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1709 E Sarah DeWitt Dr.
Gonzales, Texas 78629
October 2014
830/672-8531
GONZALES COUNTY 4-h
COMMUNITY NEWS
Hope everyone is having a great school year so far. This edition of the newsletter is packed
with information on projects and shows. So there should be something for everyone. Check out
the dates.
Dwight Sexton
CEA-Ag
Gonzales County
Janie Pineda
CEA-FCS
Gonzales County
We’re on the web. This newsletter is available on the internet at the Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Gonzales County web page: http://gonzales.agrilife.org
and Facebook at Gonzales County4-H
http://www.facebook.com/GonzalesCounty4H?ref=hl
ATTENTION!!
4-H
Council
members and Adult Leaders…
meetings will be at the County
Extension Office on Nov 18, 2014
at 6:30 P.M. All council members
and leaders are encouraged to attend.
The 4-H Council Officers for this year are:
President:
Dylan Mills
V President: Loni Soefje
Secretary: Haley Clampit
Treasurer: Kristofer Knesek
Parliamentarian:
Dillon Catchings
Reporter:
Sadie Thibodeaux
Dist Council Reps:
Dylan Mills
Loni Soefje
Savay Sexton
Registration on 4-H connect will
begin Aug 15, 2014. Please go to the
following link
https://texas.4honline.com/Login.aspx?4348503
72944385D5E0F390D
and register beginning August 15, 2014. Your
ID and password will be the same as last year.
If you have any problems or questions please
call or email Sherry scallaway@ag.tamu.edu
at the Extension Office and she will be able to
help you.
Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating CLUB MANAGERS…if you have not turned
in your club officers yet, please email them
or bring them by the office as soon as
possible.
Club Manager Report
4-H Club Manager Reports are due the day
after your club meeting.
GONZALES LIVESTOCK SHOW
Heads up on the rules for the 2015
Gonzales Livestock Show, all exhibitors
must be a FFA or 4-H member in Gonzales
County by November 1, 2014.
Quality Counts Training for 2015
Gonzales and major Livestock Show
Exhibitors Training for the Quality Counts
verification can be done online at
http://agrilife.org/qualitycounts/
Once you arrive at this site, you can go to
the Texas Trails icon to take the training.
Then click on the verification icon to take the
test.
New for 2015 ALL Gonzales County
Youth Show (Animals and Bake Show)
exhibitors must obtain a Quality Counts
certification number by Dec 31, 2014
GONZALES LIVESTOCK SHOW
Heads up on the rules for the 2015
Gonzales Livestock Show, all exhibitors
must be a FFA or 4-H member in Gonzales
County by November 1, 2014.
You can stay up to date on events with the
Nixon-Smiley Stock Show by following their
Facebook page Nixon-Smiley Livestock
Show
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/NixonSmiley-Livestock-Show/131652440191335
GONZALES COUNTY 4-H owns livestock
clippers, and a liquid nitrogen tank to store
bull semen for any 4-H member to use for
their beef projects. These are available for
check-out at the AgriLife Extension Office.
LIVESTOCK PROJECTS…4-H members
who want assistance in selecting their 4-H
livestock projects or would like further advice
on managing their projects, are encouraged
to communicate with their club managers,
and are also welcome to seek assistance
from your county agent, Dwight Sexton. Mr.
Sexton is available to make project visits
and provide advice on your projects.
CALF SCRAMBLES---anyone wishing to
participate in the calf scramble contest at any of
the major livestock shows (Fort Worth, San
Antonio, Houston, Austin, and Waco) should
contact the Extension Office to obtain
information to register for the calf scramble
competitions.
Each show has a different
registration deadline and registration procedure,
so you need to call promptly. If you successfully
catch a calf in these scrambles you will be
awarded a $500-$1750 certificate to purchase a
heifer or possibly other animal projects as well
as being eligible for additional scholarships.
Livestock Judging Contests
Oct 18th Calhoun Co. Fair-Port Lavaca
Contact the Extension Office for more
information
Prospect Shows
Oct 11th—Guadalupe County Fair, SeguinSheep & Goats
Oct 15th—LaBahia Fall Classic, Steer-Goliad
Oct 18th&19th—Lone Star Classic Heifer &
Steer-Hallettsville
Oct 18th& 19th—Chisholm Trail Beef
Challenge, Heifer & Steer-Lockhart
Oct 18th&19th—Y’all Come Back Fall
Classic, Steer-Floresville
Rural Youth Loans… the Farm Service
Agency has a program that provides loans
to youth for purchasing income producing
livestock to improve and/or begin their
operation. Information on this program is
available at the Gonzales FSA Office, 830672-7511
4-H COMPUTER We have a
computer that any 4-H member
can use in our office. We have
had a printer donated and now
are in need of a scanner. If you
have an old scanner that you are not using
please consider donating it to 4-H. This
computer is for anyone in 4-H to use for 4-H
material and do not have access to a
computer, you can now use a computer here
in our office.
