Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Texas Tech Fashion Camp

Check out the link below to view an awesome opportunity for all those interested in Fashion.

Tech Tech Fashion Camp

Monday, September 29, 2008

MAP Workshop - Making a Plan for the Future

A workshop for high school students and parents. This is an opportunity to learn key skills when interviewing and planning financially for college. Check out the flyer on the travis4h.com website.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Addition to Barrow Show at San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo

SAN ANTONIO, TX-The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo would like to announce the addition
of the Dark Crossbred breed to the 2009 Junior Market Barrow division.
“The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo believes in the junior livestock show program.

Group 1 includes Berkshires, Durocs, Hampshires, Poland Chinas, Spots, and Dark
Crossbreds. These breeds will arrive on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 and will show Feb. 15-16.
Group 2 includes Chester White, Landrace, Yorkshire, and Light-Colored Crossbred barrows.
This group will arrive Tuesday, Feb. 17 and will exhibit Feb. 18-19. The Junior Market Barrow
auction will be held on Friday, Feb. 20.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Junior Leadership Retreat

The 4-H Conference Center, Texas AgriLife Extension, is pleased to announce the 2008 Junior
Leadership Retreat, November 7-9, 2008

Objectives of the Junior Leadership Retreat are:
1. Develop an understanding of styles of leadership.
2. Learn and practice communication and public speaking skills.
3. Learn and implement skills in teamwork and cooperation.
4. Provide an opportunity for State 4-H Council members to mentor younger 4-H members.
This year’s theme: “You’ve Won the Gold! Now What?” ties in with the popular Olympic
theme and aims to help 4-H members move beyond the Gold, and interpret what they have
learned from their 4-H experiences. Public speaking and marketing will be major aspects of the
program.
Program Highlights
The workshop will focus on basics such as communication skills, leadership, team building,
community service, leading recreation, how to manage groups, and more. It is the goal of the
workshop to empower youth with the skills they need to become leaders in their community
clubs and county programs.
Counties should plan to arrive between 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and be ready to begin! The first session
will begin at 8:30 p.m! Please arrange your travel plans so that you can arrive by 8:00!
Participants should plan on a full agenda, so come prepared to learn and to have fun!
Dress for the workshop is comfortable and casual. Saturday night’s dance will have an “Olympic
Stars” theme. Come prepared to dress as your favorite Olympic athlete, keeping the 4-H
Conference Center dress code in mind. It will be a fun evening of celebration and reflection.

Cost:
Youth (age 9 to 14- as of August 31, 2008) $115.00
Adult Chaperones (housed in dorms) $75.00
(An adult chaperone from the county must attend - adult must be screend as well)

A promotional flyer may be found on the travis4h.com website.

National 4-H Conference

The National 4-H Conference is the Secretary of Agriculture’s premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program. The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults--at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture--assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. This event brings together youth, volunteer leaders, and state and county Extension staff members from across the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the Canadian Provinces.National 4-H Conference will be held March 28-April 2, 2009 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The cost is $1250.00 per delegate and is at the expense of the delegate.

WHO SHOULD APPLY? The National 4-H Conference requires youth who are focused and committed to working during the Conference and in their state. The Texas delegation will consist of 10 youth delegates (senior age 4-H members), who need to engage in pre- and post- conference work and participate in all scheduled conference activities.Here is the timeline for applying and other important information:

* Application open on 4-H Connect -- November 5 through December 5, 2008* Delegates announced -- December 12, 2008* Payment deadline -- January 23, 2009* Travel start date -- March 28, 2009* Travel end date -- April 2, 2009For more information, contact your local county Extension agent! or look at the website below.

