Brown County 4-H News and Notes

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

DATES TO REMEMBER

October

5-11 – National 4-H Week

7 – Brookesmith 4-H Club Meeting 6:30p.m. at Brookesmith ISD

11 – Early 4-H Bake Sale 9:00a.m. at Early Blooms and Things

13 – Food & Nutrition Orientation Meeting 5:30p.m. at Extension Office

13 – Extension Office Closed for Columbus Day

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

14 – Bangs 4-H Club Meeting 6:30p.m. at Bangs FCS Classroom

15 – Deadline for Calf Scrambles

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

18 – County and State Goat Validation 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. at Youth Fair Barns

20 – 4-H Proclamation at Commissioners’ Court

20 – Horse Club Meeting 6:00p.m. at Extension Office

21 – Rabbit Club Meeting 7:00 at Extension Office

27 – Deadline to Sign Up for Brown County 4-H Food Show

NATIONAL 4-H WEEK (OCTOBER 5^th-11^th)

Welcome to the 2014-2015 4-H year and what a great year it is going to be in 4-H in Brown County!  The 4-H Program is nationwide youth development program that has more than 6.5 million youth involved in it annually. Administered in Texas by the A&M AgriLife Extension Service of the Texas A&M System, 4-H serves youth in all 254 counties in the state through a network of 250 County Extension Offices. 4-H is managed jointly by both a professional and volunteer staff. Texas 4-H, the largest 4-H program in the country, has more than 660,000 youth participants and more than 32,800 volunteers working together to deliver the more than 95 projects, opportunities, and events offered annually through the program.

4-H is unique in that it offers experiences to the most urban young person and youth in rural areas by providing the opportunity to participate in community 4-H clubs, learning experiences in school classrooms, day and overnight camps, and other special interest opportunities. We are proud of more than 105 years of providing life development opportunities and look forward to the future and the opportunities it brings for our program and our youth.

Our local clubs are encouraged to promote 4-H within our community during National 4-H Week. For resources to help with your promotion the website is http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/4hweek.

4-H PROCLAMATION

National 4-H Week will be October 5^th through the 11^th.4-Hers will have an opportunity to meet with the Brown County Commissioners, on Monday October 20^th at 8am, to have them sign our proclamation and visit with them about what Brown County 4-Hers have accomplished. We would like to see as many 4-Hers there as possible to show our thanks for the support Brown County has given us.

We will meet here at the Extension Office on Monday October 20^th at 8am, to assemble a basket of baked items to present the commissioners. Therefore, your help will be needed in baking these items and bringing them to the Extension Office the morning of the event. So if you are interested in participating contact the Extension Office by MondayOctober 13^th. We will provide excused absent letters to your school if you would like to participate.

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 eventuntil 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!!

4-H PAPER CLOVER FUNDRAISER AT TRACTOR SUPPLY: OCTOBER 8^TH – 19^TH

Customers at our local Tractor Supply can support Brown County 4-H by purchasing paper clovers at checkout. All funds raised will be donated to 4-H, and over 70% will remain in Brown County.

Our local Tractor Supply Co. has been one of the top money raisers in this region since the Paper Clover fundraiser started; so let’s help them become number one in the state, while supporting Brown County 4-H at the same time during this fundraiser.

4-H FOOD AND NUTRITION ORIENTATION MEETING

It is that time to start thinking about upcoming 4-H projects and contest. If you are interested in participating in 4-H Food Challenge and/or 4-H Food Show there will be an orientation on Monday October 13, 2014, 5:30p.m. at the Extension Office.  For more information contact Kim Miles at the Extension Office.

BROWN COUNTY 4-H FOOD SHOW

The 2014 Brown County 4-H Food Show is set for November 1^st, 2:00p.m. at the Extension Office. If you are interested in participating please RSVP by October 27^th. For more information please contact Kim Miles at 325-646-0386.

HORSE CLUB MEETING OCTOBER 20^TH

The Horse Club will be having a meeting on October 20, 2014, 6:00p.m. at the Extension Office. Come learn basics of horse care, riding, advance lessons for all ages, play days, horse shows, equipment care, and horse nutrition. For more information contact the Extension Office.

TREAT

The District 7 4-H Horse Project Development Committee is participating in the Annual TREAT(Tarleton Equine Assisted Therapy) Special Kids Rodeo at Tarleton State University on October 28^th at 9:30a.m.-2:30p.m.. This is open to any 4-H member who is interested in working with kids that have special needs, who have a love for horses. 4-Hers will assist with this event by leading and side walking for horse rides, face painting, serving food, manning the petting area and assisting with several other events.. If you are interested in participating in the TREAT please RSVP with the Extension Office by October 20^th.  If you would like more information contact Nick Gonzales at 325-646-0386.

