Texas Rabbit ExtravaganzaResults

Kaufman County 4-H'ers had a great time at the Texas Rabbit Extravaganza held in Bell County.  Abby Celella, Hannah Celella, Katlin Lumpkin, Elizabeth, Isaac Stecher, Rueben Stecher, and Benjiman.

Abby received a 2nd for Hands On Judging, and a 2nd with her Dutch Buck.

Elizabeth had Best of Breed and Best Opposite for the day  (WAY TO GO!!)  And best dressed Intermediate division.

Hannah was 2nd in Intermediate Showmanship.

Katlin Lumpkin won Senior Division Best Dressed and was 5th with her Mini Rex.

And Benjimin was 1st with his Solid Holland buck.

Way to go 4-H'ers!!!!

County Liners November meeting

On Tuesday, November the 17^th, the County Liners 4-H Club met for their November meeting. The roll call question was, “Who is your favorite author.” Isaac Stecher led the pledge to the American Flag; Carson Webster led the pledge to the Texas Flag; and Clark Eastridge led the pledge to the 4-H Flag. For member involvement, Hannah Lee talked about how she likes playing the piano and sharing music with others. Paige Salinas plans to go to cosmetology school as she enjoys doing hair and nails. Tyler Webster shared with the club his goal of attending a leadership camp this next year and how he wants to become an Air Force pilot.

Left: Paige Salinas describes her hobbies and interests to the club

 For our first game of recreation we were split into groups and one member of the group had to draw something on paper from a given list, and the other members had to guess what he was drawing.

Right: the groups aggressively try to beat each other in this fun game!

After discussing details for service hours, Quentin Gravelle did a presentation of chickens, and how to show and care for them.  He talked to us the different breeds of chickens there were, mentioning the phoenix, which was the breed of chicken he presented to us. He told us about how to be presentable for shows, and what different categories and types of shows there were.

Left: Quentin Gravelle shows the club his chicken.

County Fair Validation Day and Entry for County Fair CHANGED!!!

Please note in your calendars that the day to validate your Market Hogs, market lambs, market goats, Commercial Does that do not have registration papers that you will need to be tagged in for the county fair on January 7th from 8 - 10 am at the County Fair Grounds.

Entries for the County Fair (ie - breeding heifers, market rabbit pens, broiler orders, breeding rabbits, ag mech entries, dairy goats, etc) will need to be turned into the county office by January 4th for Carrie to sign your entries.  Entries not signed will not be validated by the extension office for showing.

Soon the Showboard will have an active website (http://www.kcjls.com) to get the rules and entry forms to download.  They will also be available on the Kaufman County Extension Website.

Seniors that are looking for the Kaufman County Junior Livestock Show Scholarship Application.... those will be available soon on both websites.

County Council Delegates have a great time at Fall Focus!!

WHOP!!!! CHOP!!!! Kaufman County4-H Delegates had a great day learning new and fun projects the District IV Council meeting and Fall Focus leadership training. 

From robotics to photography, and foods to scholarships, leaders and 4-H'ers got some great ideas to bring home to their county programs. 

Maybe one day you will get to WHOP!! CHOP!! at your 4-H meeting.

