County 4-H kickoff party planned Sept. 13

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H will conduct its kickoff party and organizational meeting for the coming year at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13 at the Feed Store.

The meeting will be one of the first official functions for new extension agent Kelsey Bell, who took over the position earlier this month.

“It’s just kind of a come-and-learn event, and then we’ll take it from there,” Bell said.

Bell said food will be provided at the meeting.

Among the 4-H projects Bell will oversee include shooting sports, equine, food and nutrition, and sewing and fashion.

“We’ll also take thoughts and ideas if families are interested in anything beyond that,” she said. “We’re definitely willing to discuss it and see if we can get something new started.”

Bell said she is still seeking adult volunteers to help out.

“I’m still trying to fill a couple of leader positions to coach these different programs that we have going on,” she said.

Bell earned a degree in ag education from Texas Tech and has lived in Albany for 11 years. She and her husband, Chris, have four daughters.

Before she accepted her first job as an extension agent, Bell taught preschool at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, substituted at both the elementary and high schools for Albany ISD, and practiced real estate.

“I’ve been doing varioius things that allowed me to stay at home with my kids,” she said.