LOOKING FOR LIVESTOCK PROJECTS???

The time is near to have your livestock project if you plan on participating at the Youth Fair or major livestock shows. If you are planning on showing a goat, lamb, or swine and need help with your project or selecting your project please contact Nick Gonzales.

LAMB, GOAT, AND 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. Lamb validation will be October 18^th8:00a.m.- 10:00a.m., Goat Validation October 18^th 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m., and Swine validation November8^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!!!

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 3^rdand 17^th from 5p.m. – 7p.m..

• If you are planning on entering Ft. Worth you will need to attend the night of November 3^rdbecause the deadline to enter Ft. Worth Stock Show is November 7^th.
• The deadline to enter Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and San Angelo Stock Show is November 21^st.
• 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 1^st.

JUNIOR LEADERSHIP RETREAT 2014

Junior Leadership Retreat features Texas 4-H Council members conducting hands-on educational workshops with younger 4-H members. Don’t miss out on a weekend full of fun and exciting activities.

This year, the program will focus on increasing your knowledge and skills in five

4-H project opportunities. Projects include healthy lifestyles, photography judging, AG issues, parliamentary procedure/ Leaders 4 Life and public speaking. Make sure you bring a rock for the Texas Star Ceremony on Saturday night!

State 4-H Council members take pride in showcasing their creativity at the Saturday Night Theme Dance! The theme is “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. Don’t miss out on this fabulous costume party. All of the State Council Members will be in costume, join them!Join us for a weekend full of fun and exciting activities.

WHO: 4-H members ages 9-14 (and Adult Chaperones)

WHAT: State level leadership development program

WHERE: Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood

WHEN: Friday November 7 arrive 7:30-8:30 p.m. through Sunday,

November 9 depart by 11:00 a.m.

COST: $115for youth, $80for Adult Chaperones (includes two

nights lodging, four meals, two evening snacks and program fees)

To register go to the 4-H Center website: texas4hcenter.tamu.edu click on Register Nowlink. Registration will open September8^th – November 3^rd.

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.

2015 CALF SCRAMBLES

MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOW CALF SCRAMBLE INFORMATION

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo – January 16 – February 7, 2015

• 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, 2015 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 12-March 1, 2015

• 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 2016 San Antonio Stock Show
• Contestant must have reached their 12^th, but not their 18^th birthday on January 1, 2015 and not be enrolled beyond their junior year in high school.
• Completed Entry Applications and Release and Indemnification Agreements must be returned to the Brown County Extension Office by October 15, 2014.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – March 3 – March 22, 2015

Purchase certificate value of $1,500

• Certificates used to purchase a breeding beef heifer or market steer
• Must show the animal in the 2016 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.

Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo – March 21, 2015

Ultimate Scramble Championship, one day event, March 21, 2015

• Purchase certificate value of at least $1,000 – $5,000
• Certificates used to purchase market steer, market lamb, market goat, market barrow, breeding heifer, or breeding goat.
• Must show the animal in the 2016 Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo.
• Entry fee is $30.
• 114 scramble spots first come first serve (spots fill up fast)
• Opens October 1^st and the County Extension Agent must enter the 4-Her

San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo – February 14, 15, 21, 2015

• 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, 2015

If you are planning on participating in the Star of Texas Ultimate Calf Scramble the entry date is October 1^st. This is A one day only entry.

If you are planning on participating in any of the other calf scrambles please contact Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office by October 15^th!

2014-15 Texas State Preservation Board 4-H and FFA Photography Contest

The Texas State Preservation Board in partnership with the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program are pleased to present an annual photography contest for members of the Texas 4-H and FFA Programs. This photography contest allows 4-H and FFA members to showcase Texas Agriculture through photos.

A select number of the photographs will be displayed in the Texas State Capitol Agriculture Museum starting in January 2015 before the opening of the Legislative Session. Selected photographs will feature a place card with the photographer’s name, city, and age. Photos will remain on display for one year in the Agriculture Museum.

Entry Period:  September 19, 2014 to December 10, 2014

Entry Location:  http://fs4.formsite.com/state4h/4hffa/index.html

All rules and guidelines are posted on each of the respective contest sites. Contest and project resources can also be found http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_photography.

If you would like more information contact Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

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