H-E-B expands Texas 4-H Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture support
Commits $300,000 over three years for program expansion into Bexar County
The Texas 4-H Youth Development Program is proud to announce an expansion of its strategic partnership with H-E-B in support of the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program, NBYAP.
H-E-B has committed $300,000 to the NBYAP program over the next three years as the program expands into Bexar County.
The investment is part of H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future sustainability commitment, which promises to conserve and protect Texas land, air, water and wildlife – all of which their business relies on to feed millions of Texas families.
The Texas 4-H Youth Development Program, from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, offers opportunities for positive youth development across all 254 counties in Texas.
Addressing real issues in agriculture
The Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program was developed in 2022 by Texas 4-H as an opportunity to bring urban and rural youth together to learn, grow and develop solutions.
Annually, around 80 students from across Texas converge on the NBYAP to learn about the needs of urban and rural communities in Texas and the critical role food and fiber play.
Youth participants will not only build lasting, monumental connections but also create projects and potential solutions to real issues, including food insecurity and food waste, water conservation, food and fiber production challenges, and more.
“H-E-B has supported Texas 4-H Youth Livestock and Agriculture for more than 10 years,” said Billy Zanolini, Ph.D., associate professor and AgriLife Extension specialist, Texas 4-H Youth Livestock and Agriculture.
“In that time, we have been honored by the fact that their partnership, engagement and commitment have grown alongside our ambitious goals to bring value to the youth of Texas. This incredible commitment is the latest and most impactful example.”
H-E-B has been the NBYAP Harvest Season sponsor since 2022, as part of a commitment to support the initial launch of the program.
“At H-E-B, we believe in supporting the communities we serve and protecting the environment we all share,” said Leslie Sweet, H-E-B director of environmental affairs and sustainability. “We are proud to support the Norman Borlaug Youth in Ag Program because the future of Texas, and our business, depend on bright young minds collaboratively thinking through the complex matters the program immerses them in.”
Growing the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program
The first four cohorts involved rural participants from across Texas and urban youth from Harris County. Participants attend three face-to-face meeting sessions called “Planting Season, Growing Season and Harvest Season.”
After seeing the exceptional outcomes of the program, NBYAP will next expand to include two concurrent cohorts each year.
Beginning in the 2026-2027 4-H year, the program will extend its reach and involvement to urban youth in Bexar County while also running its cohort with urban youth from Harris County.
The funds support programmatic goals and $5,000 educational grants for each graduating student.
PHOTO: Positive youth development, as represented by this gathering of Texas 4-H Normal Borlaug Youth in Agriculture attendees, will be expanded through the strategic partnership with H-E-B. (Texas 4-H)
