TEXAS 4-H LEARNING STRATEGIES (EVENTS AND ACTIVITES)

Through the educational process, 4-H members have the opportunities to participate in many events and activities. The purpose of these events and activities is to gauge, or "test", the knowledge they have gained through participating in a particular project.

The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program offers many opportunities for both youth and adults to experience 4-H at the local, county, district, state, national, and international level. To learn more about each of these experiences, select the event below or contact your local county Extension Office.

PAGE LINKS:
Texas 4-H Roundup
Texas 4-H Congress
Record Keeping and Record Books
Texas 4-H Leadership Conference
Photography Contest
Dog Show
Beekeeping Essay
Shooting Sports
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Congress
Agriculture Literacy/Ag Fairs
World Food Prize Youth Institute

TEXAS 4-H ROUNDUP

Texas 4-H Roundup is held annually in College Station on the campus of Texas A&M University. Texas 4-H Roundup is a qualifying event for youth between the ages of 14 and 18 that have successful placed in a qualifying spot at the district level. County and district Roundup's are open to all ages of 4-H members from 9 to 18.

Texas 4-H Roundup includes approximately 40 different contest that test 4-H members on life skills in such attributes are decision making, public speaking, organization, and working with others. These contests include such things as Fashion Show, Food Show, an assortment of judging contests, and educational presentations.

Texas 4-H Roundup website.

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TEXAS 4-H CONGRESS

Texas 4-H Congress is the premiere leadership experience for Texas 4-H members between the ages of 15 and 18. Held on the even numbers years in the Texas State Capitol, Texas 4-H Congress allows 4-H members to experience the law making process first hand by writing, submitting, and then serving as a member of the Houe of Representatives, the Senate, the Press, or as a Lobbyist. From these roles, the 4-H members determine the faith of each bill submitted over the four day event. Cost for the event range from $150.00 to $250.00, pending on donor support.

Texas 4-H Congress website.

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RECORD KEEPING AND RECORD BOOKS

Record keeping and 4-H Recordbooks are an important part of all Texas 4-H projects. By learning good record keeping skills, 4-H members are able to refelect annually, and over their career, the growth and development they have experienced in 4-H. Record keeping is done on a daily and monthly basis on all projects, recording such things as financial investments, learning experiences, goals of projects, and leadership.

At the end of the 4-H year, 4-H members are encouraged to transfer their records into a Texas 4-H Recordbook, which is a competitive process allowsing youth to be evaluated with other youth in one of thirty-nine categories. Recordbooks are a family affair that involves the 4-H member and an adult recording and completing the record book of project experiences, leadership, community service, awards, and non-4-H accomplishments.

Record Keeping and Recordbook website.

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TEXAS 4-H LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Texas 4-H Leadership Conference is the recognition event for senior 4-H members who have been recognized with a first place state winning record book. This five day trip to the nations capitial is a educational filled event including a day on Capitol Hill, a night of culture in the arts districts, and a salute to our soldiers through a wreath laying at Arlington National Cementary.

Leadership Conference participants receive more information after the state recordbook judging competition each August.

Texas 4-H Leadership Conference website

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PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

One of the fastest growing 4-H projects and competitions in the state, the photography contest allows youth to demonstration their skills of expertise picture taking. The Texas 4-H Photography contest is held each year in conjunction with Texas 4-H Roundup. 4-H members between the ages of 14 and 18 can enter photographs in a vareity of classes and divisions. County's and districts may also conduct photography contest for the junior and intermediate 4-H members.

Photography contest website

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TEXAS 4-H DOG SHOW

The Texas 4-H Dog Show has beena great success for 37 years! Competitiors from all over the state, ranging in age from 8 to 18. All breeds, including mixed, are welcome to compete after they have met the minimum requirements. Dog and 4-H member teams can compete in five different classes, such as: obedience or rally, conformation, showmanship, drill team, and/or costume.

Texas 4-H Dog Show website

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BEEKEEPING ESSAY CONTEST

The Beekeeping Esssay Contest is sponsored by the The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. For over 50 years, the American Beekeeping Federation has been serving the needs of the U.S. beekeeper. Any youth interested in participating in the contest must follow the instructions for the Texas selection process. Each State Winner, including the national winners, receives an appropriate book about honey bees, beekeeping, or honey.

Beekeeping Essay website

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SHOOTING SPORTS

The shooting sports project provides many events and activities for 4-H members to gain and demonstration skills in archery, hunting, muzzle loading, pistol, rifle and shotgun. Events include 4-H Rifle contest, 4-H/Jaycee BB Gun championship, postal leagues, shooting sports extravaganza, Texas 4-H archery match, Texas 4-H silhouette match, Texas 4-H shooting sports games, and many others.

Shooting Sports website

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NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE

The National 4-H Conference is the Secretary of Agriculture's premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program.

The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults--at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture--assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. This event brings together youth, volunteer leaders, and state and county Extension staff members from across the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the Canadian Provinces.

As the sponsor for this conference, the National 4-H Headquarters--located within Families, 4-H, and Nutrition at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES)--is charged with sharing the recommendations that emerge from the conference with the Secretary of Agriculture, national Extension Program Leaders, and others who determine 4-H programs. At the same time, we want to ensure that the conference is a meaningful experience for the youth and adult participants

National 4-H Conference website - Texas
National 4-H Conference website - National

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NATIONAL 4-H CONGRESS

National 4-H Congress is the flagship event of the 4-H program. For eighty years, youth from the United States and its territories have participated in this youth leadership development conference. The Congress provides youth, ages 14-19, a quality, educational, and cross-cultural experience that exceeds what any state independently provides. It is designed to address the needs and issues of youth while helping to develop capable, competent, and caring citizens.

The program is built upon the Cooperative Extension System's belief that young people can be significant partners in addressing the issues that face our nation especially those affecting youth. Each year a National Design Team of Extension educators, 4-H youth, and 4-H adult volunteers analyze current youth issues and determine the most effective ways to address them. The program combines plenary sessions, seminars, discussion groups, and a service learning experience. The nation's most outstanding community leaders, speakers, and educators present the most current and timely information available.

National 4-H Congress website - Texas
National 4-H Congress website - National

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AGRICULTURE LITERACY AND AG FAIRS

Appoximately 500,000 kids participate in Ag and Natural Resource Awareness activities each year through Texas 4-H. With this in mind, this site has been developed to assist county Extension agents and volunteers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of their programs. We will continue to update these pages as we receive information that will enhance these programs.

Agriculture Literacy and Ag Fairs website

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WORLD FOOD PRIZE YOUTH INSTITUTE

The World Food Prize Youth Institute provides a three-day all expenses-paid educational opportunity and forum for high school students to the national competition, with the possibility of being able to apply for a global internship. Participants at the national event interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates and are exposed to an array of experts, facilities and organizations relating to food security. The Youth Institute also provides students with opportunities to consider careers in food, agriculture and natural resource disciplines.

The Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture has created the Texas A&M Youth Agriculture Symposium as an extension of the World Food Prize Youth Institute. Students from all over the state of Texas are invited to submit essays and participate in the event. A select number of youth (approximately 12) will be invited to the Texas A&M Youth Agriculture Symposium, which is to be held in College Station on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 (Memorial Student Center). The top three students will be invited to attend the World Food Prize Youth Institute. This includes a three-day trip to Des Moines, Iowa, where students will learn from such luminaries as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug and other World Food Prize Laureates for three days of dialogue, presentations and interaction

World Food Prize Youth Institute website

 

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Page last updated: July 22, 2009