Brown County 4-H News and Notes

Brown County 4-H is supported by the Brown County United Way

DATES TO REMEMBER

March

2 – Photography Workshop 5:00p.m. at Extension Office

3 – Bangs 4-H Club Meeting 6:00p.m. at Bangs ISD FCS Classroom

5 – Duds To Dazzle Practice 5:30p.m. at Extension Office

8 – Shooting Sports Practice 2:00p.m. at Woodman of the World

10- Brownwood 4-H Club Meeting 6:30p.m. at Extension Office

24 – Early 4-H Club Meeting 6:30p.m. at Early First Baptist Church

BROWN COUNTY 4-H NEWS AND UPDATES

BROWN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR CHECKS

The checks for the Brown County Youth Fair are available for you to pick up at the Brown County Extension Office.  A thank you letter should be written to each buyer who contributed towards your project. Make sure that it is stamped and 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. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHECKS ARE ONLY VALID FOR 90 DAYS.

GOAT/LAMB TRUCK CHECKS

If you put your goat or lamb on the truck at the Brown County Youth Fair the truck checks are available for you to pick up at the Extension Office. If you have any questions contact the Extension Office

MAJOR STOCK SHOW PASSES

The Houston and Austin Stock Show passes have arrived. Participants may pick up their passes at the Extension Office. If you have signed up for any of these shows and are NOT going to be participating or have any other questions please contact Nick Gonzales.

Photography Workshop Series

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. We are very excited for the opportunity to have photographer Megan Hurt join us this year to share her photography techniques. The first workshop will be Monday, March 2^nd 5:00pm at the Extension Office. Megan will be presenting an introduction to photography. Please bring your camera, digital cameras are preferred. If you have any questions please contact the Extension office.

4-H Clothing & Textiles Project Opportunities:

Spring time involves many 4-H projects to include Clothing & Textiles.  The fashion show includes construction and buying divisions.  There’s also the Fashion Story Board contest and the newest addition Duds to Dazzle.  The Duds to Dazzle contest is patterned after the Food Challenge.  It is a team event where teams of up to 5 members have 1 hour to turn a “dud” into a “dazzle” with a sewing kit and a furnished supply closet. Design categories are wearable, accessory/jewelry and non-wearable.   The team is also responsible for giving a 5 minute presentation to a panel of judges. It is not too late to sign up for Duds Dazzle, we are still needing team members for all age divisions. If you are interested please contact Kim Miles.

Contest dates for fashion show, fashion story board and Duds to Dazzle are as follows:

Duds to Dazzle Contest for all age divisions – April 7 in Coleman

Fashion Show & Fashion Story Board for senior age division – May 2 in San Angelo

Fashion Show & Fashion Story Board for junior & intermediate age division – July 21 in San Angelo

If you are interested in participating in any of the 4-H Clothing & Textiles Project Opportunities, please contact Kim Miles at the Brown County Extension Office.

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FROM BROWN COUNTY FARM BUREAU

Graduating seniors in Brown County now have the opportunity to apply for a college scholarship through Brown County Farm Bureau. April 1, 2015 is the deadline to apply. Students or their family must be new or current Brown County Farm Bureau members. Applications can be picked up at the Brown County Farm Bureau Office located on HWY 377 South in Brownwood.

2015 Texas Pork Leadership Camp

Texas Pork Leadership Camp is set for June 21-26, 2015. It is an intense, progressive and thought provoking week, full of activities, tours and presentations featuring all aspects of the pork production industry from Farm to Fork! You’ll have the opportunity to visit with world leading commercial hog operations, top Universities & industry professionals and tour large scale harvesting and pork processing plants.

ELIGIBILITY:

1. 4-H or FFA members who are 16-18 years old and not in college yet.

2. Have a definite interest in the pork industry.

3. Are willing to learn, grow and be an advocate for the swine industry.

4. Interested in devoting five days of long hours to meeting interesting people and gaining a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the Texas and US pork industry.

5. Must be approved by a selection process that will include evaluation of the written application and interviews. (In-person and/or by telephone)

6. If accepted, students must complete online PQA Plus training before arriving for camp

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT and HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES:

Each individual participating in the camp will be required to give individual oral presentations as well as working together as a team on projects. Each student will participate in media training and give an on camera interview. They will also be required to participate in a final discussion at the end of the camp answering questions prepared by other campers and staff. The camp leaders will provide assistance for all of these activities. Individual and team participation throughout all activities and tours. Students should not register for this camp if the they are not eager and serious about learning and participating in these public speaking and meat processing activities.

