Hunt County 4-H and Youth Programs

Even after nearly two years in this job, I am still amazed at how much of our work day is dedicated to our youth programs.  If you are have not heard of 4-H then you've probably been under a rock for the past hundred years.  Texas 4-H has more than 550,000 members across the state and has been in existence since 1908.

As the Hunt County Fair comes to an end I think about all of the youth that entered and all of the time and energy they spent perfecting their project.  Whether it be a heifer or goat, a photograph or baked good, our county youth are actively engaged.  

Hunt County has various 4-H clubs throughout the county and we are always recruiting new members.  4-H offers an amazing number of different projects; please visit Texas 4-H to learn more.  If you or someone you know is interested in joining 4-H, please contact the Hunt County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office, hunt4H@ag.tamu.edu or (903) 455-9885.

In addition to our daily 4-H tasks, we are try to help educate all county youth on agriculture.  Each May our office hosts Science of Agriculture Day at the Hunt County Fairgrounds for every fourth grader in the county.  On average, we welcome 1000 fourth grade students and 60 teachers from around Hunt County.  Science of Agriculture Day is a research-tested educational program designed to communicate the importance of agriculture and natural resources.  Students will visit nine hands-on learning stations, including Beef, Grain, Water Enviroscape, Wildlife, Electricity, Healthy Lifestyles, Bees and Pollination, Farm Animals, and 4-H Projects.  Pre- and post-test evaluations show a significant increase in agricultural understanding and knowledge following the event.

We look forward to this event each year.  It is always fun to see their eyes light up when they see the electricity demonstration or how excited they become when they learn all of the different ways animals are used.  If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, please contact our office.  We have hosted this event for 10 years and owe a large part of the success to the people that help through volunteering or by making a donation. 

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or just want to chat, please feel free to come by the Hunt County AgriLife Extension office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville, Texas, 75401, call (903) 455-9885, or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu.  

4-H Pledge:
"I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world."