Knowledge-Based Competitions & Programs
- Texas Cattle Feeders Association – Junior Fed Beef Challenge: https://www.tcfa.org/jr-fed-beef-challenge
- Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association – Ranch Roundup: https://tscra.org/youth/ranch-roundup/
- Texas 4-H Recordbook (Beef Projects): https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/recordbooks/
- San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo – Agricultural Public Speaking: https://www.sarodeo.com/scholarships-education/youth-education/agricultural-public-speaking/
- Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo – Speak Out For Agriculture (SOFA) Challenge: https://hotfair.com/sofa/
- State Fair of Texas – Agricultural Public Speaking Contest: https://bigtex.com/youth-programs/livestock/agricultural-public-speaking/
- Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Agricultural Public Speaking: https://www.rodeohouston.com/Education/Agricultural-Education/Agricultural-Public-Speaking
- San Angelo Livestock Show – Agricultural Public Speaking: https://www.sanangelorodeo.com/p/education/contests
- Texas FFA Career Development Events (CDEs): https://www.mytexasffa.org/cde
- Texas FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs) (Public Speaking, Creed Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking): https://www.mytexasffa.org/lde
- Texas FFA Agricultural Advocacy & Prepared Public Speaking: https://www.mytexasffa.org/lde-prepared-speaking
- Texas 4-H Roundup (Public Speaking, Educational Presentation, Vet Science Skillathon, Ag Product ID, Livestock Judging, Livestock Skillathon, Science Fair): https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/roundup/
Cattle Shows
- Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo: https://www.fwssr.com
- San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo: https://www.sarodeo.com
- Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo: https://www.rodeohouston.com
- Rodeo Austin: https://rodeoaustin.com
- National Western Stock Show: https://nationalwestern.com
- American Royal: https://www.americanroyal.com
- State Fair of Texas: https://bigtex.com
- Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show: https://rgvls.com
- South Texas State Fair: https://southtexasstatefair.com
- Local Breed Jackpot Shows: https://showman.app
Leadership Opportunities
- County 4-H Clubs (Texas AgriLife Extension): https://texas4-h.tamu.edu
- 4-H Council (County & District Level): https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/youth-leadership/
- Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program: https://texasyouthlivestock.com/livestock-ambassador-program/
- Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association – Leadership Launch: https://tscra.org/leadership-launch/
Free Certifications
- Beef Quality Assurance (BQA): https://www.bqa.org
- Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT): https://www.bqa.org/programs/bqa-transportation
- Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA): https://www.bqa.org/programs/calf-care
- Masters of Beef Advocacy: https://mastersbeefadvocacy.org
Associations
- Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA): https://tscra.org
- Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas (ICA): https://icatexas.com
- Texas CattleWomen: https://texascattlewomen.org
- Breed Associations (Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, Brangus, etc.): https://www.beefbreeds.org
Short Courses, Camps & Educational Programs
- Texas A&M AgriLife Youth Short Courses & Camps: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/youth/
- Texas Youth Livestock & Equine Workshops: https://texasyouthlivestock.com
- Texas 4-H Livestock & Agriculture Camps: https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/camps/
- Texas FFA Leadership Camps: https://www.mytexasffa.org/camps
*Opportunities vary by age, grade level, and membership requirements. Students should visit individual websites for eligibility, deadlines, and participation details.
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Please submit the program or opportunity here. We want to expand our list to help others in the industry explore their passion.