Billy Zanolini, Madison CEA-Ag/NR, and Rodney Finch, Grimes CEA-Ag/NR, provided leadership in establishing the new 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program in District 9. The program is designed to teach senior age 4-H youth advanced animal science while expanding their leadership capabilities to assist other 4-H members with the management of their livestock projects. Through this effort, we are hoping to expand the 4-H livestock program in additional youth.
The program includes a 3-day 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course to teach livestock production and management principles and a commitment by the participant to return at least 20 hours of service in helping 4-H members with their livestock projects and teaching animal science at 4-H Club Meetings. The Short Course provides the participants with the necessary tools to educate new 4-H members on the fundamentals of livestock project management and showing.
During 2008, 12 4-H members completed the 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course and have begun to return their 20 hours of service. The participants were from Madison, Grimes and Walker Counties.
During 2009, this program will be expanded to include 4-H youth from other counties in District 9. Of course, the program is new to Texas 4-H. So, additional evaluation and research is needed to fully assess the benefits of this program in expanding our outreach to new youth.
Additional information and evaluation results will be posted at a later date.
Dale A. Fritz, Ph.D., DEA
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Health Rocks! in Grimes County
"Health Rocks!" brought youth, families and communities throughout Grimes County together with the aim to reduce tobacco, alcohol and drug use by youth. Health Rocks! facilitated youth’s development of life skills in the area of critical thinking, decision-making, communication, managing feelings and stress, and goal setting to encourage resistance to risky behaviors through interactive games and activities.
The 65 participants from high crime areas were provided with accurate health information regarding statistics and consequences of youth tobacco, alcohol, and drug usage. The two day, 10 hour program’s success was attributed to being taught by the Grimes County Youth Board members who were the participants’ peers. Texas AgriLife Extension provided the training of the instructors, partnered with Twin City Mission who provided school supplies and workshop materials, Navasota ISD allowed facility usage, and Lee Tabernacle United Methodist Church supplied meals and snacks. Flora Williams, Grimes CEA-FCS, provided overall leadership of this educational effort.
The participants demonstrated knowledge of the difference between legal and illegal drugs, the effects of tobacco and smoking on the body, the need for considering options for evaluating and making decisions, and noted the advantages of setting goals. Each participant completed a retrospective evaluation.
Personal testimonies included “I will never smoke in my life.”, “I’ve learned what drugs are legal and illegal and how much they harm our bodies.”, “The experience changed my life in so many ways.”, and “I have learned that stress is good and bad depending on the situation.”
The Health Rocks! curriculum has demonstrated success in Grimes County. Give it a try in your county!
Dale A. Fritz, Ph.D., DEA
The 65 participants from high crime areas were provided with accurate health information regarding statistics and consequences of youth tobacco, alcohol, and drug usage. The two day, 10 hour program’s success was attributed to being taught by the Grimes County Youth Board members who were the participants’ peers. Texas AgriLife Extension provided the training of the instructors, partnered with Twin City Mission who provided school supplies and workshop materials, Navasota ISD allowed facility usage, and Lee Tabernacle United Methodist Church supplied meals and snacks. Flora Williams, Grimes CEA-FCS, provided overall leadership of this educational effort.
The participants demonstrated knowledge of the difference between legal and illegal drugs, the effects of tobacco and smoking on the body, the need for considering options for evaluating and making decisions, and noted the advantages of setting goals. Each participant completed a retrospective evaluation.
Personal testimonies included “I will never smoke in my life.”, “I’ve learned what drugs are legal and illegal and how much they harm our bodies.”, “The experience changed my life in so many ways.”, and “I have learned that stress is good and bad depending on the situation.”
The Health Rocks! curriculum has demonstrated success in Grimes County. Give it a try in your county!
Dale A. Fritz, Ph.D., DEA
Friday, March 27, 2009
2009 Junior Fed Beef Career & Leadership Program
Texas Cattle Feeders Association, in conjunction with Texas AgriLife Extension Service and West Texas A&M University, will host the 2009 Junior Fed Beef Career & Leadership Program. The program is open to any incoming High School Juniors or Seniors who have an interest in pursuing a career in feedyard management and the fed beef industry.
The tour is designed to educate the participants on feedyard operations and career opportunities in the fed beef industry. Students will participate in problem solving and leadership activities. Activities will include tours of commercial cattle feeding operations and of a beef processing facility. There also will be opportunities to learn beef carcass anatomy and fabrication and to participate in a consumer beef taste panel. Students will also spend a day learning day to day operations of a feedyard and can participate in a job shadow program as a local feedyard following the conclusion of the program.
