Rockwall County 4-H Kicks Off New Year

4-H KickOff is a Huge Success

Thank you for everyone who played a part in the Rockwall County 4-H KickOff.  All 4 clubs were represented and there was alot of interaction from the potential families at the gathering.  Families started arriving at 5:50 p.m and continued arriving until 7:15.   We recorded over 35 new families that expressed interest in the program with one to three children in each family.  Interest ranged from Shooting Sports, to Food & Nutrition, to Animal Science projects; Horses to Clothing and Textiles, and Photography as well.  It was a super night.  Door prizes were given out every twenty minutes and excitement was definitely in the air.

The KickOff was followed by a County 4-H Council and Parent Adult Leader Meeting.  The group reviewed the night's activities discussed fall programming and set initial plans for the Christmas Party.  they also made preliminary cuts for the T-Shirt Contest. 

It's National 4-H Week!

Dear Friends,

Welcome to National 4-H Week!  I hope each of you are enjoying a GREAT start to the week!  Each day, we will be sending a message regarding 4-H.  Today's message is on one of the 4-H's: HEAD FOR CLEARER THINKING

Did you know?

• HEAD FOR CLEARER THINKING - 4-H Members report better grades, higher level or academic competence, and an elevated engagement at school. (Tufts Study on 4-H and Youth Development).

Share that fact with someone!

2011 STATE FAIR OF TEXAS RANCH SORTING SHOW - Rockwall County 4-H Rockin' Riders

ROCKIN' RIDERS members Sarah Boronkay and Kelly Shy Hurley competed in the first ever STATE FAIR OF TEXAS Ranch Sorting Show held in the Coliseum at Fair Park, Dallas on September 17 & 18, 2011. Youth and Adult riders from across the state faced each other for two days of intense competition in this inaugural event.  Hurley placed second, sixth and seventh in the Youth Ranch Sorting Class taking home over $200 in winnings.  Boronkay placed second, third and fifth in the Youth Ranch Sorting Class with winnings totaling almost $500.  This new SFT-sponsored equine event offers eligible youth the opportunity to apply for State Fair of Texas Youth Scholarships in the future. Pictured above (L to R) Sarah Boronkay, trainer Jim Sykes and Kelly Shy Hurley.

ROCKIN' RIDER Sarah Boronkay wins big at 9/24/11 Texas Ranch Sorting Show in Terrell

ROCKIN' RIDER 4-H Horse Club Treasurer, Sarah Boronkay, sorted her way to victory on Saturday, September 24 at the S&S Arena in Terrell, TX.  Boronkay and her partner, Annabel Henley, finished first in the Youth Ranch Sorting competition thus gaining ground on Youth Series leader, Hannah Taylor.  Boronkay is now only three points away from Taylor with two shows still left in the season.  In the #3 Ranch Sorting Class, Boronkay and her partner, Margaret Stocker, showed the adults how it is done winning first place and $300 to boot.  The next show is October 8, 2011 in Terrell.  Everyone is welcome to attend and ride in this fun, fast-paced sport.
Video of Terrell Ranch Sorting 9/24/11

Proclamation for National 4-H Week

The Rockwall County Commissioners' Court met on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 and declared during their meeting to set October 2-8, 2011 as National 4-H Week in Rockwall County.  This week coincides with National 4-H Week across the country.  4-H is one of the largest youth development programs in the country and across the world.  Be a part of a super program.  Call 972.204.7660 to see how you can be a part.

News from the State 4-H Office about Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture

We are finally ready to announce a collaboration between Texas 4-H, Texas FFA, and several Texas farm organizations.  We will be sending out more information soon on how we can engage our 4-H youth. 

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A website that tells the credible, proven and honorable story of Texas agriculture has been launched as a joint effort between Texas 4-H, Texas FFA and several Texas farm organizations.

The website is part of an initiative called Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture, where the youth of Texas will unite with a common voice to promote the positive story of agriculture across the Lone Star State.

“Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture is an exciting joint venture of great youth organizations with proven leadership,” said Chase Vineyard of Stephenville, president of the Texas 4-H Council. “Our goal is to promote trust and encourage understanding of an industry essential in maintaining food security for millions of Americans.”

The website is a hub of information for 4-H and FFA youth and includes a “how-to” toolbox for communicating agriculture’s story, messages for agricultural promotion and an activity page where youth can share their experiences.

“Texas Proud youth will tell positive stories of agriculture,” said Dakota Fleming of Troy, a member of the Bell County Farm Bureau, Beef Ambassadors and a student at Texas A&M University. “We will connect consumers with the food they eat.”

The initiative carries three main messages:

·        Agriculture is critical to the life of every Texas resident. Without it, we would not survive.

·        Agriculture is more than food and clothing. It contributes to your home, health, lifestyle and economy.

·        America’s farming and ranching families care about their animals and their land.

“Our generation will blaze new trails in dispelling the myths about Texas agriculture and telling the truth about the rural way of life that we love,” said former Texas FFA State President Mason Parrish, a student at Texas A&M University.

The Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture website may be found at www.texasproudoftexasag.org.