Leon Co. 4-H Handbook/Calendar

Click here to view/download the 2018-19 Leon Co. 4-H Handbook & Calendar.  A hard copy will be provided for each 4-H family during your upcoming 4-H club meetings.  Use your handbook/calendar to provide you some great info.  Dates in the calendar are subject to change, so be sure to visit our 4-H website and attend your club meetings to be kept up to date.

2018-19 4-H Clubs & Groups

4-H Report Form Tool

We talk about 4-H recordbooks, but what I like to focus on this time of year is recordkeeping!!  While we would love for everyone to compile a recordbook, it's nearly impossible to put a good recordbook together without a record of what you've done - our memory just can't keep track!  There are many ways to keep records, but Richard has compiled a "Leon Co. 4-H Project Record" that will help you!  Click here to view the Word and pdf files.  Download to your computer or print to keep track!  We'll be talking more about recordbooks as they year goes along.

Great 4-H Awards Banquet

Congratulations to everyone who was recognized during our Leon Co. 4-H Awards Banquet on July 30th!  Click here to view the 4-H year highlights video (Star Studded Success) and the awards slide show.

Special thanks to Kandace Stevens and everyone who helped prepare the meal!  We also appreciate Zoie Stevens for compiling a great highlights video.  A big thanks to everyone who helped set up, decorate and clean up!  While the AC could not keep up with our large crowd (about 200 people), the room looked great!!

Texas 4-H Roundup...

Congratulations to all of our Texas 4-H Roundup participants!!  Roundup was held June 12-14, in College Station.  Highlights include:

Texas 4-H Scholarships
- Leon County 4-H members brought home a total of $34,000 in scholarships
- Natalie Uptmor - $20,000 from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
- James Rodell - $10,000 from Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation 
- Matthew Roach - $4,000 Texas 4-H Collegiate Scholarship

Contest Results include:
- In the Rifle Match, the team of Colton Adams, Kassidy Bell, James Rodell and Justin Vann took 11th place. 
- For the Invitational Ag Product ID Contest, Caleb Rappolee and Graci Kelley participated as Intermediate individuals, and the Senior team of Cole Rappolee, Annika Stevens and Zoie Stevens received 16th place.
- Natalie Uptmor placed 5th in the Buying Formal/Semi-formal category of the Fashion Show.
- In the Invitational Livestock Judging Contest, the Intermediate team of James Bodine, Cody Cox, Graci Kelley and Caleb Rappolee placed 16th, and the Senior team of Cole Rappolee, Gatlynn Johnson, Zoie Stevens and Annika Stevens earned 11th place.  Jake Henigan also participated as a Senior individual.
- Emily Banda, Hayley de la Garza and Megan Green all brought home red ribbons for their Photography Contest entries.
- Anthony Banda took 10th place in Share the Fun Vocal.
- Samantha Bowers placed 5th in Share the Fun Solo/Band.
- Nathan Barrett participated in the Public Speaking Contest

Normangee 4-H member John Landry was selected to sing the National Anthem during the Thursday evening assembly. 

We also want to say a huge THANK YOU to our coaches and other parents and supporters for helping our kids reach this level.

D8 4-H SURGE

Congrats to our District 8 4-H SURGE (formerly known as Leadership Lab) participants:  Emma Adams, Nathan Barrett, Makayla Gilliam, Callie Harter, Aurora Moran, Cole Rappolee, Annika Stevens, Zoie Stevens and Natalie Uptmor.  They enjoyed a great time on June 24-27 at T Bar M Resort & Conference Center in New Braunfels.  All of these 4-H'ers are available to offer programs for your club meetings. 

Special congrats to Nathan and Zoie for being elected to serve on the 2018-19 D8 4-H Council!! Nathan will also represent D8 on Texas 4-H Council.

