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.

Rabbit Workshop

Want to show rabbits at the county and state fair and don't know where to start?

Kaufman 4-H Rabbit Committee will host a rabbit workshop at 6:30 p.m. September 19th, at Kaufman County 4-H Office

Those already showing rabbits are welcome to attend and learn about any new changes to breed standards, look for new breeds, buy and sell new prospects, or learn how to improve a herd.

The New 4-H Year is off to a BIG Start!!

The new year is off to a great start for the Kaufman County 4-H Program.  Tuesday night club managers and project leaders met to discuss preparing for the new year.  Above is a list of the clubs that have checked in to provide fun opportunities for the 4-H Members in Kaufman County.

Here is a listing of the clubs and what they are....

Youth Council - The youth council are representatives from each of the community clubs and the project clubs.  But also we have young leaders that are 13 years old and older to come to participate in the leadership activities the council hosts.

Clothing & Textiles Project - Come learn the basic of the clothing and textiles project by sewing cool gifts, learn how to turn a feed bag into a neat gift bag, have you ever made a yo-yo?

Lone Star Dairy Goat Project club - Have a dairy goat? Want to learn how to take care of a Nigerian Dwarf Goat?  Come have fun learning how to care for, show and manage one of the coolest of the dairy goat breeds. And the best thing is the only get up to about 40 pounds!!

Kaufman 4-H - This club hosts craft nights, and participate in a wide range of projects from working on community service projects to showing livestock projects at the county fair.

Scurry-Rosser - One of the oldest and longest running traditional clubs in the county this club sports also a wide range of project opportunities.

Dog Project - Featured earlier in the blog this is a fun project club to bring your "best friend" and learn how you two can work as a team.  4-H Dog shows do not require a pure bred dog so bring them along and join the fun.

Food and Nutrition - Come learn how to be more healthy in life while learning how to cook nutritious snacks.

Beef Club - You do not have to have a heifer or steer to participate in this club.  They participate in Livestock Judging, Beef Quiz Bowls and Beef Skillathon contests.

Horse Club - Again you do not have to have a horse to participate.  They participate in Horse Judging, Hippology and Horse Quiz Bowls!!

Ruminants Unlimited - Have a goat or lamb?  Come learn how to be a better showman or how to feed to win.  The Ruminant Unlimited club practices monthly to help families learn how to improve their goat or lamb projects.

County Liners 4-H Club - These kiddos have a great time with the share the fun contest (theater), gardening, and having just plain fun.

Coming Soon to a place near you...Volunteers in Terrell are looking to start a Terrell 4-H Club.  If you are interested call into the Extension Office.

If you are interested in starting a 4-H club in your area please call the extension office to get the information and the start up packet.

What's New in The Texas 4-H Dog Project

The Texas 4-H Dog Show has been a great success for 39 years! Competitors from all over the state, ranging in age from 8 to 18. All breeds, including mixed, are welcome to compete after they have met the minimum requirements. Dog and 4-H member teams can compete in five different classes, such as: obedience or rally, conformation, showmanship, drill team, and/or costume.

From Rockwall County, Katie showed this last July and boy did they do good and looks like the had lots of fun!!

1st of 12 in Senior Showmanship

1st of 4 in Senior Novice B Obedience

1st of 25 in Tricks

1st of 3 in Standard Excellent Agility

2nd of 14 in Senior Costume

3rd of 10 in Senior Novice B Rally

3rd of 12 in Toy Group

3rd of 3 in Senior Jumpers Excellent Agility

If you want to learn more about the 4-H Dog Project and just have fun with your dog come to the Dog Project Workouts on the 2nd Wednesdays of each Month in Terrell at the Pet Spa on Hwy 80 in Terrell.  For more information call the Extension Office

2011-2012 4-H Food Show and Food Challenge Packet is now Available

The 2011-2012 4-H Food Show and Food Challenge Packet is now available. The guidelines can also be viewed at the link listed below.   http://fcs.tamu.edu/food_and_nutrition/4-h_youth.php

The 2012 Food Show Packet includes the guidelines, rules and regulations for the Food Show, and the Food Challenge at State Roundup. The website also includes all contest documents in a fillable PDF format. Please discard the 2011 Roundup materials as information in the guide has changed.

