Bailea Reeves Presents to Local 4-H Club

Bailea Reeves (Rusk Co.) recently presented at a 4-H Club meeting about the water cycle, aquifers and the importance of water in Texas. Bailea also talked about her role as state 4-H Water Ambassador and how others could apply to the program. Way to go Bailea!

Shelby Sprinkle Raises Funds for Texas Stream Team Kit

Shelby Sprinkle (Grayson Co.) recently presented to a couple of audience about her role as 4-H Water Ambassador and her interest in obtaining a water quality testing kit. Shelby spoke to the Red River Groundwater District who represent Grayson and Fannin Counties. She attended their meeting and received $300 towards the purchase of the kit.  

Shelby also spoke to the Master Naturalist of Grayson County and asked for donations for the Texas Stream Team kit. They agreed to donate $200!

Shelby plans to order the kit soon and get started monitoring water quality in the area. Way to go Shelby.

Water Ambassador Lend Hand at Water Conservation Field Day

Kendal Workman (Leon Co), Annika Stevens (Leon Co.) and Trent Morris (Madison Co.) taught 5th graders from Mumford, Bremond, Calvert, Hearne and Franklin about water at the Water Conservation Field Day in Robertson County. The field day was organized by sponsor Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District. Water ambassadors played an online Jeopardy trivia game to teach students about the water cycle, groundwater and water conservation.

Joshua Jones and Bailea Reeves Present at Rusk County Ag Day

Joshua Jones (Smith Co.) and Bailea Reeves (Rusk Co.) used a hydroelectric model to demonstrate how hydropower is created through dams at the Rusk County Ag Day. Great idea!

Madeline Brown Teaches Youth about Erosion at Wilbarger County Ag Day

Madeline Brown (Wilbarger Co.) recently used the Texas A&M AgriLife stream trailer to teach youth about erosion at the Wilbarger County Ag Day. Madeline taught 4th and 5th graders from Vernon, Texas' Shive Elementary and Northside ISD, as well as Harrold ISD's 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders how erosion can affect the shape and flow of a river.

Well done Madeline!

Carson Manning Tests Woman Hollering Creek

Carson Manning (Guadalupe Co.) continues water quality testing of Woman Hollering Creek near Sequin. He reported water temperature at 21°C, air temperature at 24°C, and pH of 7. The dissolved oxygen levels were 7.0 and 7.3 parts per million, and conductivity of 1480 siemens per meter. Water depth was 0.12 meters, with a rainfall of 0.6 inches in the past 3 days. Carson reported the creek was healthy, flowing at it's normal rate, and had no pollution present.

Nice job Carson!

Water Ambassadors Team Up at Kids, Kows & More

Macy Downs (Yoakum Co.), Riley Calk (Gaines Co.) and Kylee Jackson (Terry Co.) joined forces with Southern Ogallala Conservation and Outreach Program and Terry County Soil and Water Conservation District at the Terry County Kids, Kows & More Event.

The trio taught 4th graders from Brownfield, Wellman-Union and Meadow about pollination, bees, the Ogallala Aquifer and the water cycle. Way to go ladies!

TAMU Soil & Crop Sciences Department Scholarship Opportunities

Attention Seniors … The Texas A&M University Department of Soil & Crop Sciences is awarding $16,000 scholarships to incoming freshmen and $8000 scholarships to transfer students. Below is information about the scholarships and degree options.You can also find the information at this link:

https://soilcrop.tamu.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/scholarships/

If you are interested and have questions, contact Staci Frerich at sfrerich@tamu.edu.

Kendal Workman and Annika Stevens Exhibit at Leon County Safety Day Fair

Kendal Workman and Annika Stevens (Leon Co) set up a booth at the Leon County Safety Day Fair. The played water jeopardy and taught about 500 6th & 9th grade students from around Leon county about water, its importance, and how to conserve it.

Riley Calk Talks Water at Kelley and Plains Elementary

Riley Calk (Gaines Co.) led educational activities for Kelley Elementary and Plains Elementary students at the Yoakum County Science Jamboree.  Riley talked about the water cycle, rainfall harvesting, who 'owns' the water, and explained the aquifer system. She used Southern Ogallala Conservation and Outreach Program's trailer as an education tool. Nice going Riley!

Kendal Workman Assists Mid-East Texas GCD

Kendal Workman (Leon Co.) recently helped Texas A&M AgriLife Extension with the Leon County Health Fair. She worked with Mr. David Bailey, Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District General Manger with his seminar on health wells.

Mid-East Texas GCD is a sponsor of the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program. Way to go Kendal!