District IV 4-H Lock In

Lock In "Need to Know" stuff

1. Date. January 20‐21, 2012
2. Location. Amazing Jakes (831 North Central Expressway, Plano, TX)
3. Schedule.
     7:00 to 8 p.m. Drop off and check‐in
     8:00 Pizza Buffet
     9:00 Business Meeting
     9:30 Workshop Sessions
     11:00 Unlimited fun and games
     7:00 a.m. Checkout / Depart
4. Registration. Each participating member is required to register on 4‐H Connect and pay the district $42  registration fee. Registration will open on 4‐H Connect on December 13th and will CLOSE midnight on January 13th. Each member must also turn in a signed “Camp & Enrichment Program Waiver, Indemnification, and Medical Treatment Authorization Form” at check‐in.
5. Participation. Participants must be active 4‐H members enrolled in a Texas 4‐H and Youth Development
county program in District IV.
6. Age. The lock‐in is open to all intermediate and senior 4‐H members. (So 11 to 18 years old)
7. Entries per county. Each county may enter as many members and adult volunteers as they like.
8. Participants with disabilities. Any member who requires auxiliary aids or special accommodations must contact the District Extension Office, or note when registering on 4‐H Connect, at least 2 weeks before the event to request such needs.
9. Chaperones. Adult chaperones are needed to help oversee the health and welfare of youth participants. As a district, we need to maintain a 1 to 10 ratio of adults to youth for this event. Counties are encouraged to recruit chaperones to help cover this ratio.   If are unsure if you have been background checked, you can see this on your family page just right of your name in the family list.  If you are not listed then you have not been background checked for this event.
10. Travel Safety. We insist that youth not drive themselves to or from the lock‐in. We also insist that adult
chaperones staying up through the night not drive themselves nor any 4‐H member home.
11. Attire. The primary responsibility for the grooming and appearance of each participant rests with the parents and participants. To ensure that the health standards, safety conditions, and proper educational process is maintained, the following attire guidelines will apply:
    a. All clothing shall be neat, clean, and acceptable in repair and appearance and shall be worn within the bounds of decency and good taste as appropriate for 4‐H events.
    b. Articles of clothing which display profanity, products, or slogans promoting tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sex or are in any other way distracting, are prohibited.
    c. Excessively baggy or tight clothing, and clothing which advertises gang symbols or affiliation, is
prohibited.
    d. All participants must wear shoes at all times.
    e. Pajamas of any sort are prohibited.
    f. Items of clothing which expose midriffs, bare chests, undergarments, or that are transparent (see ‐through) are prohibited. Tank tops with straps wider than two‐inches are permitted. Please be advised that spaghetti straps, shirts which expose a bare back, halter tops, and tube tops are prohibited.
    g. The final decision on appropriateness in any case involving dress code questions rests with AgriLife Extension employees (NOT JUST YOUR COUNTY AGENT .... ANY CEA can make the call)
12. What to bring. Members may bring a pillow and blanket. If the participant wants to bring a hand held
electronic device, he/she will be responsible for its whereabouts at all times. The District IV 4‐H program will not be held responsible for any items that are lost, stolen, or broken. Members are encouraged to mark all of personal items with their name and county.

2012 Texas 4-H Golf Challenge State Event Announced

Texas 4-H is excited to announce the 1st ever State Qualifying Texas 4-H Golf Challenge will be held Monday, August 6, 2012. The location for the event is currently being determined and will be released as soon as it is available.

This state qualifying event will be open to the top five teams qualifying in each of the four regional events hosted throughout the state. Qualifying teams may be made up of senior and intermediate youth (4-Hers and non - 4-Hers). Those wishing to qualify do not have to participate in the region they live in. Also, teams may participate in more than one regional event.



The Region IV 4-H Golf Challenge will be held on July 9-10, 2012.  We have already 3 Kaufman County 4-H members that have taken up the call to represent Kaufman County!!  Coach for the Team is the esteemed Ralph Davis, AG/NR Extension Agent for Kaufman County  (if he can teach this 4-H agent to play golf...then capable young 4-H'ers should be no problem for him!! : )   )   Team Members must be between the ages of 12 to 18 and registered 4-H members.

For more information on the Texas 4-H Golf Challenge please visit the following website:
http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/youth/golf_challenge/index_youth_golf.php

New 4-H Dog Project Information Available

We are excited about the dog project activities that are coming up this year. One of the biggest is the Texas 4-H Dog Show in July. It will be held July 13-15, 2012 in Conroe, Texas. The 2012 Rulebook is in the final stages and we hope to have it posted by the first part of December.

The Texas 4-H Dog Project Certification form must be completed and submitted to the Texas AgriLife Extension County Office by January 10, 2012 to be eligible for the Texas 4-H Dog Show. Even if a member has not yet decided to participate in the Texas 4-H Dog Show, it is recommended to complete the form(s) so the opportunity is still available in April/May when registration for the Dog Show is due.

The first page is the Certification Form designed to be completed one per family. If the dog is registered, a copy of the registration form should be attached to this page. If the dog is not registered, the second page will need to be completed with photographs of the dog. One Non Registered/Non-Purebred form must be completed per dog.

