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ENROLLMENT IS OPEN!
Stay up to date with everything happening in Denton County 4-H! This page is your go-to resource for upcoming events, registration information, important deadlines, and key dates throughout the year. We strive to keep our website updated daily with the latest information; however, for real-time announcements, reminders, and last-minute updates, we encourage you to follow our Facebook page and join our BAND. Be sure to check this page often so you never miss an opportunity to learn, lead, serve, and discover through 4-H.
Join Denton County 4-H for One Day 4-H as we complete the first cleanup of our newly adopted section of FM 455!
One Day 4-H is a statewide day of community service that brings 4-H members, families, clubs, and volunteers together to make a difference. Across Texas, 4-H groups participate in service projects that give back to their local communities and demonstrate the impact 4-H can make when we work together.
This year, Denton County 4-H will be putting that spirit of service to work by picking up litter along our Adopt-A-Highway section of FM 455, from Lake Ray Roberts to Massey Rd.
This cleanup will take place along an active highway, so safety is especially important. We strongly encourage additional adult participation and supervision. All youth under the age of 18 must be supervised by a parent/guardian or their designee. AgriLife Extension is not providing supervision at this event.
Please RSVP through the event on the Denton County 4-H BAND calendar so we know how many members, families, and volunteers to expect. Additional meeting and cleanup instructions will be provided to participants prior to the event.
Come spend the morning serving alongside your 4-H family and help us keep Denton County beautiful.
https://band.us/band/98266078/schedule/4%2F98266078%2F1012408762%2F19700101
LIVESTOCK VALIDATION
LIVESTOCK VALIDATION
What is Livestock Validation? Livestock validation is the process used to officially identify and verify livestock projects that 4-H members plan to show. Validation helps ensure that each animal is properly identified and connected to the correct 4-H member before the show season.
Livestock validation is required for animals that will be exhibited at major livestock shows, as well as the Denton County Youth Fair. Completing validation is an important step in preparing your livestock project for the upcoming show season. Families should make sure their animals are validated by the appropriate deadline. An animal that has not been properly validated may not be eligible to show.
Need a late validation tag for your heifer, sheep, or goat?
Late tags are $34.00 each and must be purchased online. Payment must be received before validation tags will be ordered.
SWINE VALIDATION & TAGS
SWINE VALIDATION & TAGS
If your family plans to show swine this year, you must have your swine properly validated and tagged. Swine validation confirms ownership of your project and is required in order to exhibit your swine at the county show, as well as applicable major livestock shows.
Tag Cost & Deadlines:
$29 per tag — Early Deadline: September 20, 2026
$34 per tag — Late Deadline: October 1, 2026
Families should order early to save money and make sure they are ready for show season. No exceptions after the late deadline.
Email steven.baringer@ag.tamu.edu to learn more or place your tag order.
DENTON COUNTY 4-H FOOD CHALLENGE
DENTON COUNTY 4-H FOOD CHALLENGE
Put your cooking skills, creativity, and teamwork to the test at the Denton County 4-H Food Challenge on October 12!
If you are new to 4-H, Food Challenge is a team-based contest that gives members the opportunity to learn about food, nutrition, food safety, budgeting, communication, and teamwork in a fun, hands-on setting. Think of it as a 4-H version of a cooking competition show!
How Does Food Challenge Work?
How Does Food Challenge Work?
Teams are given a key ingredient and access to a pantry of additional ingredients. Working together, team members have a limited amount of time to plan and prepare a dish.
But Food Challenge is about more than just cooking! After preparing their dish, teams present it to a panel of judges. Members explain their recipe and preparation process while demonstrating what they know about nutrition, food safety, food preparation, cost analysis, and teamwork.
The contest is designed to help 4-H members build practical life skills while learning how to work together and communicate under pressure.
Contest Information
Contest Information
Date: October 12
Check-In: 9:00 AM
Orientation: 9:15 AM
Registration Fee: $30 per team
Registration Deadline: October 5 at 11:59 PM
Team Requirements
Team Requirements
Teams must have at least three members but no more than four members.
All members of a team must compete in the same age division. Teams may not include members from different age divisions.
How Can My Child Prepare?
How Can My Child Prepare?
Our Denton County 4-H Food & Nutrition Project will be holding meetings and practices to help members learn the skills needed to participate in Food Challenge. These meetings are a great option for members who are new to the contest and want an opportunity to learn, practice, and prepare with other 4-H members.
Attending the Food & Nutrition Project meetings and practices is not required to compete.
Families are also welcome to put together their own team and practice independently. If you already have a group of 3–4 members in the same age division, you can form a team, prepare on your own, and register for the county contest.
Whether you prepare through our county Food & Nutrition Project or practice independently, we encourage members interested in cooking, nutrition, and teamwork to give Food Challenge a try!