COST:

A $350 fee will be required for each participant, paid upon acceptance to participate. Do not send fee with application. All other expenses, except for transportation to and from camp, will be assumed by the Texas Pork Producers Association. Participants may want some money for personal spending. If you have problems with the fee, please call your County Extension Agent or Agricultural Science Instructor for a possible fee scholarship from the county 4-H or FFA program.

APPLICATIONS:

An application form for prospective participants is included. Please feel free to duplicate as many as necessary to permit all interested 4-H and FFA members to apply. Candidates should fax their application directly to the Texas Pork Producers Association at 512-451-5536 and mail the application to TPPA, P.O. Box 10168, Austin, TX 78766. Applicants will also be interviewed by phone or in person prior to selection. Application Deadline: April 1, 2015.

4-H HORSE VALIDATION – MARCH 1^st TO MAY 1^st

Validation is required for showing at district or state horse shows, and its

purpose is to certify that ownership requirements have been met. The horse MUST be owned solely by the 4-H member, his/her parents (biological or stepparents), brother, sister, grandparents, or legal guardian. Horses under lease to, but not owned by any of the named persons, do NOT qualify. Horses owned in partnership or jointly with any person other than those previously listed do NOT meet ownership requirements. The horse validation process will be completed electronically using the 4-H Connect online management system.

All 4-H members who wish to show at their District Show or the State 4-H Horse Show will be REQUIRED to validate their horse(s) on the 4-H Connect system. Horse validation is completed for EACH HORSE and will cover all 4-H youth members in that family profile. When validating your horse(s) on 4-H Connect, you will select ONLY ONE 4-H youth member to conduct the validation under. Once a horse is validated, validation paid, and you begin registering for the District Horse Show, the validated horse(s) can be moved to the appropriate 4-H member(s) that will be exhibiting the horse in the show.

Validation will be open from March 1^st to MAY 1^st. Any horse validated before or after this date will NOT be accepted. An illustrated step-by-step instruction guide for families is available for download and reference on both the Texas 4-H website (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/) and the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science – Equine Science website (http://animalscience.tamu.edu/academics/equine/state-4h-show/). Validation cost for each horse is $10.00 from March 1^st – April 15^th. From April 16^th – May 1^st validation cost for each horse is $20.00. Credit Card will be the only acceptable form of payment. If you have any questions please contact Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

YOUTH HORSEMANSHIP CLINICS

Two youth horsemanship clinics will be held at the Earl Q Wilson Arena in Brownwood. Mrs. Laramie Terry will be the instructor. All clinics will focus on proper riding positions, proper use of equipment and safety. The clinics costs $60 each with discounts available.

March 14^th – Horsemanship & Basic Riding

March 21^st – Beginner Barrel Racing

The clinics will be from 8a.m.-5p.m.. They are sponsored by Brown County 4-H Horse Club. For more information contact Anna Hernandez at 325-217-2018.

TEXAS 4-H RECIPE RALLY

In the Recipe Rally, 4-H members are challenged with selecting, creating and/or altering a recipe and submitting a video of them demonstrating the preparation of the recipe. Recipes should be a healthy main dish that ties to the theme “Bringing Texas to the Table.”

Guidelines – Video Submission

• The rally is open to any intermediate and senior 4-H members.
• Entries can be individual only.
• The theme for 2015 is “Bringing Texas to the Table.”
• Recipes selected for entry should be a main dish item and tied to this theme.
• All videos submitted will compete against each other for selection to be a part of Dinner Tonight with Texas 4-H Cooking School.
• Videos must be submitted by uploading to YouTube by the designated deadline. The direct link must be provided when the 4-H member completes the online entry form, available at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/healthy_lifestyles
• Instructions on uploading a video to You Tube are available on the Texas 4-H Healthy Lifestyles webpage.
• Videos should be no longer than eight (8) minutes.
• Due to the time limit of the video submission, some food items may be prepared ahead of time (for example, chop onions ahead of time and have them ready for video demonstration).
• 4-H members may only enter a video one time. Multiple video submissions will not be accepted.
• 4-H members may submit a video entry at any time throughout the 4-H year. However, the official deadline for all online entries will be April 1, 2015.
• Sample videos are available online at:

http://healthyliving.tamu.edu and

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/healthy_lifestyles

4-H HAS TALENT COMPETITION

Sing a song, do a dance, tell a joke or just do something unusual! Get the chance to show your skills on stage in front of nearly 4,000 fellow 4-H’ers, parents, volunteers, and 4-H faculty.

How to Enter:

• Submissions must be uploaded to http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/4htalent/

(All links made public)

• Submissions must be appropriate for 4-H youth.

• Submissions must not exceed 5 minutes.

• Intermediate and Senior aged 4-H members are allowed to participate in this contest.

• Teams may be one age category or a combination of both intermediates and seniors.

• An individual and/or team (max 7 members) may only submit one video.

