2010
s w o r g
t i y a w e h that’s t
t r o p e R l a u n n A t n e m p o l e v e D h t u o Y d n a 4-H
Introduction What a great year the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program has seen. Enrollment in 4-H increased, new opportunities and experiences have increased, and the energy of 4-H members, volunteers, and Extension Agents is greater than ever. Texas 4-H is pleased to present the 2010 Annual Report featuring our enrollment figures for the 2009-2010 years, as well as some feature stories and updates about our new and innovative programs such as Food Challenge and one day 4-H. Also, updates about our tried and true events like 4-H Roundup and Texas 4-H Congress are also included. In addition to the stories provided, we are pleased to continue to be one of the largest youth organizations in Texas, and of course the largest 4-H Program in the United States. Our success continues because of the great donors that continue to provide millions of dollars in support through program assistance, scholarships, and alliances with the Texas 4-H Program and the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Foundation. As we look forward to 2011, we are excited about the new opportunities being developed in the area of volunteer development and many new Science, Engineering, and Technology experiences. Texas 4-H is moving forward and making a difference because “that’s the way it grows!” Thank you for being part of the success of 4-H and the more than 637,691 youth of Texas 4-H. Sincerely,
Chris Boleman, Ph.D. CVA
What’s Inside... Misson Possible Camp Teeing Off With the first ever 4-H Golf Challenge
4-H Takes a stand
How One Day can make a difference
FOOD Challenge...Not Your Everyday Cooking Competition
Continuing to Share, Sharing to Continue: Collegiate 4-H
and more!
Texas 4-H : That’s the way it grows !
The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program has been providing educational opportunities and experience to youth from the ages
of five to eighteen for more than 102 years. Today, more than half a million youth are involved in Texas 4-H annually. Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M, and the Texas A&M System conducts the 4-H program. 4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in Texas with 33,747 youth and adult volunteers and more than 637,691 participants. To learn more about the 4-H program in Texas, or how to get involved, visit texas4-h.org.
How does Texas youth participate in 4-H? Agriculture in the Classroom 100,756 Animals 424,549 Civic Engagement 1,945 Consumer & Family Science 24,782 Communication & Arts 11,530 Environmental Education 139,040 Foods & Nutrition 149,841 Health 114,808 Leadership & Development 56,158 Plant Science 175,715 Technology & Engineering 10,815 * many youth participate in multiple project areas
Volunteer Participation in Texas 4-H Adult Volunteers Youth Volunteers Total
24,676 9,071 33,747
The Diversity of Texas 4-H
African American 73,082 American Indian/Alaskan 2,025 Asian 20,590 Caucasian 524,600 Hispanic/Latino 273,566 Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 672
where Do 4-Hers Live? Farm 7% Urbran Areas 40%
Small Town 20% Large Town
* some members indicated multi-ethnicity backgrounds
23%
Who participates in 4-H?
Community Clubs In-School Clubs Military Youth Clubs After-School Clubs Special Interest Programs Enrichment Programs Total
Suburbs 10%
57,037 573 2,947 591 270,158 306,385 637,691
Texas 4-H: Fast Facts!
•4-H youth have higher educational for future education
achievement and motivation •4-H youth are more civically
active and make more civic contributions to their communities
•56% of 4-H youth are more likely to spend more hours
exercising
or being physically
active
•4-H youth have shown to have had
significantly
lower drug, alcohol and cigarette
use than their peers
•4-H youth report better
grades, higher levels of academic competence, and an elevated level of engagement at school •4-H youth are nearly two times more likely to
plan to go to college
•4-H youth are more likely to pursue future courses or a career in science,
engineering, or computer technology
Reference: Learner, R. and Lerner J. (2008). Report of Findings from the First Six Years of the 4-H Study ofPositive Youth Development. Report available online at: http://www.4-h.org/about/youth-development-research/
n Brownwood, Texas, it is no surprise that the 4-H faculty and staff are changing lives of young people each and every day. One event the 4-H program is especially proud of is the Mission Possible Camp. This event was enacted in 2004 as part of the National 4-H Council’s Building Community Inclusion initiative. This camp is an inclusive camp for youth with and without disabilities. Funded by grant money, the camp strives to provide a service learning opportunity for 4-H members by serving as mentors, similar to camp counselors, while providing a funfilled camp experience for youth with disabilities. “Mission Possible provides 4-H members serving as Mentors a true service learning experience,” Darlene Locke, State 4-H Center Director, said. “They participate in training and handson activities that allows them to ‘walk in the shoes’ of the campers with medical disabilities. Mentors throughout the years have come away learning so much about themselves and how to adapt what they are doing in order to reach those that might learn a little differently than themselves.” To date, Mission Possible has been held six consecutive years and has served 108 campers, 93 of whom have a medically diagnosed disability.
