Commissioners Proclaim National 4-H Week as Students Share Their Stories

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY — The Houston County Commissioners Court proclaimed Oct. 4-10, 2026, as National 4-H Week during Tuesday’s meeting, giving three local 4-H members and one parent an opportunity to explain how the organization has shaped their lives.

Jo Smith, county extension agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, introduced the students and described the continuing growth of the Houston County 4-H program.

“Houston County 4-H had roughly 150 members last year,” Smith said. “This year, we’re hoping for 175.”

Smith said the program’s members participate in livestock projects, judging contests, public speaking, educational presentations, community service and other activities throughout the county. She also emphasized the importance of adult volunteers who help make those opportunities possible.

Landry Beaver told the court that her 4-H experience began when she was six years old as a Clover Kid. She later became involved in showing livestock and competing at shows.

“My 4-H story started when I was just six years old as a Clover Kid,” Beaver said. “That was when I first began showing sheep and goats.”

Beaver said each animal, show and experience has taught her something about “hard work, responsibility and perseverance.”

However, she said 4-H has offered her much more than opportunities to compete.

“4-H has given me so much more than success in the show ring,” Beaver said. “It has helped me become a stronger leader, a better speaker and someone willing to step outside of my comfort zone.”

Beaver also described the organization as a source of lasting friendships and experiences she expects to carry with her after she ages out of 4-H.

Cleavie Allen said 4-H has helped her develop skills she expects to use throughout her life. She has participated in livestock judging, public speaking and educational presentations, while also serving in leadership roles and helping with community activities.

“4-H has been a huge part of my life and has given me opportunities that I would not have had anywhere else,” Allen said.

Allen said some of her favorite experiences have involved giving back to younger students and the community, including helping teach third graders about agriculture.

“These experiences have taught me that 4-H is much more than livestock or contests,” she said. “It is about serving others, building confidence, learning responsibility and becoming a leader.”

Allen said 4-H has helped her become more comfortable speaking in front of people, meeting new people and taking on responsibilities.

“Personally, 4-H has helped me come out of my shell,” she said. “The skills that I have learned through 4-H are skills that I will use for the rest of my life.”

Katherine Allen also spoke about the confidence she has gained through the organization.

“4-H has been a really important part of my life because it has given me chances to try new things, meet new people and become more confident,” she said.

Through showing livestock, competing in contests, participating in community service and taking part in other 4-H activities, Allen said she has learned about responsibility, hard work and leadership.

“What 4-H has really helped me with is getting out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’ve had to speak in front of people, work with others and take on responsibilities I probably would not have done without 4-H.”

Allen thanked the court for supporting the county’s 4-H program.

“Your support gives kids like me opportunities that make big differences in our lives,” she said.

Carrie Beaver, Landry Beaver’s mother and a longtime 4-H parent and volunteer, said her family’s involvement in 4-H has lasted 14 years. She said the organization’s impact could not be measured only by livestock shows or competition results.

“I don’t just think about my girls showing sheep, competitions or livestock,” Beaver said. “I think about the successful young women they have become and grown into because of 4-H.”

Beaver said working with animals taught her daughters responsibility, patience, determination and perseverance. She also pointed to the leadership opportunities, public-speaking presentations, contests and preparation that are part of the program.

“4-H pushed both my girls outside of their comfort zones,” she said. “It gave them the confidence to stand in front of a crowd and speak, encouraged them to try something new, and gave them the ability to learn from both success and failure.”

One of the greatest gifts 4-H gave her daughters, Beaver said, was the chance to travel and study agriculture outside the area where they grew up.

“Those experiences opened their eyes to different cultures, agricultural practices and ways of life,” she said. “They came home with a greater appreciation for agriculture and a much broader understanding of the world around them.”

Beaver said the lessons her daughters learned through 4-H will continue to guide them as they pursue college and their future careers.

“As a parent, I watched 4-H teach my kids the success that comes with showing up, working hard and learning from mistakes,” she said. “Most importantly, it gave them opportunities, and it taught them to take those opportunities.”

Beaver encouraged the county to continue promoting and supporting 4-H.

“I think it’s something that we should promote and support more than we do around here because there are so many untapped resources in 4-H that we should embrace,” she said.

The proclamation was approved without opposition by the members present. County Judge Jim Lovell and Pct. 3 Commissioner Gene Stokes were absent from the meeting.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]