Scholarships Available
The Texas Hill Country Dorper Sheep Association will award two college scholarships for the first time this fall in memory of one of the state’s pioneers in the Dorper sheep industry.
The scholarships, valued at $1,000 each, are open to any Texas resident. One will be awarded to a high school senior graduating this spring and the other to a college student who will be at least a junior in any Texas college or university this fall.
Scholarship requirements include involvement in agriculture, and especially the Dorper sheep industry in Texas. Recipients with agriculture-related majors in college will be given special consideration.
The scholarships have been launched in memory of Brad Bernhard, who died of cancer at the age of 48 in 2011. Bernhard, who lived in Fredericksburg, was one of the original founders of the THCDA and one of the earliest owners of Dorper sheep in Texas.
Dorpers and White Dorpers are hair sheep developed in South Africa in the 1930s as a breed that would thrive in a low-rainfall environment and produce a high-quality carcass. The THCDA was organized in 2007 to promote Dorper and White Dorper sheep in Texas.
Deadline for applications to be received is April 15, 2012. Applicants may complete a scholarship application form online or find out more about the two scholarships by going to the THCDA website at www.thcdorperassociation.com.
For more information, interested students may contact THCDA scholarship committee chairman Garet von Netzer at 830-997-3210 or gvnppb@gmail.com or scholarship committee liaison Connie Bernhard at 830-864-4695 or at bernhardranch@ctesc.net.
Range Team Results
2012 Victoria Livestock Show
Junior Range Team Wins 1st in Plant I.D. Contest
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| L-R Ashley Fuqua, Hayden Mathews, Davis Mathews, Reagan Hopper & Coach Carolyn Phelan |
Ashley was 2nd High Point Individual and Hayden was 3rd High Point Individual.
2012 Houston Livestock Show
Junior Range Team Wins 2nd in Plant I.D. Contest
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| L-R: Davis Mathews, Ashley Fuqua, Hayden Mathews |
Davis was 11th High Point Individual, Ashley was 5th High Point Individual and
Hayden was 3rd High Point Individual
Senior Range Team Wins 5th in Plant I.D. Contest
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| L-R: Lane Belanger, Rachel Fuqua, Logan Belanger |
Lane was 14th High Point Individual, Rachel was 18th High Point Individual and Logan was 11th High Point Individual
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
District 4-H Horse Show - June 19-20 - Seguin
Hot off the presses TODAY! Information about the District Horse Show, June 19-20, in Seguin, Texas!
This process will be online, through 4-H Connect, for each exhibitor. Registration is open May 1-15 on 4-H Connect. You will pay through 4-H Connect (credit/debit card or e-check from your account ONLY).
You will need:
- Completed online registration
- Copy of horse registration papers.
- Copy of current negative Coggins certificate for each horse entered. Coggins must be valid through the District AND State Horse Shows, July 31, 2012. Dates on Coggins must be legible.
-Knowledge of which horse each 4-H'er will be entering.
- Medical release for each exhibitor.
- Sample registration form from 4-H Connect to turn in to Extension office so they can check and certify your entries! VERY important!
Click here to get the District Horse Show packet! It has a LOT of information, so read it carefully.
This process will be online, through 4-H Connect, for each exhibitor. Registration is open May 1-15 on 4-H Connect. You will pay through 4-H Connect (credit/debit card or e-check from your account ONLY).
You will need:
- Completed online registration
- Copy of horse registration papers.
- Copy of current negative Coggins certificate for each horse entered. Coggins must be valid through the District AND State Horse Shows, July 31, 2012. Dates on Coggins must be legible.
-Knowledge of which horse each 4-H'er will be entering.
- Medical release for each exhibitor.
- Sample registration form from 4-H Connect to turn in to Extension office so they can check and certify your entries! VERY important!
Click here to get the District Horse Show packet! It has a LOT of information, so read it carefully.
Comal County's Entries for the State Photography Contest
If your photograph is pictured here, you will be representing Comal County 4-H at the State Photography Contest! Congratulations! PLEASE remember to go to 4-H Connect and enter April 1-15! A BIG THANK YOU to Fletcher's Photography for judging our MANY entries!
