State Senior Photography contest guidelines are up!!

The 2012 Texas 4-H Photography Contest rules and guidelines for the senior are up on the Texas 4-H Photography website.  Some of the changes for the 2012 contest include:

• Theme Category is TRAINS.  This theme allows 4-H members to take photos of all types of trains. The train theme includes both real and model trains. Photo subject must be either the engine or a train car. Photos of train accessories such as stations/depots, signs, tracks, etc are not allowed. 
• STORY BOARD has been added back as a category.
• Formatting of photos has been simplified.  In 2012 all photos must be able to be printed at a 300 dpi at a 3 X 5 inch size.  Max memory size of 1.5MB.
• Both entry form and uploading of photos will all be done on 4-H CONNECT.
• Time period for entry will be from April 1, 2012 to April 15, 2012.

The District IV 4-H Rules and Guidelines will be coming soon for the juniors, intermediate and senior division.

Junior Leadership Retreat

The Junior Leadership Retreat, November 11-13, 2011 at the 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood. Registration is open and can be accessed from the 4-H Center website texas4hcenter.tamu.edu  Just click on the Register Now button. Deadline to register is November 4.
 
Junior Leadership Retreat is the epitome of “youth teaching youth”. Members of the Texas 4-H Council serve as the coordinators of the weekend leadership retreat and facilitate all of the concurrent workshops. Junior and Intermediate level 4-H members have an opportunity on a state-wide basis to begin networking with other 4-H members while learning about new and exciting 4-H projects and opportunities. This year’s focus will be on Healthy Lifestyles, Outdoor Challenge, Record Keeping, Housing and Agricultural Products.
 
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the extension office.

Reminder-Paper Clover starts in one week!

We are just one week away from the fall 2011 Tractor Supply and Del’s Paper Clover promotion that begins on Wednesday, Sept. 21 and runs to Sunday, Oct. 2! This fundraiser is also a great way to promote your local activities around National 4-H Week October 2-8 and National Youth Science Day on October 5.

So get prepared to spread the word for everyone to go to tractor supply during this time to show their support. More info to come!!!

Honor Show Chow Livestock Clinic - September 24th

REMINDER!!! Dairy Goat Meeting Next Week

The first Dairy Goat club meeting this 4-H year is just around the milk pail.  Mark your calendar for this Monday, September 12 at 6:30 PM.  We will meet at the County Extension Office. 

If you have dairy goats or want to learn more about Dairy Goats come join the excitement.  At this first meeting we will have fun, hear goat stories and identify what needs each other has.  Our goal is to have fun and be prepared to raise our stock and for the upcoming shows.

James Craft, Dairy Goat Club Leader
crafttx@gmail.com

East Texas Show Star Series-Oct 22-23, 2011

The East Texas Show Star series clinic and prospect shows are intended to provided and educational opportunity for 4-H and FFA members participation in the livestock project area. The main purpose is to teach the basic principles of livestock management as they relate to facility maintenance, selection, nutrition, animal health, handling, show
showmanship and transportation.

Held at the Nacogdoches County Expo Center. Go to the above blog for more detailed information. The clinic is for beef cattle, sheep and goats.

Basic agenda-

Saturday, October 22
Quality Counts
Specie specific showmanship
Daily management & selection

Sunday, October 23
Each specie will have a show with two arenas.

Livestock Judging is starting up for 2011-2012!!!

A Note From Renee-Just wanted to let everyone know that the first official meeting and practice for anyone interested in livestock judging will be Thursday evening the 15th at 7PM. We will meet at the extension office there will be an information meeting for parents and a practice for the youth. Livestock Judging is open to all 4H members age 8 yrs old and in the 3rd grade through seniors in high school.

Dog Project School (workout) this Wednesday night

Doggie school will be held next Wed 9-7-11 at Dr. Sanders(Pet country Spa) in Terrell at 630p.
 
Sharon Peters has kindly offered to work with the kids as well. The heat has set us back this year. I would still like to work with Sharon. We would need to  find a day of the week that would work for everyone. We can use the park in Kaufman while the weather is good. I am hoping it will start to cool down after next week. I know Wednesdays are bad for most folks.  Shoot me an email if anyone would be interested in doing some training in the park and what day or days work best.    

