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

DATES TO REMEMBER

October

21 – Sheep Project Club Meeting 6:00p.m. at the Youth Fair Barns

23 – Food Challenge Practice 4:30p.m. at Extension Office

23 – Food and Nutrition Quiz Bowl Practice 6:00p.m. at Extension Office

25 – Livestock Judging Meeting 6:30p.m. at Extension Office

27 – County Food Show 2:00p.m. at Extension Office

November

5 – Major Stock Show Entry Night 5:00p.m. at Extension Office

10 – Swine Validation 8:00a.m. at the Youth Fair Barns

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

13 – Early 4-H Club Meeting 6:30p.m. at Early First Baptist Church

19 – Major Stock Show Entry Night 5:00p.m. at Extension Office

4-H ENROLLMENT IS OPEN ON 4-H CONNECT!

August 15th starts the enrollment process for the 2012-2013 4-H year in Texas. All 4-H families, new and returning, are encouraged to log in and enroll in order to become an official 4-H member. If you want to become an adult leader or volunteer we encourage you to enroll for the 2012-2013 year. The web site for 4-H CONNECTS is www.4honline.com.  There is no cost for adult leaders or adult volunteers. As you enroll in 4-H for the year, here are some tips in using 4-H CONNECT:

• If you already have a profile DO NOT creates another one!
• If you lost your email and password call the county office we can tell you your e-mail address and reset your password!
• To be an official 4-H member in Texas 4-H you must have an ACTIVE profile in 4-H CONNECT!
• An active membership will not be granted until the $20.00 participation fee is paid on 4-H   Connect!
• You cannot register for an event until your profile is ACTIVE.
• When you are doing your re-enrollment for the 2012-2013 4-H Year please make sure you update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.
• You can use your Spaghetti Luncheon Fundraiser Voucher to pay your membership dues. To do this you will have to come into the extension office to enroll.

Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll because after October 31st the cost increases to $25!!

BROWN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR CHECKLIST

The Brown County Youth Fair is approaching fast. Everyone should have your animals if you are planning on entering in the Livestock Division of the Youth Fair. There are a few other things that have to be done in order to participate in the Brown County Youth Fair. Below is a check list for you to go by to make sure you are covered.

– Enroll in 4-H

– Attend Validation (have your animal validated for county or state)

– Purchase a Youth Fair Membership (this is mandatory if you are entering livestock or home economics)

– Fill out an entry form for the Brown County Youth Fair

** If you are showing horses, you and your horse must attend one of the two mandatory practices on Dec 2nd or Dec 16th 2:00 p.m. at the Youth Fair Barns Show Arena. You will also need to have the proof of ownership Papers or bill of sale, registration papers or 4-H certification form. All horses must have negative EIA test documentation.

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 5th and 19th from 5p.m. – 7p.m.

• If you are planning on entering Ft. Worth you will need to attend the night of November 5th because the deadline to enter Ft. Worth Stock Show is November 9th.
• The deadline to enter Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and San Angelo Stock Show is November 20th.
• 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 November 27th.

If you have any questions please contact Nick Gonzales.

Goat Showmanship Clinic

A goat showmanship clinic will be held on Sunday October 28th from 2:30 pm   3:30 pm at the Brown County Fair Association Fair Barns show ring. This will be a hands on workshop so you are encouraged to bring your goat. This clinic is free to Brown County 4-H members and $10 for non 4-H participants. Please RSVP to Gayland Miller 325-642-3007.

4-H Meat Judging Team

Brown County 4-H is organizing a meat science project team (meat judging team). The meat science project teaches youth to identify various cuts of meats, and determine the relative quality of wholesale and retail cuts of meat. If you are interested in receiving more detail about this project we will be having a meeting on Thursday, November 1st 6:30 pm at the extension office. Come and find out more information.

4-H FOOD AND NUTRITION PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

The County Food Show is set for October 27th at 2:00p.m. at the Extension Office. The entry deadline is October 20th. If you are interested in participating please contact Kim Miles.

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 30th 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 youth as they participate in events of Stick Horse Pole Bending, Stick Horse Barrel Race, Goat Ribbon Relay, Bucking Barrel, Dummy Roping and a Farm Animal Petting Zoo. If you are interested in participating in the TREAT please contact the Extension Office by October 23rd.

MAY DAY CLASSIC BREEDING BOER GOAT SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarships will be awarded to deserving and qualifying individuals that participate in the Breeding Boer Goat Show at the Brown County Youth Fair. The scholarships will be awarded based on a point system. If you are planning on showing a Breeding Boer Goat in the Brown County Youth Fair this is a great scholarship opportunity for you. If you would like more information about this scholarship you can contact the Extension Office or Shirley Glenn [email protected].

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 1st 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.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners’ Courts of Texas Cooperating.