Interested students should obtain an application from TCFA, their County Extension Agent, Ag Science Teacher or School Counselor. All completed applications must be supported by two recommendation forms. Applications should be returned to the TCFA office no later than
May 1. Fifteen to twenty students will be chosen by the selection committee to participate in the program.
Application/Nomination information available at:
Madison County 4-H Youth Outreach Project
Madison County is a small rural county in the northern part of District 9 and has a significant minority population. Unfortunately, the minority population is not well represented in the county's 4-H Livestock Program. However, recently interest has been generated in these youth to exhibit livestock projects at the Madison County Fair and to participate in other 4-H activities. This interest was sparked through visits and presentations by Billy Zanolini, Madison CEA-Ag/NR, at local elementary schools and visits to minority churches in Madisonville.
The challenges faced by some minority youth to participate in the 4-H Livestock Program include lack of funds to purchase the initial project, lack of facilities, lack of funds to purchase feed and supplies, and lack of parental support. To address these challenges, Agent Zanolini secured donated livestock (10 lambs, 2 goats and 1 pig) from producers in Texas, financial support from the Madisonville State Bank and the Texas 4-H Friends and Alumni Association, and the use of the Madisonville High School Ag Barn. Additionally, a local feed store is providing feed and supplies at his cost and Madison County 4-H Livestock Ambassadors are assisted the youth with their projects.
Currently, 12 minority youth are enrolled in this outreach project. The youth attend monthly 4-H club meetings, participate in livestock project clinics and showmanship clinics, and care for their donated projects twice daily. The youth will also complete the Quality Counts curriculum and exhibit their livestock at the Madison County Fair. Funds earned from the sale of projects will be invested in future livestock projects.
The goal for this project is to teach the youth livestock management skills, responsibility, financial management, and sportsmanship. Of course our goals are to produce productive and responsible youth and expand our 4-H outreach in Madison County. The outcomes of this project will be determines through an evaluation later in 2009.
This is an excellent way to expand the outreach of our 4-H Program in new youth audiences. Give it a try and you will make a difference in the lives of youth!
Dale A. Fritz, Ph.D., DEA
The challenges faced by some minority youth to participate in the 4-H Livestock Program include lack of funds to purchase the initial project, lack of facilities, lack of funds to purchase feed and supplies, and lack of parental support. To address these challenges, Agent Zanolini secured donated livestock (10 lambs, 2 goats and 1 pig) from producers in Texas, financial support from the Madisonville State Bank and the Texas 4-H Friends and Alumni Association, and the use of the Madisonville High School Ag Barn. Additionally, a local feed store is providing feed and supplies at his cost and Madison County 4-H Livestock Ambassadors are assisted the youth with their projects.
Currently, 12 minority youth are enrolled in this outreach project. The youth attend monthly 4-H club meetings, participate in livestock project clinics and showmanship clinics, and care for their donated projects twice daily. The youth will also complete the Quality Counts curriculum and exhibit their livestock at the Madison County Fair. Funds earned from the sale of projects will be invested in future livestock projects.
The goal for this project is to teach the youth livestock management skills, responsibility, financial management, and sportsmanship. Of course our goals are to produce productive and responsible youth and expand our 4-H outreach in Madison County. The outcomes of this project will be determines through an evaluation later in 2009.
This is an excellent way to expand the outreach of our 4-H Program in new youth audiences. Give it a try and you will make a difference in the lives of youth!
Dale A. Fritz, Ph.D., DEA
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest
Candidates sought for the Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest sponsored by the Texas Cattle Women.
The program awards four winners $6,000 in total prize money and scholarships. This Beef Checkoff-funded program is open to all youth ages 17-20, and allows the Texas beef industry’s best young leaders a chance to share the truth about beef—it’s safe, wholesome and nutritious, and ranchers are good stewards of the land and animals.
The Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Program trains the four winning students from Texas in media response, beef demonstration and opinion essay, affording them opportunities to present to youth all across Texas.
For a chance at the prize packages, contestants must compete in four categories—media interview, consumer promotion, classroom presentation and beef issues response essay. Contestants will interact with mock consumers and answer questions about the beef industry, and they will be evaluated on their beef knowledge and communication strengths.
The contest takes place on Aug. 1, 2009 at Texas A&M University in College Station. The high point winner will represent Texas at the National Beef Ambassador Contest.
"This is a great opportunity for our state’s youth to develop important communication skills while learning more about the beef industry and meeting key beef industry leaders," says Texas CattleWomen Contest Chairman Rosemary Gambino.
Not only are there prizes, but the program also provides travel opportunities, Gambino says. Last year’s winner, Allison Grainger of Brenham, will travel in 2009 to the Boston Marathon for a beef demonstration and the Culinary Center of Chicago to develop beef recipes for youth.