Registration
Registration
Please register your team on Zeffy here: 2026 Denton County 4-H Food Challenge
Questions about Food Challenge? Contact Deva Bruce at deva.bruce@dentoncounty.gov or 940-349-2884.
4-H at the Farm: Goshen Meadows Open House
4-H at the Farm: Goshen Meadows Open House
Denton County 4-H is working to build a new partnership with Goshen Meadows Farm in Sanger to create additional opportunities for 4-H members to explore and expand their projects.
Join us Sunday, November 15, from 3:30–5:00 PM to meet the alpacas, explore the farm, ask questions, and learn about the different ways 4-H members may be able to connect their project interests with opportunities at Goshen Meadows.
This is a free, family-friendly, come-and-go event, and hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be provided.
Date: Sunday, November 15
Time: 3:30–5:00 PM
Location: 1958 Huling Road, Sanger, TX 76266
Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly for food.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. All youth under the age of 18 are to be supervised by a parent/guardian or their designee; AgriLife Extension is not providing supervision at this event/activity/program. If you need any type of accommodation to participate in this program or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Steven Baringer at 940-349-2884 or steven.baringer@ag.tamu.edu 2 weeks prior.
DISTRICT CONTEST MEMOS
DISTRICT CONTEST MEMOS
District IV 4-H contests give members the opportunity to take the skills they have developed through their 4-H projects and compete with youth from across our district. Contests cover a variety of project areas and may include judging events, public speaking, food and nutrition, photography, livestock, leadership, and more.
The District IV 4-H Contest Memos below contain the official information for each contest, including eligibility, contest rules, registration information, deadlines, schedules, locations, and other important details. Families planning to participate in a district contest should carefully review the current contest memo.
Please Note: Some District IV contests require 4-H members or teams to qualify through a Denton County contest before advancing to the district level, while others allow members to register directly for the district contest. We will do our best to note below when a county qualifying contest is required.
Contest information and dates may be updated throughout the year, so families are encouraged to check back regularly and review each memo carefully before registering.
2026-2027 Food Challenge Contest Memo.pdf2026-2027 Horse Judging Contest Memo.pdfCounty Qualifier Required: Denton County 4-H will host a County 4-H Food Challenge Contest to determine the teams that advance to the District IV contest. Members interested in competing at District IV must first participate in and qualify through the county contest.
Please see the County 4-H Food Challenge Contest information above on this webpage for dates, registration details, and additional information.
2026-2027 Photography Contest Memo.pdf2026-2027 FCH Quiz Bowl Contest Memo.pdfThe District IV 4-H Photography Contest is a standalone district-level contest open to eligible 4-H members. No county qualifier is required to participate. Members do not need to compete in or qualify through a Denton County 4-H photography contest before entering the district contest.
There is also no advancement beyond the district contest. Photos submitted to District IV are judged at the district level and do not advance to another contest or competition afterward.
Registration Is Required in Two Places
Registration Is Required in Two Places
Please pay close attention to the registration process! Participants must complete registration in BOTH locations for their entries to qualify:
TX4H – Complete the contest registration through the Texas 4-H system.
Submittable – Upload and submit your photography entries through Submittable.
Registration opens November 2, 2026, and closes November 13, 2026, on both sites. Entries must be completed on both TX4H and Submittable to qualify. The contest entry fee is $20 for the first photo and $2 for each additional photo.
Important: Completing registration on only one of the two sites is not sufficient—both steps must be completed by the deadline.
Invitational Contest: This contest is invitational, meaning any eligible 4-H member/team may enter—no county qualification is required. Each county may enter an unlimited number of teams in each age division listed above. For the Senior division, the competition also serves as a pathway to the state contest. The top three Senior teams will advance to State.
TEXAS 4-H ROUNDUP
TEXAS 4-H ROUNDUP
Texas 4-H Roundup is the premier state-level competitive event for Texas 4-H and is held each summer in College Station. Roundup is for Senior 4-H members (grades 9–12) and brings together youth from across Texas to compete in approximately 50 contests and activities.
Roundup contests cover a wide variety of 4-H project areas, including Food Challenge, judging contests, educational presentations, public speaking, Fashion Show, Leaders 4 Life, quiz bowls, photography judging, robotics, livestock contests, and more. Some contests are qualifying contests, meaning members must advance through the appropriate county and/or District IV competition, while others are invitational and do not require district qualification.
Families interested in Texas 4-H Roundup should review the current Texas 4-H Roundup Handbook and individual contest rules carefully for eligibility, qualification requirements, registration information, and contest guidelines. You may also contact the Denton County Extension Office for assistance determining how to participate or qualify for a particular contest.
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