Monday, June 16, 2008
Scholarship
Leon County 4-Her Receives Scholarship !
- Each year dozens of young Texans look forward to continuing their educations, thanks to scholarships from the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation. And this year, the 100th anniversary of 4-H in TEXAS, marks a milestone in these scholarships, too.
Leon County 4-H member Aaron Wright received a 10,000.00 Richard Wallrath Foundation Scholarship Tuesday, June 10, 2008 in College Station, Texas. Texas 4-H Foundation Opportunity Scholarships are awarded each year to applicants based on their 4-H experience, academic record and financial need.
The Opportunity Scholarship program is conducted in coordination with the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program and Texas Agrilife Extension Service. The addition of two new scholarship categories not only allows Texas 4-H'ers to pursue careers in a wide range of fields, but also, with the Courageous Heart scholarships, allows the foundation to recognize the awe-inspiring efforts some of our youth have made to overcome obstacles and have outstanding 4-H careers.
More Texas 4-H'ers than ever before will receive a big financial boost toward their college educations this year, thanks to Dick Wallrath, owner of Champion Ranches in Centerville.
Wallrath's newly established 4-H Scholarship Endowment will provided an additional 71 scholarships ($10,000 each) to graduating 4-H members this year. These scholarships were presented at this year's Texas 4-H Roundup June 10, 2008.
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
Roundup Results
Texas 4-H Roundup is the culmination of years of hard work and
dedication for youth throughout the State of Texas. It is designed to
supplement the county 4-H program and project work. Each year contests
are held throughout the state, at the county level, and the twelve
districts of Texas Agrilife Extension Service, and climaxing with the
participation of over 2,500 youth and adults at Texas 4-H Roundup in
College Station. Roundup consists of 39 individual competitive contests
whose participants qualified for the opportunity to compete at the state
level by their success and competency at the county and district levels.
Leon County 4-H had several members involved in this area and were very
successful. Ryan McCarty placed first in state in the Natural Resources
category, Kelcey and Christy Cockrell placed third in the Sheep and Goat
Category. In the Promote 4-H category Jana Richmond placed third and
Reagan Robertson walked the stage in the Texas 4-H Fashion Review.
Roundup officially began Tuesday, June 10 and ended Friday morning, June
13, 08. Congratulations to these Leon County 4-H members on a job well
done in representing Leon County.
The beginning of Texas 4-H Roundup was in 1946. At that time, 4-H
members (boys and girls) were selected to attend a short course (Texas
4-H Roundup) on the campus of the Texas A&M College in College Station.
During the early years, Texas 4-H Roundup was compiled of workshops
dealing with issues of rural America. This included such items as
electrification of rural America and the latest in canning and food
preservation techniques.
Many of the youth that participated in the early years arrived via the
railroad. This was, by far, the most efficient mode of transportation at
the time. A man from Abilene noted that he can remember the Roundup
train coming through Abilene from the Texas Panhandle, continually
adding railroad cars as it made each stop toward College Station.
Without question, this is quite a change from the modern way of arriving
at Texas 4-H Roundup in suburbans or pick-ups. Similar to participants
today, 4-H members were housed in the dorms on campus. However, these
early participants roomed in tents on the grounds of the Corp of Cadets
area and later in the actual dorms.
As time progressed, Texas 4-H Roundup continued to change in order to
address the emerging issues and needs of the time. Some examples
include: the early days of addressing techniques in canning of food
products to the historical war time period of teaching 4-H members
proper techniques of bomb drills and bomb shelter preparation. All of
these subject areas were taught while stressing the overall goal that
stated youth would return home to teach others. One of the most unique
components about Texas 4-H Roundup in the early years is that all
participants wore 4-H uniforms and all the workshops were conducted
outdoors. One of the most notable outside facilities used was the Kyle
Field bleachers.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Texas 4-H Roundup began to
take on a new look and format. This included more contest orientated
events with competitive activities being held in subject areas such as
food preservation and safety, beef cattle, public speaking, and clothing
instead of the teaching workshop format. Then, in the late 1960’s, the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo began awarding scholarships to Texas
4-H youth. This presentation was eventually incorporated as a major
component of the General Assembly during Roundup. Today, more than 1.8
million dollars in scholarships are presented through the Texas 4-H
Youth Development Foundation during the Tuesday General Assembly.
Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, Texas 4-H Roundup hit the high
point by offering 43 different competitive events that 4-H members could
qualify for through their district events. The 1990’s included the
development of the Teens of Texas Acquiring Leadership Program which
encouraged more diverse groups of county representatives to participate
in leadership training for the week. These individuals were then
recognized on the last day of Roundup.
As national sponsorship continues to become a higher priority and the
focus of the 4-H program begins to involve an equal number of urban and
rural youth alike, the contest list changes as well. The contests were
placed into an evaluation mode where the participation was reviewed each
year. This allowed for older, out-of-date contests to be retired and new
contests to be introduced. Throughout the years, Texas 4-H Roundup has
been a venue to celebrate the success of 4-H youth and volunteers in
Texas and throughout the United States. Some highlights throughout the
years include the making of a human “ATM” and “Clover” on the
turf of Kyle Field, BBQ served on the drill field for all the
participants, rally speakers such as Captain Scott O’Grady, and
celebrations of many milestones of the Texas and National 4-H Programs.
Pic. Leon County 4-H Members and Agents with awards from Texas 4-H
Round Up Tommy Neyland- CEA, Christy Cockrell, Ryan McCarty, Jana Richmond,
Wendy Neyland- CEA, Reagan Robertson, Kelcey Cockrell and Matthew
Townsend- Intern.
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
dedication for youth throughout the State of Texas. It is designed to
supplement the county 4-H program and project work. Each year contests
are held throughout the state, at the county level, and the twelve
districts of Texas Agrilife Extension Service, and climaxing with the
participation of over 2,500 youth and adults at Texas 4-H Roundup in
College Station. Roundup consists of 39 individual competitive contests
whose participants qualified for the opportunity to compete at the state
level by their success and competency at the county and district levels.
Leon County 4-H had several members involved in this area and were very
successful. Ryan McCarty placed first in state in the Natural Resources
category, Kelcey and Christy Cockrell placed third in the Sheep and Goat
Category. In the Promote 4-H category Jana Richmond placed third and
Reagan Robertson walked the stage in the Texas 4-H Fashion Review.
Roundup officially began Tuesday, June 10 and ended Friday morning, June
13, 08. Congratulations to these Leon County 4-H members on a job well
done in representing Leon County.
The beginning of Texas 4-H Roundup was in 1946. At that time, 4-H
members (boys and girls) were selected to attend a short course (Texas
4-H Roundup) on the campus of the Texas A&M College in College Station.
During the early years, Texas 4-H Roundup was compiled of workshops
dealing with issues of rural America. This included such items as
electrification of rural America and the latest in canning and food
preservation techniques.
Many of the youth that participated in the early years arrived via the
railroad. This was, by far, the most efficient mode of transportation at
the time. A man from Abilene noted that he can remember the Roundup
train coming through Abilene from the Texas Panhandle, continually
adding railroad cars as it made each stop toward College Station.
Without question, this is quite a change from the modern way of arriving
at Texas 4-H Roundup in suburbans or pick-ups. Similar to participants
today, 4-H members were housed in the dorms on campus. However, these
early participants roomed in tents on the grounds of the Corp of Cadets
area and later in the actual dorms.