I
The disabled campers’ disabilities range from ADD, ADHD, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy. Also, 82 4-H members have served as Mentors along with 26 adult volunteers. “For the campers, Mission Possible gives them the chance to be part of regular teenage life,” Locke said. “They share, they laugh, they try, and they overcome.” Current 4-H members are chosen to be camp mentors through an application process. Each individual mentor is assigned to an individual camper. Those chosen to be mentors, arrive prior to the camp’s start date in order to receive training on Inclusion and Disability Awareness, medical definitions of disabilities, and Behavior Management. The mentors also participate in team building and communication activities under observance of the highly educated, helpful staff. “The mentors learn that it’s not about them, but about the campers,” Locke said. “This is where the real growth begins. Mentors work extremely hard as individuals and as a team to make the camp successful for everyone.” Mission Possible is designed to provide an experiential learning opportunity for 4-H members so that they can take their experiences back to their local program for implementation
and increase diversity. And it seems to be working as one camp mentor notes, “I want our county to put on a Special Needs Day for kids and their families as our OneDay 4-H project. I want other 4-Hers to get the same understanding as I did at Mission Possible -- that we’re all the same on the inside we just have different ways of showing it.”
Misson Possible:
We’re All the Same on the Inside
Photos provided by: Maria De Keratry Hey 4-H Alumni and Volunteer, Bexar County Information provided by: Darlene Locke Story by: Amy Dromgoole
H
ealth. One of the four platforms 4-H rests upon. Health. A program 4-H has with over 120,000 participants improving physical, intellectual, emotional and social health. Health. The component that makes the 4-H Food Challenge what it is today. This contest is mirrored off of the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and although there’s no Alton Brown at our 4-H contests,
C d Foo
this competition really heats up. The idea of the 4-H Food Challenge began in 2005 by Sarah Womble, FCS agent in Victoria County. The contest was first piloted at District 11 4-H Leadership Lab and the District 11 4-H Food Show in 2006. Trainings were then provided in each district by Womble and Jodi McManus, 4-H specialist in District11.
e g n e l l a h
y a d y r e v e r u o . . . n o i t Not y ti e p m o c g n i cook In 2007, the Food
Challenge was offered at the State Fair of Texas with a partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture. A workshop was also offered in 2008 at State 4-H Roundup and during the District 8 Food Show. Food Challenge was announced as a statewide contest in 2009 at State 4-H Roundup and the first official state contest began at roundup in 2010 with over 1,000 participants. The goal of this contest is to provide youth with a new, highly charged food experience. It is also a way for students to exhibit the knowledge and skills learned through Food Show project experiences. This educational, interactive contest allows 4-H
members to demonstrate their culinary knowledge and skills in a competitive setting. “It gives youth the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills while being creative,” Courtney Dodd, Extension Program Specialist for 4-H, said.
