2017 Travis County Extension Office Winter Holiday Schedule & TCYS Updates

We hope all of you are getting a chance to wind down and enjoy the upcoming holiday!  We wanted to pass on some information and the Extension Office Holiday Schedule in case you need anything.

Extension Office Holiday Schedule

We like to remind you that the Travis County Extension Office will have the following schedule in observance of the upcoming Holidays:

• Monday, 12/25 - Office is CLOSED
• Tuesday, 12/26 - Office is CLOSED
• Wednesday, 12/27 - Office is open, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM 
• Thursday, 12/28 - Office is open, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Friday, 12/29 - Office is open, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Monday, 1/1/18 - Office is CLOSED
• Tuesday, 1/2/18 - Office resumes normal schedule and is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Our Agents will be out of the office for most of the week, but Mellanie will be checking her emails periodically.  If you need anything between now and January 2, please email her at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu.

TCYS Eligibility:

In preparation for the upcoming Travis County Youth Show, club attendance checks have been sent to the 4-H Club Managers and Eligibility Reports have been sent to almost all of the schools.  We do have a few schools that have asked us to not send them until January 2nd.

If we receive a notification that an individual is ineligible, we will email their parent(s) and let TCYS know.  Please note that the timeliness of this notification is based on when the school lets us know.  We also recommend that parents check with the schools or use their self-service applications to check grades so they are aware of their child's eligibility.

IF you have youth who have not completed your registration in 4-H CONNECT or you received some kind of error from the system, you must complete (or resubmit) their registration in order to be considered eligible and to allow us to send an eligibility check to your child's school.

TCYS National Anthem Singers:

4-H and FFA youth who sing... we are looking for members who sing the National Anthem and would be available to sing at the TCYS. If you are interested, please email Mellanie (MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu) a video submission of you singing the anthem by January 1, 2018 so that the auction committee can make a selection.

TCYS Herdsman Contest:

While all exhibitors and clubs/chapters are required to keep their stall areas clean and orderly at all times at TCYS, there is an additional (optional) opportunity to compete in the Herdsman Contest at the show.  Full details can be found in the TCYS Rulebook and judging will take place Thursday, January 11, through Saturday, January 13, with the final placings decided on after cleanup.  Entries are $20 per specie and are due directly to TCYS by 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 10th.  Entry forms are available at this link.

TCYS Family Fun Run 1K (Stick Horse Race!!)

Join us for a stick horse race!!  Families can bring their own stick horse or decorate one of the TCYS stick horses.

The Family Fun Run will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 13, 2018!!  Registration is $20 each and includes a t-shirt, bib, & stick horse while supplies last.  Registration Packets are available for pick-up on Friday, January 12, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday, January 13, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the TCYS t-shirt booth.  Register HERE (link).

The Stick Horse Decoration Center will be open on Saturday, January 13, from 10:00 AM  to 1:00 PM.  Stick horses are limited, so be sure to pick yours up early with your registration packet while supplies last!

Travis County Inaugural Winter Cattle Grooming & Clipping Workshop - 1/6/18

Some of our fabulous Volunteers & Ag Teachers are putting together a great educational opportunity for cattle showmen!  If you're interested in learning how to groom and clip calves, check out the clinic information below.  

Pre-register by emailing Mr. Marcuse at james.marcuse@pfisd.net.  Registration for the clinic is $10 per person, this will go towards providing pizza for the clinic and anything remaining will be donated to the Hope Food Pantry of Austin.

2018 Texas Dog Validation & Dog Project Opportunities

Validation Instructions:

Validations, major show entries, monthly reports, oh my!!!  There is one more validation to kick off the New 4-H Year, but this one is easy.  January 10, 2018 is the deadline for Dog Validation on 4-H Connect.  Detailed instructions are available on our Travis County 4-H Animal & Livestock page (click link and scroll down to Dog Project).  There are no fees and, similar to horse validation, we encourage members to validate any dog that may be eligible for them to show.

Mixed breed or purebred, all kinds of dogs are welcome in the 4-H Dog Care,  Training Projects, and Texas 4-H Dog Show.  To be eligible for the State 4-H Dog Show all dogs must be validated through 4-H CONNECT by January 10th of the current year.  There are some opportunities to participate in this project with shelter dogs as a foster, as well.

Dogs must be validated to participate in the Texas 4-H Dog Show on July 13-15, 2018 in Belton, Texas at the Bell County Expo.

4 Other opportunities for youth in the Dog Project:

#1:  Texas 4-H Dog Show T-Shirt Design Contest due February 14, 2018.

#2: Montgomery County 4-H Dog Show – February 2-3, 2018 in Conroe, Texas.  Entries due January 19, 2018.