These forms will be maintained in the county. At the time of Texas 4-H Dog Show Registration, County Extension Agents will refer to these forms to verify certification and approve registration.

This form is available at:

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/dogshow/index_youth_dogshow.php

If you have in interest in 4-H Dog Project activities, please bookmark this page. We will be working towards making this a clearing house of events and opportunities. If you have an event you would like posted here, please send it to me for posting.

If you would like to know more about the 4-H Dog Project in Kaufman County, contact the 4-H Extension Office and we will put you in touch with Stephanie Bazik, Kaufman Co 4-H Dog Leader.

$tock $how $upporter’s Dash for Cash Winter Classic

$tock $how $upporter’s Dash for Cash Winter Classic - December 10, 2011

Henderson County Fairpark Complex,  Athens, Texas
Heifers Steers Market Goats Market Lambs
CASH, BUCKLES & BANNERS

Entry Fees: Cattle $25 Goats & Lambs $20 NO LATE FEES

Heifers:Standard 25 Breed Format     Steers:  Standard 16 Breed Format
One Head Constitutes a Breed

*Blow and Go Show (No Fitting)*
Prizes to be awarded to Champion and Reserve Heifers and
Champion and Reserve Steers

Jackpot Showmanship $5.00

Goat &Lamb Show   *Market Animals Only*

Will be divided into workable classes broken by weight

Mail Entries to: Adam Davis,  205 S. Palestine Street, Athens, Texas 75751
 Checks Payable to:    Stock Show Supporters
 For More Information: 903-675-5777 - 903-286-4974  -  903-675-6130
 Concessions Available    RV Hook ups available    Bring Generators

Dash for Cash Beef, Goat, and Lamb Workshop

Sponsored by the Henderson County 4-H Adult Leaders and Parents Association
December 9, 2011
Henderson County Fairpark Complex, Athens, Texas
$6 per person
RSVP Deadline: December 6, 2011  Pay at the Door

Check in 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Bring your animal projects & stalls and pens will be available
Stay for the Dash for Cash show on Saturday
Topics covered include showmanship, feeding, fitting, nutrition, and show preparation. Dinner will be served.
Presenters:               Beef Clinic: Ronald Blum, AST Sherman ISD
                               Goat & Lamb Clinic: Michael Hunter, AST Lindale ISD
For more information or to RSVP, contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office at 903-675-6130.

For a full flyer and entry form call the Kaufman County 4-H Office (972) 932-9069 or email 4-H Extension Agent Carrie Sharp  cl-sharp@tamu.edu

Archer County Winter Classic Show

For More Information call:  Justin B Gilliam, County Extension Agent - Ag

Archer County Phone 940-574-4914  Fax 940-574-2833

November Report for Council

The District Council met at the Extension office at 7:00pm November 7th.

We talked about the District IV 4-H Lock In that will happen in January 13th-14th

Council Officers need to try to volunteer from the Council for the December 7th from 6-7pm at the Kaufman Brookshire's to help with the Channel 8 Santa's Helper's team. Good way to get volunteer hours.

The Council has extended the Canned Food Drive and will be collecting canned food or non-perishable items for the month of November. Drop off any food items you would like to donate at the Extension Office.

We discussed if we want to have a regular meeting or a party for December. The majority voted that we have a party. We will have food and a White Elephant gift exchange. Everyone attending needs to bring one gift with them that can be used in the game. You can bring something from home or buy it. We decided to spend no more than $15 on any presents we buy. Come ready to have a great time!

The Peanut fundraiser fell through. We will be having a Golf Tournament fundraiser instead, MacKenzie Craft has more info. Any money we make from it will help us with the banquet in the spring.

Nathan Stibbens motioned to adjourn the meeting. MacKenzie Craft 2nd the motion.



Hannah Lee
Reporter

Houston Livestock Show 2nd Annual National 4-H & FFA Beef Quiz Bowl Contest

ANNOUNCING:  The 2nd Annual National 4-H and FFA Beef Quiz Bowl Contest March 1 & 2, 2012 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

This contest is open to all Texas 4-H and FFA members meeting basic 4-H and FFA age requirements.  Other States are invited to send up to 3 teams representing 4-H and FFA, making this a truly national competition.  Awards will include trophy buckles and gift certificates along with National bragging rights. 

