TEXAS 4-H EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION CATEGORIES

TEXAS 4-H EDUCATIONAL

PRESENTATION CATEGORIES

Bef

ore selecting your category, make sure the presentation does not fit

better in another educational presentation category. All presentation

categories have been updated with what we hope are more clear

descriptions.

AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

The relationship between agriculture and natural resources is essential because

agriculture relies heavily on natural resources like fertile soil, water, and sunlight.

Sustainable agricultural practices aim to manage these resources in ways that ensure

their long-term availability while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

Topics could include:

• Topics related to agriculture:

o Practice of cultivating plants for food, fiber, medicinal plants, and other

products used by humans.

o Farm and ranch economics

o Meat science

o Dairy cattle

o Topics related to activities such as planting, growing, harvesting, and

managing crops.

o Ag technology

o Farm Safety

o Topics related to the breeding and raising of livestock or small

animals should be under those specific categories: Beef, Sheep &

Goats, Swine, Horse, Animal Science

• Topics related to natural resources:

o Entomology

o Forestry

o Range Science

o Water Conservation

o Horticulture

o Wildlife & Fisheries

o Shooting Sports

o Soil & land management

o Outdoor education

o Environmental Stewardship

o Food Production and Food Security

2023 - 2027

o Other ANR field of study

Youth will relate information to knowledge or skills learned in the field of Agriculture and

Natural Resources. Note : You must choose only one category but Ag Technology

related topics could be submitted under the STEM category. Farm Safety related

topics could be submitted under the Safety & Injury Prevention category.

ANIMAL SCIENCE

The topic focuses on the study of animals that are smaller in size and often kept as

pets, including but not limited to dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds. This

presentation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of various aspects related

to the care, behavior, health, training, and well-being of small animals.

Topics could include:

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Nutrition

• Housing and Enrichment

• Healthcare and Preventive Medicine

• Behavior and Training

• Reproduction and Breeding

• Common Diseases and Vet Care

• Pet Selection and Responsible Ownership

Presentations focused on large animals must be entered respectively in the Beef,

Sheep & Goats, Swine or Horse category or those focused on Wildlife should be

in the Agricultural and Natural Resources category.

BEEF

A beef educational presentation pertains to the delivery of information regarding a range

of relevant subjects, both present and future-oriented, that encompass:

Advanced reproductive technologies

• Animal Husbandry

• Effective nutritional management practices

• Optimal animal health strategies

• Considerations in breeding and genetics

• Behavioral insights in beef cattle

• Understanding beef carcasses and end-products

• Analysis of production costs

• Fundamental aspects of overall herd management

• Insights into cattle marketing strategies

These presentations may be tailored to specific sectors within the beef industry,

including cow-calf, stocker, or feedlot segments. The aim is to provide comprehensive

knowledge to individuals engaged in beef production and management, enabling them

to make informed decisions that enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability

of their operations.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER EDUCATION

Family and Consumer Education (FCE) is a subset of Family and Consumer Sciences

(FCS) that specifically focuses on educational programs and initiatives aimed at

enhancing the knowledge, skills, and well-being of individuals and families. The subject

matter of Family and Consumer Education encompasses a range of topics designed to

empower individuals with practical life skills, promote healthy family dynamics, and

contribute to the overall betterment of society.

Topics should be centered around improving the well-being of individuals and families

by addressing various aspects of daily life. Topics can include, but are not limited to:

• Life skills education

• Family dynamics and relationships

• Financial literacy and management

• Consumer education and decision making

• Nutrition and healthy eating

• Culinary arts and food science

• Fashion and interior design

• Home management and organization

• Parenting and child development

• Consumer education and decision making

• Communication and Conflict Resolution

Please review the description for Health & Wellness and Safety and Injury

Prevention for topics pertaining to those subject areas.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Health and wellness refer to the state of well-being that encompasses physical, mental,

emotional, and social well-being. Health and wellness involve the conscious pursuit of

optimal health through lifestyle choices, practices, and attitudes that promote vitality,

resilience, and a high quality of life. The topics covered encompass a range of subjects

relevant to youth health and wellness, encouraging active living, and chronic disease

prevention.

Topics could include:

• Physical Activity and Exercise

• Mental Health and Stress Management

• Sleep Health

• Substance Abuse Prevention

• Disease Prevention

• Heart Health

• Environmental Health

• Preventing the spread of the cold and flu / Covid-19

• Body Image and Self-Esteem

Presentations should focus on healthy lifestyles, chronic disease prevention and

wellness, not illness/treatment. It is suggested that project experiences in this area

include topics aimed at youth health/wellness, the promotion of active living, and chronic

disease prevention.

Please review the description for Family Consumer Education and Safety and

Injury Prevention for topics pertaining to those subject areas.

