Development of Showmanship Clinics

1. Development of Showmanship Clinics Texas 4-H and Youth Development

2. Objectives • Overview • Needs Assessment/Identifying your “Team” • Developing the Clinic • The Clinic Itself • On a Side Note Texas 4-H and Youth Development

3. Overview • Need for project and/or showmanship clinics across the state • Serve as a way to build confidence in younger exhibitors and hone the skills of more experienced showmen • A strong county livestock project clinic also builds a relationship between the agent and the families in the county • Allows the agent to see multiple projects at one given time. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

4. Needs Assessment/Identifying your “Team” • First step in developing a project/showmanship clinic is to determine what specie needs the clinic the most. • The specie that has the most new feeders would be a good project clinic to start with. • Ask co-workers, volunteer leaders, fair boards, livestock committees, review past entry trends, etc to determine trends in new youth participating in shows • Doing this can help identify task forces for developing these clinics • Creating a team, greatly reduces the leg work and creates buy-in from key people who can help you recruit speakers, participants, and sponsors. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

5. Developing the Clinic • Once target specie and audience is determined, type of clinic that will be conducted must be decided • Project clinics can take the form of a short clinic during major show entry nights, a clinic at a fair project meeting, or an in-depth clinic that lasts for several hours. • Can also be a short lecture or hands on with activities and live animals Texas 4-H and Youth Development

6. Developing the Clinic • Important to decide what topics will be presented, who will be speaking, if live animals will be there, what resources will be used, cost, and sponsors. • Most project clinics (for any specie) cover the following basic topics: • Selection • Facilities • Feeding/Nutrition • Disease Recognition/Medication • Daily Care and Management • Grooming • Preparation for Show • Showmanship • Quality Counts (see references) Texas 4-H and Youth Development

7. Developing the Clinic • Multiple resources are available when developing a clinic • Common speakers include other County Extension Agents/Ag Science teachers from surrounding counties that have specie specific expertise, Extension specialists, or the agent personally. • Special attention should be paid to the date so it does not interfere with anything else. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

8. The Clinic Itself • An agenda should be available, a sign-in sheet, and any additional resources ready for pick up. • Good idea to provide any power points, handouts from the speaker, and the Texas 4-H Project guides to clinic participants. • Always prepare for the unexpected • Good idea to have an extra computer, projector, screen, extension cords, power strips, and extra handouts • If animals are being brought, make sure that stalls and pens are available. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

9. On a Side Note • Participation at project clinics can vary greatly. • Some ways of encouraging attendance can include: • Clinic tee shirts • Door prizes • Free items (donated feed from local feed stores, halters, show bats, collars, chains, etc) • Well known/highly visible speakers • Most important thing is to have a high quality, educationally useful clinic. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

10. Overview • Overview • Needs Assessment/Identifying your “Team” • Developing the Clinic • The Clinic Itself • On a Side Note Texas 4-H and Youth Development