4-H'ers move to the Outdoors!!

Forget Survivor ‐ this is the way outdoors were meant to be enjoyed, where teamwork and rugged determination are lauded and only the best are rewarded with the ultimate prize ‐ being recognized as the top outdoor team in Texas. Kaufman County 4-H Outdoor and Recreation project member are preparing for the Outdoor Challenge to be held in June of 2010. Just think you and a group of friends could compete in a series of contests to find the best overall outdoors people in the state. 4-H project members will be challenged physically and mentally.

The 4-H members working in teams of 2 will participate in a series of competitions that will test their knowledge in Rifle, Fishing, Archery, Shotgun, Canoeing, Swimming, Orienteering, Camping Skills, Outdoor Safety, and Wildlife Identification.

To prepare for this event the Kaufman County group of 21 heading to Purtis Creek where they spent the weekend in beautiful weather learning and honing their skills. There they took to the water canoeing, found three of the GPS Caches at Purtis Creek and learned how to cook in the outdoors.

The next trip will be to the coast during spring break. If you like the outdoors, come join the fun.

4-H'ers Show the Way

Kaufman County 4-H'ers competed in the District IV 4-H Roundup in TAMU- Commerce with their Educational Presentations. A 4-H educational presentation is a demonstration of a 4-H'ers knowledge and skills in a certain project area. It can be accomplished using props (method demonstration), posters or media presentations (illustrated talk), or it can be you just speaking and convincing, or simply educating, with words alone (public speaking).

Kristen Woods, presented an educational presentation with her new puppy on their first visit to the vet in the junior companion animal division. She placed second at district. Curtis Joles, talked about how to transplant trees for your landscape in the Junior Natural Resources division. He also placed 2nd at district.

For more information on developing an educational presentation or the 4-H Program, contact the Kaufman County Extension office at 972-932-9069

There more to Goats and Lambs than leading them around.

4-H Goat and Lamb project members had a special visit from Dr Dan Turner, Veterinarian from the Risinger Vet Clinic in Terrell, at their monthly project meeting. The members learned how to evaluate their projects for their daily health by learning how to take their temp, how they digest food, how to watch for signs of illness and also they got first hand experience on checking fecal samples for worm eggs.

Meat goat and the Market Lamb projects provide youth with opportunities to expand their knowledge of the industry, production and, more importantly, develop the life skills that are needed to be positive contributors to society. Through these 4-H projects youth learn about selection and evaluation, nutrition and feeding, health and daily care, reproduction, marketing, and much more. Youth learn to accept responsibility, to value hard work, think critically, make decisions, and communicate. In addition, there are several jackpot goat shows that youth can participate in to put on exhibition their meat goat project.

If you would like to participate in one of the workshops that the 4-H Project club is having or if you would like to know more call the Kaufman County Extension Office and talk to Carrie Sharp the Texas AgriLife Extension County Agent for 4-H and Youth Development.

Something Tastey is going on in 4-H

Kaufman County kids are learning to cook and love eating what they cook even more. The 4-H Leader Pandora Feller and FCS agent Katie Phillips have been working with several outstanding youth to learn about the basics of food and nutrition.

The 4-H Food and Nutrition Project encourages youth to learn about nutrition by cooking. This hand-on approach is popular with children who prepare to learn by doing. For the Food Show, children prepared a dish at home and then brought it to the contest site. The children gave a brief presentation and were interviewed by a panel of judges. They were judged on their knowledge of nutrition, food safety and food project experiences.

New this year was the Food Challenge, inspired by competitive cooking shows, such as Iron Chef and The Next Food Network Star. Teams cooked a dish using only a list of ingredients. Part of the “challenge” was that they were not given the instructions on how to prepare the recipe. After preparing the dish, the team prepared a presentation, which included information on how they made the dish, cost and nutritional value.

Encouraging children to cook is a life skill that will serve them all their lives. Cooking can be part of family meal time, which has many benefits, according to Carrie Sharp, 4-H and Youth Development County Agent for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Kaufman County.

Research shows that children who sit down and eat with their families eat more nutritiously than those who don’t: they eat more fruits, vegetables and fiber and less soda and fried foods.

“Families who eat together also have more time and opportunities to communicate and build relationships and these children tend to perform better academically,” Sharp said.

