4H Year in Review by Mario Villarino
Hopkins County 4-H Agriculture Plan
RELEVANCE: 4-H Agriculture and Natural Resources projects are an important component of the county 4-H program in Texas. Currently, sixty three percent of Texas 4-H members are enrolled in a livestock project . These projects provide youth with subject matter education , as well as valuable learning experiences, character education and leadership skills critical for youth .
RESPONSE: Adult volunteer engagement is critical to administer the program and expand the outreach . As today youth are further removed from farming , many do not understand the importance of agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives. This plan included a path to the plate program component as part of a summer camp activity . The plan included monthly veterinary science sessions using a directional specific curriculum intended to provide education to achieve Veterinary Assistant Certification . The objective of the plan was to provide 4-H members with excellent learning opportunities within the ANR project areas . This plan utilized a 4-H Livestock Project Coalition to provide direction and support for the programs and events conducted . The following activities were implemented during 2020-2021:
- Livestock Clinics (beef, poultry, swine, goat/lamb) (October – January).
- 12 Veterinary Sessions (Monthly).
- Path to the Plate session in beef and byproducts (Multi-county Camp).
- Livestock County Show (Feb, 2021).
- Dairy Livestock Show (June, 2021).
- Participation in all major livestock shows.
- Validation of steers, heifers, goats, lambs, swine and broilers.
- 52 home project visits.
- 25 Press release related to Livestock Youth Projects.
Evaluation Strategy: Retrospective post evaluation surveys were utilized to measure knowledge gain and adoptions of best practices for the evaluated programs.
- 100% (31/31) responded to the evaluation instrument (Path to the Plate Expo)
RESULTS: 2021 Path To the Plate Beef Session (Beef and leather Works)
- 94% (29/31) indicated a better understanding of the path food production takes to get to our plate.
- 90% (28/31) Indicated a better understanding of the way farmers and ranchers produce the food that we eat.
- 87% (27/31) indicated a better understanding of the connection between agriculture and health.
- 84% (26/31) learned the value of agriculture in daily life.
- 72% (13/19) learned the importance of eating a healthy diet and a variety of food.
- 61% (19/31) indicated a better understanding of the importance and nutritional value of various foods.
2021 4-H Livestock:
- 100% (14/14) Indicated to be more willing to work with others
- 93% (13/14) Indicated to be more comfortable speaking with others
- 93% (13/14) Indicated to be more confident with their abilities as a leader
- 86% (12/14) Indicated to be more comfortable working is a team.
