(05/20/26) RAYNE, La. — As Assumption Parish 4-H agent Margo Castro heard her name called at the 4-H Youth Development Southwest Region quarterly meeting, a tear formed in her eye.

An award that acknowledged Castro as a valuable member of the LSU AgCenter Louisiana 4-H Youth Development Southwest Region came at just the right moment.

“I've been having some very trying days, and this was almost like a little God sign, like, ‘You can do this,’” she said. “It kind of is a pick-me-up.”

Inaugurated at the May 19 regional meeting at the AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley, the Important Piece of the Southwest Puzzle award honors the recipient’s “character and contributions to teamwork,” said Lanette Hebert, the 4-H region coordinator.

“It's focused on not just the programmatic outcomes of that agent, but their personal connections and being there for others,” she said.

Castro grew up in the Ascension Parish 4-H program and has served as an agent for 20 years. Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H agent Sonya Guidry nominated her for the award after remembering a moment two years ago when Castro comforted her at a stressful time.

Guidry felt overwhelmed at the beginning of her first 4-H summer camp as an agent. Castro told her that her co-workers were there for her, to take a breath and know that everything would work out.

“She is kind of a mentor,” Guidry said. “I've known her for a long time. I feel comfortable going to her if I have something that I need advice on. There are a lot of people in that room that fit that mold. We're very fortunate that we have an organization that's like that.”

The Important Piece of the Southwest Puzzle award developed out of an idea from former St. Mary Parish 4-H agent Adriana Drusini, who became an extension agent in North Dakota and received a Core Values traveling award there. Sharing the accolade with former Louisiana colleagues inspired Hebert to create a similar honor.

This award grew from a team-building exercise earlier this year when Guidry led agents to reflect on the qualities each of them contributed to the region and write one of those attributes on a blank puzzle piece. The award, an acrylic trophy in the shape of a puzzle piece, will travel, with a different Southwest Region 4-H agent or program assistant receiving it at each regional professional development meeting.

4-H agents work long hours helping educate Louisiana’s young people through in-school clubs, after-school programming, summer camps, trips and conventions. They plan events and competitions and help 4-H’ers with projects of all kinds. Retaining these dedicated agents has become a priority, Hebert said, and encouraging 4-H agents to develop close relationships helps them build a community.

Peer recognition is important in any field, and Hebert said she wants staff to feel encouraged by the acknowledgement.

“I'm hoping it helps to strengthen our teamwork in the region and the morale we have,” Hebert said. “That simple recognition goes a long way. And I hope it increases that support that we give to each other — not because you want to get the award, but because it's meaningful.”

While nearly all the 31 4-H agents and program assistants in the region were deserving of the award, Hebert said, Castro was an excellent choice as the first recipient.

“She’s very encouraging,” Hebert said. “She’s very intentional about making connections with her coworkers.”

Castro said that life as a 4-H agent can feel hectic at times, but she loves it.

“It's a very fulfilling job,” Castro said. “One of the things I feel is the benefit of 4-H is that kids don't join because they have good grades. None of those things matter. It's an opportunity for all the kids. To see their growth and to see their achievements — to me, that's what it means to be successful.”

To learn more about the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development program, visit lsuagcenter.com/topics/kids_teens.

4-H agent Margo Castro accepts the Important Piece of the Southwest Puzzle award from 4-H agent Sonya Guidry at the 4-H Southwest Region meeting at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station on Tuesday, May 19. Photo by Kyle Peveto/LSU AgCenter

4-H agent Margo Castro, left, laughs with Dani Percle during a team building exercise in which agents moved together to complete tasks while confined within a large elastic band. The activity took place at the 4-H Southwest Region meeting at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station on Tuesday, May 19. Photo by Kyle Peveto/LSU AgCenter