Celebrating 100 Years: Texas 4-H Centennial Reunion!

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program invite you to join us at 2008 Texas 4-H Roundup for the celebration of 100 Years of Texas 4-H.  Celebration activities will include: Centennial Clover Photo on Kyle Field, a Reunion Reception and 2008 4-H Fashion Show.  The Reunion will be held Wednesday, June 11, 2008 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.  For Registration and additional information go to http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/reunion or call (979)845-1212.

History of Texas 4-H:  It was in the fall of 1907 that Tom Marks met with 12 young men to form a Corn Club.  The purpose was to teach young people new practices for raising corn that the farmers (fathers) would not adopt.

This meeting in Jacksboro, Texas was the first 4-H meeting in Texas.  From those roots, we have formed the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program today that has young people in all 254 counties involved in learning life skills, leadership, volunteer service, self confidence, and commitment to Country.  Each day these more than 640,000 youth change their lives, their future, and the future of our state.

In Texas, as everywhere, our youth are our future.  How we strive to develop and encourage hard work and dedication of our youth will determine the leaders and citizens of the future, not only for Texas, but for the nation and the world.  The Texas 4-H Centennial celebration is to honor 4-H’s past and secure its future. 

Sharing innovation with the community through youth—the fundamental vision of 4-H—has stayed true for more than 100 years.  4-H began in the early 1900's to share agricultural advances with rural communities through young people.  Today, 4-H creates opportunities for urban, suburban and rural youth to develop into mature adults and engaged citizens through partnerships with caring adult volunteers and staff.  Using the latest advancements of the country’s land-grant colleges and universities, 4-H’ers participate in learn-by-doing projects, group meetings and exhibits that focus on healthy lifestyles, citizenship, and science, engineering and technology.

Oh, and don’t forget to try the new Blue Bell 4-H Centennial Cupcake Ice Cream now available in stores.  A portion of the sales is donated to promote 4-H educational programs.

BRENHAM – Blue Bell Creameries is proud to honor 4-H as it celebrates over 100 years of successful youth development with Centennial Cupcake Ice Cream. To sweeten the deal, the Little Creamery is donating a portion of the sales to promote 4-H educational programs. 

Centennial Cupcake Ice Cream is a delicious cake batter ice cream with pieces of yellow cake, a chocolate icing swirl and four-leaf clover sprinkles.

"4-H  benefits so many young people with its youth development programs," said Paul Kruse, Blue Bell CEO and president. "This is just a small token of our appreciation. 4-H has been around for over 100 years. Blue Bell just finished celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007, so we understand how special it is to reach the century mark."

4-H is a community of more than 6.5 million young people ages 5-19 across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H programs are available to young people in all 50 states, U.S. territories and U.S. military installations worldwide. Visit 4-H.org for more information

Blue Bell has also created a unique carton for Centennial Cupcake Ice Cream. It features four children in 4-H T-shirts and the youth development program's widely recognized four-leaf clover emblem.

In Texas, the flavor will be sold in a slightly different carton. This year marks the 100th anniversary of 4-H in the state of Texas. A logo designed for the anniversary adorns the carton. 

"We worked with 4-H to create a package that symbolizes what they are all about," Kruse said. "The organization is for the kids. I think the smiling faces capture the spirit of 4-H just perfectly."  

Centennial Cupcake Ice Cream will only be sold in the 17 states where Blue Bell products are available. Blue Bell Ice Cream can be purchased in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.  

The half gallon flavor is now available in stores.

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.

Contact: Juli Hutchins                                                                                                                 

  County Extension Agent

  4-H & Youth Development                                                                                                   

Phone: (903)885-3443

E-mail: jkhutchins@ag.tamu.edu

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