4-H Club managers meet here on Tuesday afternoon at a receiption in honor of Juli Hutchins,
far right foreground, and wish her much success in her new position in Bastrop County.

 

"Saying Good-Bye to a Friend"
Hutchins Honored With Reception, Tuesday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

Submitted Photos

 

It was a large crowd of community leaders, 4-H Club members, club managers, and adult leaders, that "dropped-by" the Hopkins County Agricultural Extension Office, on Tuesday afternoon, to attend a "going-away" reception, in honor of Hopkins County 4-H Agent, Julie Hutchins. Julie, a native of Los Lumis, New Mexico, near Albuquerque, came to Hopkins County as the 4-H Agent in 2008, and has left her mark on the hearts of the youth of this community, in her many, many endeavors working through 4-H projects. Hutchins has accepted a position in Bastrop County, south east of Austin, and will be moving to Bastrop, this week.

"Juli's been great with the kids," acknowledged Miller Grove 4-H Manager, Carolyn George. "She's devoted loads of time to the youth and helped them with their projects from livestock, to photography, to cooking, sewing, and leadership activities. We're going to miss Juli and all the work she does!"

 

Juli was active in leading the Master Gardeners, while in Hopkins County, also.

 

Other Agricultural Extension Program members were also on hand to wish Juli "Godspeed." "Juli has worked with a number of program outside her 4-H work, including our Master Garden Program," expressed one of the members. "We enjoyed her time here in Hopkins County and wish her the best in her new position. It's definitely our loss and their gain!"

Juli's 4-H position is part of the cuts that are being made in 60 counties across the state, and her position will no longer be funded in Hopkins County.

 

 

"Juli and her son, Jacob, will be sorely missed in Hopkins County, by a host of people she has become near and dear to, while being here for the past two years," expressed Barbara Sanders, Office Secretary at the Extension Office. "We'll try to manage with less people and continue as many of the programs as we can, with limited resources."

Extension Agents Mario Villarino and Johanna Hicks, will attempt to provide as many of the programs, as they can, following Juli's departure.

 

Juli and Jacob are shown here with local 4-H members and leaders, as they donated materials
to the Scottish Rites Hospital, as a 4-H project.

 

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