4-H WHEP Statewide Project Training

February 12, 2011

Loy Lake Park, Denison, Grayson County

Registration is open on 4-H Connect (texas.4honline.com) for adults and youth. This one day training will take the participants through the 4-H WHEP Manual and the Texas Contests Rules and Procedures. Although the contest portion of this project will be a focus, a good deal of attention will be placed on the educational subject matter and how to better learn the material. 4-H WHEP is an excellent wildlife study course as well as a fun competitive event.

Friendly Rabbit Looking for a Good Home

A family in Austin is looking for a good home for the rabbit they acquired. If interested please email at the following address; mrs.shillington@gmail.com

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - Ag Day!

AG4U at HLSR on March 8, 2011

Visit the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, to experience AG4U - an action packed, fun-filled day open to all high school students that spotlights the importance of the ag industry in our daily lives. The capstone event is the Ag. Leadership Forum, a town hall style meeting, featuring professional, educational, and student leaders in the ag. community. Open to the general public, the forum is an interactive and enlightening look into what ag means to each of us.

The day will be filled with activities including:

- ag identification contest

- video contest

- workshops

- career and education fair

- complimentary lunch and hospitality area

- electronic scavenger hunt

- Ag Leadership Forum

- door prizes

Register Online www.rodeohouston.com - click "EVENTS" then "AG4U"

- registration deadline - 2/2/11

- open to all high school students on a first come, first served basis

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Video Challenge

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - Video Challenge - Extension of Deadline to Feb. 1, 2011

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN $500!!!

TAKE THE AG AWARENESS VIDEO CHALLENGE!

I mean seriously....what part of your life do we NOT owe appreciation to agriculture!?!

Girls - do you leave home without makeup?? Do you love the latest fashion statements? Say thanks to agriculture!

Guys - do you go many hours without a "growing boy" size meal? Say thanks to agriculture!

Do you or your family members take medicine when you are ill? Say thanks to agriculture!

Are you thankful for that can of RAID when you spot a Texas Sized Tree Roach??? Say thanks to agriculture!

Check out this YouTube Video for inspiration!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4vvPPNyQ5g

Did you know this year, each American farm family will feed 155 people? Neither did consumers in many major U.S. cities. See their reactions to learning this fact -- and then see how grateful they became for America's farm families. This holiday season, don't forget to thank America's farmers.

For more information and to enter the Video Challenge click on: http://www.rodeohouston.com/events/agricultural-awareness.aspx

For further questions, contact Elise Sartwelle at 713-868-1111 or 281-660-3669 ElsieMae99@aol.com for support, advice, assistance and to help you with any questions.

GOOD LUCK!!

Johnson County 4-H Family in Need of Assistance

A Johnson County 4-H family endured a tragic event this weekend. On Saturday morning, the Mathis Family's home in the Mansfield area burned completely to the ground. This family consists of Chris (father), Amber (mother), Morgan, J.W., William, Sydney (children), and Michelle (aunt). They were left with nothing after the fire, so they need help in starting over during the next few months. The following donations will be the most beneficial to the family at this time:

-- Donate a gift card to Wal-mart, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Department stores, etc.
-- Make a monetary donation with your check made out to the Chris and Amber Mathis Fire Fund.

Please send any donations to the Johnson County Extension Office at 1 N. Main, Ste 309, Cleburne, TX 76033. All donations will be deposited into the Fire Fund or given to the Mathis family as soon as they come in.

2011 Teen Retreat

Travis County 4-H will pay for an adult to attend and chaperone. (Must be an approved 4-H Volunteer)

For 4-H’ers 13-19, this weekend retreat is a great opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills while building your 4-H network of friends from across the state! Texas Teen Retreat is scheduled for January 7-9, 2011 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood. It is designed to build leadership and life skills in youth to help them become productive leaders in their 4-H clubs. Our unique theme this year is “Leaders 4 Life!” an in depth look at this new project. Participants will see, learn, and get some hands on practice in components of the project! There will also be an exciting service learning slash team building activity sure to capture the attention of all. Teen Retreat participants will be equipped to return to their counties and lead activities with afterschool programs, 4-H clubs, Youth Boards, and more!

Come to Teen Retreat 2011 to get more in depth training in the Leaders 4 Life project and contest. You will leave equipped to make plans for implementation the program in your county!
Registration fee for Texas Teen Retreat is $100.00 per youth & $65.00 per Adult Chaperone.
Registration will be conducted on 4-H Connect. For more information on Texas Teen Retreat, please contact the Travis County Extension Office at 512-854-9600 or email Cory at cmtalley2ag.tamu.edu

Registration will be conducted via 4-H Connect starting November 15th and it will remain open through December 20th.

Academic Eligibility Forms for TCYS and Fort Worth

If you plan to exhibit a youth fair or livestock project at the Travis County Youth Show or a livestock project at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, you need to have an academic eligibility form completed by your school. All of the livestock shows adhere to the UIL guidelines so each participant must have a form turned into the Extension Office by Wednesday, January 12th, 2011.

This is for all public, private and homeschool youth. Please remember that January 12th is the deadline. You may turn them in as soon as your school completes the form. It is best that the school fax the form to the Extension Office.

The forms may be found at travis4h.com - look under the tab "4-H Livestock and Animal Information"

Lanier FFA Poinsettia Sale

The Lanier Horticulture Department will be holding its annual Poinsettia Sale. Check out the flyer on the 4-H website: www.travis4h.com - It is listed under the tab "Non 4-H Events/Activities"

Brown Santa

Travis County 4-H will be assisting with Brown Santa. We have a few spots left to fill. If you would like to assist with this project, email Cynthia Pierce at bpierce2@austin.rr.com. You must email to confirm that you will be participating.

We will be working on Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: 2300 Grand Avenue Parkway, Ste 105

D-10 Volunteer Leaders Association on Facebook

District 10 VLAT Facebook Group Now Active!

The District 10 Volunteer Leaders Association has established a group on Facebook to provide an opportunity for volunteers to network, receive information, and more! This strategy is being done to strengthen the core of our volunteer base and make sure that we are on the cutting edge! To join the group, you must have a Facebook account! Once that is in place, do a search for this group: District 10 4-H Volunteer Connect. When the page comes up, click on the button "Join The Group." You will then receive updates on your wall when any new information is posted! Not only can you review information posted by others, but if you have a great idea, a wonderful resource or lesson, or 4-H activity you want to promote that would benefit others in District 10, you can post to the page! Let's get some dialogue going and work together "To Make The Best Better" in District 10!

Shooting Sports Members Selcted for National Teams

Congratulations to the following Shooting Sports members and volunteer leaders who were selected to represent Texas on the National Shooting Sports Teams:
Air Pistol - Dylan Lee
Coach - Gene Jones
Hunting - Keaton Harlow (Captain)
Danial Gibich
Small Bore pistol - Madeline Jones

SALE Youth Country Fair Baking Contest

For those interesting in baking, there is a contest held each year at the San Antonio Livestock Show. For information on the rules and guidelines and the entry form, please check out the Travis County 4-H Website - www.travis4h.com (look under the tab "4-H Events".

Texas 4-H Science is on Facebook

4-H Science [4-H SET] - Texas is on Facebook
Sign up for Facebook to connect with 4-H Science [4-H SET]

Bowie FFA

Bowie FFA Alumni Association is holding a give away for some items from Red's Range. To check out the flyer, visit travis4h.com and look under the tab "4-H Events).

State 4-H Photography Contest - Senior Aged Youth Only

Senior aged 4-H youth (youth who are 14 years of age and older as of August 31, 2010) interested in photography may participate in the state photography contest. The rules and guidelines are posted at www.travis4h.com (look under 4-H Events) There are quite a few changes to the contest so please read the rules and guidelines.

Travis County may only submit a total of 14 entries (1 entry per class). For those interested, please email your photos to cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu by March 25, 2010.

If your photo(s) are selected to be submitted, there is a $10.00 fee per photo as well as registration on 4-H Connect that will be required.

District 10 Photography Contest

For more information about this contest, check out travis4h.com - look under the tab, 4-H Events

Each 4-H member may enter up to three (3) photos. Photos DO NOT have to be in different categories (i.e. 4-H’er may enter 3 animals-wildlife photos). There is also a District Category called Creative Display. This category allows 4’Hers to show their creativity with photos in a scrapbook layout. In addition to the 3 photos, a 4-H member may enter one item in the Creative Display category. If a 4-H’er submits more than 3 photos, it will be up to the committee’s discretion as to which 3 photos will be judged. Photos must be taken by the 4-H member between May 1, 2010 and 2011 District Contest.

4-H Day with Texas A&M Basketball

The Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program is proud to announce a recent partnership with the Texas A&M Athletic Department. On December 4, 2010, Texas A&M Basketball will host the 4-H Challenge in conjunction with the Texas A&M vs. Pacific Men's Basketball game. This event will give individuals the opportunity to purchase $5 tickets and give their county the opportunity to win some great prizes. The top three counties selling the most tickets will receive four free tickets to the Texas A&M vs. Texas Men's Basketball game. The grand prize winner will have the opportunity to have a 60 second promotional video shot featuring their county 4-H program produced by 12th Man Productions. This video clip will then be highlighted at the Texas A&M vs. Texas Men's Basketball Game on January 31st.

If you love basketball, come out December 4th and support your local 4-H Program at the Texas A&M vs. Pacific Men's Basketball game.

To purchase tickets, visit: 12thmanfoundation.com, click on ticket center, then men's basketball. Located at the bottom of the list on the left side of the page is 4-H Challenge. Click on that and it will take you to the option to order tickets.

Scrapbooking Retreat

For those interested in scrapbooking or card making are invited to participate in a weekend retreat at the Texas 4-H Conference Center! The event is being hosted Cheryl Newberry (an avid scrapbooker) and the 4-H Center! Come and scrap with others, learn new techniques and tricks of the art of scrapbooking, and network with others who have a similar interest!

For cost, lodging and other information, please check out the flyer at www.travis4h.com, look under the tab "4-H Events"

Major Livestock Show Entry Forms

If you plan to exhibit livestock projects at any of the following livestock shows in the spring you need to complete your major show entry paperwork:

San Antonio Livestock Exposition

San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo

All forms may be found at www.travis4h.com , on the right side of the page, there is a tab, livestock information under the heading "4-H Programs", Click on the livestock information link and the page that will come up obtains the forms you need.

Each exhibitor needs to complete a major show summary form - this allows us to be more organized and make sure we have all the entries in order for each exhibitor. The forms are divided out by the specific show. Please pay attention to the details of each form.

If the responsibility of each family to submit their own paperwork to John or Cory at the extension office. Checks need to be made payable to Travis 4-H. Forms are due back on November 10, 2010.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

San Antonio Livestock Show - Youth Day Activities

SALE Youth Day - Saturday, February 5, 2011
Exhibits, Activities, Photography Contest

For more information on the events or activities, please check out the following website:
http://www.sarodeo.com/annual/youth_day.HTML