It was a noon meeting of the Texas AgriLife Extension Committee Council, that offered ideas that needed to be addressed in our local community, for the 2010-11 year. The advisory committee is comprised of a cross-section of the community and offers input into the type programs that should be the focus of the local Extension Service in meeting the needs of the populace with their programs. "We depend on you to tell us what problems need to be addressed and need to be our focus for the coming year," advised County Extension Agent, Johanna Hicks. "Your role, as community volunteers is to be astute to the needs of our community and to advise us to the program emphasis that needs to be addressed in the coming year!"

"What are those 'burning issues' that need attention and focus in 2010-11?" asked County Agricultural Agent, Dr. Mario Villarino. "We're seeking the areas that will be most beneficial to our area and where we can focus our attention for the coming year!"

Local agents, Juli Hutchins, 4-H Agent, Hicks, and Villarino, each outlined the current program emphasis and suggested a Pecan Show, to highlight the local pecan production. The show would be held in mid-November and would feature a number of events related to pecans and pecan production, including a bake show, judging of pecan quality, and related games for the children. The committee felt the event would have some benefits to the local community.

 

 

 

 

Next, the committee selected Gordon Ford to be the Secretary/Treasurer of the group and Yvonne McDaniels to serve as the chairman.

When it came time to suggest programs for the following year, one area of critical need that surfaced was the "plight" of a number of recent graduates, who are children of illegal aliens, in our community. The children have lived most of their lives in Hopkins County, been educated in our schools, excelled and are now ready to go to college, but were born in Mexico, and cannot obtain a driver's license and other needed documents. "They are at risk of being deported and can't obtain a social security number to work and be a productive member of our society," explained one of the committee members. "We need to offer some kind of education and support to these students, in finding out what they must do to become citizens and obtain the necessary documents."

A discussion about the merits of this need in our area was discussed and several ideas surfaced.

Next, a committee member suggested a program to teach youth enrichment in the work ethic. "We need students to realize by example and instruction that success is a result of hard work, and in many cases they are not receiving enough of that training at home," expressed one committee member. "We could use some help in teaching these students about savings and investments and a variety of work related skills!"

With these suggestions offered, members of the AgriLife Extension staff had plenty of information to develop programs for our community for the upcoming year, as the meeting adjourned.

The committee will meet again in November to hear program emphasis for next year.

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