From a set of predetermined ingredients provided, teams of 3 to 5 4-H members must develop a recipe and prepare the dish within 40 minutes. Teams then make a presentation to a judging panel, explaining the preparation steps, serving size, food safety concerns, nutrition value, and cost of the dish. In 2010 during the first official contest, participants had to make a dish for the finals out of Asian ingredients and tofu. This is a great example of the uniqueness of Food Challenge because only one out of the four finalist teams had used tofu in a dish prior to this contest. “Youth participating in the Food Challenge utilize important life skills in the areas of food preparation, food safety, nutrition, and cultural diversity,” Womble said. “Each challenge gives them the opportunity to improve and enhance their current skills. It also helps them to develop new skills while having fun!” Photos provided by: Laura Huebinger Information provided by: Courtney Dodd & Sarah Womble Story by: Amy Dromgoole
How One Day Can Make A Difference
“The Parker County 4-H Ambassadors provided educational presentations several months proceeding one day 4-H in order to educate the public about Type 1 Diabetes and Parker County 4-H’s efforts to find a cure. After their presentation at the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, a gentleman stood and addressed the efforts of Parker County 4-H. He shared with the group that his son, who is now 23, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at a very young age. In a tearful expression of appreciation, he talked about the hardships that his son had overcome, and was very grateful for the awareness Parker County 4-H was raising. This really hit home with the kids providing the presentation, not only are they helping their fellow 4-H’ers diagnosed with this disease, but they are helping families world-wide.” This is One Day 4-H.
Information and Story by:Toby Lepley
Initiated in 2009, one day 4-H, provides an opportunity for the members of the Texas 4-H Program to go out into their community and give thanks for more than 102 years of support to 4-H. This “one day” of community service was modeled after the Big Event held each Spring at Texas A&M University as a day to say thank you for making Texas 4-H the largest youth organization in Texas. Members of 4-H participate in community service projects each year through their 4-H club or county program. But, one day 4-H allows members to be part of a community service on a grand scale, Dr. Chris Boleman, 4-H and Youth Development Program Director, said. This event allows each county to determine the need of their community, develop a solution, and solve the problem. Not only does it involve youth in the performing of community service, it also helps them to identify problematic issues, and why those issues are
present to begin with. On October 9, 2010 the second one day 4-H event continued to prove that even one day can make a difference in the life of an individual, a community, and a state. In 2010, one day 4-H partnered with more than 235 other organizations, introduced 1,393,090 people to 4-H, raised $78,697 for other organizations, and received $74,942 as in-kind donations. Each participating 4-H club selected a project based on local community needs. These projects varied from community to community and included working with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Meals on Wheels, the USO, City Councils, Lions Clubs, and Master Gardeners. Other clubs planted gardens and help clean and restore historic sites. So successful was this event that of the 226 reported one day 4-H projects,
at least 14 are now ongoing in their communities. And because of this one day event, 421 new members joined Texas 4-H. “This was the second year for the one day 4-H activity,” Toby Lepley, 4-H and Youth Development Specialist said. “It has truly shown the motivation, commitment, and dedication that 4-H members all across this state have to improving the lives of others and strengthening their communities.”
2010 Results •11,610 4-H members, adults, and non-4-H youth contributed more than 133,261 hours or $2,778,492 in volunteer time. • More than 226 state-wide projects reached 228,885 people through such efforts as: • Collecting 62,682 pounds of food • Making 2,923 care packets and delivering them to seniors and members of the military • Cleaning 71.5 miles of roads and beaches • Teaching 4,915 people through educational events
4-H Takes A Stand
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ith the onset of new technology being used by youth, bullying-a serious issue that affects students today, has become a problem that the Texas Legislature feels is important to address in schools. As of 2001, nearly 1/3 of students reported to experience bullying either as a target or a perpetrator. Bullying is classified as an action that takes place when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose and the victim has a hard time defending oneself. This includes, violence, spreading rumors, excluding others from a certain group, teasing, and ganging up on an individual. Cyberbullying is also a new challenge youth educators face. This includes texting, posting mean or untrue information or photographs on social networking sites, blogs, or personal web pages. “The issue of bullying has drawn national attention since the 1999 Columbine shootings and continues to rise,� Cheryl Newberry 4-H Specialist in District 10 and program coordinator said. “It is important