D8 4-H Photo Results

Congratulations to all of our participants in the D8 4-H Photo Contest!  Their photos were displayed
during D8 4-H Roundup on May 5th.
Juniors:

• Jaidynn Childress - 2 Blue Awards
• Madilynn Cox - 2 Blue Awards
• Grace Hulzing - 3 Blue Awards and 1 Reserve Champion (Food)
• Mia King - 6 Blue Awards, 2 Champions (Dominant Color and People) and 1 Reserve Champion (Enhanced)
• Levi Scoma - 2 Blue Awards and 1 Champion (Motion)

Intermediates:

• James Bodine - 3 Blue Awards and 1 Reserve Champion (Details & Macro)
• Caraline Dudley - 2 Blue Awards
• Adriana de la Garza - 1 Blue Award and 1 Champion (Enhanced)
• Lanie Goolsby - 3 Blue Awards and 2 Champions (Landscape and Travel)
• Hadley Klock - 2 Blue Awards
• Emily Page - 2 Blue Awards
• Reagan Van Dresar - 1 Blue Award

Seniors:

• Emily Banda - 5 Blue Awards
• Hayley de la Garza - 1 Red Award
• Megan Green - 1 Blue Award and 3 Red Awards

To view all results and photos, click here.  Unlike most of our D8 contests, winners from the Sr Photo Contest do not advance to state.  Photos by Emily, Hayley and Megan qualified at the county contest, so we wish them the best in the state contest.

D8 4-H Roundup Results

Leon County was well represented at D8 4-H Roundup on May 5th in Riesel!  Congrats to:

• James Bodine & Caraline Dudley were 2nd place in Health
• Quannah Dudley placed 2nd in Public Speaking
• Nathan Barrett was 1st in Public Speaking and is advancing to state
• James Bodine placed 4th in Share the Fun Poetry/Prose 
• John Landry placed 1st in Share the Fun Vocal
• Anthony Banda was 2nd in Share the Fun Vocal and is advancing to state
• Samantha Bowers placed 2nd in Share the Fun Solo/Band and qualified for state
• Skylar Parrish participated in Safety
• Quentin Parrish presented in Open ANR

Special thanks to Mrs. Dudley, Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Landry for serving as judging! Great job everyone! Best wishes to Nathan, Anthony and Samantha as they head to Texas 4-H Roundup!  To view all results, click here.

D8 4-H Rifle Match Results

Congratulations to our 4-H'ers who took part in the District 8 4-H Rifle Match on April 28th in Oakwood:
Light Rifle: (individual high point placing)
- Jr team of Clayton Cromeens (35th), Brody Duncan (4th), Colt Reeder (14th) and Eric Sapien (24th) placed 3rd 
- Jr team of Ace Harter (21st), Caddel Keeling (33rd), Aiden Robinson (16th) and Parker Thomas (7th) placed 4th
- Jr team of Levi Middleton (22nd), Gaven Stennett (25th), Toni Stennett (23rd) and Trenton Weiler (30th) placed 6th
- Jr team of Rhett Boyd (20th), Hunter Fulmer (36th), Fisher Fulmer (28th) and John Landry (27th) placed 7th
- Jr team of Tate Henson (39th), Briar Kent (26th), Brylee Ryder (29th) and Ruby Smith (37th) placed 9th
- Int: Lane Vann (14th)
- Sr team of Colton Adams (4th), Kassidy Bell (15th) and James Rodell (6th) placed 1st
- Sr team of Melanie Barnett (12th), Austin Breest (8th) and Shayne Pringle (13th) placed 2nd
Precision Rifle: (individual high point placing)
- Int team of Sydney Boyle (6th), Graci Kelley (18th), Evelynn Landry (24th) and Conner Noey (20th) placed 4th
- Int team of John Cocking (19th), Billy Duncan (16th) and Lane Vann (13th) placed 5th
- Int: Tanner Henson (25th)
- Sr team of Colton Adams (5th), Kassidy Bell (6th), James Rodell (3rd) and Justin Vann (9th) placed 1st and is advancing to the state contest!!
- Sr team of Melanie Barnett (17th), Austin Breest (13th) and Shayne Pringle (19th) placed 4th
A huge thanks to Mr. Adams and all of the volunteers and parents who helped make this event possible!!  Best wishes to the Sr team headed to state!!

