COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Friday commended Texas 4-H for involving millions of young people in” life-enriching educational programs during its 100-year history.”
According to a resolution passed unanimously by the board, Texas 4-H each year uses some 42,700 volunteers to help reach more than 659,000 young people with opportunities âto practice life skills, develop strong character and improve their readiness for the workplace and college.â
âThe members of 4-H and their families have made many worthwhile contributions to the citizens of Texas and this nation, and continue to do so through programs that help others affected by disability or hardship,â the board said, noting in particular 4-Hâs Operation Military Kids, which serves children who have a parent deployed with the military.
The roots of Texas 4-H grew from a corn club for boys in Jack County in 1908, a tomato club for girls in Milam County in 1912, and a vegetable garden and poultry club for black youth in Waller County in 1914.
“The year-long Texas 4-H Centennial celebration, which concludes in the summer of 2008, presents a great teaching opportunity for 4-H members,” said Dr. Martha Couch, Texas Cooperative Extension associate director for 4-H and youth development.
âWe help the kids appreciate those who have gone before and what we owe them,â she said. âBut we also try to help them understand that they are the ones who must set the standard now for those who will follow them.â
The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program is administered by Extension and the Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Program, both parts of the Texas A&M System.
“Our agency is proud of the long record 4-H has in developing youth into community-minded, service-oriented adults,” said Dr. Ed Smith, Extension director. “It’s comforting to know that the program will continue to have the positive impact on our state’s youth for generations to come.”
Texas 4-H Council members attending the presentation of the resolution at the regents meeting were Loni Woolley of Grandview, April Johnson of San Antonio, Colton Conn of Hearne and Kelsi Gulick of Bigfoot.
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