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| Cassie Stricker - PEOPLE Category |
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| Kendra Lehmann - ALL Category |
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| Hannah Jones - DETAILS Category |
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| Cassie Stricker - DOMINANT Category |
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| Cassie Stricker - ELEMENTS Category |
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| Hannah Jones - FOOD Category |
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| Hannah Jones - NATURE & LANDSCAPE Category |
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| Cassie Stricker - PLANT Category |
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| Cassie Stricker - WILDLIFE Category |
Congratulations, Colton!
Colton Seidel placed his pen of rabbits 6th at the Star of Texas show and will be going to auction! Way to go, Colton!
Gruene Kountry Greenhouse Tour - March 12
Youth Day at San Antonio!
If you have not already done so, find the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo page on Facebook and "like" it. Then check out photos of the booths and activities on Youth Day 2012! Great day and an excellent job done by all participants!
(I just checked it out and found the O'Briens!)
(I just checked it out and found the O'Briens!)
2012 Texas 4-H Horse Validation Program Update
Beginning with this year's Horse Validation Program the process will now be all electronically completed using the 4-H CONNECT online management system. ALL 4-H members who wish to show in a District or the State 4-H Horse Show(s) or to be stalled in the Comal County 4-H Horse Barn will be required to validate their horse(s) on the 4-H CONNECT system.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR VALIDATION PROCESS, YOU MUST:
- Have a family and youth member profile established on 4-H Connect.
- Be an active/paid youth member of Texas 4-H for the 2011-2012 4-H year.
- Have digital photos of your horse(s) from the front, left side, and right side. These photos must be accessible for upload during the validation process. (see details below)
- For registered horses, you need to have a pdf copy of your horse(s) registration papers for upload (if you don't have a pdf of your registration papers, Janet can help you with that!).IMPORTANT: Horse Validation is completed for EACH HORSE and will cover all 4-H youth members in that family profile. However, when validating your horses on 4-H CONNECT, you will select ONLY ONE 4-H youth member to conduct the validation under. Once a horse is validated, validation paid, and you begin registering for the District Horse Show, the validated horse(s) can be moved to the appropriate 4-H member(s) who will be exhibiting that horse in the show.
OTHER FACTS ABOUT THE HORSE VALIDATION PROCESS FOR 2012:
- Validation will be open from April 1 to May 1, 2012. Any horse validated before or after this date will not be accepted as a legitimate validated animal.
- An illustrated step-by-step instruction guide for families is available for download and reference from both the Texas 4-H website and the Texas AgriLife Extension Animal Science - Horse Section website.
- Validation cost for each horse will be $10. Each 4-H family validating a horse(s) will need to print an invoice for each horse and provide the invoice(s) and check to the county Extension office. The county Extension office will deposit these funds and cut one check for all validations.
- There is no limit to the number of horses that can be validated in the process.
- Ownership requirements are the same - The horse must be owned solely by the 4-H
member, his/her parents (biological or stepparents), brother, sister, grandparents, or legal guardian. Horses under lease to, but not owned by any of the named persons, do not qualify. Horses owned in partnership or jointly with any person other than those previously listed do not meet ownership requirements.- In the past there was a Grade Horse worksheet that included the need for sketching markings and colors of horses. That form is no longer required, however, it is a requirement for ALL horses that photos of the front, left side, and right side are uploaded during the validation process. The entire horse MUST be in the photographs. Photos should be as close as possible and markings should be clearly visible. The photo should be in jpg or gif format.
- A pdf or jpg of the registration papers will be uploaded for registered horses. If you are not able to scan papers, contact Janet and she can help you.
BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW SYSTEM, IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT YOU DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE IN CASE OF ANY COMPUTER, PHOTO, UPLOAD ISSUES!
MyPlate and Nutrition Quiz Bowl Resources
The MyPlate website links that were originally on the Food and Nutrition Quiz Bowl study guide have been changed. The ones listed in the study guide are essentially “dead.” Here is an updated that link that has the information we will use for 2012.
