Opportunities
Overview
• Importance of extracurricular activities to
young people
• Opportunities available for young people in
agriculture
• Defining success
• Preparing young people for adulthood and
careers
Importance of Extracurricular
Activities
• Other opportunities besides showing livestock
must be presented to young people.
• Extracurricular activities help young people gain
leadership and life skills.
• Opportunities include:
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Judging contests
Livestock camps
Scholarships
Skillathons
Career preparation
Importance of Extracurricular
Activities
• Young people should know that extracurricular activities
require commitment.
• Adults must support and encourage
young people in their activities.
• Many young people are unsure
whether they have what it takes
to be leaders.
• Introducing young people to opportunities in agriculture
can stimulate their interest.
• In many extracurricular activities young people can form
close-knit groups.
Extracurricular Activities
and Service Learning
• Leadership skills gained from extracurricular activities can be
used in service learning projects.
• Service learning integrates meaningful
community service with instruction and reflection to enrich
the learning experience, teach civic responsibility,
and strengthen communities
• Service learning activities help
young people engage in self
reflection and self-discovery,
and acquire values, skills
and knowledge.
Service Learning
and Livestock Projects
Example: A showmanship clinic conducted by
senior members for younger kids
• Seniors plan the event and work one-on-one
with younger kids.
• Seniors gain communication
and leadership skills.
Respect Through
Service Learning
• Participants learn to respect the leaders of organizations.
• Learning respect is an example of positive character
education.
• Respect focuses on honoring the worth and dignity of
others, as well as themselves.
• Young people learn to deal respectfully with others, even
those who seem not to deserve respect.
Opportunities for Young People
in Agriculture
• There are many opportunities, such as 4-H and
FFA events that occur year-round.
• Some opportunities allow young people to travel
across Texas and the U.S.
• Opportunities can be competitive or strictly
informational.
• These events acquaint young people with
agricultural careers.
Opportunities for Youth
• Beef
– Beef Quiz Bowl
– Beef Educational Presentation / Method Demonstration
• Sheep and Meat Goat
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Texas 4-H Goat Camp
Howard College Goat and Lamb Camps
Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camp
Goat Judging Contest and and Goat Bowl
Goat Kid Giveaway Program
Texas Sheep and Goat Youth Leadership Workshop
Sheep Skillathon
Sheep and/or Goat Educational Presentation/ Method
Demonstration
– Sheep and Goat Showmanship Clinics
Opportunities
• Swine
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Texas Pork Producers Association Pork Leadership Tour
Texas Junior Livestock Association Pig Camp
Swine Skillathon
Swine Educational Presentation/Method
Demonstration
• Judging
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4-H Livestock Judging
FFA Career Development Livestock Judging
Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Camp
Mohair Judging Contest
FFA Career Development Wool Judging Contest
Wool Judging Contest
• For other 4-H and FFA activities see:
http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/index.html or http://www.texasffa.org/
Defining Success
• Success – the achievement of something
desired, planned or attempted
• Failure – not achieving what you desire, plan
or attempt
• Success is not about winning
or losing.
Characteristics
of Successful People
• Confident
• Hard workers
• Failure increases their
motivation to work harder
• Challenge themselves
• Take credit for success and take
responsibility for failure
Characteristics
of Unsuccessful People
• Doubt themselves and are anxious
• Don’t work very hard
• Give up when things don’t
go well
• Just go through the motions
without much effort
• Believe someone else
controls whether they
succeed or fail
Preparing Youth for Adulthood
and Careers
• Adults are responsible for helping young
people explore career options.
• Adults can help young people
determine if college is right
for them.
• Adults can help with college
applications and with loan
and scholarship applications.
Preparing Youth for Adulthood
and Careers
• Adults can help young people connect with
those who can answer questions about
college and careers.
• County Extension agents, ag. science
teachers and 4-H specialists can help.
• If given the resources, young people can see
the opportunities available in agriculture.
Career Selection Process
• Career selection starts about age 10.
• Adults must help in the career selection
process.
• Young people who participate in agricultural
activities will know about agricultural career
options.
Overview
• Adults should guide and encourage young
people as they explore different career and
college paths.
• Whatever path a young person takes, it is the
adults’ responsibility to guide and support.
• Adults should emphasize the importance of
striving for success in whatever they do.
• Getting young people involved in extracurricular
activities associated with agriculture increases
the likelihood that they will pursue agricultural
careers.