4-H

4-H Enrollment for 3rd-12th graders is OPEN! Enroll online at https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in, cost is $30 per youth, $10 per adult

No Club meetings in December just the county wide Christmas Party!

County Wide 4-H Christmas party will be December 1st at Round Prairie Baptist Church Family Life Center. We will play Bingo for prizes, have food and collect personal hygiene items in gift bags for Meals on Wheels recipients. This will count as a club member for all enrolled 4-H members. To get in the door bring a gift bag with personal hygiene items for meals on wheels, also bring dessert to share!

23-24 4-H Club Meeting Calendar

2023-2024 4-H Club Meetings

Archery 1st Practice-Reminder: To be able to shoot with us in 4-H you have to be signed up in 4-H. Next Practice is November 19. 

(practices will be every other Sunday- check the Archery Facebook Page or contact Jerry Bonds with questions: 903-654-2228)

Shotgun Practices- At the Case Robinson Memorial Range ( 442 FM 833 E, Fairfield TX) You must be actively enrolled in 4-H to attend practice and participate. See the attached practice schedule. For Questions reach out to Josh Holcomb 903-390-4567

  • October 1, 15, 29 @ 2pm 
  • November 12, @ 2pm
  • December 10
  • January 7, 21 @ 2pm
  • Feb 4, 18 @ 2pm
  • March 3, 31 @ 2pm
  • April 14, 28 @ 2pm 

NATURAL RESOURCES PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST https://agrilife.org/ftbend4h/event/texas-4-h-natural-resources-photography-contest/
We are excited to announce the continuation of the state-level Natural Resource Photography Contest.  It is open to junior, intermediate, and senior members, and categories are focused solely on the Natural Resource project areas.  Here are a few key points:

  • Open contest (no qualifying required) to all counties
  • Open to juniors, intermediate, and senior age divisions
  • 10 Natural Resource themed categories
  • Same scoring matrix and general rules as the state contest
  • Entry timeline is December 1-15
  • No late entries accepted

County Fair Updates: Rule edits and changes​

  • There is no longer a maximum weight for county Fair steers at Validation. Steer Validation will take place on December 2.
  • Cable halters are now allowed on heifers and steers
  • There will be a 2% grace at steer weigh in
  • All Market & Breeding Swine, Sheep, Goats & Non-Registered Heifers are to be validated the first Saturday in April from 7-9am at the Fairgrounds. Livestock Superintendent has the right to change the date if there is a conflict and only the Livestock Superintendent can approve an animal not attending Validation (ie: if you have a sick animal, you will need to contact the Livestock Superintendent.)
  • The exhibitor, his or her parent is responsible for input of the information for entering the FCFA Livestock show in the Fair Entry Software System. There will be No refunds for any entry made.
  • Facility Updates: The City of Fairfield and the Fairboard have approved a complete renovation to the Swine pen area and will construct a new 200 foot by 80 foot pavilion with a 100 foot by 50 foot concrete slab, and all new portable pens. *If you see a board member thank them for all their hard work on getting this project approved​​* 

Freestone County 4-H Adult Leaders-Next meeting is November 27 at 5:30pm at the Extension Office. These meetings are open to any 4-H Parent. If you would like to help with fundraising, planning events and helping with the Freestone County 4-H program, please join us!

How do I know what’s going on?

  • Follow us on Facebook, Freestone County 4-H
  • Join us on Remind, text @freestonec to the number 81010
  • Check out the website: freestone.agrilife.org and click on the 4-H tab or livestock project tab

FAQs

I am new to 4-H what do I do?

Visit a 4-H club! Pick a club that works for your schedule and go to a meeting. You will see firsthand what happens at the club meetings, get to meet the volunteers, and see the youth involved. You can ask questions at the club meeting and even get enrolled! If you would rather ask the Extension Agent (Erin Davis) questions give us a call 903-389-3436.

If you don’t fill out a paper form and pay by check for your enrollment at the club meeting you can enroll online: 4honline.com

What happens at club meetings?

There are officers of the club (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer etc) that will be at the front of the room running the meeting. They will call the meeting to order, go over the minutes from the last meeting, treasurers report, announcements (dates and deadlines for things coming up), there will be an educational presentation, recreation (game or activity) and even sometimes snacks!

Make sure you sign in at every club meeting, so the club managers can keep track of how many meetings you’ve attended. (You must attend 4 club meetings to show at Freestone County Fair). Parents please sign in as well.

Club meetings will last 30-45 minutes. It is recommended that parents attend the meetings as well so you can hear the announcements and know what is going on.

I’m interested in a project but need help getting started

Look at the Explore guides and information and the Texas 4-H Website (https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/), if there is a project leader listed reach out to them to find out more. If you have additional questions reach out to Erin Davis, County Extension Agent 903-389-3436 and she can answer your questions and get you started!

When is the Freestone County Fair?

Freestone County Fair is always the week prior to the 3rd Saturday in June. The sale takes place on the third Saturday, so the shows will take place Tuesday-Friday.

More information about the fair can be found at:https://www.fcfar.org/

Erin will present information about county fair livestock projects (heifers, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, poultry) at the January club meetings. But keep in mind County Fair steers are validated the first Saturday in December. If you need help finding a livestock project Erin can help just let her know.

Projects Offered:

Citizenship

Consumer Education

Dog Care & Training

Entomology

Fashion & Interior Design

Food & Nutrition

Health & Personal Safety

Horticulture

Junior Master Gardener

Leadership

Livestock Judging

Meat Science

Natural Resources

Outdoor Education & Living Skills

Photography/Videography

Public Speaking

Range Science

Robotics

Rocketry

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Small & Companion Animals

Soil and Crop Science

Sportfishing

Theater & Performance Arts

Veterinary Science

Wildlife & Fisheries

Workforce Preparation & Careers

Youth Entrepreneurship

Livestock Project areas:

  • Dairy Cattle
  • Beef Cattle
  • Sheep
  • Goats
  • Swine
  • Rabbits
  • Broilers
  • Horse

Most common project areas will have information presented at club meetings and there will be livestock project clinics.

Specific project information can be found at: https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/

Projects with additional meetings/practices outside of club meetings

  • Livestock Judging-join the Remind class if interested text @79472f to 81010
  • Livestock Quiz Bowl-join the Remind class if interested text @37ec7a to 81010

Contest Opportunities

Information on contests will be posted here: https://agrilife.org/d84h/events-and-activities/

  • Variety of Fishing opportunities for both teams and individuals
  • Shotgun shoots (contact the Shotgun coach for info)
  • Archery shoots (contact the Archery coach for info)
  • Food Challenge/Food Show
  • Dairy Judging
  • Horse Judging
  • Photography
  • Fashion Show, Fashion Storyboard, Duds to Dazzle
  • Consumer Decision Making
  • Livestock Judging
  • Meat Judging
  • Soil Judging
  • Leaders 4 Life Skillathon
  • Education Presentations
  • Public Speaking
  • Share the Fun
  • Horse, FCH and Livestock Quiz Bowls
  • District & State Horse Show
    • Some contests are also offered at Major Shows (Fort Worth, San Antonio, San Angelo, Houston, Austin) pay attention to Major show information when posted.

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