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/downloads/MyPlate/DG2010Brochure.pdf
The 2013 Study Guide will be released by September 1, 2012.
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/downloads/MyPlate/DG2010Brochure.pdf
The 2013 Study Guide will be released by September 1, 2012.
New Food Challenge Resource Available
A new Food Challenge resource, "Foodie Fanatics," is now available and posted on the web at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/healthy_lifestyles. This resource is intended to provide agents and leaders with information to aid in helping prepare youth for the Food Challenge. While it is not the only resource to be used, it is a comprehensive guide that will help leaders prepare for project meetings and practices. Included in the guide is the following:
- Recipe creation for Food Challenge Practice
- Figuring cost per unit of food item
- Sample grocery receipts
- Measure equivalents
- Common cooking terms
- Sample presentation script
- Nutrition and food related games to play at project meetings
- Tools used in the kitchen - uses defined
NEW Meat Judging and ID Contest
The www.4hmeat.org website has been updated with the 4-H Meat Judging 2012 contest dates, rules & regulations, example scantron, list of cuts, resources and training videos. Please take a look to see these and check out other helpful meat judging information. Best of luck to all the teams this year!
The Scantron, Retail Id Card, List of Possible Cuts for both Seniors and Intermediates have all been changed. You can find the changes in PDF documents on the front page of 4hmeat.org.
Also all the training videos are on Youtube now and can be accessed through the "Meat Judging Online Training" page on the 4hmeat.org site or my Youtube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8AC63B97130BAF31
If you have questions please call me at 979-845-2053 or email dhale@tamu.edu.
The Scantron, Retail Id Card, List of Possible Cuts for both Seniors and Intermediates have all been changed. You can find the changes in PDF documents on the front page of 4hmeat.org.
Also all the training videos are on Youtube now and can be accessed through the "Meat Judging Online Training" page on the 4hmeat.org site or my Youtube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8AC63B97130BAF31
If you have questions please call me at 979-845-2053 or email dhale@tamu.edu.
MASH Camp registration is OPEN!
Registration for MASH Camp is now open on 4-H CONNECT! MASH Camp is a hands-on learning experience that allows youth to learn about the medical, athletic training, safety and health fields. During the three-day, two-night camp, youth will participate in activities with the Texas A&M Athletic Department, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science Center, in addition to TEEX Disaster City, to explore higher education and discover career opportunities.
The camp will be held on campus of Texas A&M Universitiy in College Station from June 27th thru June 29th. It is open to youth entering grades 7 thru 11 and those who just completed the 11th grade in the 2011-2012 school year (ages 13 – 17). 4-H membership is not a requirement to participate in this camp! The registration fee is $250.00. Registration will remain open until May 18th or until the camp fills up, whichever comes first.
Congratulations, Kolton!
Kolton Neuse won Grand Champion Lamb and Champion Intermediate Showmanship at the Comal County Junior Livestock Show!
Kolton also placed 7th out of 76 in Class 3 of the Medium Wools at Houston.
Kolton also placed 7th out of 76 in Class 3 of the Medium Wools at Houston.
Way to go, Kolton!
District 4-H Council Officer Applications Available
The election of officers for the District 10 4-H Council will take place at the T Bar M Resort and Conference Center during Leadership Lab, June 26-29, 2012.
To be eligible for an office, 4-H'ers must have attended District Leadership Lab at least one year prior to running for office. This amendment was made to the District 4-H Council Standing Rules in August 2010 in an effort to encourage more youth to run for District office.
Qualified delegates interested in seeing DISTRICT Council office must apply by mailing the application to Sarah Womble at the District Office, postmarked no later than May 1, 2012. Applications postmarked May 2, 2012 or later WILL NOT be accepted, so please plan accordingly!
Candidates will participate in a question/answer session in front of the voting delegates, following speeches. Candidates will be sent a list of potential questions in May. Each candidate will be asked 2 questions from the list and one question that is not on the list. This will provide an opportunity for the voting delegates to see how well candidates think on their feet.
Candidates who apply will be allowed to bring ONE posterboard size (22" x 28") campaign poster to Lab - no other campaign materials will be allowed (i.e. no candy, flyers, gum, etc.).
