CENTRE — The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce welcomed local leaders, business representatives, educators, and community members Thursday morning for its monthly breakfast meeting, featuring updates from the Cherokee County Extension Office and Cherokee County 4-H program.
https://www.aces.edu/counties/cherokee/
The monthly breakfast, held at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce office on the campus of Gadsden State Community College Cherokee, provides chamber members and guests an opportunity to hear from local speakers, stay informed on community events, network, and fellowship. The gathering is held on the second Thursday of each month.
Cherokee County Chamber Executive Director Joy Perry welcomed attendees and recognized elected officials and guests in attendance. Perry also thanked the Chamber Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors for their continued support of the organization.
Cedar Bluff Mayor Bill Warren offered the blessing and led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance before breakfast was served.
The breakfast was sponsored by the Cherokee County Extension Office and Cherokee County 4-H program, with Cherokee County Extension Director Dr. Landon Marks thanking staff members for preparing the meal. The breakfast also highlighted local agricultural education efforts, as the eggs and meat served came from animals raised by students participating in 4-H agricultural projects.
Marks introduced Chris Becker, Assistant Director of Field Operations for Northeast Alabama Extension, who attended the event.
During his presentation, Marks provided an overview of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and discussed the local office’s mission of bringing research-based education and resources directly into communities throughout Cherokee County.
Marks announced that the Cherokee County Extension Office will soon relocate to the former Cherokee County Board of Education building on Main Street in Centre, a move expected to provide additional space for programming and community outreach.
He also highlighted Alabama Extension Week, observed April 12 through 18 following a proclamation by Gov. Kay Ivey, and noted that every county in Alabama is served by extension offices connected through Auburn University and Alabama A&M University.
Marks shared that 4-H served as his first exposure to Auburn University while growing up in Cullman County and said local extension offices strive to meet residents where they are by taking educational programs directly into communities.
He highlighted the work of Cherokee County’s extension agents, who provide a broad range of services and specialized expertise to residents across the county.
According to Marks, extension programming includes agriculture agents who specialize in different areas of expertise, helping farmers and landowners with industry-specific needs. The office also offers programs in food safety and health, including ServSafe certification training for restaurants and food service workers.
Additional areas of focus include natural resources, wildlife, aquatics, and family and child development through human sciences programming. Extension services also provide healthy eating education in schools and other nutrition-based initiatives.
Marks emphasized the importance of the Cherokee County Master Gardeners program, describing volunteers as an important part of local outreach and education efforts.
He also expressed appreciation for partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce and local governments, noting the importance of having access to meeting spaces and community facilities throughout Cherokee County to host programs and educational opportunities.
According to Marks, the Cherokee County Extension Office conducts approximately 125 adult programs annually and reaches one in three school-aged children through educational programming offered in county schools.
Cherokee County Extension Agent Elizabeth Sewell then spoke about local 4-H programs and the organization’s focus on leadership development, skill-building, and creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds and interests.
Sewell highlighted programs available for younger students in grades four through six that focus on citizenship, leadership, and practical life skills. Activities include hands-on projects such as building birdhouses and helping students learn important responsibilities, including how to complete forms and participate in organized programs.
She also discussed the variety of optional contests offered through 4-H each month, providing students with opportunities to develop confidence and receive recognition for their hard work. Programs include showmanship competitions, project presentations where students explain decisions made during projects, and the county’s popular bake-off competition.
Sewell noted that Cherokee County 4-H recognized a lack of involvement among high school students and used a statewide blueprint to establish a Youth Leadership Council for students in grades 10 through 12.
Students participating in the leadership council are required to attend meetings and complete at least two service projects while gaining leadership experience and exposure to educational opportunities outside the classroom.
Sewell explained that Cherokee County 4-H works to ensure every student has access to programs suited to their interests and strengths, whether through agricultural projects, creative activities, leadership opportunities, or hands-on experiences.
Summer camp remains a major focus of Cherokee County 4-H, with the Master Gardeners organization helping sponsor many local students to attend. Additional programming includes the sport fishing club, aimed at encouraging students to spend more time outdoors and develop new interests.
Officials said the long-term goal of Cherokee County 4-H is to help prepare the next generation of leaders by teaching responsibility, accountability, citizenship, and the importance of keeping commitments while encouraging students to discover their individual strengths.
