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

DATES TO REMEMBER

November

1 – Food Challenge Practice 4:30p.m. at Extension Office

3 – Major Stock Show Entry Night 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. at Extension   Office

3 – Brown County Council Meeting 5:30p.m. at the Extension Office

7 – Deadline to Order Brown County 4-H T-Shirts

7 – Brookesmith 4-H Club Meeting 6:00p.m. at Brookesmith ISD

8 – Deadline to Sign Up for Fort Worth Stock Show

8 – Bangs 4-H Club Meeting 6:00p.m. at Bangs ISD

9 – May 4-H Club Meeting 3:30p.m. at May ISD

11 – Extension Office Closed for Veterans Day

12 – Swine Validation 8:00a.m. – 10:00a.m. at Youth Fair Barns

14 – Major Stock Show Entry Night 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. at Extension Office

14 – Brownwood 4-H Club Meeting 6:00p.m. at Extension Office

17 – District 7 Food Show, Abilene, Texas

18 – Deadline to Sign Up for San Angelo, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston Stock Shows

BROWN COUNTY 4-H NEWS AND UPDATES

4-H FOOD CHALLENGE PRACTICE

If you are interested in participating in the 4-H Food Challenge contest you need to attend practice on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 4:30p.m. at the Extension Office. If you have any questions or need more information, please call Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

BROWN COUNTY 4-H COUNCIL MEETING

There is going to be a Brown County 4-H Council Meeting on Thursday, November 3rd, 5:30p.m. at the Extension Office. If you are a Council Delegate for your club, we would like to invite you to the meeting. For more information, contact Nick Gonzales.

MAJOR STOCK SHOW AND YOUTH FAIR ENTRY NIGHTS

Every year we have two nights in November that we designate for families who want to enter into the major stock shows and Brown County Youth Fair. The only way you can enter into the major stock shows is if you bought state tags. The two nights we are having stock show sign up is November 3rd and 14th from 5p.m. – 7p.m.

  • If you are planning on entering Ft. Worth, you will need to attend the night of November 3rd because the deadline to enter Ft. Worth Stock Show is November 8th.
  • The deadline to enter Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and San Angelo Stock Show is November 18th.
  • This will be your opportunity to enter the Brown County Youth Fair at this time. We are setting a deadline to enter the Youth Fair on November 30th.

BROWN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR CHECKLIST

The Brown County Youth Fair is approaching fast. Everyone should have your animals if you are planning on entering in the Livestock Division of the Youth Fair. There are a few other things that have to be done in order to participate in the Brown County Youth Fair. Below is a check list for you to go by to make sure you are covered.

– Enroll in 4-H

– Attend Validation (have your animal validated for county or state)

– Purchase a Youth Fair Membership (this is mandatory if you are entering livestock or     home economics)

– Fill out an entry form for the Brown County Youth Fair (Deadline to enter is November 30th)

** If you are showing horses, you and your horse must attend one of the two mandatory practices on Dec 4th or Dec 18th 2:00 p.m. at the Youth Fair Barns Show Arena. You will also need to have the proof of ownership papers or bill of sale, registration papers or 4-H certification form. All horses must have negative EIA test documentation.

4-H FOOD CHALLENGE PRACTICE

If you are interested in participating in the 4-H Food Challenge contest you need to attend practice on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 4:30p.m. at the Extension Office. If you have any questions or need more information, please call Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

FOOD & NUTRITION QUIZ BOWL

If you are interested in participating in Food & Nutrition Quiz Bowl, please contact the Extension Office. The district contest will be November 8th in Coleman, Texas. For more information, contact the Brown County Extension Office.

SHOW YOUR 4-H PRIDE

Brown County 4-H is selling 4-H t-shirts. Shirts will be available in short sleeve ($15) and long sleeve ($22). Proceeds from t-shirt sales will benefit Brown County 4-H.

Show your Brown County 4-H pride by ordering your shirt today! For more information, contact the Brown County Extension Office.

SWINE COUNTY AND STATE VALIDATION

It is that time to start getting ready for the Brown County Youth Fair and Major Stock Shows. The most important step in doing this is validating your animals. Swine validation will be held on November 12th 8:00a.m. – 10:00a.m. at the Brown County Youth Fair Barns. There will not be a county validation make up day! If you are planning on participating in the Brown County Youth Fair, you need to make sure your animal is present the day of validation!! If you ordered state tags and have not paid for them, please come by the Extension Office ASAP!!  YOU MUST BE ENROLLED IN 4-H BEFORE THE DATE OF VALIDATION!!!

ZEPHYR FFA CLASSIC

Zephyr FFA is hosting a two-day livestock show on November 5th and 6th at the Brown County Youth Fair Grounds. The cost to enter is $20 per species. Buckles will be awarded to grand champions, director chairs to reserve grand champions, custom insulated cups to breed champions and there will be added money to champions. There will also be a jackpot showmanship. You are responsible for bringing your own shavings. Below is the schedule of the shows:

Friday November 4th

Barns open at 7:00p.m. for lambs, goats, and cattle

Saturday November 5th

Check in 6:30a.m. – 8:30a.m.