Be sure to read the job descriptions in the information packet. Serving as an officer of the District Council requires time and effort but it also provides leadership opportunities and other rewards.
Click here to go to the page on our web site that has the information packet as well as the application, itself.
To be eligible for an office, 4-H'ers must have attended District Leadership Lab at least one year prior to running for office. This amendment was made to the District 4-H Council Standing Rules in August 2010 in an effort to encourage more youth to run for District office.
Qualified delegates interested in seeing DISTRICT Council office must apply by mailing the application to Sarah Womble at the District Office, postmarked no later than May 1, 2012. Applications postmarked May 2, 2012 or later WILL NOT be accepted, so please plan accordingly!
Candidates will participate in a question/answer session in front of the voting delegates, following speeches. Candidates will be sent a list of potential questions in May. Each candidate will be asked 2 questions from the list and one question that is not on the list. This will provide an opportunity for the voting delegates to see how well candidates think on their feet.
Candidates who apply will be allowed to bring ONE posterboard size (22" x 28") campaign poster to Lab - no other campaign materials will be allowed (i.e. no candy, flyers, gum, etc.).
Be sure to read the job descriptions in the information packet. Serving as an officer of the District Council requires time and effort but it also provides leadership opportunities and other rewards.
Click here to go to the page on our web site that has the information packet as well as the application, itself.
County 4-H Council Officer Applications for 2012-2013 4-H Year
The 2012-2013 County 4-H Council Officer Applications are NOW AVAILABLE on our web site. Click here to go to the form.
DEADLINE to turn in Comal County 4-H Council Officer Applications is Friday, March 30th. Be sure to get a parent's signature on the last form!
Are you Ready for 4-H Roundup?
About 1/3 of our Comal County 4-H members are wrapped up in what we call "Stock Show Season" right now. As the year rolls out of that season, we roll into what Karla calls "Contest Season." Contest Season is made up of judging team contests, Share the Fun, Public Speaking, Beef & Horse Quiz Bowls, and educational presentations (method demonstrations/illustrated talks).
Here's a quick run down of the Spring District 4-H Contests:
4-H Judging Contests
4-H Roundup Events
There are 2 4-H Roundup events for 4-H members. A DISTRICT-LEVEL Roundup and a STATE-LEVEL Roundup.
Texas 4-H Roundup - also called State Roundup
Texas 4-H Roundup is a qualifying and invitational event for youth between the ages of 11 and 18 that have successfully placed in a qualifying event at the district level or signed up to compete in an invitational event at the state level. The majority of the Texas 4-H state-level contests are held the week of Texas 4-H Roundup. Texas 4-H Foundation Opportunities Scholarships are awarded during Texas 4-H Roundup.
Texas 4-H Roundup includes approximately 50 different contests and workshops 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.
2012 Date & Location
These District-Level contests will take place on that day:
Senior age-division participants placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd (1st & 2nd in Share-the-Fun) at District will advance to the STATE level and compete at TEXAS 4-H ROUNDUP.
Registration for District 4-H Roundup will be March 26-April 6, 2012 on 4-H Connect (There will be no late registration available).
Please call or email the Extension office if you have ANY QUESTIONS, would like some coaching, or have questions about District Roundup.
Share The Fun is a 4-H TALENT SHOW!
Play an instrument, act out a play, sing a song, recite a poem, put on a skit promoting 4-H.... Singers like Reba McEntire & Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland got their start in 4-H Share the Fun!
The 4-H Share the Fun Contest is held in conjunction with District & State 4-H Roundups. Click here to be directed to a packet of information outlining the Share The Fun Contest, the six (6) categories available, and rules & guidelines for each category. The six (6) categories are:
Here's a quick run down of the Spring District 4-H Contests:
4-H Judging Contests
- Range, Grass ID, Soils, Wool, and Mohair Judging @ Kerrville - Wednesday, April 18, 2012
- Meats Judging @ San Angelo - Wednesday, April 18, 2012
- Livestock Judging @ Fredericksburg - Saturday, April 28, 2012
- Entomology Judging @ Floresville - Saturday, April 14, 2012
4-H Roundup Events
There are 2 4-H Roundup events for 4-H members. A DISTRICT-LEVEL Roundup and a STATE-LEVEL Roundup.
