4‑H numbers rebound as Guadalupe County extension highlights youth programs

Matt Miranda of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service told Guadalupe County commissioners that the county’s 4‑H programs have recovered from pandemic declines and, in some categories, surpassed pre‑COVID levels. “This is our first year since the pandemic to come back up to numbers that we had before the pandemic, which is nice,” Miranda said, citing 5,382 youth participating in 4‑H through schools and more than 3,000 children in the hatching‑in‑the‑classroom program.

Two 4‑H ambassadors, Tegan Mayberry and Montana White, addressed the court about leadership and public‑speaking projects, and thanked county leaders for long‑running support. Mayberry, who identified herself as Marion 4‑H club president, said the program helps younger students “know what they can do when they're older and just set a great example.” Commissioners praised volunteers and staff for sustaining the programs: one commissioner recalled watching local 4‑H participants grow into community leaders and said the program is “an incredible investment.”

Miranda noted growth in competitive teams — soil judging, livestock, shooting sports, and several state‑level ambassadors — and pointed to scholarship dollars returned to local students (14 students awarded about $135,000 in state 4‑H scholarships). He closed by inviting ideas for new county extension programs. The county took no formal action; commissioners expressed unanimous thanks and encouraged continued support for extension activities.