to equip youth of all ages with the life skills they need to deal with rough situations, including bullying.” Conflict management is recognized by the Texas Legislature to be an important entity to address in schools due to the fact that this issue has become so prevalent in past years. Schools are now required to have a discipline management program that includes prevention of and education relating to unwanted physical and verbal aggression, sexual harassment, and other forms of bullying in schools, during extracurricular activities, on school grounds, and in school vehicles such as school buses. Dating violence education, as well as education related to internet safety, and social networking is also mandated by the legislature. In order to assist the reported 16% of children who said they had been bullied during the 2008-2009 school year, 4-H and Youth Development is “Taking A Stand” and implementing a curriculum enrichment program entitled, Take A Stand. Take A Stand is comprised of lessons covering five topics: conflict resolution, bullying, communication, etiquette, teamwork, and cultural awareness. The lessons are also broken up into age appropriate curricula for 3rd-5th graders, 6th-8th graders, and 9-12th graders. The pilot for this program began in 2008 with 12 counties participating for each grade level category. Sixty counties were trained over the course of 8 hours in November 2008 and the response greatly outweighed the original goals
“Youth who have gone through the program are better equipped to stop and think about their actions and whether or not their response is appropriate,” Newberry said. “They are also better equipped to help others who are being bullied.” 1,249 3rd-5th grade participants from 26 counties and eleven districts, 872 6th-8th graders from sixteen counties and eleven districts, and 291 9th-12th graders from seven counties, twelve districts and one statewide event represented the students who participated in the pilot study. The growth of this program has proven to be very successful since final curriculum was released in November 2009 and agent trainings and teacher in-service trainings were conducted by agents and Regional Program Directors. “The ultimate goal of the program is to empower youth to take a stand for what is right and spread that confidence to others,” Newberry said. “Every child is unique and just because they are different doesn’t mean that they deserve to be treated badly by others. It is time that kids learn to accept and appreciate the differences of each other and value human life, instead of tear each other down. If bullying were reduced, or do I dare say, eliminated, then climates in schools and other places where youth assemble, would be safe and students would be able to focus on the actual purpose for being there, not on whether or not they are going to be a target or who their next victim is going to be.”
set for the program. Photos and I nformation provided by:Cheryl Newberry Story by: Amy Dromgoole
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ith increased competition for youth involvement from youth development organizations in schools and independent organizations across the state, Texas 4-H is always looking for new and exciting ways to reach current and future 4-H members. In 2010, the Texas 4-H Golf Challenge was successful in doing just that. On June 16, 2010 in Lubbock, Texas, 30 participants ages 11-18 competed in this multifaceted event. “4-H is about having fun and learning,” Galen Chandler, Texas AgriLife north region program director, said. “The 4-H Golf Challenge combines both of these for the 4-Her who likes golf, plus it creates a learning environment to study about sports nutrition, turf grass management, and golf rules, and etiquette.” This event was founded by county extension agents and 4-H specialists in order to battle some shocking statistics regarding today’s youth. Firstly, 16.3% of youth ages 2-19 are obese. Secondly, the United States is losing two acres of farmland
every minute to development. The fact that Texas is experiencing serious obesity problems in youth, coupled with the fact many are unaware of the effects of urban development, an event that aims to promote athleticism as well as environmentalism, makes Golf Challenge an effective tool in reaching our state’s youth. This event is believed to be a strong up-andcoming program in 4-H and Youth Development because it combines three, diverse program areas. The golf rules and etiquette curriculum helps mirror 4-Hers and their six pillars of character while teaching honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, and respect. Turf grass management allows the program to foster interest in one of the largest agricultural sectors in the country. Due to the fact that land that was once used for farming is now being converted into subdivisions and golf courses.