Texas 4-H Roundup - also called State Roundup
Texas 4-H Roundup is a qualifying and invitational event for youth between the ages of 11 and 18 that have successfully placed in a qualifying event at the district level or signed up to compete in an invitational event at the state level. The majority of the Texas 4-H state-level contests are held the week of Texas 4-H Roundup. Texas 4-H Foundation Opportunities Scholarships are awarded during Texas 4-H Roundup.
Texas 4-H Roundup includes approximately 50 different contests and workshops 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.
2012 Date & Location
The 2012 Texas 4-H Roundup will be held in Lubbock, Texas on the campus of Texas Tech University. The week will start with registration pick upon Monday, June 11, 2012 and end on Friday, June 15, 2012. This is a historic year for Texas 4-H. This will be the first Texas 4-H Roundup held somewhere other than Texas A&M University since it began in 1946!
There are many highlights during the week. One of the big ones this year will be a concert by Aaron Watson! Click here for promo flyer.
District 4-H Roundup
DISTRICT ROUNDUP events/contests are open to all ages of 4-H members from 9 to 18. The 2012 District 4-H Roundup will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Comfort High School, Hwy 87 North, Comfort, TX.
These District-Level contests will take place on that day:
- Leaders 4 Life
- Beef Quiz Bowl
- Horse Quiz Bowl
- Senior Age Division Fashion Show
- Educational Presentations
- Share The Fun
- District Photography Contest Display
Senior age-division participants placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd (1st & 2nd in Share-the-Fun) at District will advance to the STATE level and compete at TEXAS 4-H ROUNDUP.
Registration for District 4-H Roundup will be March 26-April 6, 2012 on 4-H Connect (There will be no late registration available).
Please call or email the Extension office if you have ANY QUESTIONS, would like some coaching, or have questions about District Roundup.
Share The Fun is a 4-H TALENT SHOW!
Play an instrument, act out a play, sing a song, recite a poem, put on a skit promoting 4-H.... Singers like Reba McEntire & Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland got their start in 4-H Share the Fun!
The 4-H Share the Fun Contest is held in conjunction with District & State 4-H Roundups. Click here to be directed to a packet of information outlining the Share The Fun Contest, the six (6) categories available, and rules & guidelines for each category. The six (6) categories are:
- Celebrate 4-H
- Choreographed Routines
- Musical/Instrumental
- Poetry/Prose
- Solo/Band Performance
- Vocal
Note to ALL Texas 4-H Members from Your Texas 4-H Council
Howdy Texas 4-Hers!
Your Texas 4-H State Council would first like to say how excited and honored we are to be serving you this year. One of the biggest projects we are working on is Texas 4-H Roundup 2012! We have so many fun and exciting surprises in store for 4-H this year. Our goal as your 4-H State Council is to serve you, create new experiences, and make the best better. Because 4-H is growing and creating new experiences this year, especially in the area of State Roundup we as a council created a motto we would like to share with you. “A new team, a new experience…it’s history in the making!” As 4-Hers across Texas you create and inspire those new experiences, helping to make history every day. As fellow 4-Hers we look forward to making history with you.
Texas 4-H Roundup will be June 11- 15, 2012 at Texas Tech University. This is a new and adventurous opportunity in which both Senior and Intermediate 4-Hers are invited to participate. Whether it is through a qualifying event for Seniors, Invitational workshops for all ages or just the other fun events Roundup is going to be great this year! We have a couple of exciting updates for you.... First, Aaron Watson will be performing at Roundup this year on Thursday night so mark it on your calendars. Also, the annual trade show will be coming to Roundup with all of its former goodies and then some.
Look for more updates on the 4-H State Council and Roundup 2012 right here or online via our Facebook page 2012 Texas 4-H Roundup: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/2012-Texas-4-H-Roundup/315843191775648 and the Texas 4-H Roundup website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/roundup
“To Make the Best Better.”