State 4-H Archery Match Results

Congratulations to our 4-H'ers who competed in the Texas 4-H Archery contest over the last few months:

• Ryan Sprinkle - 3rd place in 1st year Compound Aided
• Karson Bearden - 7th place in Jr Compound Aided
• Brendon Bellah - 28th in Jr Compound Aided

Special thanks to our Archery Project coaches!!

District 4-H Fashion Show Report

Congratulations to our 4-H'ers who participated in the District 8 4-H Clothing Contests in Belton on April 17th:

★Jaidynn Childress, Normangee 4-H - 3rd place in Jr Fashion Show Buying - Everyday Living
★Natalie Uptmor, Buffalo 4-H - 1st place Sr Fashion Show Buying - Semi-Formal to Formal; advancing to the state contest!!
★Mia King, Normangee 4-H - 4th in Jr Fashion Storyboard - Wearable
★Grace Hulzing, Normangee 4-H - 4th place in Jr Fashion Storyboard - Pet Clothing
★Brackyn Frederick, Normangee 4-H - 4th in Jr Fashion Storyboard - Non-Wearable
★Robyn McKinney, Normangee 4-H  - Int Fashion Storyboard - Wearable
★Rylee Morton, Normangee 4-H - 1st in Jr Fashion Storyboard - Jewelry
★James Bodine, Centerville 4-H - 3rd in Int Fashion Storyboard - Wearable
★Rylie McKinney, Normangee 4-H - 3rd in Int Fashion Storyboard - Non-Wearable
Special thanks to Mrs. Uptmor for serving as a judge during the event!!

2018 Leon County Livestock Show Senior Salute

Each year, the Leon County Livestock Show pays special tribute to the graduating seniors from the Leon County 4-H and FFA programs.  See this year's Senior Salute video by clicking here.

4-H Memorabilia

Cool story about 4-H in the March issue of County Living magazine.  Click here to view.  If you ever come across 4-H memorabilia and want it to go somewhere, drop it off at our office.  We display a great 4-H collection in our foyer.

4-H Club Manager Training Series

Laura Huebinger, our District 8 4-H Specialist, is conducting this series for 4-H Club Managers, potential Club Managers, Project Leaders, etc.  This series is online during the lunch hour, and will give volunteers a chance to can ask questions, get questions answered, share ideas, and hopefully learn something new!  Trainings are set for: Feb. 20th, March 20th, April 24th, May 15th and July 31st, 12:00-1:00 pm.  Click here to find out more and access the trainings.  Each training will be recorded so you can go back and watch them at your convenience.

For at least 2 years, we have been compiling and sending the weekly 4-H Monday Memo to help keep you informed about 4-H activities.  The MM is sent to all e-mail addresses associated with active profiles on 4-H Connect.  Since some folks are not getting the weekly messages, we are now also uploading each MM to our website.  At any time, you can click here to access recent MM's.  Just another way we are trying to keep everyone up to date.  Please let us know if you have any suggestions for improvements.  Thanks!

Scholarship Resources

We have compiled some scholarship info and resources to help you. Also included is information about NUMEROUS scholarships. Please click here and check it all out!  At this point, not all applications are available, but keep checking back for 2018 forms.

For those of you who are considering applying for a Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship, you can watch a recorded presentation by Laura Huebinger, our District 8 4-H Specialist.

We are here to help you in preparing applications, so please let us know if you need any assistance. We have a few laptops and WiFi available at our office if you need to make use of them. 

If you know of any additional scholarships, please share that info with us so we can include it in our resources.

Leon County Youth Ag Fair

The Leon County Youth Ag Fair was held on November 8 for all of the 4th grade students in Leon County.  Check out the highlight video to see what all the students experienced! 

4-H Polo Shirt!!

Mrs. Barrett is kind enough to coordinate the order of Leon Co. 4-H polo shirts that 4-H members and volunteers can wear during various contests and activities.  We'll soon be compiling another order for be looking for details soon. 

Our Extension Facebook Page

Be sure to follow our Leon County Extension program at Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/leoncountytxextension.

4-H Sweatshirt Hoodies

We have just a few Leon Co. 4-H sweatshirt hoodies available for $20.  First come, first serve.

