2019 4-H Hopkins County Agricultural Plan
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, Texas Dr. Mario Villarino Relevance 4-H Agriculture and Natural Resources projects are an important component of the county 4-H program in Texas. Currently, 63 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...
Fall Is Here: Remember Dallisgrass Staggers
Mario Villarino By Dr. Mario Villarino Earlier in the week, a beef producer walked into the Extension Office in Sulphur Springs looking for help. His small herd was having issues with dallisgrass poisoning. The problem was that cattle got into a heavily grown dallisgrass paddock and cattle got sick. Our first recommendation was to notify his veterinarian, who suggested to move them out of the paddock and feed them pellets and hay...
International Texas Longhorn Association Coming to Sulphur Springs
The International Texas Longhorn Association (ITLA) was founded in 1990 and currently has just under 1300 members. ITLA registers pure Texas Longhorn cattle, documents pedigrees, has a member driven show and awards system. ITLA is the only Texas Longhorn registry where members get to nominate and elect by mail-in ballot their own President and all officers/directors. Larry P Smith II, the ITLA President The annual Convention and Show...
State Validation for Heifers/Steers October 14
State Validation for heifers and county only steers scheduled for October 14, 2019 6:00 to 7:00 PM, Cattleman Veterinary Services. The mission of the youth livestock validation program is to promote a positive youth development environment focused on ensuring rules for livestock exhibition are being followed under the supervision of County Extension Agents and Agricultural Science Teachers. This helps to foster integrity, virtues, and...
Sulphur Springs FFA Members Recognized For Proficiency, Hard Work
Several students were recognized earlier this week during the annual Sulphur Springs High School FFA Banquet for their successes and hard work. SSHS FFA had eight Leadership Development Teams and 16 students competing n a number of invitational contests as well as district and area contest in the fall. Those teams included: Greenhand Quiz Team – Cash Vititow, Hannah Sells, Brooklyn Burnside, and Beau BankstonChapter Quiz- Breanna...
Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-op is 80 Years Old!
On March 24, 2019, “the Co-op” as it’s known in Sulphur Springs will begin it’s 80th year serving the farming community in Hopkins County and it’s member-patrons. For a good segment of our population, the Co-op is a household word, and almost a member of the family. Most everyone knows General Manager Brad Johnson, also Donnie Peters, Store Manager and Jim Ratzlaff, Credit Manager. Among the...
What to Expect from the 4-H Program By Mario Villarino
I often get asked when new families join 4-H what to expect of the program. It is usually the word of 4-Hers and their families that provides the answer correctly. For many, it is the livestock projects, for others the very many other activities in 4-H. According to Marty Vahlenkamp (www. https://texasyouthlivestock.com) the answer for sure it is different for every 4-H’er depending on their goals and personal situation. The typical...
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...
4-H Swine Validation By Mario Villarino
4-H Swine Validation- November 19, 2018 4:00 to 5:00 PM – Extension Office Swine is a generic word used to describe pigs. For 4-H, the swine project includes the selection, care and showing of a commercial pig. For the majority of our 4-H members, the NETLA junior market show is the livestock show where those projects will terminate but some also intent to show at major livestock shows. The swine project starts with making the...
4-H Grows Here By Johanna Hicks
4-H Grows Here! Every August, registration for 4-H membership begins. The 4-H year coincides with the school year, so that makes it easy to get in from the very beginning! For families who are new to the 4-H experience, allow me to start at the beginning. What is 4-H? 4-H is a national organization which helps young people develop...