Though you may think it is impossible to get the family together for meals because of busy schedules, the Texas AgriLife Extension offers these tips for making family meal time a ritual at your home:

• Start eating meals together as a family when your kids are young so it becomes a habit.

• Plan when you will eat together as a family.

• During the meal, focus on each other. Turn off the television and phone.

• Talk about fun and happy things and make meal time stress-free. This isn’t the time to nag about homework and chores.

• Encourage your child to try foods, but do not lecture or force your child to eat.

Menus don’t have to be time-consuming and elaborate. The whole point is to spend time with the family. Make quick cooking stir-fry, soups, or no-cook sandwiches and salads.

Katie Phillips, Family and Consumer Science County Agent for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Kaufman County has tips for doing some tasks for meal preparation before hand:

• Wash and cut vegetables or make a fruit salad the night before.

• Cook lean beef or turkey for spaghetti, tacos, or chili and store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

• Consider batch cooking, which can provide leftovers for lunch the next day or supper for two nights in a row.

Winners of the Kaufman County 4-H Food Show and qualifying for the District competition in January are:

Junior Division - Paige Salinas - Breads and Cereals, Jaci Pfeifer - Main Dish, and Emily Matthews - Nutritous Snacks.

Intermediate Division - Michelle Braddock - Main Dish

Senior Division - Hannah Feller - Main Dish

The Food Challenge Team representing Kaufman County will be Michelle Braddock, Paige Salinas, Jaci Pfeifer, and Emily Matthews. (Pictured working on their dish for the competition.)

For more information about the 4-H program or the nutrition and food classes for youths , contact Carrie Sharp, Kaufman County 4-H agent at 972-932-9069.

Annual Peanut Sales Start

The Annual Kaufman County 4-H Council Annual Peanut Sales kicked off this week and will run to November 30th, 2009. The proceeds enable the local 4-H Clubs to fund their 4-H projects and help with leadership scholarship for the 4-H Youth Council. Featuring In-shelled and shelled spanish peanuts, they also have an excellent supply of spiced peanuts. Please support your local 4-H Club and buy these quality Texas grown spanish peanuts. If you would like to order please call the Kaufman County Extension Office at 972-932-9069 and we will put you in touch with a club near you. Or you can email us at kaufman-tx@tamu.edu

4-H'er get to clicking in the 4-H Photography project

Kaufman County 4-H members involved in the Photography project met at the 4-H office in the Farm Bureau education room to learn several points of their camera. Learning about the different modes their cameras offer to take better pictures sent them out onto the grounds to try out their new tips and techniques. Project Leaders Debbie Wold with Teen Leaders Catlyn Wold, Lisa Roberts, and Lynsey Culp helped the members find different perspectives in their photo hunt.

4-H'ers Get Ready to Camp

As never before, today’s youth face an ever-increasing disassociation with natural areas and its resources.With the urbanization, educational priorities, family structure, culture, priorities, values, and beliefs, this leads to many youth never having the opportunity to experience the outdoors. Kaufman County has a new club that brings all of that and more together in the Outdoor Recreation Project. This month 4-H member learned how to put up their tent and started planning a camping trip for November. The goal is to get the youth ready to compete in the Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge in July. To participate in the Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge, youth will have to be proficient in: Shooting, Sports (rifle, shotgun, and archery), Sportfishing, Swimming,Canoeing,Camping/Outdoor Living Skills,Orienteering,Identification of Wildlife and Natural Resources, Outdoor Safety,Teamwork, and Decision-making. Working in team of 4 the youth will be judged in each one of the events listed. Pictured is the 4-H members learning how to put up a tent as a team. Teen Leaders Cassie Boyd (in the back) and Dacota Taylor (3rd from Right) help the junior team member get the task done.

New Vet Science Club starts the year.

Under the guidance of the new 4-H Leader Gay Fowler and Mary Free 4-H members start a new venture in Kaufman County. The 4-H Veterinary Science Project gives youth interested in veterinary medicine opportunities to look at the different career opportunities so students can determine if this is a field they would like to pursue. By getting hands on experiences with basic knowledge and skills they learn that are expected of a veterinary assistant. It allows for youth to develop an interest in veterinary medicine, human medicine and other allied health fields. The project club has already visited the Lone Star Race Track in Arlington to get a behind the scene look. Pictured is the Junior and Intermediate 4-H'ers getting ready to try out their new found skills.