Therefore, young agriculturists must hold a strong understanding of environmental conservation and learn to properly care for turf grass and golf courses. The turf grass management section also provides opportunities to youth who may consider turf grass management as a future career. Finally, the winning with nutrition curriculum applies to all youth
ning.” r a e l d n a n u v ing f a h ler t u o b a s i G alen C hand “4-H who participate in any athletic activity. This program has been developed to teach seventh, eighth, and ninth graders the importance of nutrients, maintaining hydration, eating to maximize athletic performance, calculating needs based on physical activity, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the importance of milk, and the facts about athletic supplements. The event held in Lubbock consisted of three fun and educational
components. Teams of three (mixed ages) played an 18-hole golf scramble, participated in nine on-course scenarios and took a fifty question test and over the three program areas. Teams were awarded for lowest golf score, highest score on scenarios, individual test score, team test score, overall score (first, second and third place), longest drive, closest to the pin, and straightest drive. “The Texas 4-H Golf Challenge teach youth the basic of golf, an understanding of golf course management, and the importance of proper sports nutrition while participating in an exciting fun-filled event,” Kyle Merten, Texas AgriLife Extension associate, said. “Getting local buy-ins was crucial in the success of the 2010 Texas 4-H Golf Challenge and without the support of county extension agents, 4-H specialists, district extension administrators, and regional program directors the event would not have been a great success.” Upon completion of this event, 22 participants completed an evaluation.
The results indicated great satisfaction from youth and also provided strong feedback to continue and make this event available state-wide. Currently, another successful, educational 4-H Golf Challenge is planned for June 2011 at the Texas A&M University Golf Course.
Information provided by: Kyle Merten Story by: Amy Dromgoole
Counting Quality in the Lone Star State Story by: Amy Dromgoole
B
uckets, feed troughs, halters, and ribbons aren’t the only things one sees when attending a livestock show in the Lone Star State. After taking a closer look, one will see 4-H and FFA members demonstrate trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship, caring actions, responsibility, and respect—the six Quality Counts Pillars of Character. Young people participate in livestock projects at the county, district, regional and state level and the tremendous support and dedication of livestock show officials help make this great learning opportunity possible for the youth of Texas. Due to the fact that
Texas is the home of the largest number of youth livestock show participants in the country, it is imperative that these youth learn the responsibilities that coincide with these projects—which is exactly what Quality Counts does. In 2010, over 83,000 Quality Counts teaching hours were logged to 7,386 4-H members in 425 separate sessions. While Quality Counts helps youth learn the importance of using proper livestock management practices so that food quality and safety are preserved, the program is also designed to teach young people the importance of displaying good character while carrying out their various livestock projects, and how to incorporate these morals and values in every aspect of their daily lives—which is what 4-H is REALLY about!
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lthough the state of Texas develops programs to enhance youth character development, many are not aware of the fact that Texas is home to two Collegiate 4-H clubs. Texas A&M and Texas Tech University currently have active Collegiate 4-H clubs. Both of these organizations take the Collegiate 4-H motto, Continuing to Share, Sharing to Continue, seriously with their overall goal to give back to the community and the organization that allowed them to thrive as community members and people. Deanna Bosse, Texas A&M Collegiate 4-H President, feels passionate about giving back to youth 4-H. “All of our members have memories from their 4-H career that they hold close to their hearts and they wanted to give back,” she said. “The 4-H family helps young people learn valuable skills that will better them in the future, and we just had to continue to be a part of that.” “We strive to make the best better and promote 4-H to the younger generations so they too, can grow up and be wellrounded individuals. It is very important to us that children are aware of what all 4-H can offer them.” The Texas Tech Collegiate 4-H Club has been heavily involved in promoting 4-H and giving back to the community in Lubbock, Texas.
