WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE YOUTH GROUP

The Winston County Self Help Cooperative Youth Group organized in 2003 with a goal reconnecting to the natural resources. The co-op anointed Dorothy Harper (Jean) as youth director. Although, Jean had not lived or worked on a farm in 30 years, however, she readily accepted this momentous challenge with grace. Jean, fondly said, I did not what to do, however, with encouragement from co-op members, extension service, community supporters and others, we moved forward on this formidable task. We organized in the Spring of 2003 with seven youth ranging from 5 to 10 years of age. Initiatively, we focused our energies on structuring an organization to transfer a positive community image of providing career guidance in the natural resources.

We chartered a course of action to reconnect our youth with Mother Earth’s natural resources and strengthen families’ relationships by working together as a unit on various projects. This created momentum, which enlisted technical support from Harold Hudson, Moe Yarbrough, Sandra Jackson, and Mike Skipper with organizing Arbor Day Activities, forestry projects, kids in the kitchen, and planting the youth garden. Additionally, Rev. Pittman and Mt. Moriah Church Family provided meeting facility and access to transportation.

Youth Project
Dorothy Jean Harper, Youth Director
Inception: 2003 (twenty-five members)
Activities:
Youth Garden
4-H
Arbor Day
Girl Scouts
Relay for Life and Community Activities

Held first youth in Agriculture Conference with 100 participants in November 2006. received South Central HPI’s Youth Award 2005 and Federation of Southern Cooperatives’ Coop of the Year Award 2006.

Youth Group News!