4-H Youth Council Attend District Meeting

Representatives from the Kaufman County 4-H Youth Council attended the District IV 4-H Council held at the Dallas Research and Extension Center. The meeting brought representatives from the surrounding 22 counties 4-H Youth Councils. Training on Leadership and Teamwork was the main focus of the meeting. Pictured Left to Right from the Kaufman County 4-H Youth Council is Kristen Starnes - Reporter, Dacota Taylor - Media Specialist, Kelvin Word - President, and Catlyn Wold - Secretary.

Kaufman 4-H'ers get Wrapped Up In 4-H

Kaufman 4-H club members have some fun at their first meeting. The Kaufman 4-H has a new club manager this year. Angel Pagel is a teacher in the Mesquite ISD and lives in Forney. The Kaufman 4-H meets on the second Tuesday of every month at the Kaufman Water Building on Hwy 34 north of Town. IF you want to have some fun...come join 4-H!!!

Criswell gets a visit from the Mobile Dairy

The Kaufman County 4-H in the Classroom hosted the Southwestern Dairymans' Mobile Dairy at Criswell Elementary in Forney. Students learned where milk comes from and how nutritious it is for them daily.

4-H'er take on the Food Challenge

Kaufman County 4-H Youth Council members learn how fun the 4-H Food Challenge can be. Fashioned much like the Iron Chef this new 4-H competition has the 4-H members learning how to cook up some new fun.

New 4-H Club Officers Start the Year

4-H club Officers from across Kaufman County representing 11 different clubs met to practice their parliamentary skills for the new 4-H Year. Kaufman County 4-H Agent and the County 4-H Youth Council ran the new officers through leadership and team building programs to prepare them for the up coming year.

Council Officer Offer tips in Giving the Club Reports

Senior 4-H members and County Council Officers Kelvin Word, Lynsey Culp, and Lisa Roberts came up with a new way to show new 4-H members on the proper way (or well how NOT to do) the club reports for the County Council monthly meeting.

Leaders, Parents and 4-H members agreed this was quite humerous and ... well yes ... maybe we need to work on the club reports in the council meeting : )

Junior Heifer Show Team Hits it Big at Fort Worth Stock Show

Congratulations to the Kaufman County Junior Heifer Show Team!!! They represented Kaufman County well at the Fort Worth Junior Livestock Show.

The biggest achievement came in the Junior Maine Anjou Show with Brittany Krueger bringing home the Overall Reserve Grand Champion with her Summer Junior Heifer. Pictured is Brittany recieving the honors from the Judge at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

In the Junior Angus Show, Clarrisa Perez showed her Fall Jr Heifer to a 1st, Brooke Adams with her Summer Jr Heifer - 2nd, Brooke Jones showing her Spring Jr Heifer was 5th and Hannah Stalhman exhibiting Sr Cow with calf was 3rd.

Showing in the Junior Hereford Show was Klee Walker with his Summer Jr Heifer where he was awarded a 1st

In the Junior Shorthorn Show, Justin Jenkins brought home the Division Champion for his Fall Junior Hfr, Hailey Hawes showing her Fall Jr Hfr was 15th, Cassidy Urive - Summer Jr Hfr - 5th
and Melissa Sleeper - Sr Heifer - 18th.

In the Junior Chiania show Gary Hawes, Jr recieved a 3rd for his Fall Junior Heifer Calf, Micheal Hawes recieved a 4th for his summer Heifer calf, Hailey Hawes was 2nd with her Spring Junior Heifer and TJ Graham was 5th with his Fall Heifer.

Kaufman County 4-H'ers Compete in County Roundup

4-H'ers from across Kaufman County traveled to the Kaufman County Farm Bureau Building in Kaufman to compete in the 4-H Roundup events on January 17th. Competing in Fashion Show, Food Show, Illustrated Talks and the Food Challenge 4-H'ers used their "Making the Best, Better" to its finest.

Starting off the County Roundup was the entertainment group from the Kaufman County 4-H Silver Spurs club. Lisa Roberts, Lynsey Culp, and Kelvin Word presented a Celebrate 4-H piece on how to give reports at the County Council meeting. Quite entertaining for the County Roundup Crowd.