As time progressed, Texas 4-H Roundup continued to change in order to
address the emerging issues and needs of the time. Some examples
include: the early days of addressing techniques in canning of food
products to the historical war time period of teaching 4-H members
proper techniques of bomb drills and bomb shelter preparation. All of
these subject areas were taught while stressing the overall goal that
stated youth would return home to teach others. One of the most unique
components about Texas 4-H Roundup in the early years is that all
participants wore 4-H uniforms and all the workshops were conducted
outdoors. One of the most notable outside facilities used was the Kyle
Field bleachers.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Texas 4-H Roundup began to
take on a new look and format. This included more contest orientated
events with competitive activities being held in subject areas such as
food preservation and safety, beef cattle, public speaking, and clothing
instead of the teaching workshop format. Then, in the late 1960’s, the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo began awarding scholarships to Texas
4-H youth. This presentation was eventually incorporated as a major
component of the General Assembly during Roundup. Today, more than 1.8
million dollars in scholarships are presented through the Texas 4-H
Youth Development Foundation during the Tuesday General Assembly.
Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, Texas 4-H Roundup hit the high
point by offering 43 different competitive events that 4-H members could
qualify for through their district events. The 1990’s included the
development of the Teens of Texas Acquiring Leadership Program which
encouraged more diverse groups of county representatives to participate
in leadership training for the week. These individuals were then
recognized on the last day of Roundup.
As national sponsorship continues to become a higher priority and the
focus of the 4-H program begins to involve an equal number of urban and
rural youth alike, the contest list changes as well. The contests were
placed into an evaluation mode where the participation was reviewed each
year. This allowed for older, out-of-date contests to be retired and new
contests to be introduced. Throughout the years, Texas 4-H Roundup has
been a venue to celebrate the success of 4-H youth and volunteers in
Texas and throughout the United States. Some highlights throughout the
years include the making of a human “ATM” and “Clover” on the
turf of Kyle Field, BBQ served on the drill field for all the
participants, rally speakers such as Captain Scott O’Grady, and
celebrations of many milestones of the Texas and National 4-H Programs.
Pic. Leon County 4-H Members and Agents with awards from Texas 4-H
Round Up Tommy Neyland- CEA, Christy Cockrell, Ryan McCarty, Jana Richmond,
Wendy Neyland- CEA, Reagan Robertson, Kelcey Cockrell and Matthew
Townsend- Intern.
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Private Applicator Training in Leon County
The Texas Agrilife Extension Service in Leon County will host a Private Applicator Training on August 8, 2008. Participants must pre-register in theTexas Agrilife Extension office on or before August 6, 2008. The training will begin with sign in from 8:00am to 8:30am in the Leon County Annex Grand Activity Room. Following the training Mr. Brad Tullis with The Texas Department of Agriculture will administer the test. Their will be a $35.00 fee due upon registration of this training. Training will be from 8:30am to 12:00noon and the test will be given at 1:00pm. For more information please contact the Texas Agrilife Extension Service at 903.536.2531or at leon-tx@tamu.edu We will seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities for this meeting. We request that you contact Texas Agrilife Extension three days before the event to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that will be required. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
Master Gardeners
The Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service in Leon County will begin a new
program for Master Gardeners on August 1, 2008. This highly trained
core of volunteers will assist with programs and projects in Leon
County. Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an
active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They
are enthusiastic, willing to learn and to help others, and able to
communicate with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master
Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in
horticulture. In exchange for their training, persons who become Master
Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their
cooperative Extension office to provide horticultural-related
information to their communities. Please ask yourself these questions
as you consider this training program.
Is the Master Gardener Program for Me?
To help you decide if you should apply to be a Master Gardener, ask
yourself these questions:
● Do I want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of
many types of plants?
● Am I eager to participate in a practical and intense training
program?
● Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my
community?
● Do I have enough time to attend training and to complete the
volunteer service?
If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program
could be for you. Please contact The Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service in
Leon County for an application at 903.536.2531. All applications must
be returned by July 25, 2008.
If accepted into the Master Gardener program in Leon County, you will
attend a Master Gardener training course. Classes are taught by Texas
AgriLIFE Extension Service specialists, agents, and local experts. The
program offers a minimum of 50 hours of instruction that covers topics
including lawn care, ornamental trees and shrubs, insect, disease, and
weed management; soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening; home
fruit production; garden flowers; and water conservation. The training
is offered August 1, 2008 through November 21, 2008 at The Leon County
Annex Grand Activity Room from 9:00am to 1:00pm every Friday.
