Bastrop County Extension & 4-H: This Week in Texas 4-H Opportunity Reminders: 1/29/20

This Week in Texas 4-H

· National 4-H Hall of Fame Ceremony Opportunities

· Rodeo Austin Opportunities

· 2020 Beekeeping Essay Contest

· National 4-H Salute to Volunteer Excellence Applications Due Soon

· New 4-H Shirts for Sale!

· 2020 Souper Bowl of Caring

· Globe 2020

· Inbound Exchange Program

· Texas 4-H Alliance Partners

2020 4-H Hall of Fame Ceremony Opportunities

The 2020 National 4-H Hall of Fame Ceremony is scheduled for October 2, 2020 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The event is a formal evening recognizing distinguished guests and honoring the accomplishments of 4-H. Texas 4-H members have the opportunity to apply to serve as either the Master of Mistress of Ceremonies or an entertainer for the evening (musical and vocal acts accepted). Download the apps and info at the buttons below and submit your applications by April 1st to the Texas 4-H office.

Entertainer Application & Info

Master/Mistress of Ceremonies App & Info

Rodeo Austin Opportunities

Listed below are opportunities for youth to volunteer to sing the National Anthem and recite the American, Texas Pledges, the FFA Motto and the 4-H Pledge at the shows for Rodeo Austin.

· Longhorn Show - Saturday, March 14th - Show starts at 9:00 am

· Market Lamb & Goat Show - Tuesday, March 17th - Show starts at 9:00 am

· Market Poultry Show - Wednesday, March 18th -Show starts at 11:00 am

· Open Boer Goat Show - Thursday, March 19th - Show starts at 9:00 am

· Barrow Show - Saturday, March 21st - Show starts at 8:00 am

· Barrow Show - Sunday, March 22nd- Show starts at 8:00 am

· Market Steer Show - Tuesday, March 24th - Show starts at 9:00 am

· Market Steer Show - Wednesday, March 25th - Show starts at 9:00 am

· Jr. Breeding Heifer Show - Friday, March 27th - Show starts at 9:00 am

· Jr. Breeding Heifer Show - Saturday, March 28th - Show starts at 9:00 am

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ea9ae2aa57-rodeo1

For those interested in this leadership opportunity, please sign up using the above link to the online form. You will need to plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the species show in which you are volunteering. One parking and one gate pass will be provided for the youth who is volunteering (provided you do not already have any) and the passes will be mailed to the address you provide. You WILL NEED to provide your address when signing up.

When you register, please select the option to use alternate name and in the "First Name" box , list the first and last name of the youth member. In the "last name" box, list the 4-H County or FFA Chapter in which the youth is a member.

If you would like to sing the national anthem, a video needs to be emailed to Cory by February 25th as those spots will be assigned.

If you have questions, please email Cory at Cory.hundl@ag.tamu.edu

Preservation of Honey Bees Website

Bee the one! 2020 Beekeeping Essay Contest

The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. has announced their 2020 Essay Topic. This year’s Topic is

Overwintering: Bee Survival through the Cold Season. Honey bees have developed special skills to overwinter in the United States. Please discuss one of these skills and then include a discussion about what you do to prepare your hives for winter. Include a photo of one of your hives, either using infrared technology or showing winter wrap, hay bales, special feeders, etc. to demonstrate how you prepare your hives for winter.

Youth do not have to have a bee project to participate in the essay contest. You can see past winner’s essays by visiting the above website and clicking on 4H Essays tab at the top of their page. Essays will be uploaded at no fee on 4-H Connect using the “2020 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest” event. Deadline to submit is Sunday, March 1. Winners will be announced the week of March 23.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS! NATIONAL 4-H SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION

The National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Award recognizes 4-H volunteers who demonstrate exemplary service to 4-H while promoting service through volunteers as both an opportunity and a privilege. In 2020, one volunteer will be selected from each Cooperative Extension Region in each of two categories: Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer and Volunteer of the Year. The eight regional honorees become nominees for the national award, and one candidate in each category will be named the national honoree. Nominations due by January 31, 2020, at 11:59 pm. Download the application now or visit the 4-H WebGrants Portal for more information.

Learn More

New 4-H Shirts!

Visit our website

2020 Souper Bowl of Caring

Are your 4-H members and/or Ambassador groups looking for a unique opportunity to help local food pantries beyond just the holiday season? If so, check out the Texas 4-H partnership with Souper Bowl of Caring!

Souper Bowl of Caring is an organization founded 30 years ago by youth with a vision and passion for service to others. Souper Bowl of Caring uses the timeframe around one of the nation’s largest sporting events, the Super Bowl, as a tool to feed families throughout the state. Groups throughout the state will join forces during January 14 – February 3, 2020 to collect food donations and/or monetary donations to donate to a local food pantry. All efforts benefit LOCAL families who utilize LOCAL food pantries.

LEARN MORE: PLAYBOOK

All efforts will be organized at the local level using the “Playbook” linked below. Once organized, 4-H youth will solicit donations at local retail sites, club meetings, neighborhood drives, or other avenues to collect donations which will be provided to a local food pantry of your choice. No donations will be sent outside the county….all efforts are LOCAL so you are helping the people in your county who are in need.

Texas 4-H Alliance Partners

Texas 4-H Alliance members have special programs set up for Texas 4-H members, their families and supporters the program. These business organizations offer discounts for services or merchandise, and in return a portion of the proceeds are donated back to support Texas 4-H.

Book through the direct link here (click on the Wyndham logo) or use the code 1000028575 when booking to receive a discount!

Check out the Fall and Spring Paper Clover campaigns to earn money for your county 4-H program at Tractor Supply. Learn more at the link here (click on logo).

Check out the Lone Star Silversmith's one-of-a-kind 4-H jewelry. Click on the logo.

Save 15% with JOANN 4-H rewards on every purchase, every day! Current & alumni members, parents, volunteers and 4-H staff can save 15% off total purchases every day with 4-H Rewards. Enroll now by clicking on the linked JOANN logo.

Thank you to our Texas 4-H Alliance Partners!