Show starts 10:00a.m.

  • Ring A: Lambs & Goats
  • Ring B: Heifers & Steers

*Barns will be open all day to bring swine

Sunday November 6th Swine Show

Check in 6:30a.m. – 8:30a.m.

Show starts 10:00a.m.

For more information, contact Michael Hunter at 903-617-7608.

QUALITY COUNTS VERIFICATION

Texas has the largest number of 4-H and FFA livestock projects in the nation. Young people participate at the county, district, regional and state level. The tremendous support and dedication of livestock show officials help make this possible. With this opportunity comes a responsibility for each exhibitor to learn and demonstrate the highest standards, both in personal character and in the feeding and care of their animals. “Quality Counts” is designed to teach young people the importance of displaying good character in carrying out livestock projects, and in every aspect of their lives. “Quality Counts” helps them learn the importance of using proper livestock management practices so that food quality and safety are preserved.

*If you are planning on participating at any major livestock show you will need a Quality Counts Verification number. This number can be obtained by successfully passing the online exam. Quality Counts website can be found on the Brown County 4-H home page http://www.brown.agrilife.org. If you have taken it already then your number will still be valid. It will not be valid if you turned 14 years old before August 1st of this year; therefore, you will need to take the senior exam. If you have any questions or think you might have to take the exam again, please contact Nick Gonzales.

2017 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship

The Texas 4-H Youth Development Program and the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation is once again pleased to offer to our senior high school 4-H members and current college students the opportunity to apply for an Opportunity Scholarship through the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation.  This year Texas 4-H members can apply for scholarships in three areas, baccalaureate, courageous heart, and technical. Former Texas 4-H members will be able to apply for scholarships through the collegiate scholarship program. Information can be received through the Brown County Extension Office or downloaded from the Texas 4-H website at:  texas4-h.tamu.edu 
Changes for the 2017 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship Process

  • Scores from the Old (Jan 2016 or Before) and the New (Mar 2016 or After) of the SAT test will be accepted, as well as ACT scores.
  • Any youth receiving a Terry Scholarship are NOT eligible to receive a Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship.

Due Dates:
October, 2016

  • Release of 2017 Application
  • Applicant can start completing FAFSA and receive report

December, 2016

  • Tentative Scholarship Training
  • December 29th first draft due for review to County Office

January 30, 2017

  • Final draft of application due to County Office

February 3, 2017

  • Applications due to District Office

February 17, 2017

  • Applications due to State 4-H Office

April 14, 2017

  • Interview selection notification

May 5-7, 2017

  • Interviews in College Station, Texas

If you would like more information on the training’s or scholarship, please contact Nick Gonzales.

2017 CALF SCRAMBLES

MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOW CALF SCRAMBLE INFORMATION

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo – January 13 – February 4, 2017

  • Purchase certificate value of $500
  • Certificates used to purchase a breeding beef or dairy heifer
  • All applicants must be 14, 15, 16, or 17 years of age as of January 1, 2017 and not beyond their junior year of high school.
  • Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. After all the positions have been filled, the remaining applications will be kept on file and used on an as needed basis. Each County 4-H Program is limited to a maximum of six entries.

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo – February 9-February 26, 2017

Purchase certificate value of $800

  • Certificates used to purchase an animal in these Junior Breeding Departments – Beef, Dairy, Swine, Sheep, or Goat
  • Must show the animal in the 2018 San Antonio Stock Show
  • Contestant must have reached their 12th, but not their 18th birthday on January 1, 2017 and not be enrolled beyond their junior year in high school.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – March 7 – March 26, 2017

Purchase certificate value of $1750

  • Certificates used to purchase a breeding beef heifer or market steer
  • Must show the animal in the 2018 Houston Livestock Show
  • Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. After all the positions have been filled, the remaining applications will be kept on file and used on an as needed basis.

San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo – February 4, 5, 11, 2017

  • Limited to first 80 entries
  • 20 students compete in 4 separate scrambles
  • A purchase certificate will be issued to each of the top 10 contestants catching a calf in one of the four go-arounds.
  • FINALS: Top 16 Contestants come back! (Top 4 in each go-round)
  • Top 8 in Finals receive scholarships
  • Places 9-16 receive additional $250 purchase certificate.
  • Must be 13 years of age but no older than 18 by February 1, 2017

If you are planning on participating in any of the other calf scrambles, please contact Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

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

The enrollment process for the 2016-2017 4-H year will begin August 15, 2016. 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 2016-2017 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 1st 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 1st deadline.
  • For any youth who is joining 4-H in 2016-2017 for the first time as a 3rd grader we ask for you NOT TO ENROLL until September 1st.  September 1st is actual first day of the new 4-H year and what is used to calculate grade/age.  If a 2nd grader moving into 3rd grade enrolls before September 1st it will “tag” them as a Clover Kid, not charge an enrollment fee and lock them in as a Clover Kid for the year.

Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll because after October 31st 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.