From Dog Project leader
Stephanie Bazik

Hoppy New Year Rabbit show

The Hoppy New Year show will be held on January 7th 2012, in Santo Tx. They are currently looking for 9 belt buckle sponsors, the buckles cost $40 each to sponsor. In addition, they will award about $600 worth of plaques. So if you are showing rabbits this year put this show on your calendar.

Major Livestock Show Calf Scramble Information

Outlined below you will find general information on the Calf Scrambles at the 2012 Major Livestock Shows. Please pass this information to interested 4-H members for these calf scrambles.

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo – January 13 – February 4, 2012

- Purchase certificate value of $500

- Certificates used to purchase a breeding beef or dairy heifer

- Entry process

1.  You need to fill out the Calf Scramble entry application. Entry applications will be available on October 3, and must be returned by October 14, 2011.

2. Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Each County 4-H Program is limited to a maximum of six entries.

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo – February 9-26, 2012

- 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 2013 San Antonio Stock Show

- Entry process

1. Entry Application and Release and Indemnification Agreement are available at the extension office 

2. Completed Entry Applications and Release and Indemnification Agreements must be returned to the County Extension Office September 14, 2011.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – February 28 – March 18, 2012

- Purchase certificate value of $1,500

- Certificates used to purchase a breeding beef or dairy heifer or market steer

- Must show the animal in the 2013 Houston Livestock Show

- Entry process

1. Entry applications will be available at the County Extension Office October 3, 2011, and must be returned by October 14, 2011.

2. 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 9-24, 2012

- New format for 2012 – Ultimate Scramble Championship

- Purchase certificate value of at least $1000 while others could be awarded $1,500, $2,000, $2,500, or $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 2013 Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo.

- Entries begin January 15, 2012, through the extension office.

- Entry fee is $25.

San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo – Information will be provided in a future blog.

4-H County Council Meeting Monday Night - Sept 5th

The Kaufman County 4-H Council is meeting at 7 pm at the Extension Office on Monday, September 5th.  Agenda items include Commissioner's Breakfast, National 4-H Week and starting up the new 4-H year.  Please pass on to the youth officers representing your clubs.

2012 4-H Volunteer Conference Dates are Set!

Due to the huge success of the 2011 conference, the 4-H volunteer conference is becoming an annual event.

The dates for the 2012 4-H Volunteer Conference have been set. Mark your calendars - and share the date with your volunteers - for July 27th - 29th in San Antonio. The conference will kick-off on Friday, July 27th, with workshops being offered throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, the 28th and 29th. As plans are finalized and details are set, more information will be provided on the Texas 4-H Website and distributed through newsletters.

Plans for future conference locations, beyond 2012, include:

2013 - Dallas/Fort Worth
2014 - Lubbock

We hope you and your volunteers plan to join us!

One Day in 4-H

October 8, 2011 will be another great day for the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program, as that it is the date for the 2nd Annual one day 4-H event throughout our state.

one day 4-H is one day for all the 4-H members, parents, leaders, and volunteers to step out into their communities and county and say "thank you" by giving back for them more than 103 years of support to 4-H in Texas. This day of community service is what ever each 4-H members, club, or county 4-H Program wants it to be. It could be as simple as picking up trash and mowing the lawn for senior citizens to elaborate as hosting a 5K Walk/Run and raising money for a cause.

In 2010, more than 11,000 youth and adults participated in this great event, and in 2011 we know we can have 15,000! Do you accept the challenge? The challenge not just to be part of a great project, be with your friends, but the challenge to make a difference in your county and community!
How do you participate?:

4-H members and their clubs/county programs should start now (August/September) on identifying and planning a community service project.
Work to secure all the necessary supplies/equipment/resources to get the project done.
Advertise/market your project to locate media and others in the community so they will know the difference you, and 4-H, is making.
Sign your project up at the one day 4-H website
Conduct your project and then report your successes at the one day 4-H website.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED - Clovers & Cameras

The registration deadline for Clovers & Cameras: Texas 4-H Fall Photography Series has been extended through NEXT WEDNESDAY due to the new year and enrollment status’ changing. I have attached a flyer with more information. Please note that these workshops  will be held at the State 4-H Office in College Station.

Please consider distributing this to your 4-H families. This is a great opportunity for youth to improve their photography skills. However, it is also open to project leaders and volunteers. Any parents who wish to attend with their children must register as well. All registration will be done through 4-H Connect.