In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer time to
Leon County Extension program. At least 50 hours of volunteer service
within one year following the training is required to earn the title of
"Texas Master Gardener."
The type of service done by Master Gardeners varies according to
community needs, and the abilities and interests of the Master
Gardeners. Some Master Gardeners answer telephone requests for
information related to gardening. Others staff plant clinics or displays
in shopping malls or community centers. Master Gardeners may speak to
local groups and conduct workshops. They may help establish community
garden projects, work with 4-H youth, or assist their agent with news or
radio releases related to gardening. The Master gardener Coordinator in
the Leon County Extension office decides how volunteer time can be best
utilized.
Master Gardeners are representatives of Texas AgriLIFE Extension
Service, The Texas A&M University System. In all volunteer work related
to the program, Master Gardeners follow the research-based
recommendations of Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service. The title "Texas
Master Gardener" can be used by volunteers only when engaged in
Extension-sponsored activities.
Participants become certified Master Gardeners after they have
completed the training course and fulfilled their volunteer commitment.
For More Information
Application forms and additional information are available from your
Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service office at 113 W. Main St. Centerville,
Texas or by email at twneyland@ag.tamu.edu
Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level,
race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas
A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County
Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
County Teacher Inservice
Science projects can be a powerful tool in an effective classroom. Leon
County teachers will soon have an unique opportunity to expand their
abilities to teach science through improved activities. “We can teach
science as a way of thinking and solving problems, rather than a just
mountain of facts to memorize. We can help students see the ways that
science fits into daily life, and how science will impact their futures.
This is an opportunity to see how to incorporate more realistic science
into local curriculums” says presenter Novalene Thurston.
Ms. Thurston’s own experiences in the area include many years
teaching at a nationally-recognized magnet program for science and
technology. She sponsored students at eight International Science Fairs
and was recognized as one of America’s top 100 science and math
teachers by the Tandy Corporation. She has presented workshops at
several national science conferences.
“At this workshop, we’re going to focus on ways to bring more
active learning into local classrooms. We’ll look at how to conduct
and evaluate activities, and we’ll see how to plan them so that they
address required curriculum topics. Good projects also benefit other
subjects, especially language arts and math. Everyone is concerned with
raising test scores and producing successful learners. Projects can help
with these goals.”
As an example of how local resources and national programs can assist
teachers, participants will be looking at materials from the Junior
Master Gardener program, a nationally recognized program with its own
roots here in Leon County.
The program is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17, at Centerville High
School. While aimed at science teachers, it will be useful to any
teacher, administrator, or homeschool parent. For more information,
contact the Agrilife Extension Office at 903-539-2531.
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
County teachers will soon have an unique opportunity to expand their
abilities to teach science through improved activities. “We can teach
science as a way of thinking and solving problems, rather than a just
mountain of facts to memorize. We can help students see the ways that
science fits into daily life, and how science will impact their futures.
This is an opportunity to see how to incorporate more realistic science
into local curriculums” says presenter Novalene Thurston.
Ms. Thurston’s own experiences in the area include many years
teaching at a nationally-recognized magnet program for science and
technology. She sponsored students at eight International Science Fairs
and was recognized as one of America’s top 100 science and math
teachers by the Tandy Corporation. She has presented workshops at
several national science conferences.
“At this workshop, we’re going to focus on ways to bring more
active learning into local classrooms. We’ll look at how to conduct
and evaluate activities, and we’ll see how to plan them so that they
address required curriculum topics. Good projects also benefit other
subjects, especially language arts and math. Everyone is concerned with
raising test scores and producing successful learners. Projects can help
with these goals.”
As an example of how local resources and national programs can assist
teachers, participants will be looking at materials from the Junior
Master Gardener program, a nationally recognized program with its own
roots here in Leon County.
The program is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17, at Centerville High
School. While aimed at science teachers, it will be useful to any
teacher, administrator, or homeschool parent. For more information,
contact the Agrilife Extension Office at 903-539-2531.
Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
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