DATES TO REMEMBER
March
11 – Shooting Sports Practice 2:00p.m. at Woodman of the World Range
13 – Brownwood 4-H Club Meeting 6:30p.m. at Extension Office
15 – Shooting Sports Meeting 6:00p.m. at Extension Office
18 – Shooting Sports Practice 2:00p.m. at the Woodman of the World Range
20 – 4-H Rabbit Club Meeting 7:00p.m. at Extension Office
20 – Photography Workshop 5:15p.m. at Extension Office
MAJOR STOCK SHOW PASSES
If you are participating in the Austin Stock Show you will have to pick up passes at the Howdy Trailer when you arrive at the show. If you have any questions contact the Extension Office.
GOOD LUCK HOUSTON STOCK SHOW EXHIBITORS!
Don’t forget to support your Brown County 4-H students at the Major Livestock Shows this season. Brown County 4-H members have been outstandingly successful in representing our community at these Statewide Shows and deserve recognition for a job well done as the shows demand a large amount of time and hard work from participants, their families, and their agent. Make us proud!
BROWN COUNTY FAIR CHECKS
The checks for the Brown County Youth Fair are available for you to pick up at the Extension Office if you showed under 4-H. If you put your goat or lamb on the truck at the Youth Fair the truck checks are available for you to pick up. YOUTH FAIR CHECKS ARE ONLY VALID FOR 90 DAYS!! A thank you letter should be written to each buyer who contributed towards your project. Make sure that it is stamped, addressed, and turned in to the Extension Office! You will not receive your check until we receive your thank you letters. Hand written “thank you” letters are best but, depending on your personality and penmanship a typed letter can also be appropriate. Thank each person individually. Don’t try and thank a group of people in one letter.
STATE FAIR LAMB & GOAT TAGS
If you are in 4-H and planning on participating at the State Fair in Dallas with a lamb or goat you will need to purchase a tag. The deadline to order a tag is April 9th. Contact the Extension Office if you are needing to purchase a tag for the State Fair.
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Do you have an interest in taking photos? If so we have a contest just for you! The photography project encourages self-expression and teaches proper use of photographic equipment and developing processes. There will be a workshop on March 20th at 5:15p.m. at the Extension Office.
2012 TEXAS 4-H HORSE VALIDATION
Beginning with this year’s Horse Validation Program the process will now be all electronically completed using the 4-H CONNECT online management system. ALL 4-H members who wish to show a district or the state 4-H Horse Show(s) will be required to validate their horse(s) on the 4-H CONNECT system.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR VALIDATION PROCESS, YOU MUST:
Have a family and youth member profile established on 4-H CONNECT
Be a paid/active youth member of Texas 4-H for the 2011-2012 year.
Have digital photos of your horse(s) from the front, left side, and right side. These photos must be accessible for upload during the validation process.
For registered horses, you need to have a pdf copy of your horse(s) registration papers for upload.
VALIDATION WILL BE OPEN FROM APRIL 1, 2012 TO MAY 1, 2012. Any horse validated before or after this date will not be accepted as a legitimate validated animal.
An illustrated step-by-step instruction guide for families is available for download and reference from both the Texas 4-H website and the Texas AgriLife Extension Animal Science – Horse Section website.
Validation cost for each horse will be $10.00. Each 4-H family validating a horse(s) will need to print an invoice for each horse and provide the invoice(s) and check to the County Extension Office. The County Extension Office will prepare ONE consolidated Club/County check, and mail it to the Texas 4-H Foundation. INDIVIDUAL, PERSONAL CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THE 4-H FOUNDATION OFFICE. The ONLY payment accepted at the Texas 4-H Foundation for horse validation will be a Club/County check.
There is no limit to the number of horses that can be validated in the process.
Ownership requirements are still the same as in the past.
In the past there was a Grade Horse worksheet that included the need for sketching markings and colors of horses. That form is no longer required, however, it is a requirement for ALL horses that photos of the front, left side, and right side are uploaded during the validation entry process. The entire horse MUST be in the photograph. Photos should be as close as possible and markings should be clearly visible. The photo should be in jpg or gif format.
A pdf or jpg of the registration papers will be uploaded for registered horses. If you do not have capabilities with scanning papers, contact your county Extension Office to see if they can assist or direct you in scanning the papers.
TEXAS 4-H LIVESTOCK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador program strives to provide high school aged 4-H members the opportunity to develop and practice advanced leadership skills related to mentoring other youth, and to become advocates for animal agriculture.
Objectives
– Prepare youth to serve in leadership capacities in junior livestock programs across Texas.
– Prepare youth for the experience of the University setting, through intensive science based instruction and experiences.
– Prepare and provide opportunities for youth to serve in advocacy roles for animal agriculture, 4-H and junior livestock programs.
– Develop a heightened awareness of career opportunities in animal agriculture and advocacy.
Selection Criteria
- Senior aged (14-18) 4-H youth that have exhibited a superior level of ambition regarding their livestock projects
- Students with a profound interest in animal science and animal production
- Students have shown advanced leadership qualities and a willingness to help others
- County Extension Agent approval
- Top 25% class rank
If you are interested in the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program come by the Extension Office for an application. You can apply for the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program through Texas Tech or Texas A&M University. The Texas A&M Livestock Ambassador Short Course is July 16-19, 2012 and the Texas Tech Livestock Ambassador Short Course is July 23-25, 2012. The deadline to apply for the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course is June 22, 2012.
