Texas American Rocket Challenge

It’s time to form your own rocket team and learn to fly. Registration is now open for the 2014 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), the world's largest rocket contest where students compete for $60,000 in prizes and scholarships. Participation is open to the first 1000 teams who register by December 1, 2013. 

Click here for more information

4-H Night with the San Antonio Spurs and the 4-H Military Program

4-H members are invited to attend the preseason game of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 1:30pm.

Tickets can be purchased at four different prices: $16, $22, $30, and $80.

What is included: early entry to watch the pre-game shoot, special group welcome on the video board, post-game fun activity on the court.

Each ticket includes a hot dog, chips, and a soda.

Be sure to wear green to the game to show your support of the 4-H, Operation Military Kids, and Army Reserve CYSS.

Please encourage 4-H families to purchase their tickets by Wednesday, October 9, 2013. Ticket orders must be turned into Britni Henderson via fax (210-444-5699) or mail:

Click here for the flyer

2013-2014 Senior Fashion Show Categories

New and improved categories have been created for the 2013-2014 4-H year. At this time, the new categories are for senior aged 4-H members only. Once a decision has been made for juniors and intermediates, information will be posted. To check out the new categories, click here.

Quality Counts versus Character Counts Test

Please make sure to note the following: For those who plan to show livestock, you must take the Quality Counts Test. If you will not be showing a livestock animal, but you do want to participate in the Travis County Youth Show - Youth Fair, you will need to the take Character Counts test.  You do not have/need to take both.

If you have any questions, please email Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu

Volunteers needed for Science of Agriculture Event

September 26th & 27th is the Science of Ag Event for some of our urban schools. We could really use the help with youth and or volunteer leaders to take photos and assist with rotations, especially on Friday. Email Cory if you are interested.

Insect EXPO

Austin Insect Rodeo - Insect Expo
Hosted by the Entomological Foundation & the ESA Education and Outreach Committee
Saturday November 9, 2013
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

For Families, Children K-12 & Educational Groups

Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Ave, Austin TX

For additional information, click here for the flyer.

4-H Hunters Safety Camp

A hunter safety camp is being conducted by District 7. Click on the link for additional information.
http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/files/2010/06/4H-Hunters-Safety-Camp-flyer-2013.pdf

Swine Validation Tag Orders - due September 18th

For those who plan to exhibit swine at the Travis County Youth Show or any of the majors, your swine tag orders for validation are due to the extension office on September 18th. Click here for the order form.

Tags: $10.00 each

Swine Validation: November 18, 2013 @ the EXPO Center

Character Counts Test - TCYS Requirement

For those who plan to exhibit a project in the Travis County Youth Show  - Youth Fair - you will need to complete the Character Counts Test. This is for youth fair only. If you plan to show an animal, you will need to complete the Quality Counts test.

Please read the information by clicking here

If you took the test last year and passed - you DO NOT need to to retake. Only take this if you are taking it for the first time to submit entries.

Spooky Dessert Contest

An fun addition has been incorporated into the Travis County Food Show. This year we will have a spooky dessert contest. For a $1.00 entry fee you can bring your favorite spooky dessert to share. There will be a judging for the desserts. Please note that participants in this contest do not move on to the district contest - this is a Travis County contest only.

For more information click here for the flyer and entry form.

Quality Counts Verification Test

For those who plan to show livestock at TCYS or the major shows, if you have not already completed the Quallity Counts test, that needs to be done at the link below:
http://qualitycounts.tamu.edu.



Please note that this must be done by the time major show entries are due on November 12^th .

For those who would like some additional training/education, you may access the Texas Trail learning module. Please make note that Texas Trail is not the actual verification test, but a useful tool to learn more information about quality assurance.

Clicking on this link will take you to Texas Trail

Clicking here will grant you access to a one page document that outlines the process of creating an account on the eXtension campus and enrolling in the Quality Counts course in order to access the modules.

The student version includes a practice quiz to prepare learners for the verification exam. It is self-paced and can be stopped and re-started from the same place at will.  It is estimated that a student could complete the entire online course in approximately 2 hours.  

TCYS Junior Superintendent Application - due September 20th

2014 TCYS Junior Superintendent Application - the application is posted. Please note a couple of changes this year; an interview process has been added, your application must be signed by your CEA or AST and the due date has been moved up. Check out the application at the link below.
http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/files/2010/06/TCYS-Jr-Superintendent-Application.pdf

4-H Maps and Apps Workshop- October 9th

Attention 4th - 8th graders

As part of 4-H National Youth Science Day, this workshop will turn young people into geospatial thinkers as they design and map their ideal park, use GIS mapping to solve community problems and contribute data about their community to the United States Geological Survey.

This is a free workshop, but you MUST pre- register by noon on Mon. , Oct. 7
at http://bit.ly/190CBBg.