The highlight of this competition is a guided tour and educational program at the historic George Ranch in Richmond TX.  This educational experience is included in the entry fee for contestants and coaches.

This competition requires a team of 3 to 4 competitors, and Entries are Due to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo by January 5, 2012.

For more information about resources, entry forms etc. go to: http://agrilife.org/beefquiz/

Hunt County Stick It to Win It Show Series

Friends of Rockwall FFA Market Lamb & Goat Show

2011 4-H/FFA ESSAY CONTEST SPONSORED BY Touchstone Ranch

Welcome to the 2011 4-H/FFA Essay Contest! Please read all instructions carefully and direct any questions to your 4-H/FFA leader or the contest chairperson, Peggy Tolboom.  This is a statewide 4-H/FFA contest. The purpose of this contest is to acquaint 4-H/FFA members with the American Paint Horse breed, horse ownership and care in general.
The contest will award the yearling gelding; Smoke a Little Smoke, foaled May 2, 2010. The following must be completed in full and submitted or postmarked by November 28, 2111.
Early submission is highly recommended. Each submission must contain the following:
1. 4-H/FFA Club Leader Recommendation – ATTENTION LEADERS – Please include pertinent information such as the child’s extracurricular activities, degree of involvement in 4-H/FFA, talents, enthusiasm to learn, and any background information that will help us get to know the applicant in your recommendation. The recommendation should be typed, include the applicant’s full name, age, 4-H/FFA club, and attributes which make them suitable for ownership of the solid paint gelding. Please use one-inch margins, standard 8-1/2 X 11 inch paper, font size no smaller than 10 characters per inch, and restrict your recommendations to less than two pages.

2. One essay written by the applicant – Please type the essay using one-inch margins, standard 8-1/2 X 11 inch paper, font size no smaller than 10 characters per inch, and restrict the essay to two pages or less. The subjects of the one essay will include:
    My Plans for Keeping and Training the Solid Paint Gelding
    Why I want a Solid Paint Gelding
    What 4-H/FFA Means to Me
Please keep in mind that the solid paint gelding will be a yearling. Include information that will help the judges determine the suitability of the selected yearling as a match for the individual child. For example, are there adults who will supervise the care and training of the yearling and child? It is not necessary to include specific names, but the judges want to know what support and resources the child will have in the future.

3. Supplemental Questionnaire completed by the applicant – Please type, if possible, but a neatly printed questionnaire in blue or black ink will not be penalized. Helpful tip: Photocopy the form and practice filling it out before completing a final copy. Photocopied application forms will be accepted without penalty.

4. One self-addressed, stamped postcard, envelope, or provide email address. Receipt of your application will be confirmed either with the postcard, envelope, or by email. Please submit your information in a loose-leaf folder with brads. This will help keep all of the applicant’s information together. The folder should be arranged in the following order:
    Cover page including the applicant’s name, age, and candid or posed picture,
    4-H/FFA club
    Supplemental Questionnaire
    Essay
    Letter of Recommendation
It is acceptable for an adult to type the contest materials. However, ALL other work should be completed by the applicant. We do not expect perfection, but an honest effort is required. Mail your materials in a large envelope that will keep them flat. You may need to reinforce the envelope with cardboard. Entries must be postmarked by November 28, 2011.

Mail your materials to: Peggy Tolboom, Touchstone Ranch Essay Contest
3945 N FM 219, Dublin, TX 76446

Questions concerning the contest can be directed to Peggy Tolboom via mail, phone (254)445-
3436, or email at equest@our-town.com. If contacting by email, list “Essay Contest” on the
subject line.

After submission of the essays, the five finalists will be selected. All applicants will be notified
of their status by January 1, 2012. Upon the finalists’ selection, they will need to attend a
personal interview with their parents to be arranged. Following the interview, the solid paint
gelding will be awarded. Winner will need to pick up the gelding from Stephenville, Texas.

Applications are available in the Extension Office or can be emailed to you.