Big Time in D-9 team receives AgriLife Extension Superior Service Award

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected]

BRYAN –  The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has awarded a team of 4-H youth development specialists for their Big Time in D-9 program, a culmination of 13 events in two days to prepare youth for Texas 4-H Roundup.

Superior Service Awards recognize AgriLife Extension faculty and staff members who provide outstanding performance in Extension education or other outstanding service to the organization and to Texas.

The award was presented Jan. 12 during the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Conference awards dinner at the Brazos Expo Center in Bryan.

Team members are: Dr. Kevin Chilek, AgriLife Extension 4-H youth development specialist, College Station; Dr. Dale Fritz, AgriLife Extension district administrator, College Station; Earlene Taylor, lead office assistant, College Station; Michelle Mihalek, AgriLife Extension agent, Montgomery County; Caroline Cruz, AgriLife Extension agent, Montgomery County; Courtney Latour, AgriLife Extension agent, Brazoria County; Reggie Lepley, AgriLife Extension agent, Walker County; Kristy Titzman, AgriLife Extension agent, Walker County; and Starla Garlick, AgriLife Extension agent, Jefferson County.

The Big Time in D-9 event replaced several smaller events that spanned over a minimum of six weekends with an overarching two-day conference and competition. While one of the main objectives of Big Time in D-9 is to facilitate the contests necessary for youth to qualify to participate in Texas 4-H Roundup, one AgriLife Extension county director said, “There is an underlying purpose to expose as many youth as possible to a wide variety of projects enjoyed by so many in an effort to build greater interest in 4-H across the board.”

According to the award nomination, by combining these events, youth have been exposed to 4-H opportunities they had previously not seen. When not in a contest, youth and their families can participate in other events going on throughout the facility.

Some examples of the workshops and events offered include: barbecue cookoff; archery and shooting sports demonstrations; wildlife habitat evaluation program; robotics; fish printing; healthy lifestyles invitational contest; leadership workshop; public speaker workshop, team building activities; and family-fun activities such as barrel races, ice cream social, bean bag toss and photo selfie center.

According to one letter of commendation, “I have never witnessed such an all-encompassing event that creates more fun and ‘learn by doing,’ family unity and county cohesiveness as Big Time in D9. This event is the ‘high water mark’ youth-related event of the year in District 9 and rivals even Texas State 4-H Roundup.”