work and begin backfilling soon. The contractor has begun demolition of median on the north end of I-30 intersection.
SP 302, from SH 34 to FM 499; from FM 499 to I-30; from US 69 to SH 34; from O’Neal Street to US 69. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. Milling and paving operations have finished. Embankment and sidewalk work is completed. Striping of the spur has been completed. Contractor will begin seeding and vegetative watering soon. Utility work by others is ongoing in the area. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, from I-30 to FM 1567. Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. Cross culvert work is complete, reworking the roadway, widening and cement treatment to the subgrade, and reworking the roadway base material is ongoing. The contractor is on mile five of this eight-mile project and will continue widening and cement treating the subgrade. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has reopened the CR 1032 and CR 2132 bridge. The contractor has begun work CR 1031. The contractor has placed the bridge deck and riprap. The detour will be removed soon. The contractor plans to reinstall the private fence, rework the side slopes and establish vegetation. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Shelby Avenue Bridge: Greenville. The contractor has set barricades and work zone signage. The contractor has begun demolition of existing structure and will begin work on abutments. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 intersection improvements from Monte Stratton to FM 1903. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor will be performing eastbound main lane widening and embankment placement. FEC and ATT utility work is ongoing in the area. The contractor plans to place more barrier and perform main lane widening work soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Rains County: FM 2946, from FM 515 to FM 279. Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. The contractor is performing base repair work and widening work. Seal coat work and ditch work will be ongoing in this area. Please, be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains Counties will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Both sections have been working on bridge maintenance projects. Herbicide operations are ongoing throughout both counties.
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Texas A&M Forest Service Kicks off Fourth Annual Leadership Institute
October 15, 2023 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute hosted the kick-off session for its fourth cohort Oct. 10 to 12 in The Woodlands, Texas. Institute founders strive to provide a transformative experience for participants, with aspirations of leaving a lasting effect on their ability to lead in daily environments.
The Leadership Institute offers a constructive and inspiring learning environment, enabling opportunities for personal growth by giving participants access to tools and speakers that will strengthen their leadership skills.
“We believe that by building the capacity of our partners through leadership training, we can help strengthen their organizations and help further the overall reach and mission of Texas A&M Forest Service,” said Hughes Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Resource Development Chief Operating Officer.
This year’s class boasts a diverse group of 24 members from natural resource organizations across the state including presidents, assistant fire chiefs, program leaders and organization executive directors.
“The Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute had great speakers that facilitated insightful reflection of our current leadership skills as well as how to improve and adapt our style to individuals on our teams and in our communities,” said Erin Herrin, Walsh Timber Company, LLC.
The vision for the institute is to establish a program that will rally existing and emerging leaders within the fields of natural resources and increase their capacity and ability to enact meaningful change throughout the state of Texas.
One key to success for the institute is including dynamic and engaging speakers. In this session, participants heard from Frank Keck about building a united team and foundations of leadership, Dr. John Daly about interpersonal leadership and Dr. Richard Grant about personality types.
“I find the best leaders are the most self-aware they know who they are and where they’re going,” said Keck, CoreBuild CEO. “Our goal is to really help leaders in different natural resource capacities to develop themselves, to invest in these leaders to make a better Texas.”
Through the leadership institute, Texas A&M Forest Service hopes to continue to grow and support local leaders while increasing the network of natural resource professionals across the state with each class.
Over the next several months, the class will participate in monthly lunch and learns, networking opportunities and course activities. The class will graduate from the institute in April, after a second three-day session, which will have a new lineup of speakers and leadership training.
To learn more about the Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute, the speakers and how to participate, visit https://tfsleadershipinstitute.org.
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The Next Hopkins County Genealogical Society Meeting Will Feature a Talk by 1965 SSHS Graduate John Pearce
You don’t want to miss this one ! John Pearce is a 1965 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, where he was honored as a football player on the Wildcat Wall of Honor in 1996. He attended A&M University on a football scholarship before transferring to and completing his playing career at East Texas State University in 1968. He went on to coach high school football until he began to serve as head football coach at Stephen F. Austin State University and Assistant football coach at UCLA and Rice Universities. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention here but you may peruse his complete history on WIKIPEDIA – John Pearce (American football).
In 2014 John became a published author with his book Ever Remember the Days 1913-14. He also is an historical researcher on his family and author in many areas including a self-published book, Sulphur Springs football’s Pride of the Blue and Gold. Pearce has numerous short stories published and has been called the official “Wildcat Historian” for Sulphur Springs High School football by the Sulphur Springs Daily News Telegram. His crowning authorship was a book titled A Private in the Texas Army following his dad’s war year experience published in 2022.
The subject of John’s talk will be “Never Never Never Quit.” He will bring his last book, A Private in the Texas Army, to sign and sell. Although he is out of Ever Remember the Days of 1913-14, we do have several copies at the library for sale. John’s book Pride of the Blue and Gold is also available upon order. This book is published for sale by the library and every cent we receive for it is donated by John to the library.
Please join us in person or via Zoom on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. (Central Time), 611 N. Davis, Sulphur Springs Texas. If you cannot join us in person, we invite you to join us via Zoom. Register here for the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdOyuqDsvGdF117-DuFLYhukk2xKNlPFQ After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We are looking forward to this presentation and to seeing you in attendance!
Sulphur Springs Cross Country Competed in the District 15-4A Meet Wednesday
Sulphur Springs Cross Country competed in the District 15-4A meet October 11th at Pittsburgh High School! JV Boys got first place as a team! Gabe Mayo came in first place, while Sawyer Shutt came in second and Rafael Florez came in third.
Kannon Gibson came in fifth place, followed by Uriah Lee in sixth. Isaac Stanley came in ninth and Elrey Vargas came in tenth.
