What Do 4-H, Diabetes, and Marriage Education Have in Common?
While in the check-out line at Wal-Mart with food items and plastic utensils in tow, the cashier commented that I must be getting ready for a party of some sort. When explaining that I worked for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and was preparing for another session of Kids’ Cam
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
p: Fun, Food, Fitness, she responded that she had never heard of Extension.
Wow! To me, it’s amazing that many people see the fruits of what we do, but they don’t know the source of our agency. I proceeded to explain that we are part of the Texas A&M University System and that we bring educational programs to the communities where we live. She had heard of 4-H, but didn’t link it to Extension. She had heard of the Master Gardener program, but again, didn’t link it to Extension.
So, back to my original question, what do 4-H, Diabetes Education and Marriage Education have in common? These are all affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Hopkins County! As a matter of fact, August is shaping up to be a very busy month in regard to all three of these!
1) Hopkins County 4-H:
– A district-wide 4-H Officer Training Bootcamp is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, right here in Sulphur Springs! It will take place at the ROC (Recreational Outreach Center), 115 Putman Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost is $25, which includes snacks, lunch, team building, games, and so much more. Hopkins County 4-H Council members, 4-H Club officers, 4-H leaders and Club Managers, and any other interested 4-H’ers are encouraged to attend. Registration is open until July 29th on 4-H Connect (current 4-H members should know how to log on.) 4-H members and leaders from all across northeast Texas will converge on Sulphur Springs, so we are fortunate to have this workshop in our own backyard!
– 4-H Project Tour Day is scheduled for Friday, August 12. We will meet at the Extension Office at 9:30 a.m. This event is designed to incorporate several projects into one, fun-filled day. More information to come, but 4-H’ers, guests, leaders, and parents are invited to participate!
– Saturday, August 27 is the day of our 4-H Achievement Banquet, which will take place at League Street Church of Christ, starting at 6:00 p.m. Our theme is “4-H in the Wild West”, and attendees are welcome to wear jeans and boots! Our meal will be barbeque and all the fixings, along with cobbler and homemade ice cream prepared by the 4-H Foods Project Group. We are asking attendees to contribute $2 each to help off-set the cost of the meal. The 4-H Foods Project group will meet at 10:00 a.m. to begin preparations, and the 4-H County Council will meet at noon to decorate and rehearse the script. Awards will be given for 4-H Rookie of the Year, Outstanding Junior, Outstanding Intermediate, Outstanding Leader, and 4-H Supporter, in addition to recognizing Year Pin recipients, project completion, and district/state 4-H participation.
– 4-H enrollment for 2016/2017 will take place starting August 15. Registration is done at https://texas.4honline.com. The fee is $20, which covers the entire year (September, 2016 thru August, 2017). Returning families only need to go in and update their information. New families will need to set up a profile and follow the on-screen instructions. We currently have the following 4-H clubs in Hopkins County: 4-H Paws (Sulphur Springs Elementary School 3rd & 4th grade school-based club); Infinity 4-H; Dike 4-H; Miller Grove 4-H; and Stars of Texas 4-H (Arbala Community).
– 4-H Horse project meetings will be held at the Professional Ag Workers’ building in Buford Park at 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays, August 11 and 25. Horse ownership is not required. Topics will include hoof care, fitting saddles, haltering, and trailer loading. For more information, text Joy Doss at 903-348-7670 or contact our office at 903-885-3443.
2) Diabetes Education:
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or simply want to learn more about nutrition and self-care, the “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” series will be extremely beneficial to you! The series is scheduled for August 22, 25, 29, September 1, and September 6, at the Extension Office, 6:00 to approximately 8:00 p.m. We’ll discuss nutrition topics, what your numbers should be, making the most of your doctor’s visits, delaying or preventing complications, and so much more. Information is based on research, and is supported by the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Pre-registration is requested in order for adequate preparations to be made. Cost of the series is $25 which covers materials, refreshments, incentives, and speakers. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
3) Twogether in Texas Marriage Education:
This workshop is absolutely one of my favorite things! I’m a staunch supporter of building healthy marriages, and helping couples save money in the process! The next Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop is scheduled for Saturday, August 20, at the Extension Office, from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m.
Topics will include Marriage Expectations, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Money Management, and Goals & Dreams. The workshop will include videos, group participation, couple interaction, lunch, refreshments, and materials. One of the perks is that the workshop is absolutely free! The state of Texas sees the importance of marriage education, and at the conclusion of the workshop, I will provide couples with a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. (Information on the workshop is highlighted in each issue of the Northeast Texas Bridal Magazine.)
Interested couples need to pre-register by calling my office at 903-885-3443 so adequate preparations can be made.
4) Other Extension Opportunities:
– The month of August will also include the annual Leadership Advisory Board, Youth Board, Program Area committees, and Master Volunteers workshop. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, August 11, 6:00 p.m. at the Extension Office. We have a great activity planned, and a calendar of major events will be available. We’ll review leadership skills, share ideas, and have a light meal. Notices will be sent to Board and Committee members, but anyone else interested in attending may call us for more information.
– My Family & Consumer Sciences Committee, Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest Committee, and Master Wellness Volunteers will gather for lunch on Wednesday, August 24 to discuss volunteer opportunities for the 2016 Fall Festival, Ag-in-the-Classroom, Senior Expo, and annual “Christmas Joys” program. Notices will be sent, but anyone wishing to assist is welcome to attend!
Well, that just about sums up my activities for August, except for two district meetings, three major reports, planning for 2017, and two newsletter preparations. So what is Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service? We are an educational agency affiliated with the Texas A&M University System, with the Commissioners’ Courts of Texas cooperating.