In the Food Show, 4-H'ers had to cook a dish in either the Main Dish, Side Dish, Breads and Cereals or a Nutrious Snack. They presented their dish to judges and used their skills to explain why the dish in nutrious, how they prepared the dish, its nutrient content and their knowledge of the food guide pyramid. Participants in the Food Show were:

Trinti Corder - Clover Kid - Nut Snack, Reuben Stecher - Clover Kid - Nut Snack, Ashley Brewer - Main Dish - Jr - 1st, Isaac Stecher - Side Dish - Jr - 1st, Collin Corder - Main Dish - Int - 1st, Lynsey Culp - Breads - Sr - 1st and Hannah Feller - Main Dish - Sr - 1st.

The Illustrated Talks followed with 4-H members using their favorite 4-H projects to present to the judges in a 5-7 minute long illustrated talk. 4-H members stepping up to the challenge of the Illustrated Talks were:

Trinti Corder - Clover Kid - Promote 4-H, Isaac Stecher - Jr - Goat Project - 1st, Savannah Baugh - Jr - My Horse Sweetie - 1st, Collin Corder - Int - Benefits of Trees - 1st, Kelvin Word - Sr - Right to Bear Arms - 1st, Hannah Feller - Sr - Foods - 1st, and Catlyn Wold - Sr - Taking the Best Photo Shot - 1st

Competing the Buying Division for the Fashion Show was Brianna Moore and Lynsey Culp. Both senior girls qualified for District Competition. Lynsey competed in the Buying Specialty with her personally designed show shirt for the 4-H horse shows. Brianna Showed off her dress that she looked hard and wide for in the Buying Dressy category.

New to the contest this year was the Food Challenge. Taking the challenge was the Scurry Rosser 4-H team. Emily Brewer, Erin West, Logan Acevedo, Kaylie Sutton stepped up to prepare a dish from scratch and then present it to the judge. Using only ingredients gave to them (and no recipe) the girls came up with a tasty chicken pot pie for the judges to taste.

Pictured Top Left is the Food Challenge Team from Scurry Rooser 4-H and on the right is the Senior 4-H'ers qualified for District Competition. Catlyn Wold (Food Show Photography and Illustrated Talks), Hannah Feller (Food Show Photography, Food Show, and Illustrated Talks), Brianna Moore (Food Show, and Fashion Show), and Lynsey Culp (Food Show Photography, Food Show, Fashion Show and Illustrated Talks)

New "Robin Hood" from the Southern Draw

Will Sisson, from the Southern Draw 4-H Club got his first Robin Hood. A Robin Hood is achieved when the archer impails an arrow from a previous shot. Way to go Will!!!!

Another Hits 6 Gold

Jeff Maroney, of Seagoville was the next 4-H'er in the Southern Hunter Archery Club to hit 6 gold. He achieved this by passing 5 yards with 354 points and two six golds.

Kaufman County 4-H Horse Judgers compete in Waco

The Kaufman County 4-H Horse Judging Team traveled to Waco, TX for the first competition of the year. The Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo hosts a contest every year for 4-H and FFA members. Horse judging team members from the Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club were Lisa Roberts, Kelvin Word, Lynsey Culp, and Cassie Boyd for the senior team. For the Junior team, Caitlyn Lumpkin, TJ Grahm, Katie Hale, and Marly St Clair. The junior team placed 12th out of 24 teams with Junior Horse Team member Caitlyn Lumpkin, placing 3rd top high junior individual. The Senior Team placed 10th out of 21 teams, with Lisa Roberts placing 11th out of 61 senior competitors.

The Horse Judging team will travel next to the TAMU Horse Judging clinic in College Station in November. If you would like to know more about the Horse Judging or the Horsemanship program in Kaufman County please contact the Texas AgriLife Extension - Kaufman County at (972) 932-9069 or email Carrie Sharp at cl-sharp@tamu.edu

Hooves and Horn Club members compete at the Fair

Hooves and Horn 4-H Beef club 4-H'ers compete at the State Fair of Texas in the Junior Market Steer show. Show team was Justin Hawes, Hailey Hawes, and Klee Walker. In the Prospect Steer Show the steers weighed under 1,100 pounds. Justin Hawes placed 4th with his Charolais Steer in the medium weight class. Hailey Hawes exhibited her prospect shorthorn steer to a 2nd place. In the big market steer show, Hailey had a heavy weight exotic steer which placed 5th and Klee Walker showed his heavy weight british steer to a 4th place finish.

