How Texas 4-H Is Organized
Texas 4-H is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and is headquartered in Bryan, according to the Texas 4-H project pages. Local programs run through county offices, with clubs led by club leaders. Above the county sits the district level: Texas 4-H has 12 districts that correspond to the 12 AgriLife Extension districts, each with its own website. Above the districts is the state program, which hosts statewide events such as Texas 4-H Roundup.
For most families the county Extension office is the first contact for joining, enrolling in projects and registering for events.
How to Join
The Texas 4-H Join Now page lists four steps:
- Contact your county Extension office. Enrollment details vary by county.
- Find a club. A club needs at least five youth from three families who meet regularly with adult volunteers or staff.
- Choose a project. All youth members must enroll in at least one project.
- Enroll in 4HOnline. Both youth and adults must enroll online to become active members.
Youth ages 8 to 18, in grades 3 through 12, are eligible. Clover Kids (grades K-2) are offered only in some counties. Memberships reset to inactive each August 15, so members re-enroll every year. The listed youth fee is $25 if enrolled by October 31 and $30 from November 1 through the end of the 4-H year. Clover Kids is $10 where offered.
Project Areas
Texas 4-H projects are grouped into categories. The project pages list Agriculture & Livestock (including beef cattle, goat, horse, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine and veterinary science), Family & Community Health (including food and nutrition and fashion and interior design), Leadership & Citizenship (including public speaking and theater and performance arts), Natural Resources (including shooting sports, wildlife and fisheries) and STEM (including photography, robotics and videography). A member does not have to show livestock to take part.
County, District and State Levels
Roundup contests are held at the county, district and state levels. According to the 2023 Texas 4-H Roundup guide, some contests require members to qualify at the county and district levels before competing at state. To be eligible for a state qualifying contest, a member must have competed at the district level. Each district sends a limited number of entries; judging contests, for example, allow three teams per district plus high-point individuals. Members must present the same entry at every level, with changes based on judges' feedback allowed but complete alteration causing disqualification.
Because that guide is from 2023, check the current year's handbook for exact entry numbers and rules.
Texas 4-H Roundup
The Texas 4-H Roundup page calls Roundup the pinnacle event of the state 4-H program, with approximately 50 competitive events. The page lists the next Roundup as June 7-10, 2027, at Texas A&M University in College Station, with costs and details still to be announced. AgriLife Today reported that the 2024 Roundup drew about 2,000 youth and family members and that the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation awarded more than $2.7 million in scholarships to 229 members.
Who competes
Per the 2023 guide, participants must be active Texas 4-H members. Qualifying contests require senior membership (grades 9-12) and district qualification, while invitational contests are open to senior members and do not require district competition. Members may enter only one contest per day. AgriLife Today notes that anyone in Texas 4-H may attend, and that no special qualifications are needed to attend.
Contests Families Ask About
Food Show
The 2023 guide describes the Food Show as an individual qualifying contest in which contestants compete in one of four categories: Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish or Healthy Dessert. It includes a hands-on demonstration and a quiz on food preparation, food safety, nutrition and communication, and the theme changes each year. The 2027 contest list on the Roundup page includes Food Show and Food Challenge.
Horse Judging and the Horse Show
Horse Judging is a qualifying team contest. In 2023, teams of three or four judged halter and performance classes and gave oral reasons. The 2027 Roundup list also includes Horse Quiz Bowl and Hippology. Horse shows themselves are run locally; check with your county Extension office for county and district horse show dates and rules, since the Roundup pages do not cover them.
Photography
Photography Judging is an invitational contest, individual or in teams of three or four, with members judging photo classes and giving oral reasons in the 2023 guide. Photography is also one of the STEM project areas.
Other contests
The 2027 list also includes Public Speaking, Fashion Show, Livestock Judging, Meat Judging, Robotics Challenge, Science Fair, Archery, Talent Showcase and many more. See the Roundup page for the full list.
County 4-H Councils and Local Events
The Roundup guide mentions county 4-H councils only in passing, noting that councils, club officers or leadership clubs are trained by Extension agents or advisors on leadership and parliamentary procedure. How a county council works, and which county events it runs, varies. Ask your county Extension office for its calendar, and see the county shows described in our county fairs guide.
Where to Start
- Call your county Extension office and ask about clubs and 4HOnline.
- Pick a project area that fits your child's interests.
- Ask the office which contests your county sends to district.
- Check the Roundup page each year for dates and the handbook.
Texas Listings Covered by This Guide
- Fort Bend Lamb and Goat Showmanship
Showmanship event open to all 4-H and FFA members at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds on Nov. 14, 2026; gates open at 6 a.m.
- AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Show Fort Worth
AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Show on Jan. 15, 2027 in John Justin Arena, testing ranch horses in work, trail and conformation classes at the Fort Worth Stock Show.
- AQHA and NRCHA Working Cow Horse Show Fort Worth
Two-day AQHA and NRCHA working cow horse show, Jan. 17-18, 2027, in John Justin Arena at the Fort Worth Stock Show.
- NCHA Cutting Horse Classes at Fort Worth Stock Show
NCHA cutting horse classes on Jan. 20, 2027 at 9 a.m. in John Justin Arena, part of the Fort Worth Stock Show horse schedule.
- Paint Horse Show Performance Classes Fort Worth
APHA paint horse performance classes Jan. 22-23, 2027 in John Justin Arena, followed on Jan. 23 by a Paint Horse 101 educational event at 6 p.m.
- Miniature Horse Show Fort Worth
Miniature horse show on Jan. 29, 2027 at 9 a.m. in John Justin Arena as part of the Fort Worth Stock Show horse schedule.
- Quarter Horse Show at Fort Worth Stock Show
Quarter horse show closing the arena schedule: performance classes Feb. 5 and halter and showmanship classes Feb. 6, 2027 in John Justin Arena.
- District 5 4-H Food Show and Food Challenge
District 5 4-H Food Show and Food Challenge scheduled for Feb 12, 2027 at the Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview, with a registration deadline of Jan 21, 2027. Listed on the Gregg County Extension page.
- NRCHA Celebration of Champions
Kickoff of the NRCHA event year in Fort Worth, with World Champion titles, the World's Greatest Horseman and Youth Horseman contests and the Tres Osos Derby for derby-aged horses. Runs Feb. 13-27, 2027.
- Montgomery County 4-H County Roundup
County Roundup for Montgomery County 4-H members on March 25, 2027 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Thomas LeRoy Education Building. It is practice with feedback before District Roundup rather than an official contest.
- District 9 4-H Roundup (Big Time in D9)
District Roundup, called Big Time in D9, for 4-H members in District 9, listed for April 22-24, 2027 at Lone Star College Montgomery, 3200 College Park Drive, Conroe. It is open to all District 9 4-H members.
- Texas 4-H Roundup
Texas 4-H Roundup, the state 4-H program's main contest event, is listed for June 7-10, 2027 at Texas A&M University in College Station. The listing shows these dates as tentative.
- 4-H for Lefors Pirates
4-H for Lefors Pirates is a Gray County 4-H club; a school-based club serving Lefors with meeting times to be announced. Listed on the Gray County AgriLife Extension 4-H clubs page.
Lefors, TX - Abernathy 4-H Clover Kids Club
Abernathy 4-H Clover Kids Club is a Clover Kids 4-H club in Hale County meeting on Thursdays in spring 2024 at 3:30 PM at Abernathy Elementary School cafeteria, Abernathy, per the county 4-H clubs listing.
Abernathy, TX - Abernathy 4-H Club
Abernathy 4-H Club is a community 4-H club in Hale County meeting on Tuesdays in May 2024 at 6:30 PM at Abernathy Elementary School cafeteria, Abernathy, per the county 4-H clubs listing.
Abernathy, TX - Andrews 4-H Club
Andrews County 4-H club meeting the second Monday of each month, August through May, at the Andrews County Extension Office; new members join through the office.
851 E. Broadway St., Andrews, TX 79714 | 432-524-1421 - Arcadia 4-H
Arcadia 4-H is a school 4-H club in Galveston County that meets in Santa Fe at 7:00 PM, listed on the Galveston County AgriLife Extension 4-H clubs directory.
Santa Fe, TX Website - Atascosa County 4-H Council
County 4-H council that met in the Atascosa County 4-H Extension Office auditorium (May 7 meeting in the 2026 newsletter); the program also posts monthly newsletters and a county 4-H handbook.
TX - Blanco County 4-H and FFA Youth Council
Youth council that co-sponsors the Blanco County Youth Show at the county show barn in Johnson City, where steers and hogs are shown; it also holds an annual meeting listed by the city.
Johnson City, TX - Bowie 4-H
Bowie-area 4-H club in the Montague County program, which covers leadership, livestock, ag mechanics, STEM, foods and public speaking.
Bowie, TX - Bowie County 4-H Adult Advisory Board
Volunteer adult board supporting Bowie County 4-H, named in a May 2021 report on four senior scholarships awarded to graduating members from the Texarkana area.