• 5 finalists will be selected by an expert panel of judges.

• Those 5 finalists will then have the opportunity to perform on Tuesday, June 9, 2015

at the evening assembly at Reed Arena at Texas A&M University.

• After all performances, the audience will have the opportunity to vote via text messages to     select their winner.

• Top two entries selected at Roundup will win cash awards.

Deadline for submission is April 1, 2015. Please contact Nick Gonzales for more information.

4-H National Anthem Competition

Texas 4-H Roundup will showcase three 4-H members or groups of 4-H members each day for the singing of the National Anthem during the General Assemblies. Information for the applicant is below.

How to Enter:

• Submissions must be uploaded to http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/anthem/

• All submissions MUST BE POSTED TO YouTube (All links made public).

• Entries may be submitted on an individual basis or as a group.

• Groups cannot be made up of more than four (4) members. Three individuals/teams will be selected to

perform one at each assembly held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

• Individuals/teams will be announced May 8, 2015.

• Open to all 4-H members regardless of age (9-19).

• 4-H member does not have to be a contest participant of Texas 4-H Roundup.

• YouTube Video must be of the individual or group (up to four 4-H members) singing the          National Anthem.

• Singing must be in a capella style (no music).

• If selected to sing during Texas 4-H Roundup, performance will be done a capella.

• Videos will be evaluated by a panel of judges with music experience.

• If selected to sing participants must be registered on 4-H Connect.

• Roundup staff will be selecting the nights that the individuals/groups will be performing.

Deadline for submission is May 1, 2015. Please contact Nick Gonzales for more information.

HOWARD COLLEGE GOAT AND LAMB CAMP

The 2015 Howard College Goat Showmanship Camp is set for June 14, 15, & 16, 2015 and the Lamb Showmanship Camp is set for June 7, 8, & 9, 2015. The charge for the camp is $85.00 per person which includes four meals and a camp tee shirt or cap. Add $50 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 3^rd grade. If you want more information on these camps please contact the Extension Office

Texas Brigades Wildlife Camps

The Texas Brigades offers five types of outdoor camps for our youth. Each camp not only teaches the cadets about wildlife conservation, but also about how to become a leader in today’s society. Cadets will learn about plant ID, shooting and angling skills, radio telemetry, public speaking, and even television and radio interview skills.

What Are The Qualifications?

All students with an interest in biology, wildlife, fisheries, conservation, or the outdoors are encouraged to apply. You must be 13-17 years of age and you should also be willing to commit to conducting a minimum of three educational programs when you return home.
How Many Cadets Are At The Camp?

Each camp is a little different because of facilities. There will be 20-30 cadets at each.
Where Will The Camps Be Held?

• Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade, June 13-17 – Centennial Lodge, Coleman, TX
• South Texas Buckskin Brigade, June 14-18 – Southern Star Ranch, Uvalde, TX
• South Texas Bobwhite Brigade, June 26-30 – Buck Horn Creek Ranch, McCoy, TX
• Bass Brigade, July 7-11 – Warren Ranch, Santa Anna, TX
• Ranch Brigade, July 14-18, Warren Ranch, Santa Anna, TX
• North Texas Buckskin Brigade, July 19-23 – El Escondrijo, San Angelo, TX
• Waterfowl Brigade, July 19-23 – BigWoods on the Trinity, Tennessee Colony, TX

How Do I Apply?

Applications may be completed online or downloaded at http://www.texasbrigades.org. For more information, contact Helen Holdsworth at hholdsworth@texas-wildlife.org or Zelina Alvarado at zalvardo@texas-wildlife.org or call 855-TXBRIGS (855-892-7447). Registration deadline is March 16^th.

Is There A Fee?

Yes. The fee is $400, which covers meals, lodging, and supplies. The Brigades will help you locate a sponsor if requested. Don’t let money stop you from applying! We will help you find financial assistance.

4-H ENROLLMENT IS OPEN ON 4-H CONNECT!

The enrollment process for the 2014-2015 4-H year will begin August 15, 2014. All 4-H families, new and returning, are encouraged to log in and enroll in order to become an official 4-H member.

As you begin your enrollment 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 so we can reset it for you.
• An active membership will not be granted until the $20.00 participation fee is paid on 4-H   Connect!
• You cannot register or participate in an event until your profile is ACTIVE.
• When you are doing your re-enrollment for the 2014-2015 4-H Year please make sure you update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.
• You can use your Fundraiser Voucher to pay your membership dues. To do this you will have to come into the extension office to enroll.
• We are updating our e-mail database on November 1^st so if you are not enrolled by then you will no longer receive newsletters updates via e-mail. Unless you notify the Extension Office prior to November 1^st deadline.

Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll because after October 31^st the cost increases to $25!!

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.