4-H’ers to conduct food drive at Courthouse Monday evening

By Sandy Morris

It is a busy time of year for local 4-H and FFA members. 

Many stock shows have opened up their registrations, and validations have started. 

Both groups also are participating in fundraisers or food drives. 

4-H Food Drive

The Shackelford County 4-H will be holding a food drive on Monday, Nov. 16 from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.

The group will be set up in the courthouse parking lot collecting food items for the Resource Center. 

“We want everybody in our county to have a good meal to eat for Thanksgiving,” said Shackelford County Extension Agent and 4-H coordinator Kloey Painter. 

FFA Fundraiser

This is the final week of the FFA’s fundraiser according to Albany ag science instructor Chris Beard. 

The chapter’s goal is to sell 1,000 items, and the deadline to place an order is tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 13. 

This is the FFA members’ Christmas order and their last sale for the year. Items in the fundraiser include meat, fruit, cookies, and other items. 

Items will be delivered before Christmas and can be paid for upon delivery. 

To purchase any items from the fundraiser, contact an FFA member or Beard.

Swine Validation

All swine projects will be validated next Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 18-19 at the ag farm. Swine projects will be validated at individual homes and farms Nov. 22 through Nov. 24. 

Participants in 4-H will be have their pigs validated throughout November with the last day to validate on Nov. 22, according to Painter. 

Stock Shows

According to Beard, many of the major shows have already opened up their registration periods, and local exhibitors are getting their paperwork completed. 

“Students are currently registering for the county show, San Angelo, San Antonio, Star of Texas, and the Texas National Show,” said Beard. 

Students also will register for Houston after that period opens Dec. 1, but the Fort Worth show has been cancelled because of COVID concerns. 

 Beard added that stock shows will be run differently this year because of the pandemic, and specific details will be released as show dates approach. 

FFA Dues

FFA dues are now past due. Dues are $10 and each student will receive a free Albany FFA t-shirt. 

The FFA t-shirts are also available to the public for $10 each.