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/natconference/index.html#dates

Bee Keeping Essay

The State Bee Keeping Essay Contest for 2009 has been announced and this year's essay topic is: “The Dance Language of Bees”. Honey bees possess the ability to communicate thedistance and direction of resources to their nestmates. They employ a symbolic dance languagein which the position of the sun is symbolically represented by gravity, and a trained observer can watch their dances and predict where they are foraging. The use of symbolic language by an insect has made them one of the most studied animals. This year’s essay contest invites participants to learn about the honey bee’s dance language, how it was discovered, how it works and how it provides colonies the ability to find and exploit floral resources. To enter, you must be an active 4-H member. The deadline for entering is January 31, 2009. There are cash prizes for the state contest and the state winner is forwarded to the national contest where bigger cash prizes are up for grabs. To see more information, go to the link below.
http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/beekeeping/index.html

Hurricane Ike Relief Help

If you are looking for a way to help with Hurricane Relief Efforts, the Texas 4-H State Council has provided us with an opportunity. Due to the mass amount of clean-up that residents and business owners will have to undergo, those effected will need cleaning supplies.

Collect anything from the list below and if you can't find a 5 gallon bucket with a lid, donate what you can. We will be collecting supplies through Friday, September 26, 2008

Bleach, 82 ounces
5 scouring pads
7 sponges
1 scrub brush
18 cleaning towels
liquid laundry detergent (50 ounces)
Household cleaner (12-16 ounce bottles)
Disinfectant dish soap (16-28 ounces bottles)
50 clothespins
clothesline (100 fee)
5 masks (N-95 rating)
2 pair of latex gloves
1 pair of work gloves
24 bag roll of heavy duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon size
Air freshener - 8 -9 ounce can

Travis County Contact: Lauren and Robin Schneider
Phone: 512-657-7097
Email: schneiderfamily@pvco.net

Monday, September 8, 2008

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards


The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards constitute the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteering. Over the past 13 years, the program has honored more than 80,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level. You can apply online for The 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards! Click below to start, continue or check the status of an online application.you've made a difference by volunteering in your community.

access code is spirit
Applications must be submitted to Cory by Friday, October 31, 2008. Selection of one honoree in 5th -8th grades will be selected and one honoree for 9th -12th grades.

Habitat for Humanity

District 10 4-H is doing something BIG!

Who:
D-10 Senior 4-H members and Habitat for Humanity!' ( must be at least 14 years of age)
What: Community service landscaping project!
When: November 1st, 7:45am-3:30pm
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Why: We're going to build community within D-10 4-H while we build a real community in San Antonio, Texas. Join in an together we'll Make the Best Better

Sign Up to Volunteer through your County Extension office!

A waiver must be completed and turned in to Cory by Friday, October 10, 2008. The only way to obtain a waiver is to contact Cory. Parents will need to attend with youth.

2008 Travis County Food Show


Saturday, October 25, 2008 @ the Extension office - 9:30 a.m.


Age Divsions (all ages as of August 31, 2008)

Clover - K-2nd grade - may enter their favorite snack

Junior - 8 and in the 3rd grade to 10 years of age

Intermediate - 11-13 years of age

Senior - 14 to 19 years of age

Categories


Main Dish
Foods classified as main dishes usually contain a meat or meat alternate such as cheese,
eggs, dry beans or peas, or peanut butter. They may also contain other foods. Dishes to
enter in this category may include: beef, veal, pork, variety meats, poultry, eggs, fish and shellfish, dry beans, casseroles, meat loaves, meat, poultry, fish pies, souffles, omelets, meat
salads, sandwiches, dry peas, soybeans, soups and chowders.”


Fruit and Vegetable
Side dishes or foods that are usually served along with a main dish or as accompaniments to
the main course. These are usually fruit or vegetable dishes. Suggested dishes to enter in
this category may include: salads, cooked vegetables, cooked fruits, relish tray, vegetable
casseroles, fruit platters and combination vegetable dishes.


Bread and Cereal
Suggested dishes to enter in this category may include: quick breads, yeast breads, hot roll or
bread mixes, rice dishes and pastas.


