Hicks: Youth Skills Camp Announcement
The Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is providing the 2021 Youth Skills Camp for students going into grades 6 and 7 in the fall semester. The camp will include hands-on, interactive sessions, and is free of charge. Topics and dates are: Monday, July 19: Fun with Foods assisted by Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers. In this session, campers will learn to read a recipe, measure ingredients, learn about...
Get a Taste for Reducing Food Waste
Have you ever wondered how much food is wasted? A simple definition of food waste is edible food that is lost, discarded, or uneaten. Research suggests that as much as 40% of the edible food produced in this country goes to waste. That is enough to fill the Rose Bowl – every day! On a household level, USDA estimates that as much as 20 pounds of food per person per month is wasted. Across the United States, the foods wasted most often...
MyPlate Jeopardy By Johanna Hicks
MyPlate Jeopardy I grew up watching the television game show, “Jeopardy,” and marveled at the intelligence of the competitors. As I grew older, wiser, and more experienced, the mental challenge was refreshing, and my ability to answer several questions was invigorating. As an educator, I’m always looking for fresh ideas to bring educational programs to life. That made me think about the influences that inspired me to...
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...
July-Lots of Good Things Coming By Johanna Hicks
July – Lots of Good Things Coming! June is over and July is here! Where has the time gone? The 8th annual “Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness” was another huge success and the survey results proved that the camp participants learned some facts that many adults do not know. Examples: “How many steps equal 1 mile?, How many food groups should be included in breakfast?, Nuts and eggs are part of which food group?” I hope...
Diabetes, Urban Myths, and More By Johanna Hicks
Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes Time certainly flies! The spring series of “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” is just a few short weeks away, and plans have already begun to provide a quality, informative, and impactful program. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with diabetes, this series is for you! Here are the topics to be covered and a brief synopsis of each: Monday, April 9: “Getting Started: How Food Affects...
Three Great Opportunities with Approaching Deadlines By Johanna Hicks
Three Great Opportunities with Approaching Deadlines! If you are the least bit familiar with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Hopkins County, you know that we always have something going on! Extension provides many educational programs, so today, I want to focus on three upcoming events. 1) ¡Si, Yo Puedo Controlar Mi Diabetes! is a 7-lesson series to help individuals manage their type 2 diabetes. This series is slightly different...
Camp! Camp! Camp!
Whew! We’re already into July and I’m tired (in a good sort of way!) “Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness” started off with a great group of 1st thru 4th grade students. So far, they have learned about MyPlate, the Fruit Group, the Grains Group, No-Cook Meals, the Protein Group, Pet safety, Poison Control, 1st aid, weather, and participated in a t-shirt design contest. They also participated in Walk Across Texas, yoga, team sports, Herbs,...
March Calendar of Events
March Calendar of Events One of our Extension volunteers dropped by my office and asked for a calendar of all the events for March. I pulled out my personal work calendar, and asked, “Which day?” Needless to say, there is always something going on with Extension! March is shaping up to be a very busy month, loaded with opportunities for everyone! Listed below are the events, workshops, luncheons, and meetings in which I will be...
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...
