Court reciprocates with resolution honoring Cooperative Extension System’s 100th anniversary
SAN ANTONIO – Representatives of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County, Bexar County 4-H and AgriLife Extension volunteer programs recently attended a meeting of the Bexar County Commissioners Court to participate in presenting the court with a Building a Better Texas award.
“We are here today to honor the 100th anniversary of the national Cooperative Extension Service established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914,” said Lupe Landeros, AgriLife Extension county director in her remarks to the commissioners and court attendees. “This created a state-by-state network of educators who extend land-grant university knowledge and life skills to help people thrive and prosper.”
Landeros added that for AgriLife Extension programs and educational outreach in Bexar County to be successful requires the collaboration of many volunteers and the support of city officials, especially the members of the Bexar County Commissioners Court.
She said the award was a way to show the agency’s appreciation for the court’s support of its programs and its spirit of cooperation as the Cooperative Extension System celebrates a century of success and AgriLife Extension looks forward to continuing to helping residents of Bexar County.
Joining Landeros during her remarks were agency staff, members of the county advisory board, 4-H members and adult volunteers, Beef Cattle Committee and South Texas Farm and Ranch Club officials, and the presidents of the Bexar County Master Gardener and Bexar County Master Naturalist volunteer programs.
After her remarks, Landeros asked Jackie Van De Walle, president of the agency’s local Leadership Advisory Board to say a few words.
“Your cooperation and support has made it possible for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to reach Texans with much-needed educational programs that help to make their lives better,” Van De Walle said.
She said thanks to AgriLife Extension programs and the people who support them, Bexar County residents are better prepared to eat well, stay healthy, manage money and raise their children.
“They are also able to better help themselves through preventing problems and using the tools provided for a better economic future, and to be better stewards of the environment and natural resources,” she said.
She also cited the 4-H program as an “ideal youth lab” for producing more responsible and civic-minded youth, and for helping them to achieve greater success as adults and future leaders.
Van De Walle asked Josh Hall, president of the Bexar County 4-H Council and Erin Butts, a 4-H ambassador, both members of the A-Team 4-H Club, to help present the award, which was received by County Judge Nelson Wolff.
Prior to the award presentation, Hall and Butts both stated that leadership and life skills learned in 4-H were important in their preparation for success in academics and what would be their chosen professions.
After receiving the award, Wolff surprised the AgriLife Extension contingent by telling them the court had created an official resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act. He then presented the group with that resolution.
The resolution stated that “Extension engages with rural and urban learners through practical, community-based and online approaches, resulting in the acquisition of knowledge skills and the motivation to strengthen the profitability of animal and plant production systems, protect natural resources, help people make healthful lifestyle choices, ensure a safe and abundant food supply, encourage community vitality and encourage the next generation of leaders.”
It also noted that Extension programming “prepares people for healthy, productive lifestyles through sustained education … breaking the cycle of poverty and reducing the expenditures for federal and state assistance programs.”
Wolff also congratulated the AgriLife Extension program and its volunteer programs on helping Bexar County residents better understand the importance of agriculture, good nutrition and the value of fresh, locally grown produce and healthy living.
“You’re making a difference,” Wolff said. “People are listening to you and are learning about things that will make a real difference in their lives.”
-30-