For more information on contest registration and rules, contact Rosemary Gambino at 281-375-8836 or by e-mail at rgambino@consol-idated.net.
The program awards four winners $6,000 in total prize money and scholarships. This Beef Checkoff-funded program is open to all youth ages 17-20, and allows the Texas beef industry’s best young leaders a chance to share the truth about beef—it’s safe, wholesome and nutritious, and ranchers are good stewards of the land and animals.
The Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Program trains the four winning students from Texas in media response, beef demonstration and opinion essay, affording them opportunities to present to youth all across Texas.
For a chance at the prize packages, contestants must compete in four categories—media interview, consumer promotion, classroom presentation and beef issues response essay. Contestants will interact with mock consumers and answer questions about the beef industry, and they will be evaluated on their beef knowledge and communication strengths.
The contest takes place on Aug. 1, 2009 at Texas A&M University in College Station. The high point winner will represent Texas at the National Beef Ambassador Contest.
"This is a great opportunity for our state’s youth to develop important communication skills while learning more about the beef industry and meeting key beef industry leaders," says Texas CattleWomen Contest Chairman Rosemary Gambino.
Not only are there prizes, but the program also provides travel opportunities, Gambino says. Last year’s winner, Allison Grainger of Brenham, will travel in 2009 to the Boston Marathon for a beef demonstration and the Culinary Center of Chicago to develop beef recipes for youth.
For more information on contest registration and rules, contact Rosemary Gambino at 281-375-8836 or by e-mail at rgambino@consol-idated.net.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Commitment to Programs
I would like to start the first blog by talking about our commitment to programs through youth development “emphasis areas” from the Texas 4-H & Youth Development Faculty. In an email dated February 6, 2009, I introduced this concept and how the Texas 4-H Faculty has been working tirelessly over the past few months to strengthen 4-H projects by developing new programs to support existing projects. This is the first step to build stronger programs for all of us to implement with youth across Texas.
To review some of the initiatives currently underway, please visit:
- http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/agents/emphasisareas.html
Through these initiatives, the faculty is in the process of developing fourteen response teams to help strengthen youth programs in these emphasis areas. If you were nominated (or even volunteered yourself), you should have been contacted by the assigned Specialist to follow-up. The one thing I did want to point out is that each team will function differently. Some teams will be more advisory in nature, while others will be more involved in development. It really depends on the emphasis area, the Specialist, and the task that needs to be completed.
Like any type of change, I have received some questions related to these emphasis areas. I will answer some of the most common questions below.
Common Questions:
1. I don’t have time to serve on a team, but would love to provide feedback. Will I have the opportunity?
- YES! The Texas 4-H & Youth Development faculty knows that everyone has a full plate already and we respect this fact. We also know that for programs to be successful, it is imperative that there is County Extension Agent involvement in the needs assessment, planning, piloting, and implementation of these programs (this is program development at the very core). So, if you feel you do not have a great deal of time that you can dedicate in an area, but you do have interest, simply contact the appropriate Specialists and let them know. They can then engage you at their discretion.
2. Are these the only 4-H programs and projects Texas will offer?
- NO! These are just some priority areas that the Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program felt needed to be addressed. These emphasis areas were developed after a careful assessment of youth feedback, validation of stakeholder input analysis, and project interest areas. This is just a first step. Many other areas will be addressed in the future.
3. What is the difference between a project and a program?
- This is a great question. For the Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program, it is important that we address the differences. A project is what is of interest to youth. Youth may be interested in leadership, beef cattle, citizenship, nutrition / health, or plants. The program is what Texas 4-H & Youth Development has in place to provide a youth interested in a project. The program is our “treatment” to address the project. The best analogy is to picture a filing cabinet with drawers, files, folders, and papers in the folder.
o Filing Cabinet – This is the emphasis area. It is typically a broad concept like personal development, citizenship, or, health.
o Filing Cabinet Drawer – This is the project. It is typically what a youth is interested in. It could be beef cattle, leadership, or cooking.
o Folder in the Filing Cabinet – This is the program that supports the project. If the project is leadership, we need to ensure that there is a program to teach leadership. Over time, we need a whole filing cabinet full of folders (programs). It is clear that one folder will not fit all. There may be a leadership folder on county council, club managers, and basic leadership for new audiences.
o Paper in the folder – The paper in the folders are the curricula, learning experiences, competitive/celebration events, and other necessary items that are a part of the program.
I do think that as we move forward, you will see more and more examples of this concept. As I always say, our programs are OUR TREATMENT! It is important for us to ensure we have a treatment that matches with projects and project interests of youth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