o t g n i u Contin , e r a h S o t g n i r a Sh : e u n i t Con H 4 e t a i Colleg
“I think Collegiate 4-H is important because of all of our community activity and involvement on the Texas Tech campus,” Drew Cashman, Texas Tech Collegiate 4-H President, said. “It’s fun to give back the help those who need it. Collegiate 4-H embodies the idea of helping others.” Texas Tech has had an active club for many years, attending National Collegiate 4-H Conference and helping with the national initiative, Operation Military Kids. In 2010, club representatives promoted 4-H and Texas Tech at 2010 State 4-H Roundup, represented the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University at an annual Homecoming Breakfast and sent seven members to Washington D.C for National Collegiate 4-H Conference. “Representing Texas Tech and 4-H at various events helped us get the word out about what 4-H can provide after high
school,” Sara Schwertner, 2008-2009 Texas Tech Collegiate 4-H officer said. “We should continue to give back the organization that got many of us where we are today.” Texas Tech also enacted a new program called “The Great 8: Texas Tech Style.” This program was based around the youth 4-H program Leaders for Life, taught approximately 50 4-H’ers life skills based on the book, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.” Participants attended 7 short lessons, taught by collegiate members, in order to learn each habit. The eighth component consisted of participants meeting the Masked Rider and learning about Texas Tech traditions. “Regardless of whether you were involved with 4-H as a kid, joining a chapter of Collegiate 4-H at your university is a great way to meet people, make friends, and get plugged into the best that college life has to offer,” Sara Dodd, Texas Tech Collegiate 4-H advisor, said. “Collegiate 4-H provides students with rich opportunities to serve and grow as leaders in their departments, across their campus, and in the wider local community. As students progress toward graduating and searching for a job, Collegiate 4-H also offers valuable networking and professional development experiences. “ Texas Tech Collegiate 4-H continues to strive to promote this great organization and encourage character and community development during post-secondary education. In addition to the work Texas Tech has done, Texas A&M University has also established a strong commitment to promote 4-H and give back to the community. However, this club wasn’t always a well-recognized organization at Texas A&M. Nonetheless, in 2010 this formerly inactive club received a facelift from several hardworking individuals who were committed to receiving university
recognition and making Texas A&M Collegiate 4-H a successful leadership organization at Texas A&M University. “Collegiate 4-H would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of its original members,” Bosse said. “We started out with about 20 interested students. The commitment that these students put forth was amazing and I’m confident to say that we have built a strong foundation for the Texas A&M Collegiate 4-H club to grow on.” After the reestablishment, the club which currently has 50 members hit the ground running in 2010. Members judged 2010 Texas 4-H Roundup events, educated parents about safe car restraint installation at the Brazos Valley Seat Check, assisted with the Brazos Valley Food Show, and sent representatives to Washington D.C for the National Collegiate 4-H Conference. The future of both of these highly successful clubs is looking bright and Texas State 4-H and Youth Development has no doubts that these clubs with continue to share and share to continue throughout the future. Information Provided by: Sara Dodd, Deanne Bosse, Drew Cashman, and Sara Schwertner Story by : Amy Dromgoole
U p a n d G ro wi ng
Texas 4-H and Youth Development hosted
the 2010 National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational on June 28-July 3 in Kerrville, Texas. 2010 marked the year with the largest group of participants and attendees in event history, with over 500 youth participants representing 31 states and over 1500 individuals in attendance. Texas 4-H was represented by 36 participants who were selected through a rigorous application process the previous fall.
Senior level youth had the opportunity
to compete in one of the following disciplines: air
During National 4-H Week, the Texas
pistol, air rifle, compound archery, recurve archery,
4-H Program partnered with Lamar Outdoor
hunting & wildlife, muzzleloading, smallbore rifle,
Advertising and placed seventy-four billboards
smallbore pistol, or shotgun. The 2011 National
through the state promoting 4-H. The 2010
4-H Shooting Sports Invitational will be held June
campaign was sponsored by 4-H Clubs, present
19-23, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas
and retired Extension employees, corporate sponsors, and District 4-H Agents Associations. During the one month display of the billboards, an estimated 52 million viewers passed the billboards, making this the most visible marketing campaign in the history of Texas 4-H. Due to the success and partnership of the campaign, Lamar Outdoor has offered their services again in 2011.
In March 2010 the Texas 4-H and Youth
Development Program and the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation moved into a new state headquarters located on State Highway 6 in College Station, Texas. The new facility was originally a College Station Fire Station that was purchased in March of 2009 by the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation. With many renovations and a major expansion the new state office has provided a great new home for the 4-H and Youth Development Program by way of training and office facilities. Upon completion and dedication of the new state headquarters the facilities were gifted to Texas AgriLife Extension and the Texas A&MSystem.