Robert Moss the Newest Member to the 6-Gold "Club"

Robert Moss of the Southern Draw 4-H Archery Club is the latest member to achieve the “6-Gold” pin. The "6-Gold" pin is given when six "10’s" are shot in a row—either in a single 6-arrow end, or in two consecutive 3-arrow ends. Jerry Hendrickson is the coach for the Southern Draw 4-H Archery Club. Pictured is Robert Moss with his brother William Moss. If you would like to know more about the Archery Club or about the 4-H Program in Kaufman County please email Carrie Sharp, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development at cl-sharp@tamu.edu.

Kaufman County 4-H'ers make it to the Sale for the State Fair of Texas

Kaufman County 4-H'ers Brooklyn Archer, Jacob Reznicek and Jordan Reznicek competed during the State Fair Market Hog Show in Dallas. This was Brooklyn Archers (bottom picture) first time to the State Fair of Texas and placed 14th in her heavy weight york class. Jacob Reznicek (pictured top) placed 3rd making it in the State Fair of Texas Junior Livestock Sale. Congratulations to all of the Junior Market Hog Exhibitors.

Klee Walker Is Grand Again!

Klee Walker and his Junior Hereford Heifer won Grand Champion at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Junior Hereford Show.

The duo will head next to the State Fair of Texas to compete at the Junior and Pan American Hereford Show.

Kaufman Co Heifer Team Wins Big at the East Texas Fair

The Kaufman Co 4-H Hooves and Horns club traveled to the East Texas Fair in Tyler, TX this past week to show off their hard work with their Junior heifers.

In the Junior Heifer Angus Show, Brooke Jones - March 07 Junior Hiefer -1st, Hannah Stalhman - January 07 Yearling Heifer - 2nd and her Senior Heifer was Reserve Breed Champion, Micah Stahlman -received a 3rd for her senior heifer.

In the Horned Hereford Show, Klee Walker - had a Breed Champion with his November 2007 junior heifer. (Pictured)

In the Polled Hereford Show, Hope Todd, place 2nd, with her junior heifer and her senior heifer. Klee Walker won another 1st with his Junior Heifer.

In the Shorthorn Show, Brooke Adams placed 2nd with her junior heifer.

The Hooves and Horns heifer team will be heading to the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

Mary Beth Johnson hits Gold!!

Mary Beth Johnson of the Southern Draw 4-H Archery Club hit the mark at the regularly scheduled practice in Kaufman this last month. Archers can earn the official “6-Gold” pin when they shoot six 10’s in a row—either in a single 6-arrow end, or in twoconsecutive 3-arrow ends. Jerry Hendrickson is the coach for the Southern Draw 4-H Archery Club. If you would like to know more about the Archery Club or about the 4-H Program in Kaufman County please email Carrie Sharp, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development at cl-sharp@tamu.edu.

NEW RUMINANTS UNLIMITED 4-H CLUB

RUMINANTS UNLIMITED AKA LAMB AND MEAT GOAT CLUB.
MEETS EVERY 4th MONDAY OF MONTH.
COME TO SHOW AT KAUFMAN COUNTY FAIR!!!!!!!
MEETS AT COUNTY 4-H OFFICE
IF YOU NEED ANYTHING CALL KELVIN 972-249-5123 AFTER 4PM

4H Council Celebrates 100 Years of 4-H Texas

Kaufman County 4-H Council members prepare a musical "rapp" video to celebrate the Texas Celebration of 100 years of 4-H. Brianna Moore, Sarah Murff and song leader Logan Moore have created a rapp for your enjoyment.

