New 4-H Year Underway!
Aug28

New 4-H Year Underway!

With the start of school comes the beginning of a new 4-H year. 4-H is the nation’s largest youth organization. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H is about having fun, learning, exploring and discovering. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities. More than 65,000 Texas youth are enrolled...

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Johanna Hicks To Retire As Extension Agent
Dec26

Johanna Hicks To Retire As Extension Agent

When Hopkins County Commissioners Court convened for what is the last scheduled meeting of 2022, County Judge Robert Newsom announced what he called a bit of sad news: it would be Johanna Hicks’ last regular Extension activity report during Commissioners Court. Hicks plans to retire at the end of January as Hopkins County’s Family and Community Health Extension Agent. Hicks has dedicated 27 years of service to educating...

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Looking For Something To Do? Opportunities Abound With Texas AgriLife Extension
Jul07

Looking For Something To Do? Opportunities Abound With Texas AgriLife Extension

Johanna Hicks By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent for Hopkins County, [email protected] A local news agency has stopped asking if Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has anything going on, and now asks, “What’s coming up next?” They know we always have an opportunity for involvement – seminars, workshops, community events, etc. So with that being said, I wanted to provide a list of...

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Hicks: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Reception
Nov10

Hicks: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Reception

By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Reception                Greetings again from your Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office!  Wow, November got off to a busy start!  We just completed the 47th annual “Christmas Joys” holiday program.  This popular event was started by my predecessor, Janie Crump, and I have kept it going.  Even...

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Even During A Pandemic, Extension Agents Find Ways To Assist, Educate, Connect With Texans
Aug30

Even During A Pandemic, Extension Agents Find Ways To Assist, Educate, Connect With Texans

Hopkins County Extension Agents have found ways to continue to assist, educate and connect with Texas, even during a pandemic. While face-to-face events have been cancelled due to COVID-19, Extension Agents Dr. Mario Villarino and Johanna Hicks and Assistant Agent Jessica Taylor have risen to the challenge of continuing to offer educational programs and continue 4-H programming. Hopkins County Assistant Extension Agent Jessica Taylor,...

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October – Good Things Coming! by Johanna Hicks
Sep19

October – Good Things Coming! by Johanna Hicks

September seemed to have flown by! With October quickly approaching, thoughts turn to cooler weather, trees changing colors, pumpkins, and roasted marshmallows. At our Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, things are buzzing as we prepared for numerous events and programs. Below is a sampling: National 4-H Week Kick-off: October 6-12, 4-H members and leaders all across the nation will be recognizing the impact of the 4-H program....

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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Cooks Up Classes
Aug16

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Cooks Up Classes

Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health, 1200-B West Houston Street, P.O.Box 518, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483 903-885-3443; phone 903-439-4909; Fax [email protected] By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent Hopkins County residents enjoy good food. However, many recipes we see on Facebook and other internet sites are not necessarily the...

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Ten Reasons to Smile; Back to School Fair
Jul27

Ten Reasons to Smile; Back to School Fair

Why Smile?  Ten Reasons Why                Do you know anybody who seems to always have a smile?  I do!  Every Sunday morning from the choir loft at my church, I have the perfect view of a sweet lady who smiles during our choir special, during congregational singing, and while listening to the morning message.  It seems to brighten my spirit, and makes me want to smile, too!                Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand...

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So Many Choices: Events and More By Johanna Hicks
Jul20

So Many Choices: Events and More By Johanna Hicks

So Many Choices!                We make decisions every day – what to wear, what to eat, how to spend our day, whether or not to answer the phone, what to watch on TV, whom to text or call, and even things we don’t think about, like where to sit, what to read (whether in the newspaper, on your phone, on your computer, on your smart watch, etc.)  We literally make hundreds of choices, if not thousands, every day.                At the...

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Happy October By Johanna Hicks
Sep30

Happy October By Johanna Hicks

Happy October! As I sit here typing my weekly column, I’m refreshed by the cooler temperatures and the sounds of the Sulphur Springs High School band as they practice for Friday night football.  Hopkins County 4-H enrollment has gotten off to a great start, and many opportunities are available during the month of October.  As promised last week, below is a list of 4-H events: October 2-8: National 4-H Week – our Hopkins County 4-H’ers...

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