TAKE PICTURES—and tell us what is going
on at your club meetings or other 4-H
activities. Let’s promote 4-H in our
community and show Gonzales what 4-H is
all about. Send your pictures and stories to
gonzales@ag.tamu.edu
CLOVER KIDS
The 4-H program serves youth 9 years of age (or 8 years of age and in the 3rd grade) to 19. As an
affiliated group, youth enrolled as 4-H Clover Kids have activities and programs suitable for their age
group. Clover Kids are not eligible to participate in activities, recognition programs and competitive
events reserved for older youth.
Competitive events and competitive judging are inappropriate for Clover Kids. Clover Kids may have
animal projects; however, it is recommended animal projects should not exceed a rabbit in size. Most
standard 4-H accident insurance normally is not available for youth under 5 years of age.
Gonzales Lamb & Goat Validation and
Major Shows Lamb & Goat Validation
October 22, 2014 @ JB Wells Park
Lambs 5:00-6:00PM
Goats 6:00-7:00PM
2014-2015 Texas 4-H/FFA heifer Validation Program
Beginning this fall, there will be a major show heifer validation for any 4-H or FFA member wanting to
exhibit heifers at the major livestock shows (Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Waco & Dallas).
The animal ownership deadline will still be Nov 1, but registration papers will need to be transferred to
the exhibitor before this validation which will occur in early November. The heifers must be tattooed,
brands recorded and hair samples will be collected for a DNA assay. There will be a $10 charge per
heifer validated.
Triple Open & Youth Rabbit Specialty Shows
For Californians, Dutch, Mini Lops, French Lops, English Lops
Sat. Nov 22, 2014 at Riverbend Park Pavilion in Smithville
More information is available at the Extension Office
Heart of Texas Trap Shooters Extravaganza
Friday, October 10, 2014 in Waco
More information and enrollment is available at the Extension Office.
County Food Show and Food Challenge
entry deadlines-Friday, October 17-may be turned in to the Extension Office or emailed to Janie Pineda at
janie.pineda@ag.tamu.edu
County Food Show and Food Challenge-Saturday, October 25th at 623 N. Fair Street
Food Show
9:00 a.m.
Registration
9:15 a.m.
Orientation for Contestants
9:30 a.m.
Food Show Judging Begins
11:00 a.m.
Presentation and awards
Food Challenge
1:00 p.m.
Registration
1:15 p.m.
Orientation for Contestants
1:30 p.m.
Food Challenge Judging begins
3:30 p.m.
Presentation and awards
District 10 4-H Food Show and Food Challenge Guidelines will be available within the next two weeks.
Open Horse Show
Sponsored by Bexar Co 4-H Horse Leaders
Nov. 8, 2014 Heifer & Performance Events
Nov 9, 2014 Speed Events
Helotes pro Rodeo Arena, Helotes
Contact Esther Sell at esellesell@yahoo.com or 210-639-7205 for more information.
2015 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Team
If interested in being a member of the 36 person Texas Team
competing during the National 4-H Shooting Sports
Invitation June 21-26, 2015 in Grand Island, NE
Apply on 4-H Connect by Nov 13, 2014. Further details are available at the Extension Office
National 4-H Week
th
th
From, October 5 through October 11 , Texas 4-H will join the rest of the country as we celebrate National 4-H
Week. The purpose of this week is for youth in our 4-H Program to highlight the successes, benefits and impact
of the 4-H to the community. To prepare for the week of celebration and promotion visit the 2014 National 4-H
website at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/4hweek
The Texas 4‐H Youth Development Program is excited to release two photography contest for the 2014‐2015 4‐H Year. These contests are: 2015 Texas 4‐H Photography Contest
Website: http://texas4‐h.tamu.edu/statephotography
Theme: The theme is “Inspiration”. This year the theme will focus on pictures of subjects that move and inspire YOU. Photos can include photos of leaders, mentors, family, friends, things in your community, school, church, or across the country and world. Examples include images of family members, a leader/teacher or someone that you look up to, something in nature, or things that give you daily inspiration.
Entry Period: April 1, 2015 to April 15, 2015 through 4‐H CONNECT
2014‐15 Texas State Preservation Board 4‐H and FFA Photography Contest
Website: http://texas4‐h.tamu.edu/ffa4hphoto The Texas State Preservation Board in partnership with the Texas 4‐H Youth Development Program are pleased to present an annual photography contest for members of the Texas 4‐H and FFA Programs. This photography contest allows 4‐H and FFA members to showcase Texas Agriculture through photos.
