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4-H Enrollment for 2012-2013 Year Underway

Do you have a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or neighbor who would like to be part of the state's largest youth organization? If so, we have the perfect solution - 4-H! Enrollment for the 2012-2013 year has just begun and we're off to a great start. Below is a sampling of the opportunities Hopkins County 4-H offers youth:

· 4-H Project Show (allows youth to enter photography, art, sewing, crafts, woodworking, needlework, horticulture, holiday crafts, leather work, metal art, baked goods, original poetry, exhibit boards, canned goods, and others. (Entries are due in the Extension Office on or before September 7).
· Monthly 4-H Community Club meetings: Miller Grove, Dike, Stars of Texas (meets in Sulphur Springs)
· Project workshops, field trips, tours
· Multi-county 4-H Camp
· 4-H Day Camp
· 4-H Ultra Leadership Camp
· Texas 4-H Opportunities Scholarships
· Community Service Learning projects - Christmas Cards for the Troops, Pillows for Patients, and others
· Leadership development/opportunities (Kids' Safe Saturday, Ag-in-the-Classroom, Kids' Camp, etc.)
· Youth & leader recognition - annual banquet
· Citizenship projects - Red Ribbon Week, National 4-H Week
· 4-H Gazette Newsletter
· County-wide 4-H Christmas Party
· Project activities: foods & nutrition (largest project), livestock, dairy, robotics, photography, clothing & textiles, equine, veterinary science, shooting sports, leadership, citizenship, public speaking, others
· Contest opportunities on county, district, state levels (livestock shows, food show/food challenge, fashion show, consumer decision making, etc.)
· Aluminum can recycling
· Educational presentations, Share-the-Fun talent contest on county, district, state levels
· County 4-H Council (made up of representatives from each of the 4-H clubs

Official 4-H age is 3rd grade thru age 18 and Clover Kid, ages 5-7 based on ages as of August 31, 2012. To register for 4-H, go to: www.texas4-h.tamu.edu and click on the "4-H Connect" icon near the bottom of the screen. Returning members only need to update their information. New members will need to fill out a family profile and add each member of the family who wishes to be part of the 4-H program. Membership fee is $20 for members, with no charge for leaders or Clover Kids. Our 4-h Club Managers and leaders are screened, so you know your child is in good hands!

Don't have a computer? No problem! Drop by our office at 1200 W. Houston Street, and we'll be glad to assist you. We can also give you more information on the Hopkins County 4-H program and show you past issues of the 4-H Gazette newsletter.

4-H Awards Applications Due Soon

Hopkins County 4-H Award applications are due on or before Friday, September 7 to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. Applications are being taken for Gold Star (highest award on the county and district level), Outstanding Intermediate, Outstanding Junior, Rookie of the Year (1st year member), and year pin awards for 1st year, Clover Pin (2-3 years), Clover Star (4-6 years), Clover Pride (7 years), and Leadership Award (8+ years).

Interview for Gold Star, Intermediate, Junior, and Rookie applicants will take place on or around September 18. Applications are available at the Hopkins County Extension Office.

Closing Thought

The future belongs to people who see possibilities before they become obvious.

Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed.

Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent

Hopkins County

1200-B W. Houston

P.O. Box 518

Sulphur Springs, TX 75483

903-885-3443 - phone

903-439-4909 - fax

jshicks@ag.tamu.edu

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