2012 NATIONAL 4-H CONGRESS
The 2012 National 4-H Congress will be Thursday, November 29 through Tuesday, December 4 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia.
National 4-H Congress is the flagship event of the National 4-H program. Each year a National Design Team of Extension educators, 4-H youth, and 4-H adult volunteers analyze current youth issues and determine the most effective ways to address them. The program combines a variety of fun and exciting educational, recreational and networking opportunities. The program combines plenary sessions, seminars, discussion groups, and a service learning experience. The nation’s most outstanding community leaders, speakers, and educators present the most current and timely information available.
Applications must be submitted online and certified through 4-H CONNECT by April 16, 2012. Registration is open on 4-H Connect and will close on April 16th. There is not a fee for this application to be completed online. Interview selection of delegates will be made on the basis of the online application. If you would like more information please contact the Extension Office.
HOWARD COLLEGE GOAT AND LAMB CAMP
The 2012 Howard College Goat Showmanship Camp is set for June 3, 4, & 5, 2012 and the Lamb Showmanship Camp is set for June 10, 11, & 12, 2012. The charge for the camp is $85.00 per person which includes four meals and a camp tee shirt or cap. Add $20 per goat or lamb provided by Howard College. If possible bring your own goat or lamb for demonstration purposes. Participants must be at least 9 years old or entering the 3rd grade. If you want more information on these camps please contact the Extension Office.
BROWN COUNTY 4-H EQUIPMENT
Brown County 4-H has clippers, blowers, scales, and blocking tables available to 4-H members to check out for use to help prepare your animal for show. If you have or plan to check out equipment please make sure it is brought back to the Extension Office in a timely manner and in the condition you checked it out in. If you have equipment that you checked out from last show season please return it as soon as possible. We are taking inventory and preparing equipment for this show season.
TEXAS 4-H GOLF CHALLENGE CAMP
The Texas 4-H and Youth Development is pleased to offer the first ever Texas 4-H Golf Challenge Camp. This two day camp provides youth 12-18 an opportunity to take an in depth look at the major components that make up the Texas 4-H Golf Challenge (sports nutrition, golf course/turf grass management, and the rules and etiquette of golf). During this two day event, youth will work with Texas A&M Faculty and Staff as well as golf professionals to learn more about the program.
The camp will also give youth the opportunity to learn more about career opportunities related to the Golf Challenge and how to prepare for college. Lastly, youth will work with golf professionals to enhance their swing capabilities and compete in numerous skill activities. The event will take place April 27-29, 2012 in College Station. The cost to attend is $250 (includes lodging for two nights, meals, professional instruction, t-shirt, and golf instruction, transportation to and from locations). Registration is limited to the first 30 youth and will open February 1st on 4-H Connect. For more information you can contact the Extension Office.
CHS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The CHS Foundation is committed to investing in the future of rural America, agriculture, and cooperative business through education and leadership development. The CHS Foundation has a scholarship opportunity for graduating high school seniors pursuing an agricultural-related major at any two – or four-year college throughout the nation. You are encouraged to apply for one of 50 $1000 scholarships. If you are interested in applying contact the Extension Office for more information.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SOIL & CROP SCIENCES DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
If you are interested in attending Texas A&M University and pursuing a degree in Soil and Crop Sciences there is a scholarship opportunity available for you. Outstanding students are eligible for scholarships in amounts up to $8000. Deadline to apply is March 15th and you can apply at http://soilcrop.tamu.edu/scholarships.html. If you would like more information on this scholarship you can contact the Extension Office or contact Staci Frerich Recruitment Advisor at 361-290-0988.
BROWN COUNTY EE SCHOLARSHIP
Brown County EE offers a scholarship opportunity to a graduating senior from high school. If you are interested in applying for this scholarship you can come by the Extension Office and pick up an application. The deadline to apply is May 1st. If you would like more information contact the Extension Office.
PAST TEXAS 4-H COUNCIL MEMBERS SEARCH
The Texas 4-H Friends & Alumni Association, along with Ag Workers, Fuddruckers and AgTexas, will be co-hosting a reception in honor of the Past Texas 4-H Council Members in conjunction with Texas 4-H Roundup. The event is scheduled for Thursday, June 14th from 6-8 pm in Club Red of United Spirit Arena. That evening during the assembly we plan to recognize the 10, 20, 30, 40 (possibly 50, 60+) year reunion officer teams in attendance. If you are a past Texas 4-H Council member or know of someone who is please contact the Extension Office to be added to the invitation list.
4-H ENROLLMENT IS OPEN ON 4-H CONNECT!
August 1st started the enrollment process for the 2011-2012 4-H year in Texas. All 4-H families, new and returning, are encouraged to log in and enroll in order to become an official 4-H member. If you are wanting to become an adult leader or volunteer we encourage you to enroll for the 2011-2012 year. There is no cost for adult leaders or adult volunteers. As you enroll in 4-H for the year, here are some tips in using 4-H CONNECT:
- If you already have a profile DO NOT create another one!
- If you lost your email and password call the county office we can tell you your e-mail address and reset your password!
- To be an official 4-H member in Texas 4-H you must have an ACTIVE profile in 4-H CONNECT!
- An active membership will not be granted until the $25.00 participation fee is paid on 4-H Connect!
- You cannot register for an event until your profile is ACTIVE.
- When you are doing your re-enrollment for the 2011-2012 4-H Year please make sure you update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll!
Brown County 4-H is supported by Brown County United Way.
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners’ Courts of Texas Cooperating.
