Busy Season for Hopkins County 4-H

Our office has been abuzz with activity lately!  The Junior Market Show has attracted a lot of attention, with kids preparing their animals, keeping up with weights, and selling raffle tickets.  Of course, kudos to the parents who play a major role in helping their child along the way.  Our staff wants to encourage you to visit the Civic Center arenaThursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 25 thru 27, to see all the action.  The lamb and goat show will take place on Thursday afternoon, poultry and swine will be shown on Fridaymorning, and heifers and steers will be shown Friday afternoon and evening.  The Sale of Champions will be held on Saturday afternoon starting approximately 1:00 p.m.

Another great event, following closely on the heels of the Market Show, is the County 4-H Round-up.  This event is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Shannon Oaks Church.  This event will include Educational Presentations, Public Speaking, Fashion Show, Food Show, and Share-the-Fun.  A new event, coordinated by one of our 4-H leaders, is the Agri-Science Fair.  All Hopkins County 4-H members are encouraged to participate, or just come watch!  In order to adequately prepare for judges and awards, we are asking our 4-H’ers to contact the Extension Office to let us know of your intent to participate.

A letter outlining all the contests was sent to 4-H families, but here’s a brief recap:

• Educational Presentations: presentation using models, charts, posters, or other visuals up to 12 minutes in length.  May be done individually or as a team.  Categories are Beef, clothing & textiles, companion animals, ag & natural resources (open), family & consumer sciences (open), health, horse, promote 4-H, safety & accident prevention, sheet & goat, or open (does not fit any other category)
• Public speaking: presentation suitable as a platform speech, no visuals accepted, up to 7 minutes in length.  Must be done as an individual.
• Fashion Show: 4-H member either makes or purchases an outfit in one of four categories.  Interview and modeling included.  Study questions available.
• Food Show: 4-H member makes a dish from one of the following categories: protein, fruit & vegetables, grains, dairy.  Entry is brought to the contest and a panel of judges will interview the participant.  Study questions available.
• Share-the-Fun:  Individuals or teams up to 9 people perform in one of the following categories – choreographed routines, dramedy, poetry/prose, vocal, Celebrate 4-H, musical/instrumental, solo/band performance.  Time limit is 6 minutes, with additional 4 minutes for set up and take down.

Those entering the Fashion Show or Food Show must submit the entry paperwork by February 29.   4-H’ers participating in other contests are asked to call the office and tell us which contest and topic you will be entering.  Those placing first in their respective categories will advance to District 4-H Contests, scheduled for April 15 and 16 at Texas A&M – Commerce.  Our staff will notify each qualifying 4-H’er to confirm participation.  Excused absences will be granted for the contests on Friday, April 15.

Age categories are:  Junior (grades 3 thru 5), Intermediate (grades 6 thru 8), and Senior (grades 9 thru 12). Clover Kids (ages 5 thru 7) may also participate, but they will not be able to advance to District competition.

4-H Virginia Exchange Trip Meeting

Excitement is building for our 2016 4-H Exchange trip!  A meeting will take place onMonday, February 22, at the Extension Office.  We hope to start at 5:00 p.m. or as soon as everyone can arrive.  The trip is open to Intermediate and Senior 4-H members and interested parents, but we must make some decisions about financing the trip, transportation, etc.  Two of our 4-H leaders are taking on the task of planning a route to and from our destination.  Make plans to attend if you are interested!  This will be a chance of a lifetime opportunity!

Closing Thought

Remember the three R’s:  Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions

Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]