4-H Grows Here!
Every August, registration for 4-H membership begins. The 4-H year coincides with the school year, so that makes it easy to get in from the very beginning! For families who are new to the 4-H experience, allow me to start at the beginning.
What is 4-H?
4-H is a national organization which helps young people develop life-long skills and knowledge to become engaged citizens. 4-H is truly a model of the “learning by doing” teaching concept. The 4-H program is a voluntary, non-formal, educational program offered to all youth. The Texas 4-H program is conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, which is part of the Texas A&M University System. County programs are directed by Extension staff and volunteer leaders. The Texas 4-H program serves youth in all 254 counties in Texas. Young people in 4-H learn about citizenship, leadership, foods and nutrition, healthy lifestyles, veterinary science, shooting sports, horticulture, leadership, livestock, and other subjects. The 4-H projects that each member selects according to his/her interest and ability is the program’s cornerstone.
What are the four H’s?
The four “H’s” are explained in the organization’s pledge, which every 4-H’ers should know:
I pledge
My Head to clearer thinking,
My Heart to great loyalty,
My Hands to larger service, and
My Health to better living for
My club, my community,
My country and my world.
The 4-H Motto is “To make the best better.”
Who are 4-H members?
You might think that 4-H is for kids who live on farms and raise animals. Not true! There are 4-H clubs all over the country with members who have never seen a cow or a chicken up close! Today’ 4-H’ers are students in grades 3 thru 12. They live in towns, on farms, in suburban neighborhoods, and in large cities. They join 4-H because it is fun, it provides opportunities to work and play with friends, to learn about and do interesting things, and to develop leadership skills.
How much does it cost?
4-H has a registration fee of $20 if paid on or before October 31, increasing to $25 November 1st and after. Some projects might cost something to get started – for example, a camera and money to get pictures developed if you want to do photography, fabric to make an outfit if you want to participate in our 4-H Fashion Show, or money to purchase an animal and feed an animal if you choose to show in our Jr. Market Show.
How do you join 4-H?
Call the Hopkins County office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. We can help you through the process. Or you can go directly to the registration site: http://texas.4honline.com. If you are new to 4-H, you click on the tab to create a profile. If you are a returning member, simply go in and update your information. Parents can register as leaders if desired. Again, this does not obligate you to participate, but if we need assistance, we might call on you! The fee can be paid by credit card. You will need to select a 4-H club (see listed below), and we also encourage 4-H’ers to select at least three projects from the drop-down list. This does not obligate you to participate in those projects, but it give our staff an idea of which projects seem to be the most popular for our county. Project categories are: Family & Community Health (fashion & interior design, foods & nutrition, health, consumer education, personal safety); Natural resources (Outdoor education, shooting sports, wildlife & fisheries, entomology); Agriculture & Livestock (beef, dairy, sheep & goats, swine, poultry, horticulture, veterinary science, livestock judging); Leadership & Citizenship (community service, leadership, public speaking, theater & performance arts, workforce preparation); and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, photography/videography, energy).
4-H Clubs in Hopkins County: (most meet each month. The club managers will contact members with meeting information.)
- Arbala 4-H: meets at the Arbala Community Center; Ginger Bartley or Lindsay Chamness – club managers
- Dike 4-H: meets at the Dike Community Center; Margarett McDonald, Stephanie Stewart – club managers, Kelli Ebel, assistant
- Infinity 4-H: meets at the Extension Office; Jeremy Bridges, Cathy Lennon – club managers, numerous assistants
- Paws 4-H: meets at Sulphur Springs Elementary (4th & 5th grade campus); Shelby Gibson – club manager, assisted by Extension staff
- Miller Grove 4-H: meets at Miller Grove School; Farri George, Cherri Bessonett, Carolyn George – club co-managers
When can I register?
Registration for the 2018/2019 4-H year will open on 4-H Connect (the website given above) on August 15. Please don’t try to register before then. Review your profile very carefully for accuracy. We use this list to send our 4-H Gazette newsletter to every 4-H household, as well as project meeting announcements, special county-wide events, and other correspondence. Also, be sure your e-mail address is accurate.
If you have any questions about the 4-H program, please feel free to contact our office at 903-885-3443. We’ll be glad to answer your questions!
Twogether in Texas – last call!
As of this writing, six couples are signed up for the final Twogether in Texas marriage education workshop for 2018. However, we still have room for more! The workshop will cover marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and dreams & goals. Engaged couples will receive a certificate to save the state portion of the fee when applying for a marriage license. (The certificate is good for one year, so even if you are not getting married until next summer, you can still receive the discount.) Refreshments and lunch will be provided. And…the workshop is free! Call 903-885-3443 to sign up. The next workshop will take place in February, 2019.
Closing Thought
The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do – Steve Jobs.
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]
