December 2007 Archives

Quality does count when it comes to how you raise and show your livestock project.  Too often we get caught up in the hardware.  What in the world is hardware you ask?  Well, those are the dinner plate-sized buckles, rainbow coloroed ribbons, and sky-high trophies.  It's also the cold hard cash.

Livestock projects are intended to be a tool to teach youth how to raise breeding or market animals...period.  Somewhere along the way livestock shows have gotten away from its original purpose of helping educate our youth so that they know and can apply such skills as selection, feeding, marketing, breeding, and record-keeping.  It is time to refocus on what is important.

Several years ago, Texas 4-H introduced the Texans Building Character program.  It is a program based upon six pillars of character:

• Trustworthiness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship

What could be better traits to instill in our youngsters in our 4-H program?  I've put together a set of web pages that talks about each of these character pillars and how you might incorporate those in your club or project meetings.

http://smithcounty4-h.tamu.edu/tbc.htm

VOLUNTEERING WITH THE 4-H PROGRAM
Volunteering in 4-H
What Types of 4-H Volunteers are There?
Youth Protection Standards

MANGEMENT RESOURCES AND TOOLS
Texas 4-H Program Management Guide
Club Ed Toolbox for Club Managers
Character Education Programs

VOLUNTEER RESOURCES
4-H Learning On-Line
Volunteer Voice (4-H Blog)
Recognition and Certifications
Volunteer Extension Cord Newsletter
Volunteer Leaders Association of Texas

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Master Volunteers Programs
Project Teams
Enrichment Curriculum for Teachers and Schools
Trainings

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT ITEMS
Texas 4-H License Plate Fund Raiser
Texas State Rifle Association License Plate Fund Raiser

When your club or project group has met, or if you've been awarded something at a livestock show, or anything else you want to announce, please let us know by means of the following website:

http://smithcounty4-h.tamu.edu/report.htm

We can put this information here on the blog and also in the newsletter, but we can't do so if you don't tell us.  So take a moment each month and share with us what you're doing in 4-H. 

Plus, we utilize these numbers in our state reports.  This helps 4-H and Extension receive funding from the state legislature! 

Thanks for all that you do to support 4-H. 

National 4-H Congress is the flagship event of the National 4-H program. 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 a variety of fun and exciting educational, recreational and networking opportunities. 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. 
 

If you would like to learn more about the history of the 4-H program and what impact it can have on an individual, then check out this video presented by one of our very own members here in Smith County.

If you are looking to purchase project guides, awards, clothing, or other 4-H related items, your official source is the 4-H Mall  (http://www.4-hmall.org/).