Working to Make a Positive Impact
Christina Meriwether, Extension Agent IV, Leflore County Coordinator/4-H, Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension, has what she considers a dream job. She oversees the Leflore County Extension office and administrative duties, but most of her time is spent as a 4-H Agent.
“I absolutely love this part of my job,” says Meriwether. “I love working with kids and seeing their faces light up when they learn something new or accomplish a goal. One accomplishment I have is working with a second generation of 4-H’ers. I feel honored that former 4-H’ers, now parents, share their children with me and allow me to teach them. I see my 4-H’ers as my own kids.”
She appreciates the variety in her job; each day is different. She could be at a school teaching fourth grade students about chemical reactions and viscosity while making slime, or on the shooting range teaching youth about firearm safety, or going to summer camp for four days. With 4-H, the numerous projects not only provide many opportunities for youth but also give her opportunities to teach something different each time. She thrives on variety, and enjoys waking up and saying, “What can we do new today?”
Her goal for each day is to make a difference or have a positive impact on a child’s life, just like the 4-H Extension Agents made an impact on her when she was young.
Meriwether grew up in Batesville on a Beefalo and horse farm with her five sisters, her mom, Suzy, and dad, Joe Barnett. Her family produced and showed commercial cattle crossed with buffalo.
“My family was heavily involved in the 4-H livestock and horse projects,” says Meriwether. “My mom volunteered as a leader, so a lot of our activities revolved around 4-H. We had club meetings, horse camp and shows. We went on tours of the Mississippi State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and other related industries. Our club was a big family. We went to all the events together, ate together, helped each other with their animals and cheered each other on. Everyone who was in the horse club was also in the livestock club. We’d get in the back of the truck and go out to the pasture, and everyone would pick out their show calf. Again, we all helped out by doing everything.”
After high school, she attended MSU where she received a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Dairy Sciences and also a Master of Science in Extension Education. During college, she volunteered as a 4-H horse judging coach in Oktibbeha County.
“I was exposed to all the cool things in 4-H,” she says. “I realized that I had only participated in horse and livestock, but there was so much more to 4-H. I wanted to share with kids the opportunities available to them. I have a lot of wonderful memories from 4-H, the skills I learned and the friendships I made. All of the Extension people and volunteers who were involved in my 4-H career always seemed to enjoy what they did. That really made an impact on me.”
There have been many people over her 24-year career that she has considered mentors. The late Betsy Padgett, retired Holmes County Extension Agent, influenced her early career.
“She was always encouraging and quick to offer sound advice,” says Meriwether. “Alex Deason, Delta Regional Extension Coordinator, has provided a lot of guidance in handling daily obstacles. Even though he could be my younger brother, I respect and value his direction. Dr. Mariah Morgan, Interim Head of Mississippi 4-H Youth Development and Extension Rockstar, has encouraged my creative side and helped me to be comfortable with projects about which I’m not sure.”
Meriwether and her husband, Jim, have a herd of registered Angus cattle that they breed and sell. They enjoy going to check on them and looking at the newborn calves.
“We also recently bought a travel trailer and love going camping,” she says. “We plan to travel a lot after retirement. I also have a small flock of chickens and a little garden. I know I can come home after a crazy day at work and pet my dogs and cats, feed my chickens, and tend to my garden to relax.”
The Meriwethers have three children: Hayley, the oldest, is working on her doctorate in Extension Education at MSU. Austin, the middle child, works for Bayer at the Scott Research Center that focuses on Southern crop production. Wyatt is the youngest and works in construction.