A select number of the photographs will be displayed in the Texas State Capitol Agriculture Museum starting in January 2015 before the opening of the Legislative Session. Selected photographs will feature a place card with the photographer’s name, city, and age. Photos will remain on display for one year in the Agriculture Museum.
Entry Period: September 19, 2014 to December 10, 2014
Entry Location: http://fs4.formsite.com/state4h/4hffa/index.html
All rules and guidelines are posted on each of the respective contest sites. Contest and project resources can also be found http://texas4‐h.tamu.edu/project_photography.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Texas 4‐H Office at 979‐845‐1212 or Toby Lepley at t‐
lepley@tamu.edu.
Duds to Dazzle is a 4‐H Roundup qualifying contest that allows members the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills learned in the 4‐H Clothing & Textile project. The contest mirrors the Food Challenge, and focuses on making a viable product by recycling a textile that no longer serves its original purpose. Teams of 3 to 5 members will create a repurposed item from a predetermined textile. The teams will have 60 minutes to design and construct their product, which will fit into one of three categories: Wearable, Accessory/Jewelry and Non‐
Wearable. Each team will give a presentation to a panel of judges explaining their design process and the steps taken to create the end product, how the item would be cared for, safety precautions taken into consideration, the target audience and purchasing venue, and the price for the sale of their created merchandise. The first place district team from each of the three categories in the senior age division will advance to the state contest taking place Thursday, June 11th at Texas 4‐H Roundup in College Station. The contest guide and a wealth of resources are currently available at http://texas4‐h.tamu.edu/clothings‐
textiles.
4-H Recordbooks- Download one now and start keeping records monthly!
RecordkeepingisaveryvaluableskilltaughttomembersoftheTexas4‐Hprogram.Membersare
encouragedtokeepprojectrecordsandhavetheserecordsreviewedannuallybysubmittinga
Texas4‐HRecordbook.Theprimarypurposesofcompletingarecordbookareforayoungperson
todeveloptheskillsnecessarytosetgoals,worktowardachievingthosegoals,reflectonhis/her
experiences,andsetnewandhighergoalsforthemselves.Asecondarybenefitistoprepareyoung
peoplefortheprocessofcompletingqualityacademicscholarshipapplications.
Twoversionsareavailabletocompletearecordbook:onlineorbyusingaworddocument.The
onlineversioncanbefoundat4hreports.com.Thissiteallowsyoutocreateafamilyprofileand
saveallinformationfromyeartoyear.Tofindtheworddocumentform,simplyvisit
http://texas4‐h.tamu.edu/youth_recordbooks.Openandsavetheappropriateagedivisionand
personalinformationsheet.Agecategories(ageasofSept.1)are:junior(3rdgrade‐10),
intermediate(11‐13Yreas),andsenior(14‐18years).Eachagedivisionhasdifferent
requirementsandstandards.Alwayskeepallofyourpastyear’srecordbookformsastheymaybe
includedbehindinthecurrentyears’book.
ItisthegoaloftheGonzalesCountyAdultLeaderstoprovidealocalreviewdatetoensureall
componentshavebeenincludedintherecordbookandprovidesuggestionsbeforethebookleaves
forfurtherjudging.Thisdeadlineisrequiredforallbooksinordertobeeligibletoreceiveany
awardsortobeabletoapplyforaseniorscholarship.Ifarecordbookisincomplete,themember
willbenotifiedandcorrectionswillneedtobemadepriortothemulticountydeadline.The
GonzalesCountydeadlineforreviewisJune15,2015.Bookswillbereviewedasecondtimeto
ensurecorrectionsweremadebeforeleavingforMultiCountyRecordbookjudging.Seniorlevel
booksmusthaveallcorrectionsmadeinordertoremaineligibleforthescholarship.