This workshop is limited to the first 30 participants.

For more information, the promotional flyer may be found at: this link.

San Antonio Calf Scramble

The dates for the upcoming San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo are February 6 – 23, 2014.The Calf Scramble Program helps educate 4-H and FFA members through livestock projects. By successfully catching a calf, contestants are given the opportunity to raise and show animals at the 2015 show. The value of the S.A.L.E. Purchase Certificate for the 2014 Calf Scramble will be $800.00. Contestants must purchase a breeding project with this certificate and exhibit the animal in the 2015 show in only one of the following Junior Breeding Departments:  Junior Breeding Heifers, Junior Dairy, Junior Breeding Sheep & Goats, or Junior Breeding Swine.

Listed below are the dates in which youth from District 10 can be selected to participate in the scramble. 

2014 Calf Scramble Performance Schedule for District 10

           Thursday                   February 6, 2014                  7:00 pm          (roll call @ 5:30 pm)

           Friday                         February 14, 2014               7:30 pm          (roll call @ 6:00 pm)

           Monday                      February 17, 2014               7:00 pm          (roll call @ 5:30 pm)

           Wednesday               February 19, 2014               7:00 pm          (roll call @ 5:30 pm)

Sign-Up Info and Rules:

To be eligible, Calf Scramble participants must meet the following requirements.

•  Participants must be bonafide members of a Texas County 4-H Club or FFA Chapter.
• Participants must have reached their 12th, but not their 18th birthday on January 1, 2014 and not be enrolled beyond their Junior year in high school. 
• Participants must be selected by their CEA or AST 
• Participants may only be awarded one (1) San Antonio Calf Scramble Purchase Certificate during his/her FFA or 4-H career.

Interested youth need to contact Cory to obtain an application.Complete and notarized applications are due to the Extension office by October 15th.

September Edition of Texas 4-H Standard Newsletter

Check out the great opportunities. September edition of the Texas 4-H Standard Newsletter:
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102776233283-347/TX4H_Standard_September_2013.pdf

4-H Food Show Information

4-H Food Show Contest Information has been posted to the Travis County 4-H Website:
http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-events/

One Day 4-H - October 12th

Join Travis County 4-H in collecting items for One Day 4-H. Members will be at the Tractor Supply in Buda on October 12th to collect food, movie DVD's and men' items such as socks. Drop by the store on that day or leave items at the Travis County Extension Office.

NAMI Walk - Dog Biscuits

NAMI Walk - Community Service - Saturday, September 28th, West Riverside Drive at South 1st Street, 8:00 am to 10:30 am. We provide water stations for the dogs whose owners bring them out for the event. Great event and great service. Email Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu if you plan to participate in this community service opportunity.

Participants may bring dog biscuits to share with the puppies. A recipe may be found here or you may purchase some from the store.

Travis County Youth Show - Broiler Order

For those who plan to exhibit broilers at the Travis County Youth Show - the order form is posted on the TCYS website. Orders are due to the Travis County Extension office by Friday, October 4th.
 
Click here for entry form

4-H Record Keeping

Attention 4-Her's, if you have participated in an event or activity since July, you may want to start keeping record of what you have done for recordbook purposes.
Posted on the Travis 4-H website is a form that can be used in helping you keep accurate records.
http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/files/2010/06/4-H-Record-keeping-sheet-fillable.pdf

Texas 4-H Friends and Alumni

The theme for the 2013-2014 Texas 4-H year is "Let's Go, Let's Grow".  This is a great opportunity for the Texas 4-H Friends and Alumni Association to do the same.

Beginning August 15 - May 31, 2014, the Texas 4-H Friends & Alumni Association will be hosting the "Let's Go, Let's Grow Too" alumni and supporters membership drive.  A significant portion of the funds raised through this campaign will be returned to the local 4-H Club or County 4-H Program by the Friends and Alumni Association .

To learn more about this opportunity, click here

NAMI Walk - Community Service

NAMI Walk - Community Service - Saturday, September 28th, West Riverside Drive at South 1st Street, 8:00 am to 10:30 am. We provide water stations for the dogs who owners bring them out for the event. Great event and great service. Email Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu if you plan to participate in this community service opportunity.

One Day 4-H T-shirts

ONE DAY T-SHIRTS ARE ONLY $3.80 EACH!

ORDER YOUR ONE DAY 4-H T-SHIRT BY SEPTEMBER 25^th!

Because of our new sponsorship with TransCanada we are able to offer a One Day 4-H t-shirt for ONLY $3.80 each.  

At this price, every youth and adult involved in a One Day 4-H Project can show their pride in One Day 4-H!  T-shirts are limited at this price, so order today!  Because of the mailing and distribution, no late orders will be accepted and for more information on the t-shirts, check out the email attachment. 

Click here for the instructions to order shirts.