Your 2012 Texas 4-H Council
Your Texas 4-H State Council would first like to say how excited and honored we are to be serving you this year. One of the biggest projects we are working on is Texas 4-H Roundup 2012! We have so many fun and exciting surprises in store for 4-H this year. Our goal as your 4-H State Council is to serve you, create new experiences, and make the best better. Because 4-H is growing and creating new experiences this year, especially in the area of State Roundup we as a council created a motto we would like to share with you. “A new team, a new experience…it’s history in the making!” As 4-Hers across Texas you create and inspire those new experiences, helping to make history every day. As fellow 4-Hers we look forward to making history with you.
Texas 4-H Roundup will be June 11- 15, 2012 at Texas Tech University. This is a new and adventurous opportunity in which both Senior and Intermediate 4-Hers are invited to participate. Whether it is through a qualifying event for Seniors, Invitational workshops for all ages or just the other fun events Roundup is going to be great this year! We have a couple of exciting updates for you.... First, Aaron Watson will be performing at Roundup this year on Thursday night so mark it on your calendars. Also, the annual trade show will be coming to Roundup with all of its former goodies and then some.
Look for more updates on the 4-H State Council and Roundup 2012 right here or online via our Facebook page 2012 Texas 4-H Roundup: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/2012-Texas-4-H-Roundup/315843191775648 and the Texas 4-H Roundup website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/roundup
“To Make the Best Better.”
Your 2012 Texas 4-H Council
Texas 4-H Congress is this Summer!!!
TEXAS 4-H CONGRESS is a TRULY UNIQUE opportunity for 4-H members. 4-H members take the place of legislators in Austin and experience a mock legislative session. Texas 4-H is one of only 2 youth organizations that actually uses the TEXAS CAPITOL committee rooms and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and SENATE CHAMBERS. While youth debate bills, working toward making them laws, they sit in the very same chairs as out Texas Legislators!
Texas 4-H Congress is the premiere citizenship and 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 House of Representatives, the Senate, the Press, or as a Lobbyist. From these roles, the 4-H members determine the fate of each bill submitted over the four day event.
The headquarters for Texas 4-H Congress will be at the Sheraton Hotel, 707 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.
Comal County 4-H members interested in attending Texas 4-H Congress must CALL or EMAIL Janet (extjls@co.comal.tx.us) at the Comal County Extension office by April 2.
Go to the TEXAS 4-H CONGRESS website for more detailed information and a list of important dates: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/txcongress
Event Dates and Schedule
Texas 4-H Congress will start on July 15, 2012 and end on July 18, 2012. The schedule of events will be released in late-Spring 2012. Youth are asked to dress appropriately for the daily visits to the Capitol.
There are several ways youth can participate in Texas 4-H Congress:
4-H Youth of Any Age - whether attending Congress in person or not
Regardless of age, any 4-H member, as an individual or a group, can research a issue affecting the state of Texas and write a legislative bill that helps resolve or eliminates the problems. The legislative bill writing process involves researching the issue, determining the best solution for the process, identifying if any current legislation is enforce, and if not what is the cost of the legislation and who is responsible for the possible law. This is a great way to participate and be a part of Congress without attending in person.
House of Representatives or Senate Member
Take on the role of a Representative or Senator - These roles are primarily for 4-H members that have never participated in Texas 4-H Congress. Four-H members serving in the House or Senate should be prepared and able to speak passionately about issues effecting Texas and Texas Youth. The issues that the 4-H member will be speaking about may or may not be related to the subject matt er of the bill they submitted. House and Senate members will be participating in a variety of professional settings such as committee meetings, chamber sessions, and may be lobbied or questioned on different issues by the Lobbyist group and/or the Press Corps. Assignments to the House and Senate are made by the State 4-H Office.
Press Corps
The Texas 4-H Congress Press Corps play an extremely important part in the success of the event. Press Corps members can be either first time or returning 4-H members to 4-H Congress. Individuals applying for Press Corps should have strong skills in writing, word processing, interviewing, photography, and focused on making deadlines. The press corps is responsible for the publishing of a daily newspaper and helping maintaining a web page/electronic communication. Press Corps members should be aware that sometimes they may not be able to attend certain events because of print deadlines.
