Denton County, Texas -- The Texas 4-H Youth Development Program held 4-H Day at the Capitol on March 19, 2025, where 253 youth and their family members, alongside Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service employees spent the day at the state Capitol in Austin, Texas. Attendees gathered to learn from speakers, explored the Capitol, and met with their representatives and senators.

4-H Day at the Capitol is held every two years as an opportunity for 4-H members in third through twelfth grades.

Speakers for the event included four Texas 4-H alumni who serve in the Capitol and in the state 4-H program: Representative Trent Ashby; Conoco Phillips Lobbyist, Kari Gibson; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Associate Director for Health, Youth, and Families, Dr. Courtney Dodd; and Texas 4-H Youth Development Program Director, Dr. Montza Williams.

In Representative Ashby’s address to the attendees, he encouraged them to consider service as part of their future, building upon the values they are learning in 4-H today.

“There are people in here that are going to one day serve in elected roles. Part of that is because of what is being instilled in you today as young leaders. You hear a lot the cliché of 'leaders of tomorrow' and that is so true, but we need leaders today, too,” Representative Ashby said.

Youth from Denton County 4-H participated in the 2025 Texas 4-H Day at the Capitol.

The youth who attended were:

Christiana Davis
Gabrielle Davis
Hayes Nymeyer
Maven Nymeyer
Aislee Putman
Zoey Putman

These youth and their chaperones had the opportunity to speak with Representative Andy Hopper, as well as staffers from Representative Richard Hayes’, Senator Brent Hagenbuch’s, and Senator Tan Parker’s offices.

Thank you for supporting Denton County AgriLife Extension!