Please review changes and reminders to the contest rules and paperwork.

Youth Poultry Newsletter

The latest issue of the Youth Poultry Newsletter is attached. It can also be found at:

http://posc.tamu.edu/extensionprograms/youth_programs/index.htm

In this issue:

· Important announcements regarding poultry show dates and bird pick-up times

· Basic guidelines for raising show broilers

· Wingband care

We also have an email account now set-up that allows youth, county agents and ag teachers to directly contact our interns who process broiler and turkey orders. The address is:

poultryshows@poultry.tamu.edu

2011-2012 4-H Clothing Packet Available

The 2011-2012 4-H Clothing Packet is now available at http://fcs.tamu.edu/clothing/4h/packet/index.php

The 2012 Clothing Packet includes the guidelines, rules and regulations for the Fashion Show, Stage Design Contest and the Fashion Storyboard Contest at State Roundup. The website also includes all contest documents in a fillable PDF format. Please discard the 2011 Roundup materials as information in the guide has changed.

Please review changes and reminders to the contest rules and paperwork.

• All Fashion Storyboard entries for Texas 4-H Roundup will be required to register on 4-H Connect and pay the registration fee.

• The following design brief will serve as the direction for the 2012 Fashion Storyboard contest.

Around the World - Use your fashion passport to explore people, places, culture and fashion around the world. Use what you learn about other parts of the globe to inspire your creation.

• District Natural Fiber winners will be eligible to compete in the Fashion Show Natural Fiber Contest at the Texas 4-H Roundup. Entries in the Natural Fiber contest do not have to be the same as the entries in the Buying or Construction division. Just a reminder, district winners in the Fashion Show category (casual, dressy, formal, specialty) in buying or construction division are no longer eligible to compete in the Natural Fiber contest, unless they win the district Natural Fiber Contest. If a participant is a district Fashion Show Buying or Construction winner and a district Natural Fiber winner they will be able to compete in both at State Roundup.

• This year’s 4-H Quilt Challenge will be limited to the first 75 persons/groups who return the Quilt Challenge request form. Request forms will be accepted starting September 15^th. Quilts can be entered into one of the three following categories: appliqued, pieced or combination. Quilters will be able to use an unlimited number of fabrics in their quilt.

• 3 copies of the required Fashion Show paperwork are due May 9, 2012.

Just a few reminders:

• Each district may send one contestant from each of the four categories (casual, dressy, formal and specialty) in buying and construction and one contestant from each of the two categories (cotton and wool/mohair) in Natural Fiber.

• All Fashion Show entries will complete a 2012 Texas 4-H Fashion Show Entry Form along with the division worksheet for the contest that they are competing in. The Fashion Show Entry Form includes a picture of the garment, project information regarding goals, project related activities and signatures.

Deadlines for Clothing Contests:

Friday, October 21, 2011 and Friday, June 1, 2012

§ 4-H Clothing and Textile Advisory Board Applications (4-H members, volunteer leaders and agents)

Friday, February 3, 2012

§ Stage Design Contest – Application

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

§ 4-H Fashion Show Entries

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

§ Fashion Storyboard Check-in

The deadlines listed are the dates that applications and entries need to be received at the state level. Please remind participants that NO late entries will be accepted for any of the contests. Also remind all contestants to read the instructions carefully as points will be deducted for incomplete or incorrect paperwork.

Please share these guidelines with 4-H leaders, volunteers and youth in your county. These guidelines along with additional resources are posted at http://fcs.tamu.edu/youth/.

If you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call. Good Luck with your 2012 Clothing Program!