Girls win big in 3 yr old futurity

Kaufman County Hits Top 5 at the State 4-H Horse Show.
Kaufman County 4-H’ers Lisa Roberts and Sarah Murff competed in the 2008 State 4-H Horse Show held July 20-26th at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, TX, on their 3 year old Stock Horse Futurity Projects.
24 youth from across the state of Texas worked their 3 year old horses in the event sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The Texas 4-H offers 4 different futurity programs - Yearling Halter, Yearling Longe Line, 2 year old Western Pleasure and the 3 year old Stock Horse Futurity.
Lisa and Sarah were required to work their horses individually on two different designated patterns, where they were judged on how they negotiated the pattern in a quiet, and controlled manner. Lisa Roberts placed 1st overall by winning 1st in each of the two pattern classes (pictured on right). Sarah Murff placed 4th overall (pictured left).
Carrie Sharp, AgriLife Extension agent for Kaufman County, said this event gives an opportunity for the young people to learn how to train and show a young horse. As of May 1st the 4-H’er may only receive advice and counsel on fitting, developing and training techniques from parents and outside sources, no family members or trainers are allowed to ride the futurity projects after that date.
This year Sarah Murff received counsel and advise from Alumni 4-H’er Casey Deary originally from Forney, TX, now in Weatherford, TX. Casey competed in the 3 year old Futurity for several years before breaking out to now own his own training barn, Deary Performance Horses.
If you would like to know more about the 4-H program and the activities available email Carrie Sharp at cl-sharp@tamu.edu or call the Texas AgriLife Extension Office - Kaufman County at 972-932-9069.

Kaufman County 4-H'ers Win Big at State 4-H Roundup

Kaufman County 4-H'ers Alyssa Word and Sarah Murff and Alumni 4-H'er Cassie Bable were amoung the more than 2,500 youth who were present in College Staion to attended this years Texas 4-H Roundup competition and award ceremony. During the roundup, the Texas 4-H Foundation presented a record $1.2 million in scholarships to 233 young people. Among the largest donors are the Houston Livestock Show,which will provide 70 scholarships of $15,000 each; the Richard Wallrath Educational Fund, which will provide 71 scholarships of $10,000 each, and the San Antonio Livestock Show, which will offer 13 scholarships of $16,000 each.
"This is our 49th year to present scholarships during roundup," said Jim Reeves, executive director of the foundation. "The generosity of our donors has helped thousands of deserving young people go on to college."

The program will give more than $1 million in scholarships to Texas 4-H members - the first time that any state has met that amount, according to Gayle Hall, 4-H and youth development specialist for the Texas AgriLife Extension. Sarah Murff, Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club member was awarded the Richard Wallrath Educational Fund, Alyssa Word a Scurry Rosser 4-H member was awarded the Farm Ag Credit, and Cassis Bable, a 4-H alumnus from the Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club received the Baccalaureate Scholarship from the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

Alyssa Word wins Farm Bureau Memorial Scholarship

Alyssa Word recently met with the Kaufman County Farm Bureau and State
Director Charles Huddleston to thank them for the Joe Kapavik Memorial
Scholarship.
Alyssa is planning to attend Texas A&M University and major in Biomedical
Science. She was active in 4-H and FFA for four years and received the Gold
Star Award for her 4_H leadership in 2007.
She recently graduated from Scurry-Rosser High School where activities
included showing Polled Herefords, judging livestock, running track and
playing softball. In addition she assisted with numerous Kaufman County Farm
Bureau AITC Field Days for elementary students in Kaufman County.
Pictured are Carrie Sharp, Charles Huddleston, Alyssa Word, James Poston,
Chuck Carpenter and John Porter.

Caroline Costello Selected for Vet Camp

Kaufman County 4-H’er Caroline Costello one of the ninety youth selected in the State of Texas for the West Texas Youth Veterinary Science Workshop, held June 29 - July 3 at the Tom Green County 4-H Center in San Angelo.
The event is sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices in Sutton, Schleicher and Tom Green counties.
Carrie Sharp, AgriLife Extension agent for Kaufman County, said the event, now in its sixth year, is meant to expose high school students to careers in veterinary science. University and research faculty members, AgriLife Extension and Texas Animal Health Commission personnel, as well as veterinarians, served as instructors.
Course topics included: zoology, the Beef Quality Assurance Program, toxicology, parasitology, anaesthesiology, anatomy, nutrition, first aid, beef feedlot health management, large and small animal practice, necropsy and horse medicine. The workshop included classroom study, lab work and field excursions.
Caroline said she had the best time at vet camp and that it was such a wonderful experience. She learned that there were so many job opportunities in the veterinary world. She learned about the physiology of a badger, silver fox, porcupine, and a jack rabbit just to name a few of the classroom and field excursions.
IF you would like to know more about the 4-H program and the activities available email Carrie Sharp at cl-sharp@tamu.edu or call the Texas AgriLife Extension Office - Kaufman County at 972-932-9069.

Horse Judging Team Places in Top 5!

