Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Zapata County - Healthy South Texas

12/12/2024

Yesterday evening, I was able to host a Dinner Tonight Emergency Preparedness event at Fidel And Andrea R Villarreal
Elementary School. We had over 115 adult participants attend the event. I want to thank FARVES Principal Patty Saldana and her staff for allowing to collaborate with their events and school.

A huge thank you to the Healthy South Texas Crew, Program Manager Luisa Colin, HST Specialist Elaine Montemayor-Gonzalez, HST Specialist David Leal, HST Specialist Julie Tijerina, DAR Agent Matt Rodriguez, Health Agent Perla Flores, and FCH Agent Kim De La Garza for assisting with the event. Also, sponsors AHEC, IBC Bank of Zapata, and HEB Plus of Laredo. A huge thank you to the FARVES Cafeteria manager and staff along with all exhibitors who attended and provided valuable resources.

11/28/2024

From the Zapata County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Office

10/09/2024

Arturo L. Benavides Elementary School students from Ms. Nydia Amesquita's class enjoying their green smoothie as part of their "Eat" component in the Early Childhood - Learn, Grow, Eat &GO! Curriculum. Students are currently on week-3 out of the 4-week curriculum learning about stems and leaves. Great job ALBES!

10/05/2024

Earlier this week I was able to collaborate with Dairy Max Council consultants Lally Carbajal and Schelli Avant and presented at the 2024 Food Show Expo hosted by Region One ESC at South Padre Island, TX. I had the pleasure to present to over 200 students from 12 different South Texas school districts about Healthy South Texas programming and the importance of physical activity and healthy eating. Students also enjoyed making their own smoothie with our popular smoothie bike. Thank you Charlie Moss from BWA Reps, a food service equipment company and Hygeia Milk for providing the smoothie ingredients and support making extra smoothies for the students to enjoy.

10/04/2024

Arturo L. Benavides Elementary students continue with their Early Childhood-Learn, Grow, Eat, & GO! Curriculum activities through their second week of the four week curriculum. A huge thank you to kinder teacher Ms. Nydia Amesquita for her committment to her students and the curriculum. I would also like to thank ALBES Principal Mr. Lauro Garza as the school works towrds the HST Healthy School recognition.

01/19/2022

I want to thank Zapata County for the opportunity to serve as the Zapata County Extension Health Agent for 6 years. It was a great experience and we accomplished a lot throughout the years. I want to thank the Healthy South Texas Coalition for providing support and assistance with many educational programs and events. I have officially transfered and started this week as the Regional Extension Program Specialist for the south region where I will work with rural communities in the valley on covid, flu, and chronic disease education and programming. Again, thank you to the community of Zapata, Zapata County Officials, Zapata County ISD, and the Zapata County Health Youth Ambassadors for your support.

01/18/2022

01/12/2022

Being physically active has numerous health benefits. Check out some of the benefits for children.

Source:https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf =32

12/14/2021

Our Community Challenge highlights from our October demonstration project!

12/14/2021

The Zapata County Health Youth Ambassadors provided a recipe demonstration video for their school district of the healthy Cowboy Salad that has been added to their school lunch menu. Youth Ambassadors have helped with taste tests, collecting feedback, and demonstrating recipe at their high school. Great job youth ambassadors!

12/11/2021

Testing out the new green screen equipment. Check out this simple physical activity video on basketball.

Next week we will have a recipe demonstration with our local health youth ambassadors.

Basic Basketball Drills (Practicing making videos)- Dribbling: left and right hand- Dribbling: In and out, Crossover- Triple Threat Position: Jab Step, Cross...

11/24/2021

Great article from a few weeks ago on our Community Challenge project with our Zapata County Health Youth Ambassadors. Hope to continue to work towards more permanent traffic calming improvements at our Zapata County parks with collaborative efforts from our county officials, school district, community volunteers, cycling groups, and all those interested in making a difference in our community. For any questions or if interested in helping please call your local Zapata County AgriLife Extension office at 956-765-9820.