USDA official recalls his 4-H days in Texas

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Oct. 6, 2005 - In 1908,  when Tom Marks, a Jack County Extension agent, began building the foundation for what would eventually become the 4-H group in Texas, he may have had no idea the influence that his creation would have on Texas, and on an entire nation.

Marks’s initial “Corn Club” was made of 25 members, but 97 years later, millions of students have participated in 4-H. Those students grew into adults and began contributing to several levels of society.

Drew DeBerry, 27,  was one of those students. DeBerry, formerly of Olton, became a member of 4-H in 1985 and remained in 4-H until 1996 when he graduated high school. Today, he is the Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He serves both President Bush and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. He spends time working on policy programs, the latest being the 2007 Farm Bill. While his Texas Tech education delivered the knowledge he needed to succeed, it was 4-H that planted an interest and helped him develop many important skills.

�I think 4-H played a significant role in helping me develop useful people skills that help me better understand, and communicate with, the people I serve and come in contact with each day,� said DeBerry from his office in Washington, D.C.

�Although my family was involved in agriculture, 4-H allowed me to build on my passion to stay involved in agriculture throughout my career.�

His career is highlighted with activity. He briefly worked for Texas State Sen. Robert Duncan, then was hired as the National Director of the Farm and Ranch Coalition by the 2000 George W. Bush campaign. Later, he moved to Washington, D.C., and worked as a White House liaison for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and in 2005, was promoted to his current position. He credits his success, in part, to his 4-H knowledge.

�4-H teaches young people many things, such as leadership and discipline,� said DeBerry. �But responsibility was what I took away as the most valuable.

�Professionals must learn many things on the job, but responsibility is something you have to bring to the job - you have to take ownership and initiative in anything you do in a professional career and responsibility values help drive those characteristics.�

While in 4-H, DeBerry showed cattle, hogs, and sheep. He also spent a great deal of time on judging teams, but focused on meats judging.

He believes his life would not be the same as it today without the experiences he had in 4-H. The 11 years he spent in the club undoubtedly influenced several aspects of his life.

�4-H is unique in that it has programs to begin that development process at young ages in the junior programs and then follow through on those teachings into early adulthood,� he said.�

In fact, DeBerry appreciated 4-H so much, that after graduating high school, he continued his involvement in 4-H by coaching a junior 4-H meats judging team. As a coach, DeBerry, like many other 4-H volunteers, was able to give back to the organization.

�From the role my parents played in 4-H, to the role of our county Extension agents, I was able to witness a devotion to young people that I will carry with me throughout my career,� said DeBerry.

This young professional has taken what 4-H, his parents, and his schooling provided him and has built a solid career. DeBerry encouraged others to do the same and make the most of 4-H experiences available to them.

�Get involved in as many of 4-H�s offered activities as possible,� he suggested. �As you develop your favorite programs, focus on those. Never exclude any of the fine 4-H programs and opportunities simply for lack of interest.

�4-H is not just about cows, plows, and sows,� he said. �It can take you places you never thought you�d go.�

Maybe even the nation’s capital, where DeBerry continues to live out the 4-H pledge he first learned 20 years ago.

�My head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service and My health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.