The Kaufman County Senior 4-H team placed 3rd Overall, 2nd in Performance Division and 3rd in the Reasons Division at the Fort Worth Junior Horse Judging contest held on February 2nd, in Fort Worth. This awarded the team the alternate position for the Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association representative for the Quarter Horse Congress held in October and the American Quarter Horse Youth show held in Oklahoma City, OK in August.

The team included (pictured left to right) Jesse Rushton, Courtney Ries, Lynsey Culp, Sarah Murff and Lisa Roberts. In the Performance Division Lynsey Culp placed as 2nd high individual and Lisa Roberts placed as 7th High Individual. In the reasons division, Lynsey Culp placed 3rd high Individual and Sarah Murff placed as 7th high individual.

The next judging contest will be in San Antonio Junior Livestock Show Horse Judging where the girls will be competing for a $12,000 scholarship for top high individual.

Kaufman County 4-H’ers Fare Well at Ft. Worth Junior Livestock Show

Kaufman County Beef Club 4-H’ers did very well the first week of the Fort Worth Livestock Show. Kaufman County had 11 exhibitors competing in the Fort Worth Livestock Show competing in the Junior Heifer, and the Junior Breeding Swine show on January 16-20th.

Justin Jenkins of Crandall was Division Champion Shorthorn Heifer Calf (pictured). In addition, Klee Walker of Terrell, placed 4th with his junior Hereford heifer and 2nd in the senior showmanship. Hailey Hawes of Crandall placed 3rd with her Spring Yearling Maine Anjou heifer. Melissa Sleeper of Kaufman placed 6th with her January Junior Shorthorn Heifer. Also in the Shorthorn division, Kerri Hughes of Kaufman placed 7th with her Senior Heifer. In the Angus Heifer Division, Brooke Jones of Wills Point placed 2nd with her Junior Heifer, Brittany Krueger of Terrell placed 10th with her Late Senior Angus Heifer, Haley Breazeale of Forney placed 2nd with her Late Senior Heifer and Hannah Stalman of Kaufman placed 3rd with her Early Senior Heifer.

The Junior Breeding Swine Show featured Krista Day and Sara Holder showing their Berkshire Gilts.

The Kaufman County 4-H Beef Club will next be heading to San Antonio with their Junior Heifers and the Junior Breeding Swine projects on February 4th to the 9th.

4H Members Win Scholarship from B.I.G.

Allysa Word, Scurry Rosser 4-H member and Sarah Murff, of the Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club received a $500.00 scholarship from the Blacklands Income Growth Conference in Waco, TX. 10 Scholarships were awarded to residents of Bell, Bosque, Burleson, Collin, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Grayson, Hill, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Lee, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, Navarro, Rockwall, Travis, Tarrant or Williamson County. The recipients needed to plan to major in an Agriculture or Family and Consumer Sciences related fields.

Alyssa plans on Majoring in Vet Science/Biomed at Texas A&M. Sarah plans on majoring in Equine Business and Management at West Texas A&M.

Pictured is Ed Smith, Director of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Coach Stallings, retired coach of Texas A&M, Sarah Murff, Alyssa Word and B.I.G. Committee President Barney Pustejovsky.

For more information on this or other educational programs, please call the Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Kaufman County 4-H office, (972) 932-9069.

Kaufman County Fair Coming in April

The Kaufman County Fair has a new date!! This year the County Fair will be hosted on April 1-5th, 2008 at the Kaufman County Fairgrounds in Kaufman, TX.

Kaufman County 4-H and FFA members have validated their animals and completed their entries through their FFA advisors and 4-H agent, so the count down is on. Lamb and Goat exhibitors had the opportunity to visit with the 2007 Market Lamb and Market Goat judge Kris Drews from Hunt County. He helped those in attendance on weighing their animal and working on how to show them in the arena. Scurry Rosser 4-H/FFA member, Chance Smith demonstrated proper showmanship in the arena.

The Creative Talent entries for youth and adults are due March the 7th, to the Kaufman County Extension Office, 2471 N Hwy 34, Kaufman, TX 75142. Creative Talent entry forms and the rule books are available on-line at http://kaufman-tx.tamu.edu/ or rules books can be found at local businesses across the county. If you have any questions please call the Kaufman County Extension Office at (972) 932-9069 for mor information. More on the County Fair coming soon!!!

