Tuesday, August 30, 2011

2012 Swine Validation Tag Orders

The form has been posted on the Travis 4-H Website and can be found by clicking this link  - Tag Order Form

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

2011 State Fair of Texas "Quality Counts" Photo Contest

New this year is the “Quality Counts” photo contest. Youth from around the state can submit up to five photos, one in each category. This contest gives students the opportunity to showcase their photography skills and the beauty of agriculture in the state of Texas. The categories are: Texas Livestock, Texas Agriculture, Best Practices in Animal Husbandry, Youth Helping Youth, and Texas Youth Show Ring. Photos must be submitted online by midnight on September 6. 

More information may be found on the State Fair Website

Saturday, August 13, 2011

2012 Broiler Order for SALE/HLSR/STFR

If you plan to exhibit broilers at the following major stock shows; San Antonio, Houston or the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, the order form is due to the Travis County Extension Office by October 6th. The form may be found at this link - Broiler Order Form - Please remember that this is not the set that will be used for the Travis County Youth Show.

Fryer Order for 2012 Travis County Youth Show

If you plan to exhibit chickens at the 2012 Travis County Youth Show, the order form has been posted on the Travis County Youth Show website - Show Link. Please note that if you are familiar with the process in the past, this is a new process this year.The birds you buy for TCYS will NOT be able to be used for any of the major shows. These birds are for TCYS use only.

The order form is due to the Travis County Extension Office by Thursday, September 29th. Form and money must physically be in the office. If you have any questions, please email Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Clovers and Cameras - Workshop

Find out how to make the most of your 4-H Photography project during this five series workshop! 4-H’ers,
leaders, and volunteers will learn from the pros. All participants must be at least 11 years of age and
have their own camera to bring to the workshops. The five Workshop Package
is $125 and includes lunch and a educational booklet from all workshops. While individual workshops are $30 each and includes lunch and educational materials for a individual workshop. Registration will open on August 15th on 4-H CONNECT and each workshop is limited to the first 30 registrations.
Session Dates and Topics will be:
September 10th: Photography 101
October 2nd: Portraits
October 15th: Photojournalism
October 22nd: Landscapes
November 6th: Beyond the Photos with Design
For more information contact Amy Dromgoole at 979- 458-4227 or by email at amy.dromgoole@tamu.edu. To download an informational pamphlet visit: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu.

Texas 4-H Is Looking For A New Theme Song

Do we have an opportunity for an inspiring youth song writing and performer. Two years ago, former 4-H
member, Brison Bursey wrote and performed the theme for the one day 4-H community service project. We are looking for the next Brison Bursey! Entries are now being accepted by any active Texas 4-H member for a  theme song that highlights what Texas 4-H is all about. Entries must be the original work of the person/group entering the song. Entries will be evaluated on the words, music score, and audience appeal. Score can be performed by individual or a band and can follow any genre. Entries must be submitted by September 15, 2011 and the winner will be announced on Monday of National 4-H Week (October 3, 2011). The winning entry will be awarded a $200.00 prize and be featured throughout the
week and year at events and activities hosted by Texas 4-H. Entries will need to be sent via e-mail (t-lepley@
tamu.edu) or by mail on a CD/flash drive to Texas 4-H Office c/o Toby Lepley, 4180 State Hwy 6 South, College Station, TX 77845. Entries need to include the county where members are from, song writers name, names of all performers, and ages. Song writers and singers must be 4-H members, but can use adults as band members. The winning entry becomes the property of the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program for use in 4-H programming with credit and recognition given to the 4-H member/band.

4-H Spirit Night at the Good Luck Grill

The Leaders 4 Team is hosting a spirit night at Good Luck Grill on September 20th. Invite your family and friends to join the team for dinner. A portion of ticket sales will be donated back to the team to support their efforts in raising money for their trip to the National 4-H Western in January 2012.
Spirit Night Flyer

Cowboy Country Bash

The Cowboy Country Bash has been postponed. Please check back for details regarding the release of the new date.

Be the Next 4-Her to Carry the Olympic Flame!


Kelcie Thomas 2010 Olympic TorchNational 4-H Council is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for 4-H members provided by Coca-Cola, a supporter and national sponsor of 4-H for more than 40 years.
As a sponsor of the Olympic Games, Coca-Cola has the opportunity to select approximately one dozen individuals to carry the torch at the next Olympics in London, England. Coca-Cola is looking to select young people who demonstrate clear leadership in one of their Live Positively categories – healthy/active living, community, environment or workplace initiatives – to carry the Olympic flame on behalf of the United States.
Laura Webber 2010 Olypmic Torch
Please go to www.livepositively.com before August 15th to nominate a 4-H young person who you feel fulfills the criteria for this incredible honor.
Did you know that we’ve had two 4-H’ers as Olympic torchbearers before? In the 2010 winter Olympic Games, Kelcie Thomas and Laura Webber enjoyed this honor and had an amazing experience. Who will be next?

Monday, August 8, 2011

Stripes Mobile Campaign

The Texas 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce the continuation of our 4-H alliance with Stripes® Convenience Stores. “Helping Today’s Kids Become Tomorrow’s Leaders will begin September 5 through October 2, 2011. Last year's campaign raised over $66,000 between Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico store locations.  $39,540 went direct to the counties where the stores were located (funds were based on the mobiles sold at the locations) and was designated for local 4-H support.  The campaign will again include the Wichita Falls, San Angelo, Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, Victoria, and Houston market areas but this year will add in the Uvalde, Del Rio and Eagle Pass areas as well.   A complete list of the store locations in these market areas will be added to our website http://texas4hfoundation.org/texas-4-h-alliances/stripes/ by mid-August
Mobile Campaigns are important to Stripes, because of their ability to create a direct company partnership with customers to raise funds for deserving causes. Stripes® focuses its charitable efforts exclusively on programs designed to enhance the health and education of youth residing in the communities served by the Company. What better fit than the Texas 4-H Youth and Development Program for their efforts.
Stop in at a Stripes® store and be sure and participate in the Mobile Clover Campaign. Proceeds from the mobiles sold will be donated to the local county 4-H program. 

Although our area does not have a Stripes, if you are passing through one of the others listed above, please stop in to support that local 4-H program.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Paint Mare For Sale

We have placed an ad on equinenow.com for our eight year old absolutely stunning paint mare Stormy (pics attached).  She's the one horse we have held on to through the years because she is such a 'close to perfect' horse.  I know with the drought this is a bad time to be selling a horse.  Stormy is just not getting used as much as she was in the past.  Stormy is an eager, fast learner and has some Tennessee Walker in her giving her a super smooth natural gait.  She might do best with a lightweight, female rider simply because that's all she's known and that's what she's physically conditioned to at present.  She has been pastured with companion mares but is happier with a gelding for a buddy.  It's going to break our hearts to sell her but we want to find a home for her where she will not only be loved but also used. We are flexible on price; our priority is to match her to the best owner.  Please take a look and also forward this email to anyone you know who might have an interest.  Thanks for your consideration. 
  Please Contact Diane January at DianeJanuary@sbcglobal.net

2011-2012 4-H Year Enrollment

It is that time of the year again. Just as in the past, all former members will be required to "review and renew" their 4-H Connect profiles. This pertains to youth and adults. All members will be allowed to start that process beginning August 1, 2011. New members will need to create a profile.

New for 2011-2012 - 4-H Participation Fee
In Travis County, a $10.00 fee has been collected from members to offset costs for the Travis County 4-H Programs to reduce and typically eliminate the process of conducting fundraising efforts by all members. Travis County 4-H will continue to collect that money, but a new participation fee will now be collected on the state level. For those who register on 4-H Connect by October 31, 2011, there will be a $20.00 charge and for those who register starting November 1, 2011 and after will be accessed a $25.00 fee. This decision was made for many reasons and is a fee that will be collected state wide. Clover kids and adults will not pay the fee. However, adults will still continue to be accessed the fee for background checks (every 3 years). If  you are unsure if you are in need of a background check, please talk with Cory or John.



District 10 Mega Meeting

The District 10 Mega Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Palo Alto College in San Antonio. This is the annual 4-H meeting with many different activities going on including:
• Project Development Committee Meetings with training and officer elections
• Concurrent workshops for volunteers and parents sponsored by District 10 VLAT
• District 10 4-H Council Business Meeting and Standing Committee Meetings
• District 10 Volunteer Leaders Association Business Meeting

This is a great opportunity to meet other youth and adults from District 10. For those who may be interested in learning more, read the information on the link provided. Your $20.00 fee is due by August 15, 2011 the Travis County Extension Office.   Mega Meeting Information