Coryell County Judge proclaims national 4-H week in Coryell County

At Commissioners Court on Tuesday, Coryell County Judge Roger Miller officially declared the week of Oct. 1-7 as National 4-H Week in Coryell County.

Senior ambassadors from Coryell County’s Texas A&M AgriLife extension of 4-H spoke to Commissioners Court about the opportunities the program has allowed them to experience, as well as their service to the community.

“I’m so proud of all of you, and the time and effort that you have invested because you will reap these awards and benefits for the rest of your lives,” Miller said. “You may not realize it right now, but you really will.”

The 4-H program is the largest youth development program in Texas that offers various projects and activities for ages 5 to 18 years, including agriculture, healthy living, photography, and more. As the Coryell County extension, the local 4-H team represents communities throughout the county.

Becky Coward, the 4-H extension agent for Coryell County, shared with Commissioners Court a summary of the program’s recent achievements, including ending the year with 416 4-H members countywide and reaching 1700 youth through outreach services and curriculum enrichment.

“We are growing and thriving, and it’s because of the dedication of our leaders and the youth who stand behind me who have dedicated their time and effort to the future,” Coward said.

Along with community service and volunteer work, the program teaches servant leadership and how to become productive members of society.

“4-H exists on lots of different levels, but these are the leaders in our county currently, and again we look forward to great things,” Coward said. “We appreciate the support of the Commissioners Court.”  

While agriculture is the most well-known activity in 4-H, the senior ambassadors in the Coryell extension lead a diverse range of projects.  

As one of the 4-H senior ambassadors, Cayleigh Coursey travels across Texas teaching photography classes to kids. This summer, she said her photography project led her to tour five European countries where she photographed famous landmarks, scenery, and other cultural activities.  

“I just want to say that 4-H is a growing opportunity for everyone,” said Coursey, who is also a senior at Gatesville High School. “Everyone should take a chance in this program, and that it will be a benefit to all of us.”

Senior ambassador and sophomore at Jonesboro High School, Hunter Beaty, said his main project is consumer decision-making. He also enjoyed the opportunity to compete in the talent show skit at this year’s State 4-H Roundup at Texas A&M University.  

“My 4-H experience has allowed me to become a better person overall, and I get to meet a lot of new people,” Beaty said.

As part of the program’s international opportunities, ambassador Kinsley McPherson recently traveled to Ecuador for a family and community health project.

“We were learning about the culture and got to help people there,” said McPherson, a sophomore who is part of a local homeschool program.

During National 4-H week, Coward said the 4-H ambassador team will provide services at the Gatesville Police Department’s National Night Out on Oct. 3. Most recently, they served at the Coryell Senior Expo and hosted a kickoff event at the Coryell County 4-H Color Run.   

“I think it’s important that the judge recognizes the opportunities that are in 4-H and as one of the best organizations that these kids can get involved in to develop lifelong skills and be future leaders,” Coward said.