Maverick County 4-H Club receives grant from Texas Rural Communities, Inc.

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Maverick County 4-H Club received a $6,000 grant from Texas Rural Communities,Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving rural communities in the State of Texas, on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at a ceremony held at the Maverick County Agri- Life Extension Office located inside the Zan Mathies Maverick County Showbarn at the County Lake in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Maverick County 4-H Club Executive Director Olga Ramos welcomed all the dignitaries and guests to the grant ceremony.

Presenting the $6,000 grant to the Maverick County 4-H Club were Sandra Tenorio, Executive Director of the Texas Rural Communities, Inc., Enrique Montalvo, Board of Director of the Texas Rural Communities, Inc., and Judith A. Canales, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Texas State Executive Director.

Accepting the grant was Maverick County 4-H Executive Director Olga Ramos who stated that she was very grateful that Texas Rural Communities, Inc. honored the youth of Maverick County with this $6,000 grant, which will be used for future 4-H Club activities and projects. “ I’m honored to have all of you here and I thank you,” said Ramos.

Ramos also thanked the children, parents and families who participate in the Maverick County 4-H Club  programs and activities throughout the year.

Representing the Maverick County 4-H Club were local youths Larissa Menchaca, Romy Flores, Naomi Salinas, Taylor Gloria, and Gloria Villarreal, who all concurred that the 4-H Club has been extremely educational and beneficial to all of them.

Texas Rural Communities, Inc. Board of Director Enrique Montalvo commended the Maverick County 4-H Club and members for providing important educational programs to the youth of Eagle Pass and Maverick County.  Montalvo stated that the 4-H Club in Maverick County was very fortunate to receive this grant.  “Out of the 200 plus counties that we have in the state of Texas, Maverick County was fortunate to receive two grants, one for the 4-H Club and the Quemado Public Library,” said Montalvo.

Texas Rural Communities, Inc.’s Executive Director Sandra Tenorio then acknowledged the great work that the Maverick County 4-H Club does on a weekly basis with the youths who participate in the program.   “ The fact that you were able to get your grant application in on such short amount of time and the grant application was so well written and scored so highly that it shot up to the top of the list for grant approval,” said Tenorio.

USDA Texas State Executive Director Judith A. Canales spoke and emphasized the importance of these important investments to the 4-H Club in developing and nurturing the future leaders of Texas and the United States.   Canales stated that the Maverick County 4-H Club does an exemplary job in teaching Eagle Pass and Maverick County youths the important social and business skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive environment.  Canales added that agriculture and related-industries are an important sector of the American economy, offering many opportunities to those who work hard and provide to the bread basket of America.

“ You look at all this students and they are all aspiring entrepreneurs. They are in the business of agriculture and that is something so crucial that they are learning the skills right now to be able to manage their business, monies and other things that will help them in the future,” said Canales.

After presentation of the grant check, dignitaries and guests were treated to refreshments and cookies.