Lobbyist
The Lobbyist group is designed for 4-H members who have attended Texas 4-H Congress in the past. The responsibility of the Lobbyist group is to identify certain bills and then lobby members of the House and Senate to either pass or defeat the bill. Lobbyist should be knowledgeable about Texas 4-H Congress and the schedule that it follows. Lobbyist members should be prepared to and have the ability to approach other 4-H members and persuade House and Senate members for support. The Lobbyist group will hold a "by invitation only" reception for House and Senate Members, along with Congress Leadership.
Age Requirements of Youth Attending Texas 4-H Congress
Oļ¬cial ages for Texas 4-H Congress are 15 (at the time of the event) to 18 years of age. This is a prestigious event reserved for older 4-H members.
Texas 4-H Congress is the premiere citizenship and 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 House of Representatives, the Senate, the Press, or as a Lobbyist. From these roles, the 4-H members determine the fate of each bill submitted over the four day event.
The headquarters for Texas 4-H Congress will be at the Sheraton Hotel, 707 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.
Comal County 4-H members interested in attending Texas 4-H Congress must CALL or EMAIL Janet (extjls@co.comal.tx.us) at the Comal County Extension office by April 2.
Go to the TEXAS 4-H CONGRESS website for more detailed information and a list of important dates: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/txcongress
Event Dates and Schedule
Texas 4-H Congress will start on July 15, 2012 and end on July 18, 2012. The schedule of events will be released in late-Spring 2012. Youth are asked to dress appropriately for the daily visits to the Capitol.
There are several ways youth can participate in Texas 4-H Congress:
4-H Youth of Any Age - whether attending Congress in person or not
Regardless of age, any 4-H member, as an individual or a group, can research a issue affecting the state of Texas and write a legislative bill that helps resolve or eliminates the problems. The legislative bill writing process involves researching the issue, determining the best solution for the process, identifying if any current legislation is enforce, and if not what is the cost of the legislation and who is responsible for the possible law. This is a great way to participate and be a part of Congress without attending in person.
House of Representatives or Senate Member
Take on the role of a Representative or Senator - These roles are primarily for 4-H members that have never participated in Texas 4-H Congress. Four-H members serving in the House or Senate should be prepared and able to speak passionately about issues effecting Texas and Texas Youth. The issues that the 4-H member will be speaking about may or may not be related to the subject matt er of the bill they submitted. House and Senate members will be participating in a variety of professional settings such as committee meetings, chamber sessions, and may be lobbied or questioned on different issues by the Lobbyist group and/or the Press Corps. Assignments to the House and Senate are made by the State 4-H Office.
Press Corps
The Texas 4-H Congress Press Corps play an extremely important part in the success of the event. Press Corps members can be either first time or returning 4-H members to 4-H Congress. Individuals applying for Press Corps should have strong skills in writing, word processing, interviewing, photography, and focused on making deadlines. The press corps is responsible for the publishing of a daily newspaper and helping maintaining a web page/electronic communication. Press Corps members should be aware that sometimes they may not be able to attend certain events because of print deadlines.
Lobbyist
The Lobbyist group is designed for 4-H members who have attended Texas 4-H Congress in the past. The responsibility of the Lobbyist group is to identify certain bills and then lobby members of the House and Senate to either pass or defeat the bill. Lobbyist should be knowledgeable about Texas 4-H Congress and the schedule that it follows. Lobbyist members should be prepared to and have the ability to approach other 4-H members and persuade House and Senate members for support. The Lobbyist group will hold a "by invitation only" reception for House and Senate Members, along with Congress Leadership.
Age Requirements of Youth Attending Texas 4-H Congress
Oļ¬cial ages for Texas 4-H Congress are 15 (at the time of the event) to 18 years of age. This is a prestigious event reserved for older 4-H members.
A little note from Karla:
This was my favorite activity I did as a 4-H member! I did a lot in my 4-H years,
but Texas 4-H Congress was definitely a 4-H career highlight! Everyone should go!!
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