#3: 2018 Texas 4-H Dog Show

The Texas 4-H Dog Show will take place on July 13-15, 2018 in Belton, Texas at the Bell County Expo.  The 2018 Texas 4-H Dog Show Rule Book is in the revision process and will be distributed as soon as that process is complete.  It will also be posted to the Texas 4-H web page http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/dog-care-training/ 

#4: 4-H Guide - Dog Training & Dog Tricks is available to be checked out of the Travis County 4-H Office

Anthem Singers Needed for 2018 Rodeo Austin

4-H and FFA youth who sing... Rodeo Austin is looking for members who sing the National Anthem and would be available.  If you are interested, please email Cory ( cory.hundl@ag.tamu.edu) a video submission of you singing the anthem by January 25, 2017 so that the auction committee can make a selection.

Anthem Singers Needed for 2018 TCYS

4-H and FFA youth who sing... we are looking for members who sing the National Anthem and would be available to sing at the TCYS. If you are interested, please email Mellanie a video submission of you singing the anthem so that the auction committee can make a selection. MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu

2017 Rabbit Validation Reminders

RABBIT VALIDATION     
Saturday, December 16th
Hendrickson High School9:30AM - 1:00PM
(Go to the back of the High School. Look for the greenhouse, the Ag Class Rooms are in the building right by the greenhouse.)
REMEMBER:
- Please bring your own blankets for your rabbit entries.
- The only paperwork you need to bring filled out with your project is the TCYS Liability Waiver  found at this link 

2018 Scholarship Opportunity Reminders

Currently posted Scholarship Opportunities (Click on the following titles to be taken to the original post):

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Scholarships
• Texas Farm Bureau Scholarships
• Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships (State Website, more information below)

 Scholarships Opportunities to look for in the Spring:

• Travis County Youth Show (TCYS) Scholarships
• Travis 4-H Scholarships
• Major Show Scholarships

2018 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships

The 2018 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship applications, guidelines, and examples are posted on the State 4-H Scholarship page.  If you missed out on the Scholarship Overview (Travis County) or the Scholarship Workshop (TAMU) and you have any questions about the scholarships or applications, please contact the Travis County Extension Office at 512-854-9600 orMLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu.  We’ll be happy to assist you.  

The timeline and deadlines for the Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship in Travis County are:

• November/December – youth need to complete the FAFSA
• December 31, 2017 – First Draft of Scholarship application is due to Mellanie (Word Doc via email)
• January 22, 2018 – Final Draft (original, hard copy, with all paperwork complete) due to Mellanie in the Extension Office
• February 2, 2018 - scholarships applications are due to District 10 Office
• February 16, 2018 - scholarship applications are due to the State Office
• April 13, 2018 – Applicants will be notified if they have been selected for an interview
• May 4-6, 2018 – Interviews take place in College Station
• June 12, 13, &/or 14, 2018 – Awards Assemblies/Banquets in College Station (State Roundup Attendance is mandatory)

Capital Farm Credit Outreach Grant Programs

Below is the information for the Capital Farm Credit Community Outreach Grant Program and the “What Agriculture Means to Me” Video Contest.

***

Capital Farm Credit is committed to the communities we serve. As the largest agricultural lender in Texas, we have a unique opportunity to make a real difference.  A big part of our mission is to help rural areas grow and thrive by providing farmers and ranchers with the capital they need to make their businesses successful. By providing support at the local level, we're helping invest in the vibrancy of rural communities throughout Texas.

Community Outreach Grant

In 2018, Capital Farm Credit is unveiling a brand new Community Outreach Grant Program.  The program is designed to provide grants to Texas FFA chapters and 4-H clubs that have developed a project to better their community. The grant will range from $500-$1000; dependent on the proposed budget of the chapter. Funds will be awarded to assist club and chapter members in bringing positive change by establishing projects that make local communities better places to live.  Each proposal will be reviewed and scored by a grant review team.

The applications for Community Outreach Grants are available here, and the deadline for applications is March 1, 2018. All applications should be emailed to grants@capitalfarmcredit.com.   FFA Chapters or 4-H Clubs will be notified no later than April 1 if they’ve been awarded a grant. 

If you have questions regarding this grant program please contact grants@capitalfarmcredit.com

Video Contest

Each year, to celebrate Ag Day, Capital Farm Credit holds a contest for high school aged 4-H and FFA in Texas.  Students create a 30 second video to tell us “What Agriculture Means to Me” and uploads the video link to enter.  Winners are determined by online voting.  The video that receives the most online votes wins that high school student a scholarship, and their 4-H or FFA Chapter will also receive a donation.