Nutritious Snacks Category (no oven time)
Snacks are commonly eaten between meals by those having higher energy needs (such as
teens and children). Snacks should provide energy and enhance diet quality. Suggested
dishes to enter in this category may include: milk drinks and floats, fruit drinks, dips and
dippers, fondues, custards, sandwiches, party foods and refreshments, appetizers, and
nutritious no-bake cookies.


Entry Form and other materials may be found on the travis4h.com website

County Round Up Contest

What is Roundup?
4-H Roundup provides an opportunity for members to compete in contests related to their projects by preparing demonstrations, illustrated talks, public speaking or Share-the-Fun Acts. Youth may also test their knowledge in horse or beef quiz bowl or the swine-skill-a-thon.

Age Divisions - All Ages are as of August 31, 2008
Juniors - Ages 8-10
Intermediate - Ages 11-13
Seniors - Ages14-19

Resources - Need a good idea? Contact a local Extension Agent or look at The Texas 4-H Handbook is available at the 4-H office or downloaded at:
***www.texas4-h.tamu.edu
Deadline - Deadline for submitting your entry form and eligibility form is October 21, 2008

Fee - No County fee to enter, however there will be a District fee for those that advance to the District Contest on December 6, 2008.

Those who may be interested need to contact Cory to discuss a time for you to present your speech/presentation or if you have any questions in general.

Registration form and other information may be found on the travis4h.com website.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Swine Tag Order Form


If you plan to exhibit market barrows at the Travis County Youth Show or the 2009 Major Stock Shows, you will need to purchase a swine tag per hog that you plan to possibly exhibit. The form may be found at the Extension Office or on the travis4h.com website.
Tag orders are due to the Extension Office by Thursday, September 18, 2008.

Monday, September 1, 2008

4-H Informational Day

On Saturday, October 11, 2008, a 4-H informational day is being set up for new and old members to learn more about 4-H and all that is has to offer. 4-H'ers, Adult Volunteers and 4-H Agent, Cory Talley will be at the County Extension Office from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to answer any questions you may have. Computers will also be set up for families to complete a 4-H enrollment on the 4-H Connect System.

Please encourage any new members to come by as well as anyone who you think may be interested in joing 4-H.

National 4-H Week




National 4-H Week
October 5-11, 2008


Take the opportunity to promote 4-H and all the great things it has to offer. Remember to wear your 4-H shirts to school and anywhere else you go.

Teen Leader Help Needed

Teen leaders are needed to assist with the Annual Food and Fiber Expo. Minimum age to help is 13 years old and any adult volunteers are invited to assist as well. The Expo is an agriculture field day for urban youth in the 3rd and 4th grades. Volunteers will be asked to be group leaders to walk around with the school classes and answer any questions that the teachers may have.

Date: September 25th and 26th
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Crowe's Nest Farm (outside of Manor on Taylor Lane)

Anyone interested needs to let Cory know by the 23rd of September. All participating students will have a letter sent to their school to ask for an excused absence (must be academically eligible). This is a great leadership opportunity to put in your recordbook!!!

Rabbit Workshop


Rabbit Exhibitors are invited to attend a hands on workshop that will be held by the Central Texas Rabbit Breeders Association. The workshop will begin after their meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9th. The meeting will take place at


High Pointe Baptist Church

12030 Dessau Rd

Austin, Texas 78754

Upcoming Validation Dates

Mark these dates on your calendar if you will be exhibiting any of the following:

Lamb and Goat Validation - Will start validating at 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m.
(you must be in line by 7:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, October 21st
Travis County Expo Center

Swine Validation
Monday, November 24th
Travis County Expo Center

Rabbit Validation
Saturday, December 13th
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Travis County Extension Office
(please bring your rabbits in clean cages/pens)

2009 Broiler Order Form


If you are planning to show Fryers at the Travis County Youth Show or Broilers at the Major Shows, you need to submit the order form to the County Extension Office by September 24th. You must order 75 birds and the cost is $75.00. If you have questions about ordering or the rules and guidelines for ordering, please contact Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu or at 512/854-9600. The order form may be found on the travis4h.com website