Kaufman 4-H'ers Recognized for Long Miles and Hard Work

After a year’s worth of showing that included eleven competitions scattered across the state consistency paid off for two Kaufman County 4-H Horse Club members with the Stock Horse Of Texas (SHOT) Association. The Stock Horse of Texas Association hosted their End of the Year Awards for their members on January 12, 2008 at the Stock Yards in Fort Worth, Texas. Two youth from Kaufman County, Catlyn Wold (left) and Allison Rogers (right) was recognized for their hard work and long miles traveled during the past year.

The Stock Horse of Texas (SHOT) is an association which was started by a statewide planning group in the mid 1990's and incorporated in 1998. Its purpose is education for western stock horse that can be ridden on the ranch, in the ring or down the road. SHOT's goal is to teach rider knowledge and skills to maximize horse trainability, performance and safety by offering affordable, fun and standardized western stock horse riding clinics and competitions.

Catlyn Wold, Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club member (right), won the High Point Youth Pleasure, Reining, and Working Cowhorse divisions which helped her cinch in the Youth All Around Saddle made by Don Gonzales of Bryan, Texas.

Kaufman County 4-H Alumnus Allison Rogers, won the High Point Limited Non Pro Pleasure Division and the All Around Saddle.

For more information, please call the Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Kaufman County 4-H office (972) 932-9069.

6th Annual Working Cowhorse Clinic

The 6th Annual Multi County Working Cowhorse clinic came to a close at Athens, TX with the participants putting the elements of 2 and a half days worth of training together.

Dr. Kris Wilson from Texas Tech University was the lead instructor with Allison Rogers, Texas Tech Ranch Horse Team member, and Dr Doug Householder, Emeritus Professor for Texas A&M helping clinic participants with the basics of reining, and working with cattle for the working cowhorse competition.

40 participants from Van Zandt, Henderson, Kaufman and surrounding counties worked with their horses for 2 and a half days learning basics on sliding stops, spins, changing lead to how to box a cow, and learn to take one down the fence. Youth and adults alike had a great time and under most comments will be back for more. Pictured below is Chloe Costello of Kaufman, getting ready to "box" a cow on her horse Annie.

This program is brought to the public every year from the County Extension Agents Tommy Phillips - CEA-4-H -Van Zandt County, Carrie Sharp - CEA-4-H-Kaufman County, and Hillary Grider, CEA - 4-H - Henderson County. For more information on programs like this or others please contact your local Texas ArgiLife Extension Service office. Texas AgriLife Extension - Service - Kaufman County - (972) 932-9069 or email cl-sharp@tamu.edu.

Kaufman County 4-H'ers start the 100 year Anniversary with "Hay Cakes"

Texas 4-H will be 100 years old starting September 1, 2007! For a century, kids across Texas have been learning, leading, and having fun in 4-H. In 4-H, you learn the value of helping your community, the importance of being a great leader, and, at the same time, you have fun.4-H provides youth from ages 9 (or 8 and in the 3rd grade) to 18 the experience to travel, work with other youth, participate in positive competitive experiences, and develop at the rate they want. Is 4-H for you? Yes, 4-H is for everyone, from those in the biggest Texas city to the smallest community. For the young person that wants to learn about computers to the teenager that wants to travel around the country. 4-H allows you to "Make it Yours".

The Kaufman County 4-H members participated in the County Hay Show by showing their club spirit. The 4-H clubs used their creativity decorating bales of hay like birthday cakes. Up for grabs was a pizza party for the winning display sponsored by the County 4-H Council.

Participating 4-H clubs were the Scurry Rosser 4-H club, the Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club, Kaufman 4-H, and the Green Machine 4-H club of Forney.

Placing 1st was the Scurry Rosser 4-H Club (Top) and 2nd was Kaufman 4-H (Bottom). Congratulations on the great spirit for 100 years in 4-H!!

For more information about 4-H in Kaufman County please contact us at the Kaufman County Cooperative Extension Service by phone (972) 932-9069 or by email cl-sharp@tamu.edu. We also have a website at http://kaufman-tx.tamu.edu/.

Hay Show "Hay Cake" Displays

Silver Spurs 4-H Club (left) and the Green Machine 4-H club (right) displayed their 4-H Spirit with their "hay cake" displays at the County Hay Show in Kaufman.

Kaufman 4-H Club prepare planters

Kaufman 4-H club officers, Rachel Braddock, John Mitchell and Christa Day prepared the planters outside the gym of Kaufman High School for the start of school