• First Place Student: $2,500 & their chapter receives $1,500
• Second Place Student: $1,500 & their chapter receives $1,000
• Third Place Student: $1,000 & their chapter receives $500
• Corporate Selection: $1,000 & their chapter receives $500 (This is a new category this year. We will have a panel of judges to identify a video based on effectiveness of message and quality of video.)

Students can begin creating their video at any time, but they will not be able to upload or start receiving votes until February 1, 2018.  The contest ends on Ag Day, March 20, 2018. Stay tuned for a link to upload videos.

Capital Farm Credit is committed to supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.  But we’re also committed to supporting the people and organizations who will continue the proud traditions we hold so dear.  

T-N-T Swine Showdown in Cuero, Texas

2018 Refashion Retreat

Registration for Re-Fashion retreat is open!  4-H members in 3rd-12^th grade can register to attend the retreat on February 9-11, 2018. Specialist, agents, and members of the Clothing and Textiles advisory board will be leading educational sessions throughout the weekend. Each camper will create a refashion project with items they purchase at the local Good Samaritan Ministries during the retreat. 

2017 New Years Classic Show - Nocona, Texas

Hotel information in Nocona:

•  www.verandanocona.com
•  www.redriverstationinn.com
•  www.blueostrich.net
• Veranda Bed & Breakfast (Arnold-Stoker Home)

Other things to do:

• Visit the Baseball Glove Factory, Nokona. The only American Glove made in the USA http://www.nokona.com/
• Classic Car Museum with over 130 classic cars. http://www.hortonclassiccarmuseum.com/index.html
• Vineyards and wineries http://www.nocona.org/visit/places/vineyards_wineries.html
• Tales N Trails museum on Western Heritage, Native American Culture, Ag, Leather Goods, Oil and Gas http://www.talesntrails.org/index.html
• Oven Fired Pizza 

2017 Grayson County Fur and Feather Show - late entries

The Grayson County 4-H Fur and Feather Committee would like to invite youth from Travis County to participate in the Grayson County Fur and Feather Show on Saturday, December 16th at the Loy Lake Show Grounds in Denison, Texas. There are multiple events for participation!

They are now taking late entries for all shows and contests, excluding food challenge. All events are now double the cost ($6 per entry).

Registration can be completed online at https://grayson.agrilife.org/furandfeathershow or paper copies can be brought to the show.

Here are the entry totals so far:

• Rabbit Show - 71 rabbits
• Rabbit Showmanship - 19 youth
• Cavy Show - 2 cavy
• Cavy Showmanship - 0 youth
• Poultry Show - 45 Chickens / 5 ducks
• Poultry Showmanship - 10 youth
• Egg Show - 14 entries
• Costume Contest - 10 youth
• Photography Contest - 19 photos
• Youth be the Judge - 9 youth
• Breed ID Contest - 15 youth
• Food Challenge - 4 teams (CLOSED - no late entries)
• Rooster Crowing Contest - 3 roosters

Upcoming December 2017 Reminders

We hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving Break and are getting excited for Show & Contest Season!  Today is a little bittersweet as we celebrate our favorite 4-H Administrative Assistant, John, and wish him a happy retirement.  His official last day with us will be tomorrow; he will be here until 2:00 PM.  Our lovely front desk Administrative Assistant, Julissa, will be helping us out a little as we transition through December and post John’s position.  *sniffle* With that in mind, please be patient with our office through this transition and we’ll let you know of any updates! 

TCYS Reminders

• Bake Goods Entries – another reminder that recipes must be submitted online by tonight at 5pm! This form will come down at this time and there will be no option for exhibitors to submit past 5pm.  http://traviscountyyouthshow.org/page.aspx?ID=2357 

• Poultry Pick-ups will be Friday, December 1, 2017 
• Location: Lanier High School (1201 Payton Gin Rd) at the back of the school, nearest to the Ag Shop. 
• Time: 3pm-7pm
• Please remember to bring your own boxes for transportation. TCYS representatives will be there and will write down wing band numbers for our reference. 