Clover Kids

We've had some questions about the Clover Kids program that 4-H offers.  Here's some info that might help...

To be eligible to enroll in 4-H, a youth must be at least in 3^rd grade (and 8 years old).  4-H does offer a program opportunity called Clover Kids for kids in grades K-2nd.  Clover Kids can learn about 4-H, develop skills and enjoy some fun learning experiences.  Rather than Clover Kids just enrolling and attending club meetings, the Clover Kids program is intended to be an organized experience with age-appropriate activities facilitated by enrolled adult volunteers.  A Clover Kids group can be formed within an existing 4-H club or as a separate group.  I’ve seen them done both ways with success.  Often times Clover Kids are younger siblings of 4-H members, so the club format works best in this situation.  There is also no fee for Clover Kids to enroll whereas 4-H members pay a $25 ($20 until Oct. 31st) fee when they enroll in 4-H on 4-H Connect.  Clover Kids can participate in club activities (when part of a 4-H club).  Clover Kids can be gathered in a separate area during a portion of the 4-H club meeting in order to do an activity that is more age appropriate for them.  We have many ideas and resources that can be utilized with Clover Kids.  Clover Kids can also participate in our county 4-H contests such as 4-H Food Challenge, Food Show, Fashion Show, Photography, etc.  They are simply recognized for their participation, they do not compete.  I have also attached the page out of the current Texas 4-H Rules and Guidelines that outlines Clover Kids.  This will provide more info about projects and activities for Clover Kids.

As of right now, we do not have any Clover Kids groups, but groups can certainly be formed within a club or outside a club.  There would need to be 1-2 adult volunteers (enrolled on 4-H Connect) who provide leadership for a Clover Kids group.  If you are interested in organizing a Clover Kids group, please contact the Extension office.

Leon County Livestock Show Rules

Rules and schedules for the 2018 Leon County Livestock Show have been released.  If you did not pick up a copy of the rules at your 4-H club meeting or if you have misplaced your rulebook, you can download a copy of the rules and entry forms by clicking here.

Texas 4-H Explore Guides

Texas 4-H has launched several of their "Explore" books which were developed to support volunteers, County Extension Agents, and even 4-H members, in leading project experiences for youth. There are 6 lessons in each book that follow the “do, reflect, apply” model of learning, providing guidance for hands-on exploration and learning about a specific topic.  As of 8/17, 15 guides are available.  Click here to view (and download) the books.  They are listed under the "4H Explore Guides" heading.

2017 District 8 County Camp Video

Check out the fun that participants had at the 2017 District 8 County Camp!  Watch the highlight video by clicking here.

4-H'ers Complete SURGE

Congrats to our Leon County 4-H members who participated in District 8 4-H SURGE (also known as Leadership Lab): Nathan Barrett, Megan Green, Callie Harter, Chelsea Harter, Jennifer Moran, Skylar Parrish, James Rodell, Zoie Stevens and Natalie Uptmor.  They were joined by 160 other 4-H members, Extension staff and adult volunteers from across District 8 which includes 21 counties.  Activities included educational workshops, service projects, challenge games, District 4-H Council officer elections, dances and ceremonials.  Participants strengthened their leadership skills so they can provide programs and facilitate activities for other audiences.  James Rodell completed his term as a District 4-H Council officer, and Nathan Barrett was elected to serve for the 2017-18 year.  Special thanks to Centerville ISD and Mr. Jimmy Richardson for providing transportation.

Congrats Chelsea & Nathan!!

Congratulations to Chelsea Harter for being selected as a Texas 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Ambassador!!  In this role, Chelsea will provide educational programs focused on how to live a healthy lifestyle.  We wish her the best in this endeavor!  She'd do a great job in presenting a program during 4-H club meeting.

Congrats also to Nathan Barrett for being selected as a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador!!  Nathan will develop and practice advanced leadership skills related to mentoring other youth, and to become advocates for animal agriculture.  Best wishes!  Another great resource for your 4-H club meeting program.