The Sulphur Springs Lady Cats JV Girls got third place as a team! Emily Rodriguez came in eighth place.
The Varsity Boys got second as a team and qualified for Regionals! Bryson Baxter came in at eighth place while Jaydon Conner came in tenth.
The Sulphur Springs Lady Cats Varsity Girls got second as a team and qualified for Regionals! Edith Martinez came in first place, Abbey Williams came in fourth, and Dylan McKinney came in eleventh!
Congratulations to our Wildcat Cross Country teams!
Keeping Bees Away From Food, Drinks & You! From Master Gardener David Wall
Yep, we’re well into the fall when outdoor festivities get interrupted with multiple types of bees, wasps, and other assorted characters. As their food supply dwindles in late summer and early fall, they begin
looking for alternative food sources. AND, it seems they are even more active than in the spring or early summer! Quick to recognize a good food source when they see it, your food and beverages become prime targets! As such, the question of the day becomes one of how to keep them away without endangering our own food with sprays and other chemicals.
Strangely, cucumber peels are a simple way to keep pests away. Acids found in cucumber peels are highly offensive to bees and wasps. So, the peels repel, leaving the rest of the cucumber to eat and enjoy! Just place peels around the exposed food as well as your plate! Put your drink on a small plate with a peel or two on it. With numerous friends present, a peel or two on the chair armrests will also work for humans!
Again, it’s the acid that works. A peel without a bit of cucumber on it dries out pretty fast. Once peels dry out, they lose their effect. So, leave some flesh on the peel. ¾” peels work very well. Also, you don’t
need an 18” peel. Cutting a slice, removing out the center leaving a ¾” peel and then quartering it is usually sufficient. We’ve been talking about bees and wasps, but the cucumber slices keep other flying insects away.
For total protection, plug in an electric fan (ceiling, stand up, or portable hand-held). Flying insects weigh next to nothing, and a fan breeze upsets their navigating accuracy. This is why placing a few fans
around your outdoor space quickly clear the space.
Trying To Ignore Officer Sends Man To Jail
October 13, 2023 – Hopkins County Sheriff Deputies encountered a man parked in the lane of travel on State Highway 11 East near the Como-Pickton School Campus. Officers approached the vehicle and were told by the driver that the vehicle was not operational, even though the car was running.
Sheriff Deputies noticed the driver, 33 year old David Glynne Noble to be nervous, so deputies asked to search the vehicle. Noble declined the officer’s request to search and then attempted to ignore the officer’s further request’s by rolling up his window and turning up the radio to a volume where it made further interaction with deputies impossible. Noble then put the formerly unmoveable vehicle in drive in an attempt to flee the scene. The chase did not last long and ended with the Deputies shattering the driver’s side window of the vehicle and placed David Glynne Noble into custody in the parking lot of the Como-Pickton school. Noble was placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County jail with the charge of evading arrest or detention with a previous conviction making the charge a third degree felony.
This is not the first time Noble has been in Hopkins County Jail. In June of this year he was arrested for assault. See that story here.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Paris Junior College Board of Regents Retain Presidential Search Firm
October 13, 2023 – At a special called meeting on October 5, 2023, the Paris Junior College Board of Regents approved a contract to retain the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) to oversee the search for the next president of the College.
ACCT is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. ACCT has successfully completed over 500 CEO searches ranging from campus presidents to state system presidents.
The Regents met by Zoom with Julie Golder, J.D., ACCT Vice President of Search Services, who explained the typical search process.
A second called meeting will be held on Oct. 16 to follow up with ACCT.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Agricultural Awareness for Children is Important by Mario Villarino
October 13, 2023 – Agricultural awareness for children is important for several reasons:
Understanding Food Sources: It helps children understand where their food comes from, fostering an appreciation for the effort that goes into producing it.
Environmental Awareness: It can teach kids about the environmental impact of agriculture and the importance of sustainable farming practices.
Healthy Eating: Agricultural awareness can promote healthy eating habits by connecting kids with fresh, locally grown produce.
Career Exploration: It exposes children to potential career paths in agriculture, from farming to food science.
Cultural and Historical Significance: Learning about agriculture can provide insights into the cultural and historical roots of a region.
Life Skills: Kids can learn practical skills related to gardening, farming, and food preparation.
Agricultural awareness can be promoted in children through activities like visits to farms, gardening projects, educational programs, and discussions about food sources and sustainability. With the goal of promoting agricultural awareness, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension planned and conducted an educational program at the Regional Civic Center October 7 and 8, 2023 hosting more than 800 4th grade school students from Rains ISD, Mt Vernon ISD, Sulphur Springs ISD, Como ISD, Saltillo ISD, Cumby ISD, North Hopkins ISD, Miller Grove ISD, and Cooper ISD. During two days 4th grade students got the opportunity to learn from My plate (Instructed by Lisa Sprague- County Agent FCH Hopkins County) Beef Cattle (Instructed by Micah Newton and Tracy Shackelford) Honey Bees (Instructed by Charlotte Wilson), Horse (Instructed by Mario Cox) Grains (Hopkins – Rains Farm Bureau) Livestock (Hopkins-Rains Farm Bureau) Goats (Instructor Kelli Ebel), 4-H youth involvement (Instructed by Sara Latham- County Agent FCH Rains County), and poultry (Instructed by Sarah Brod, County Extension Agent, Ag and NR, Franklin County) and Dairy Farming (Instructed by Aaron Sanders, South West Dairy Farmers).
Both days concluded with milk and icecream donated by the Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs and two bicycles and teachers gift cards provided by Hopkins- Rains Farm Bureau.