TX - Bowie County 4-H Livestock Booster Club
Booster club named alongside the 4-H Support Foundation and 4-H Adult Advisory Board in a 2021 report on Bowie County 4-H scholarships for graduating seniors in Texarkana, Maud and Simms.
TX - Brazoria County 4-H Council
County-level body for Brazoria County 4-H clubs; meets Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Extension Office auditorium in Angleton, with April 2027 officer elections, open to any 4-H member.
21017 CR 171, Angleton, TX 77515 Website - Brazoria County 4-H Parents Association
Parent and leader group that meets monthly in the Angleton Extension Office conference room; committees cover awards, finance and scholarships, fundraising, a livestock coalition and JCCA.
21017 CR 171, Angleton, TX 77515 - Brazos County 4-H Council
County 4-H council whose nine members addressed county commissioners during National 4-H Week 2024; Brazos County had 724 4-H members, the fourth largest enrollment in Texas.
TX - Burnet County FFA and 4-H Livestock Show Association
Association that organizes the January stock show at the Burnet County Fairgrounds, with goats, sheep, swine, steers, broilers, rabbits and market turkeys, reported by the Burnet Bulletin in 2025.
TX - Cameron 4-H Club
Local 4-H club in Cameron listed among Milam County Extension organizations.
Cameron, TX - Camp County 4-H
County 4-H youth program supported by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, based in the Aubrey E. Pilgrim Ag Building in Pittsburg.
115 Dr. M L King Jr. Ave., Suite D, Pittsburg, TX 75686 - Castro County 4-H Program (Dimmitt)
Castro County 4-H runs robotics, food challenge, quilting, horse judging, photography and sewing activities, plus Young Scientist take-and-make kits at Rhoads Memorial Library and monthly Young Chefs sessions.
205 N Broadway St, Dimmitt, TX - Clemens 4-H Club
Clemens 4-H Club is a community 4-H club in Guadalupe County meeting 1st Wednesday monthly at 7 PM at Cibolo Bowling Club, Cibolo, per the county 4-H clubs listing.
Cibolo, TX - Cotton Center 4-H Club
Cotton Center 4-H Club is a community 4-H club in Hale County meeting in May 2024 at 6 PM at First Baptist Church, Cotton Center, per the county 4-H clubs listing.
Cotton Center, TX - Crosby Middle School 4-H
Crosby Middle School 4-H is a school 4-H club in Galveston County that meets in Hitchcock at 3:00 PM, listed on the Galveston County AgriLife Extension 4-H clubs directory.
Hitchcock, TX Website - David Holt Education Center
Lubbock venue for Lubbock County 4-H rifle practice, archery practice and .22 rifle project meetings during the 2026-27 4-H year, per the county Extension calendar.
5840 49th St., Lubbock, TX - Dickinson 4-H
Dickinson 4-H is a community 4-H club in Galveston County that meets in Dickinson at 7:00 PM, listed on the Galveston County AgriLife Extension 4-H clubs directory.
Dickinson, TX Website - Discovery 4-H Club of Schertz
Discovery 4-H Club of Schertz is a community 4-H club in Guadalupe County meeting tentative dates at GVEC, Schertz, per the county 4-H clubs listing.
Schertz, TX - Donley County 4-H
Donley County 4-H and Youth Development program run through the AgriLife Extension office in Clarendon, coordinated by the county Extension agent; members exhibit at the Donley County Junior Livestock Show.
4430 Hwy 70 North, Clarendon, TX 79226 | (806) 874-2141 Website - Duval County 4-H
Duval County 4-H and Youth Development program based at the AgriLife Extension office in Benavides, alongside Healthy South Texas programs; hosts District 12 shooting sports matches in Benavides.
131 West Main Street, Benavides, TX 78341 | (361) 279-6379 Website - Eagles 4-H Club (Texoma Christian School)
Eagles 4-H Club (Texoma Christian School) is a school-based 4-H club in Grayson County meeting at times set by the school at Texoma Christian School, Sherman, per the county 4-H clubs listing.
Sherman, TX - Eastland County 4-H
Eastland County 4-H and Youth Development in District 8, run from the AgriLife Extension office in Eastland and led by the county Extension agent and 4-H coordinator.
102 North Lamar, Suite 307, Eastland, TX 76448 | (254) 629-1093 Website - Ector County 4-H
Ector County 4-H in Odessa: agriculture and livestock, health, leadership, natural resources and STEM projects, with a posted 2026 Major Show Handbook and weight-break guide for members showing at major stock shows.
1010 E 8th St, Odessa, TX 79761 | (432) 498-4071 Website
Plus 218 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Texas directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.