AgriLife Extension offers variety of programs for Stephens County adults, kids this fall
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
From the Walk Across Texas program to a pickleball league, the Stephens County AgriLife Extension Service has a variety activities coming up for local residents, both adults and youth.
Sumer Russell, the Family Community Health/4H Youth Development County Extension Agent, and Jessie Shortes, the Agriculture and Natural Resources County Extension Agent, spoke at last week’s Stephens County Commissioners’ meeting to provide their annual report.
In the past year, the Extension Service offered a variety of programs for the community, including activities focusing on healthy eating, exercise, and mental health.
“I’m really encouraging that healthy movement, healthy heart, as well as touching on our mental health movement that we’re going to continue for this year,” Russell said. “And we’re also focusing on our senior citizens.”
Earlier this summer, both Stephens County AgriLife Extension Agents, Russell and Shortes, were recognized and awarded at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s statewide Superior Service Awards ceremony. Russell was awarded two Superior Service awards at the 2024 Superior Service ceremony, the Serving All Texans individual award and the Volunteerism team award along with other members of the Welcome to the Real World volunteer team. Shortes was recognized with the Rising Star honor in District 3, which recognizes new employees for exemplary work within their first three years.
Upcoming Projects
Walk Across Texas
Stephens County’s Walk Across Texas program will kick off Tuesday, Oct. 1, with teams of up to eight participants walking at least two days for eight weeks, which will equal a total of 832 miles, the distance across Texas.
The program was designed to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity. But, if you prefer other physical activities, things like gardening, yoga, and weightlifting count, too, Russell said.
Last year, Stephens County had 65 participants in Walk Across Texas. To join the program this year, visit the website https://howdyhealth.tamu.edu and log in or register using the league code: watL-240918-81509
For more information, contact Russell at 254-559-2313.
Pickleball League
The Stephens County Extension Service will organize a daytime Pickleball League for adults, beginning Monday, Oct. 7, and continuing on most Mondays through Nov. 18.
The league will play from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the South Elementary tennis courts, 1001 W. Elliott St. Balls will be provided, but participants will need to bring their own pickleball paddle.
Players with all levels of experience will be welcomed to play.
Healthy Aging Exercise Series
Beginning Oct. 22, Russell will host an ongoing Healthy Aging Exercise Series at the Extension Office, 2622 U.S. Highway 180 East.
The series will be open to local residents age 45 and older and will meet from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The first 30 minutes will include a learning program, with topics including adding fresh fruit to your diet, Alzheimer’s awareness, emergency preparedness, and more. The second half of each program will include an exercise activity. The series’ exercise activity will be DrumFit, a program that utilizes yoga balls and drum sticks, Russell said.
After-School 4-H Program
The Extension Service also has several programs aimed at the younger members of the community through it’s After-School 4-H program. In the fall, programs will include robotics, livestock judging and cooking. In the spring, robotics will continue, along with gardening, photography and sewing.
Agricultural Programs
Last year, the Extension Service presented a pond management event at the MT7 Ranch, and this year they will team up with the MT7 again for a White Tailed Deer Management program. The program will be from 10 a.m. top 3 p.m. at the MT7, 1189 Private Road 1802 in eastern Stephens County, on Thursday, Oct. 17. The program will feature Game Warden Cliff Westbrook, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Biologist Jesse Oelgen, MT7 Ranch Manager Ty Bartoskewitz, wildlife biologist Cody Butler and more. The cost will be $20 per person and will include a lecture, lunch and a hands-on workshop. To register, RSVP by Oct. 15 at 254-559-2313.
Additionally, there are several ag-related 4-H programs planned, included Exploring Livestock, a program that teaches the principles of livestock evaluation and public speaking to local students; Hatching in the Classroom, which works with local schools to experience egg-to-chick programs; and, Youth Garden Club for 4-H members.
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As a non-profit news outlet, the Breckenridge Texan depends on donations, in addition to ad sales, to fund daily operations, including website costs, freelance writers, and basic office expenses. The organization aims to raise $4,000, which could be tripled to $12,000 through various matching programs, including the NewsMatch program and the Rural Partner Fund, which is supported by several major foundations.
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