Brentton Jenkins Assists with Pond Dipping at Caddo Lake State Park

Brentton Jenkins (Harrison Co.) assisted staff from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with their Pond Dipping at Caddo Lake State Park event. This activity lets kids of all ages search for local aquatic life by the shore by running small nets across the bottom of the water. Youth got hands on experience and had loads of fun! 

Brentton commented "I enjoyed getting to help with the activity, but also seeing each kid's face light up when they catch cool creatures and get to learn more about the lake and its life." 

Reagan Fox Volunteers at Texas Watershed Stewards Workshop

Thanks to Reagan Fox (Nueces Co.) for volunteering at the Texas Watershed Stewards Workshop for the Nueces River Watershed in Corpus Christi! I am sure they appreciated the help, and I know you picked up some great information at the event.

Nueces Co. Water Ambassadors Lead Local Youth

Water ambassadors in Nueces County including Reagan Fox, Grant Miller, Jaxon Grove and Andy Vela recently spoke to 4-Hers at their Fun Day. They talked about the water ambassador program and the importance of healthy water systems. They also served as leaders for a cleanup day at the fairgrounds. Great job ambassadors!

Calk & Downs Visit with Yoakum County Farm Bureau

Riley Calk (Gaines Co.) and Macy Downs (Yoakum Co.) recently presented at the annual Yoakum County Farm Bureau luncheon in Plains about their roles, responsibilities, and opportunities as 4-H Water Ambassadors. With Michelle Cooper (Southern Ogallala Conservation & Outreach Program), they also provided a tour of SOCOP's education trailer. Great job ladies!

Thanks to Michelle Cooper and SOCOP for their continued support of the program and local water ambassadors.

Childers and Glover Educate Patrons at Comanche Pow Wow

In collaboration with sponsor Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (MTGCD), Myla Childers and Sehrsha Glover (Erath Co.) manned a water education booth at the Comanche Pow Wow. They quizzed patrons on their knowledge of water conservation, and handed out information on water wells and groundwater. They also encouraged people to sign up for free well testing offered by MTGCD. 

Thanks Stephanie Keith and all the good folks at MTGCD for this opportunity to serve!

Paige Perry Presents at Water Festival in Hemphill County

Paige Perry (Hemphill County) assisted sponsor Hemphill County Water Conservation District at the local water festival. Paige helped teach the water cycle to (60) 5th grade students. Way to go Paige!

Carson Manning Shines on National Night Out

On National Night Out, Carson Manning (Guadalupe Co.) collaborated with City of Kirby Pubic Works to advocate for water conservation. Carson passed out pamphlets on water conservation and distributed water conservation kits. He also talked to people on how to save water in their homes.

Great job Carson!

Kylee Jackson Visits with Terry County Farm Bureau

Kylee Jackson (Terry Co.) recently presented to the Terry County Farm Bureau. She talked about her role as 4-H Water Ambassador and the learning and service opportunities that come with it. Kylee also talked about her Tier I 4-H2O Leadership Academy experience and what all she learned.

Thanks Kylee for presenting! Texas Farm Bureau is a valued sponsor of our Program.

Brentton Jenkins Presents in Harrison and Camp Counties

Brentton Jenkins (Harrison Co.) recently assisted with presentations and set up an information table at his regional wildlife seminar.  Brentton focused on his recycling tube project on Caddo Lake, since the lake is well known and recognized in the area. 

Brentton was also invited to give a presentation in Pittsburgh, Texas (Camp County) on the Texas 4-H Water Ambassador Program and rainwater collection. He shared his experiences as a Water Ambassador and how youth interested in the program could apply. Brentton specifically talked about Samuel Jackson Inc, and their large scale rainwater collection system. Brentton commented "I have never given presentations in that area, so it was exciting to not only meet a few people but also the local Extension Agent and Master Gardeners."

Great job Brentton! 

Texas Aquatic Science - Chapter 1 & 2 Assignment - Due October 25, 2019

Each of you should now have a copy of the book ‘Texas Aquatic Science’ by Rudolph A. Rosen. Most of you received a copy during the summer academy. For Tier II Academy participants, I mailed your copy a while back.

In an effort to ensure each water ambassador has a similar foundational understanding of Texas water, this year we will all read and work through this book together. The book is comprised of (14) chapters. At the first of each month (from October – April)  you will be assigned to read (2) chapters and answer a short quiz which is due by the 25^th of each month.

Molly McKinney will evaluate your responses and send to you the answer key. Please give your best effort on the quiz. Each assignment will be worth (2) hours toward your education/service credit.

Assignment

Your first assignment is to read Chapters 1 and 2, then complete the quiz. Link to quiz: https://agrilife.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8wG9djwV6xAN6J


The book is an easy read and has a lot of great information! It also is a great resource for those planning to do an educational presentation or creating a poster.