Texas 4-H Roundup Report

Congratulations to all of our Texas 4-H Roundup participants:

• Rifle Match - team of Colton Adams, Kassidy Bell, James Rodell and Justin Vann took 12th place
• Ag Product ID (invitational) - Senior team of Justin McGuire, Skylar Parrish, Annika Stevens and Zoie Stevens received 10th place
• Livestock Skill-a-thon (invitational) - Nathan Barrett participated as a Senior
• Fashion Show - Natalie Uptmor placed 1st in Construction Theatre/Costume and  qualified for the national contest
• Archery (invitational) - Madeleine Phillips was 9th in Intermediate Compound Aided and Adriana de la Garza took 7th in Intermediate Barebow
• Food Challenge - team of Chelsea Harter, Zoie Stevens and Natalie Uptmor placed 10th in Fruit and Vegetable
• Healthy Lifestyles (invitational) - Justin McGuire was part of a multi-county Intermediate team that placed 8th, and he was 6th high point individual
• Livestock Judging (invitational) - Senior team of Nathan Barrett, McKinzie Hamilton, Zoie Stevens and Justin Vann earned 5th place and Annika Stevens also participated as an Intermediate
• Photography - Megan Green brings home a blue ribbon with her Landscape picture
• Texas 4-H Scholarships - Charlee Cockrell and Natalie Freeman each received $20,000 scholarships from Houston Stock Show and Candace McGuire was awarded a $10,000 Wallrath scholarship
• James Rodell did a great job serving on Texas 4-H Council this year

Special thanks also to all of our parents who participated in Roundup!  Kuddos to Mrs. Jana Barrett, Normangee 4-H Club Manager.  She provides overall leadership to Texas 4-H Roundup, working tirelessly throughout the year to ensure it is a quality experience for everyone.  We are so proud of her!!

Click here to view all of the Roundup results (at the bottom of the page).  You can also learn about various contests and activities that you can look forward to participating in next year.  You can also click here to view photos from Texas 4-H Roundup (via flickr). 

TX 4-H Archery Results

Congratulations to our 4-H’ers who participated in the Texas 4-H Archery Match!  Special thanks to all the coaches and parents!!  Placing in the top 10 of their class were:

• Joshua Embry - 9th place Sr 2 Compound Aided
• Trey Noack - 4th place 1st yr Jr Compound Aided
• Jake Cadenhead - 5th place 1st yr Jr Compound Aided
• Kaeli Walker - 1st place 1st yr Jr Compound Unaided
• Brendon Bellah - 3rd place 1st yr Jr Compound Unaided
• Memphis Fouse - 7th place 1st yr Jr Compound Unaided
• Adriana de la Garza - 7th place 1st yr Int Barebow

Others who participated included:

• Karson Bearden - Jr Compound Aided
• Katherine Powers - Int Barebow
• Madeleine Phillips - Int Compound Aided
• JoBeth Eddings - Sr 1 Compound Aided
• Aiden Robinson - 1st yr Jr Compound Aided

Complete results are available here.  Click on the "contests" tab and look for 2017 Indoor Archery Match Results.

Great Article - Give it a Read!!

Take a few minutes to see how 4-H impacted these folks. Click here to enjoy the article.

Highlights from the Leon County Ag Fair

On October 19, the Leon County Extension Office hosted an Ag Day at the Leon County Expo Center.  This event was designed to educate 4th grade students of the importance of agriculture in Leon County and how agriculture impacts their lives.  Thank you to the Leon County 4-H members that assisted with this event.

You can view a highlight video from the Leon County Ag Day by clicking here.

Leon County Health Fair

A huge THANK YOU to all of the Leon County 4-H members who assisted with the Leon County Health Fair on October 4.  It was such a great educational event for the students that participated as well as the general public that attended.  You can view two videos that highlight the events of the day.

2016 Health Fair - an overall summary of the Leon County Health Fair
2016 Student Health Fair - a summary of the activities that the participating 6th grade students got to experience.

Memorial Contributions

Leon County 4-H gratefully acknowledges the receipt of memorial gifts.  If you would like to honor family or friends with a memorial to Leon County 4-H, contributions may be made payable to Leon County 4-H and mailed to the Extension Office at PO Box 188, Centerville, TX 75833.  Thank you!!