Recordbookinformationcanbefoundathttp://texas4‐h.tamu.edu/youth_recordbooksor
http://gonzales.agrilife.org
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 5-11, 2014
National 4-H Week
October 11, 2014
One Day 4-H @Gonzales Public Library 9-11AM
October 15, 2014
Adult Leaders Scholarship Agreements due
October 22, 2014
Gonzales Livestock Show and Major Show Lamb & Goat Validation
JB Wells Park—5:00-6:00-Lambs, 6:00-7:00PM-Goats
October 25, 2014
Gonzales County Food Show and Food Challenge @ Fair Street Building
Food Show 9:00AM-12:00PM
Food Challenge 1:00-2:00PM
November 1, 2014
Deadline to enroll in 4-H to participate in the Gonzales Live Stock Show
November 18, 2014
6:00PM Youth Council & Adult Leaders meeting @ Extension Office
December 31, 2014
Deadline for Quality Counts Training for 2015
June 15, 2014
Record books due
June 15, 2014
Adult Leaders Scholarship applications due
For more district Calendar information go to the District 4-H
Website: http://d104-h.tamu.edu/
ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL MEMBERS
Gonzales County 4-H Adult Leaders wish to provide an opportunity for any Gonzales County 4-H high
school student to apply for a scholarship during his/her senior year. Incoming freshman and returning
eligible members now is the time to sign the scholarship agreement. Eligibility requirements involve
completing record books, involvement, fundraiser assistance, and completing an application during
your senior year. Completing a record book 3 out of 4 years during high school has always been a
requirement. Be sure to acquire a copy of the Gonzales County 4-H Scholarship Agreement. If you
feel you meet these requirements be sure to return the receipt to the Extension Office no later than
October 15, 2014.
Copies are available online http://gonzales.agrilife.org/publications/
or from the extension office.
THE GONZALES COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT
The Gonzales County 4-H Adult Leaders wish to provide an opportunity for any Gonzales County 4-H high school student
to apply for a scholarship during his/her senior year. Scholarship(s) will be given at the discretion of the scholarship
committee. The Gonzales 4-H Adult Leaders request that the scholarship be established and administered as follows:
1. Name: Gonzales County 4-H Scholarship
2. Type: Annual scholarship to be continued as long as the Adult Leaders consider it justified and financially feasible. The
scholarship is not renewable and is a one time scholarship per recipient.
3. Effective: To become effective with the 2014-2015 academic year.
4. Availability: Availability of the scholarship will be publicized by written notification to all qualified applicants by means of
the Texas AgriLIFE Extension newsletter or by other means deemed appropriate by the Scholarship Committee.
5. Recipient: Regularly enrolled freshman student, pursuing a baccalaureate degree or related degree, to include a degree
program in an accredited trade or vocational school.
6. Eligibility:
A. Record book: Student must have completed record books three out of four years in high school. If the recordbook does
not meet the Texas 4-H Record book Guidelines then student becomes ineligible. A record book committee will be
established to provide assistance prior to deadline.
B. Involvement: Student must show active involvement in Gonzales County 4-H and attend a minimum of five meetings per
year throughout high school. Students will be given an attendance record to be signed by the club adult leader, County
Extension Agent - AG or Country Extension Agent – Family and Consumer Science. Attendance records can be turned in
after five signatures. In the event a student misses a meeting, an excuse must be submitted to the Extension Office within 7
days. Excuses will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee, documented and filed in student’s folder.
C. Fundraiser Assistance: Student must assist in scholarship fundraising per year throughout high school. Scholarship
fundraiser committee will inform students of type of assistance within a timely manner.
D. Application: During the student’s senior year, an application must be completed by the deadline as set forth by the
scholarship committee. Late applications will not be accepted.
E. Transfer Students: Students must show proof of involvement and record book completion in the form of a letter from the
County Extension Office or Club Manager from their previous county. Also, students must show completion of scholarship
criteria throughout the remaining years of high school while being a member of Gonzales County 4-H. Transfer students will
be reviewed on an individual basis as needed. Scholarship committee reserves the right to prorate scholarship funds if
deemed necessary.
7. Stipulated Terms of Scholarship:
A. Student must be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student. Special circumstance must be addressed to the scholarship
committee prior to disbursements of funds. Funds are to be used for educational purposes.
B. Payments to be made following proof of enrollment in a college, trade or vocational school no later than September 30,
2014 for the fall semester and no later than January 29, 2015 for the spring semester. Proof of enrollment should be sent to
the Scholarship chairperson or Treasurer at the Extension Office.
C. Failure of a student to maintain at least a 2.0 overall average at time of mid-semester grade reporting would be grounds
for termination. Grades need to be turned in no later than January 29, 2015.
D. Scholarship committee reserves to right to make changes as needed prior to a school year.
8. Selection of Scholarship Recipient(s)
Scholarship(s) will be given at the discretion of the scholarship committee.
************************************************************************************************************************************
RECEIPT OF THE GONZALES COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT
Year: _____________________________
I have read and understand the scholarship agreement as set forth by the Gonzales County 4-H Scholarship Committee.
___________________________________________
Student Signature
Date: _________________________________
____________________________________________ Date: _________________________________
Parent Signature
Please mail or drop off receipt of scholarship agreement no later than October 15, 2014.
Keep pages above for your records.
GRADUATING SENIORS:
Applications are available at the Texas AgriLIFE Extension office.
Deadline to return application is June 15, 2015.