“I officially call this session of the 2010 Texas
4-H Congress to order” was once again heard
to add some new events
at the Texas State Capitol in July. More than 325
and activities so more
4-H members aged 14 to 19 participated in the
young people could have
bi-annual event in Austin. For more than 25 years,
the opportunity to be a part
Texas 4-H Congress has been one of the premiere
of our signature event –
citizenship and leadership opportunities for 4-H members to experience the Texas legislative process first hand. From serving as members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, Executive Branch, Lobbyists, or Press Corp the 4-H members are required to research issues affecting their communities and write bills for consideration by the Texas 4-H Congress. Bills are presented, debated and decided upon in both houses, as well as committees, truly replicating the legislative process. In 2010, for the first time, the open and closing General Sessions were video streamed over the internet by the Texas 4-H Tech Team, allowing county offices, parents, and other 4-H members to view the action at the Texas Capitol.
“We just wanted
Texas 4-H Roundup,” Chris Boleman, Director of 4-H & Youth Development, said.
“Some” being an understatement when looking
at the impressive list of new events including, the Leaders 4 Life Skillathon, 4-H has Talent, Food Challenge, Discover Scientific Method SET Competition, the Healthy Lifestyles Invitational, the Invitational Livestock Judging Contest and Workshop, the Invitational Poultry Judging Contest and Workshop, the Wildlife Contest and Workshop, guest motivational speakers, pep rallies that allowed 4-Hers to show their 4-H spirit, a Trade Show for academic and retail vendors, a silent auction ,and heavy involvement with 4-H’s elected State Council Officers.
Also newly implemented was the logo and theme
contest which allowed 4-Hers from across the state to spark their creative minds and enter a contest to pick the logo and theme for Roundup to be founded upon for 2010. 4-H State Council Officers also implemented a Press Corp that produced a daily newsletter with updates about Roundup’s activities during the entire week. This is all in addition to the 10 percent increase in participation due to the fact that intermediates were included in Roundup events for the first time.
Serving youth through outreach programs
has been a large component of the 4-H and Youth Development Program for many years. In recent years, through a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Grant has been providing resources to counties to expand outreach to youth-atrisk through special programs. Currently Texas 4-H has two sites providing programming through the CYFAR grant, Harris and Cameron Counties.
The Harris County CYFAR projects takes
youth through the realm of Science, Engineering, and Technology. Working with the Harris County Precint 2 Commissioner, Urban Extension Agent Sheryl Nolen, has developed an after-school program that allows youth to see science in a different way, while explore the numerous careers and education required to become a scientist or engineering. Marco Ponce, 4-H Agent in Cameron County carries the CYFAR project into the schools of the county by providing in school educational experiences in the areas of science, engineering, and technology as well as foods, nutrition, and health. Both of these projects continue the 4-H mission of reaching out and serving all the youth of Texas.
who we are... Dr. Bonnie McGee
Associate Director for 4-H, Youth Development and
Human Sciences Dr. Chris Boleman
4-H and Youth Development Program Director
Charla Bading
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 7
Jana Barrett
Development Relations Coordinator, Texas
4-H Foundation Derrick Bruton
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 4
Dr. Angela Burkham
4-H and Youth Development Program Specialist, District 1
Kevin Chilek
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 9
Courtney Dodd
Extension Program Specialist
Andy Hart
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 2
Larry Hysmith
Extension Program Specialist- Natural Resources
Laura Huebinger
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 8
Kelli Lehman
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 3
Dr. Toby Lepley
4-H and Youth Development Program Specialist
Dr. Darlene Locke
Director, Texas 4-H Conference Center
Jodi McManus
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 11
Kyle Merten
Extension Associate
Cheryl Newberry
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 10
Jim Reeves
Executive Director, 4-H Foundation
Luis Saldana
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 12
Matt Tarpley
Extension Program Specialist- 4-H, District 6
Dr. Montza Williiams
4-H and Youth Development Program Specialist, District 5
David Wright
Military 4-H Program Specialist
where we are...
Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas 4-H and Youth Development texas4h@ag.tamu.edu 4180 State Highway 6 College Station, Texas 77845
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating