4-H Award Opportunities

4-Her's - Don't forget about the award forms that are due on June 2nd. The 4-H Achievement Banquet is set for August 15th at the Creedmoor Community Center - Must complete award forms for recognition. Award forms may be found at the following link:
http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-forms/

Healthy Lifestyles Ambassador - Travis County Leadership Opportunity

Travis County 4-H is accepting applications for youth to serve on the newly formed Travis County 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Ambassador Committee. For more information on this opportunity, click here to find the application and requirements.

State Fair of Texas - Creative Arts Contests

Looking for a statewide opportunity to show off your creative art skills? The State Fair of Texas has numerous contests for youth and adults to enter. Take a look at the online handbook to get an idea of possible contests opportunities.
Click here for the handbook

2015 Turkey Orders

For those who plan to exhibit turkeys at the Travis County Youth Show or one of the following major shows; San Antonio, Houston or STAR, ordering information is posted to Travis County 4-H Website. Information and rules are posted under Poultry under the tab "4-H Livestock and Animal Information" .

Click here for the order form and information.

Late Steer Tag Orders

If anyone needs to submit a late steer tag order, email Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu for a form. Late orders will be placed on June 3rd.

Legislative Bill Submission for Texas 4-H Congress

Anyone who wants to submit a bill can do so, regardless if they are attending Texas 4-H Congress. This process will allow all 4-H members, regardless of Congress participation and age, the opportunity to participate in an exercise in civic engagement. For those counties that do have at least one person at ending Texas 4-H Congress, it is a requirement that at least one bill be submitted (this includes Texas 4-H Council, Tech Team, etc). To accomplish the writing and submission of legislative bills it is recommended that the County Extension Agent, or a volunteer, assist the youth in learning about what a quality bill is, how to write one, and then submitting the bill on-line. Below is the link to understand the bill submission process.

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/txcongress

4-H CAPITAL is looking for new AmeriCorps Members

Now Hiring both Full Time and Half Time AmeriCorps Afterschool Instructors for the 2014-2015 service year! Click below for more information!

http://agrilife.org/capital4-h/americorps/

Consumer Education Project - Pre-Survey

Any 4-H member or adult volunteer leader who plans to participate in the Consumer Education Project, please complete the survey at the link listed below.
https://agrilife.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_a5jIcThPq1geG4B

County Camp - Registration ends June 14th

For those interested in attending County Camp at the Texas 4-H Conference Center this summer. Mrs. Julie will be taking kids June 30 - July 2nd. If you plan to register, check out the link below and please email Cory to her know you will be attending.
http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/services/youth-camps-and-retreats/county-camp/

District 10 Leadership Lab

Registration ends May 31st for this event. 
Promotional Information for the 2014 D-10 Leadership Lab has been posted. June 25-27, at the Texas 4-H Conference Center. This is open to youth 13 years of age and older. Check out the link for more information. http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-events/

Volunteers Needed at Candlelight Ranch

Candlelight Ranch’s mission is to "provide a unique outdoor environment where children learn, play and heal through the wonder of nature and a number of innovative activities designed to build confidence and self esteem."  Candlelight Ranch serves special needs and at-risk children ages 6-18 and offer in Zip Lines, Low Ropes, Team Building, Equine Assisted Learning, Natural Science, Botany and Wildlife lessons, art therapy along with growing a vegetable garden and taking hikes in the hill country.  

At this time we are looking for volunteers to help with our equine program this summer.  Specifically we need people who are experienced with horses who can help guide the children through equine learning activities.   I am excited to announce that our Ranch Program Director, Lynnette Holtz, has recently completed her certification with EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), which allows us to expand our program even more.  

Please help me spread the word in the Travis County area.  We are hosting a training session May 30th.

Please join us for a hands-on Equine Assisted Learning Volunteer Session on Friday, May 30, 2014, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Bring your own lunch.  Location:  Candlelight Ranch, 6408 Muleshoe Bend Trail, Marble Falls, TX  778654

RSVP to Krista, our volunteer coordinator @ Krista@candlelightranch.org”

May Texas 4-H Standard Newsletter

The May edition of the Texas 4-H Standard newsletter is available for viewing. Click here.

- Texas 4-H Roundup Registration, Open thru May 17th.

- Tee-Up for Golf Experience

- Horizon Camp

- Wildlife Conservation Camp

- Share-the-Fun Info.

- MASH Camp 2014

- Texas 4-H Congress

- 4-H Pen Pals Wanted

- Experience the World

- 2014 Silent Auction

- 4-H Friends & Alumni Reception

- National 4-H Congress Delegation Announced

- Natural Resources Updates

- Poultry Workshop

- Summer Camp

Dog Project Opportunities

If you have 4-H members who didn’t certify a dog project, there are still a couple of ways they can participate in the Texas 4-H Dog Show.  The Photography Contest and the Foster/Family Dog Program.  There is also an avenue for dog project leaders to register to help and to order t-shirts.  Registration is through 4-H CONNECT.  They will go to the Register a Member box at the bottom of the family 4-H CONNECT profile.  Once they select a member, find 2014 Auxiliary Entries for Texas Dog Show in the event box.

The 2014 Auxiliary Entries for Texas Dog Show registration is open on 4-H CONNECT.  The Texas 4-H Dog Show will be held at the Bell County Expo in Belton, Texas on July 11-13, 2014. The deadline for registration is May 9, 2014. From May 10^th -16^th , late registration will be open for a $50 late fee.  Encourage them not to wait until the last minute. It will be difficult for you to help them if they run into problems. Registration will be a little different this year.   They may want to print the attached worksheet and work with their project leader or as a family and determine on paper which classes to enter. This will save time at the computer and hopefully save corrections down the line.

The rules are available at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/dogshow

Since the Foster/Family Dog Competition is new, the rules are included in this e-mail.  In addition to fostering a dog, if someone has recently adopted a dog or discovered 4-H this is an opportunity to get some show experience.

New: Foster/Family Dog Competition Rules

Dogs with home environment experience that are well mannered are more adoptable. Some families may not be able to make a long term commitment to dog ownership. In an effort to promote and encourage 4-H members to participate in this service learning project, the Foster/Family Dog program was developed. Patterned after other states programs, it offers the opportunity to showcase some of the community service projects 4-H members have been doing allowing more members to participate.

1.  Subject to the Texas 4-H Dog Show Rules EXCEPT ownership/certification guidelines.

2.  Handler and dog team is only eligible for the Foster/Family Dog program for one year. A dog that has been previously certified is not eligible for the Foster/Family Dog program.

3.  Classes open to Foster/Family Dog include score sheet classes Costume, Tricks, Obedience, Rally and Canine Good Citizenship.

4.  Foster/Family dogs will be awarded on the Danish System of Blue, Red and White ribbons.

5.  An exhibitor that has previously shown at the Texas 4-H Dog Show may participate in the Foster/Family Dog Competition with a foster dog. However, they must show in Obedience and Rally classes befitting the dog/ handler team’s experience. No lower than Obedience Pre-Novice B or Rally Novice B.

For details of Costume, Tricks, Obedience and Rally, refer to those events in this rulebook.

2014 District 10 Leadership Lab

Promotional Information for the 2014 D-10 Leadership Lab has been posted. June 25-27, at the Texas 4-H Conference Center. This is open to youth 13 years of age and older. Check out the link for more information. http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-events/

D-4 AE4-HA Photography Contest

The Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents (TAE4-HA), a professional Extension organization for County Extension Agents, Specialists, and Extension Administrators for the purpose of professionalism, collaboration, and youth development. The members from District IV delegation are hosting a photography contest for youth and adults to provide scholarship funds for district level 4-H leadership events, such as Fall Focus, District Lockin and Leadership Lab.

ALL photos must be received by the District IV Photography Committee Chair by 5 p.m. on May 15, 2014.

Late entries will not be accepted.

Addressed to:

ATTN: D4TAE4-HA Photography Contest

C/O Dr. Tamra McGaughy

10056 Marsh Ln, Suite B-101

Dallas Texas, 75229

Contest participation will cost $10.00 for the first photo and $1.00 for each additional photo per individual. Payment can be check or money orders only and should be mailed with photo submissions. Payment should be made out to D4AE4-HA Photography Contest. Photos will not be consider as an entry until payment is received. 

Contest rules and guidelines may be found at the following link: 

 http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/files/2010/06/Photography-Contest-D4AE4HA-2014.pdf

Travis County 4-H is accepting applications for youth to serve on the newly formed Travis County 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Ambassador Committee. For more information on this opportunity, click here to find the application and requirements.

Drive Green and Tractor College at Coufal Prater in Taylor

Coufal-Prater Equipment in Taylor, will be holding a Drive Green &Tractor College on Saturday, May 10 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  We encourage students in the field of agriculture to attend.  The Tractor College is a brief overview of subcompact, compact and utility tractors.  This program is great for anyone interested in agriculture and the machinery used in it.  A flyer with more information can be found by clicking here.

We will be giving away two scholarship for eligible high school students.  All you need to do to apply is show up, attend the 45 minute program and take a short quiz.  The top two scores will receive the scholarships.  Navarro College will also be present with representatives from the John Deere Tech Program to share information about potential careers and pathways within John Deere and Company and local dealers. 

The Drive Green & Tractor College is not just for ag students we will have a little bit of everything from food, bounce house, radio announcers, music and special guests. 

Horse Validation Deadline Reminder - May 1st

Youth interested in participating in the D-10 and State 4-H Horse shows, must validate their horses on 4-H Connect. The process starts on March 1st. For information on the validation process and rules for the State 4-H Horse Show, click on the following link. http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/


Horse Validation in 4-H Connect is due May 1^st for any horse to be shown at District or State 4-H Horse Shows.

·        March 1^st – April 15^th - $10 per horse

·        April 16^th – May 1^st - $20 per horse

Courageous Family Camp for Military Families

We need your help promoting the Courageous Family Camp happening June 17 -20^th at the 4-H Center in Brownwood, TX.

·         $50 per family for 4 days of fun!

·         Only open to military families

·         Accommodations and all meals are provided

·         Activities: color run, swimming, hiking, archery, ropes course, dancing, crafts, service project for deployed service members, kayaking, water sports and much more

·         Registration closes June 6^th:  http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/services/youth-camps-and-retreats/texas-courageous-family-camp/

Win Two Tickets to the See the Farmland Movie on May 1st - South Austin

Drop your plans for next Thursday, May 1st in the evening if you already have them!  Come spend some quality time with fellow agriculture-minded individuals and appreciate our next generation of farmers and ranchers.  The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance has created a documentary called "Farmland".  It is a first-hand glimpse in the life of young farmers and ranchers across the nation and includes a Texas rancher from Throckmorton!  Below is the information for the Austin viewing:

AUSTIN: May 1 at 7 p.m.

Regional Metropolitan Stadium 14

901 Little Texas Lane

Austin, Texas 78745

http://www.farmlandfilm.com/#trailer

Quote from farmlandfilm.com :

 " Most Americans have never stepped foot on a farm or ranch or even talked to the people who grow and raise the food we eat. Farmland will take an intimate look at the lives of farmers and ranchers in their ‘20s, all of whom are now responsible for running their farming business.

Through this film from award-winning director, James Moll, you’ll step inside the world of farming for a first-hand glimpse into the lives of young farmers and ranchers. Learn about their high-risk/high reward jobs and passion for a way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation, yet continues to evolve.
Director James Moll traveled across the country meeting young farmers and ranchers. Watch the trailer to catch a glimpse of stories shared during his interviews. This film will be released in Spring 2014.
This film was made with the generous support of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance ®. "

Movie trailer in YouTube Format:
http://youtu.be/-p3BZwJ4xt0&
http://youtu.be/M3Nhs7of64c

As an employee of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, I count my blessings that I am fortunate enough to work daily with these hardworking families that grow our food and fibers.  Please come support!  As a way to increase awareness, I have purchased 2 tickets for give away!  So, with that said - to win the tickets you must e-mail me at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu with answers to the following questions:

1) Name this item: It creates a connection between people and agriculture, and the impact it has on our lives and is a part of the Texas Farm Bureau, Agriculture in the Classroom Program.

2) According to my blog: travis4h.blogspot.com , what date is the 2nd Tweetup and what is the topic? 

On your mark, get set, go!  I will post as soon as I have a winner!  For those of you not fortunate enough to win tickets, I encourage you to come out and support by purchasing tickets now:

http://www.fandango.com/farmland_172074/movieoverview

Once you're to the site, click the 7:00 ticket sign, then type in your zip code.  I suggest you purchase online in case they sell out since there is only once viewing. 

I look forward to seeing you all there!!!!!