HORSE

The educational presentation aims to encompass the theoretical and hands-on

proficiencies acquired within the 4-H horse project. The presentation can cover various

aspects of horse care, management, training, and usage. It aims to provide both

theoretical understanding and practical insights to the audience. The goal is to empower

the listeners with valuable information and techniques that they can apply in real-life

scenarios involving horse projects, such as improving their ability to care for horses,

manage their well-being, enhance their training, and make informed decisions about

horse-related activities.

Topics could include:

• Breeds

• Anatomy

• Nutrition

• Health and Veterinary Care

• Behavior and Training/Showmanship

• Grooming and Maintenance

• Tack and Equipment

• Housing and Facilities

• Riding Skills and Techniques

• Breeding and Reproduction

• Equine Careers

• Ethics and Welfare

• Horse-Related Legislation and Regulations

• Equine Industry Trends

These topics provide a well-rounded understanding of horse care, management, and

horsemanship, catering to both newcomers and experienced individuals in the 4-H

horse project. The presentation aims to empower participants with the knowledge and

skills needed for responsible horse ownership, successful project management, and

participation in horse-related activities.

OPEN

This category serves as an option for youth participants when their presentation does

not align with the predefined categories. This category enables participants to showcase

their unique ideas, creativity, and skills. It encourages innovative thinking and provides

an opportunity for youth to explore subjects that are important to them even if those

subjects do not fit within the existing educational presentation category.

Make sure your topic does not fit better within another category before selecting

Open.

PROMOTE 4-H

Participants are encouraged to select a target audience not affiliated with 4-H and

exhibit a promotional approach that effectively communicates the principles and values

of the 4-H program. The presentation should demonstrate their marketing and

promotional skills by effectively showcasing and explaining the essence of 4-H. The

presentation serves as a delivery method to enhance the visibility of 4-H among

audiences in and outside the 4-H community.

SAFETY & INJURY PREVENTION

An educational presentation on safety and injury prevention addresses the importance

of safeguarding oneself from potential hazards and minimizing the risk of injuries. This

presentation aims to inform and educate the audience about strategies and practices

that contribute to their well-being in various environments, including home, school, work,

and recreational settings. The goal of this presentation is to empower individuals with

information and tools that enable them to make informed decisions, minimize risks, and

create safer environments for themselves and those around them.

Suggested presentation topics include:

• Safety Awareness

• Safe Practices

• Home Safety

• Fire Safety

• First Aid/Emergency care

• Transportation Safety

• Digital Safety

• Recreational Safety

• Emergency Preparedness

• Farm Safety

Please review the description for Family Consumer Education and Health and

Wellness for topics pertaining to those subject areas.

Note : You must choose only one category but Farm Safety related topics could

be submitted under the Safety & Injury Prevention category.

SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND MATH (STEM)

This presentation aims to illuminate the synergies between STEM disciplines by

examining how technology, research, and cutting-edge ideas converge, it fosters an

understanding of the ways in which scientific advancements can revolutionize methods,

boost efficiency, and address contemporary challenges in the field. Through this

exploration, the presentation seeks to inspire an appreciation for the dynamic

relationship between STEM evolution.

• Biotechnology

• Ag technology

• Biogenetics

• Bioengineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Space Exploration and Astrophysics

• Green Energy and Sustainable Technologies

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR

• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

• Robotics and Automation

• Coding and Programming

Note : You must choose only one category but Ag Technology related topics

could be submitted under the STEM category.

SHEEP AND GOAT

A sheep and goat educational presentation involves providing information on a wide

array of pertinent subjects, encompassing both current and forward-looking aspects

related to the raising of sheep and/or goats, as well as the utilization of their meat, milk,

or fiber. These presentations can include discussions on:

• Animal Husbandry

• Reproductive technologies

• Effective practices for nutritional management

• Optimal strategies for animal health

• Considerations in breeding and genetics

• Behavioral insights specific to sheep and goats

• Analysis of production costs

• Fundamental elements of comprehensive herd management

• Insights into marketing strategies for sheep and goats

• Reproduction and breeding techniques

These informative sessions can be tailored to focus on either sheep or goats or both,

and topics may span various aspects, such as diverse breeds, lambing or kidding and

care of ewes and does, wool production and processing (if applicable), and approaches

to marketing lamb meat and wool products.

SWINE

Swine related presentations can coversa diverse range of topics, from basic swine

anatomy and breeds to advanced swine management practices, ensuring that

attendees gain valuable insights into every aspect of swine care and production.

These presentations can include discussions on:

• Animal Husbandry

• Breeds

• Anatomy

• Nutrition

• Health and disease management

• Behavior/handling

• Market trends

• Reproduction and breeding

• Housing

• Market trends/economics

These presentations should provide a comprehensive exploration of swine care and

production, covering topics from swine breeds and anatomy to advanced management

practices, fostering a deeper understanding of the world of pigs for participants of all

levels of experience.

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The category of Ag Technology and Farm Safety was discontinued for 2023-2027.

Those presentations that have been entered in this category in the past, will still have a

place under either Ag & Natural Resources, STEM, or Safety and Injury Prevention.