Brown County 4-H News and Notes

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

DATES TO REMEMBER

November

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

5 – May 4-H Club Meeting 5:30p.m. at May ISD Ag Classroom

7 – Food Challenge Practice 5:30p.m. at Extension Office

7 – County Council Meeting 5:30p.m. at Extension Office

8 – Deadline to Enter Fort Worth Stock Show

9 – County and State Swine Validation 8:00a.m. – 10:00a.m. at Youth Fair Barns

11 – Extension Office Closed for Veterans Day

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

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

14 – Food Challenge Practice 5:30p.m. at Extension Office

17 – Sheep Club Meeting 6:00p.m. at Glasscock Farms

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

19 – Rabbit Club Meeting 7:00p.m. at Extension Office

20 – Deadline to Enter All Major Stock Shows

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

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 4^th and 18^th from 5p.m. – 7p.m..

• If you are planning on entering Ft. Worth you will need to attend the night of November 4^th because the deadline to enter Ft. Worth Stock Show is November 8^th.
• The deadline to enter Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and San Angelo Stock Show is November 20^th.
• 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 December 2^nd.

Brown County 4-H Goat Showmanship Series –November 2^nd, & 23^rd

Make plans to attend our most popular annual showmanship series, where exhibitors can gather information and practice building showmanship skills. The first two of three workshops will be held from 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.at the Brown County Youth Fair Barns and hosted by Brown County’s 4-H & Youth Development Extension Agent Nick Gonzales, and Goat Mentors Gayland and Garrett Miller. The series will conclude with a preshow clinic and jackpot show in Ballinger Texas on November 23^rd. Please RSVP by calling the Extension Office @ 325-646-0386

SUPPLY LIST

• November 2^nd – Bring Your Goat
• $10 for anyone not registered as a Brown County 4-H member

County Council and Brown County 4-H Show Meeting

Thursday November 7^th 5:30 P.M. at the Extension office we will have our county council and Brown County 4-H Show meeting. Since, Our Annual Brown County 4-H show is December 14^th we need to start planning for this event. We are looking for Adult Leaders to be in charge of weigh and check-in for each livestock specie the day of the show. The species that will be showing are: Market Goats, Market Lambs, Market Swine, Rabbits, Steers, and Heifers. If you would like to have input on awards or just help with the show please attend this meeting.

We will also be discussing community service projects for December. So please join the Brown County 4-H Council for our November meeting.

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 December 2^nd)

** If you are showing horses, you and your horse must attend one of the two mandatory practices on Dec 1st or Dec 15th 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.

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 1^st 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.

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 November9^th 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!!!

DISTRICT 7 LIVESTOCK CLINIC & JACKPOT SHOW

The District 7 4-H Sheep & Goat, Swine and Beef Project Development Committees are sponsoring a Livestock Clinic and Jackpot Show on Saturday, November 23, 2013. The clinic and show will be held at the Runnels County Show Barn/Ballinger Community Center in Ballinger, Texas.

The Livestock Clinic will begin at 10:00a.m. and the show will begin at 12:00p.m.. The cost to enter the Jackpot Show is $10 per entry and there is no limit to how many animals you may enter into the show. YOUTH MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE LIVESTOCK CLINIC TO ENTER AND EXHIBIT IN THE JACKPOT SHOW! If you are interested in participating and would like more information contact Nick Gonzales.

MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOW CALF SCRAMBLE INFORMATION

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo – January 17 – February 8, 2014

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, 2014 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.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – March 4 – March 23, 2014

Purchase certificate value of $1,500

• Certificates used to purchase a breeding beef heifer or market steer
• Must show the animal in the 2015 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 15, 16, 22, 23, 2013

• 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, 2014

If you are interested in participating in San Antonio calf scramble please contact the Brown County Extension Agent, Nick Gonzales, as soon as possible. Deadline October 15^th.

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

SCHOLARSHIP TRAINING

District 7 is holding three scholarship trainings on December 3 – Tom Green County 4-H Building, December 10 – Taylor County Extension Office, and December 17 – Llano County Extension Officefor those who are interested in applying for the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Opportunity Scholarship. All trainings will be from 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.

Below is a list of due dates and deadlines for 2014 Scholarship process.

October, 2013                         Release of 2014 Application

November – January               Scholarship Trainings (Some online)

November – December           Applicant complete FAFSA and receive report

Set by County Office             Application due to County Office

February 7, 2014                     Applications due to District Office

February 21, 2014                   Applications due to State 4-H Office

April 11, 2014                         Interview selection notification

May 9-11, 2014                       Interviews (Austin, TX)
June 9, 2014                            Awards Program/Banquets(College Station, TX)

If you would like more information on the trainings or scholarship please contact Nick Gonzales.

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

The enrollment process for the 2013-2014 4-H yearhas started. All 4-H families, new and returning, are encouraged to log in and enroll in order to become an official 4-H member. Our goal is to have 110 members enrolled in 4-H by October 31^st.

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 eventuntil your profile is ACTIVE.
• When you are doing your re-enrollment for the 2013-2014 4-H Year please make sure you update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.
• You can use your Spaghetti Luncheon 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, 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