Major Show Entries

• ·        We are putting the final touches on entering everything online and getting the physical copies postmarked
• ·        We are going to do another deposit next week; there are a couple of people who overpaid for entries, so we will be processing their refunds.  Please be patient with us since we won’t have John to make this as efficient as usual
• ·        We’ll send out more reminders to youth entered in contests to bring their indemnity forms the day of the contests as we get closer  to the shows

Tour Guide Opportunities

• ·        San Antonio – deadline to sign up is Friday, December 1^st at 12 noon; more information is posted at http://travis4h.blogspot.com/2017/10/2018-san-antonio-school-tour-guides.html
• ·        Rodeo Austin – deadline to sign up is Friday, December 22^nd at 12 noon; more information is posted at http://travis4h.blogspot.com/2017/11/2018-rodeo-austin-star-of-texas-school.html

District 10 Roundup

• ·        The District 10 office is processing through entries and finalizing volunteer schedules at this time
• ·        I am sending out a couple of emails for individuals who need to resubmit their entries so we can assist the District with this
• ·        Once everything is finalized, I will send out emails to volunteers and reminders for parents next week
• ·        Agents will be out of the office to facilitate the District 10 Roundup December 7^th - 9^th

College Tips with Collegewise – we have a presenter who is a college counselor and former 4-H’er providing a workshop on building resumes and navigating the college application and scholarship process at 6:30 PM on Monday, December 4^th, at the Extension Office.  Please let us know you are coming by signing up here.  More information is available at: http://travis4h.blogspot.com/2017/11/2017-workshop-college-admission-tips.html

As a reminder, our 4-H Agent, Mellanie, will be out of the office November 30^th through December 6^th for meetings and a family event.  She’ll be checking her emails periodically, but may not be able to respond immediately.  Once she gets back to town on December 6^th, she’ll be following up on items and preparing to go to Kerrville December 7^th - 9^th to assist at the District 10 Roundup.

Below is a list of upcoming opportunities and links to more information:

TRAVIS COUNTY EVENTS
Date of Event	Deadline to Apply	Name of Event
Wednesday, November 29, 2017	11/29	TCYS Youth Fair Recipes due online by 11:59 PM
Wednesday, November 29, 2017	NA	John's retirement lunch at the Extension Office
Friday, December 01, 2017	12/1	San Antonio School Tour Sign-ups due
Thursday, November 30 - December 6	NA	Mellanie out of the office - will periodically check emails and send reminders
Monday, December 4	NA	College Admission Tips with Collegewise - 6:30 PM at the Extension Office
Saturday, December 02, 2017	NA	Rabbit Showmanship Clinic at Akins High School 10:00 AM
Saturday, December 16, 2017	TBA	Rabbit Validation - Hendrickson HS - Hamann Agriculture Complex  9:30 a to 1p
Monday, December 18, 2017	NA	Travis County 4-H Photography Workshop - 6:30 PM at the Extension
DISTRICT 10 EVENTS
Date of Event	Deadline to Apply	Name of Event
Friday, December 8-9, 2017	11/9	District 10 Fall Roundup Events - be sure to see the contest changes! Reg. starts 10/24
Friday, February 02, 2018	1/22 - 2/1	District 10 Photography Contest (in 4-H CONNECT)
Thursday, April 19-21, 2018	TBA	District 10 Spring Roundup Events - be sure to see the contest changes!
EXTERNAL COUNTY, STATE,  AND NATIONAL EVENTS
Date of Event	Deadline to Apply	Name of Event
Saturday, December 02, 2017	TBA	Coastal Bend Classic Clinic & Show
Saturday, December 02, 2017	TBA	Guadalupe County Sumo-Bot Contest
Saturday, December 16, 2017	11/18	2017 Coryell County 4-H Jackpot Show
Saturday, December 16, 2017	12/16	Winterfest Extravaganza - Moore County (Dumas)
Friday, January 5-7, 2018	12/22	Teen Retreat at the Brownwood Center
Saturday, January 6-7, 2018	12/17	West Region 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training (San Angelo)
Saturday, March 03, 2018	12/22	2017-2018 Gear Robotics Participation
Tuesday, March 20, 2018	10/23	Youth in Action Awards Ceremony in Washington DC
April 1-15, 2017	4/15	State Texas 4-H Photography Contest Rules & Guidelines

2018 Upcoming Scholarship Reminders

Currently posted Scholarship Opportunities (Click on the following titles to be taken to the original post):

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Scholarships
• Texas Farm Bureau Scholarships
• Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships (State Website, more information below)

 Scholarships Opportunities to look for in the Spring:

• Travis County Youth Show (TCYS) Scholarships
• Travis 4-H Scholarships
• Major Show Scholarships

2018 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships

The 2018 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship applications, guidelines, and examples are posted on the State 4-H Scholarship page.  If you missed out on the Scholarship Overview (Travis County) or the Scholarship Workshop (TAMU) and you have any questions about the scholarships or applications, please contact the Travis County Extension Office at 512-854-9600 or MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu.  We’ll be happy to assist you. 

The timeline and deadlines for the Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship in Travis County are:

• November/December – youth need to complete the FAFSA
• December 31, 2017 – First Draft of Scholarship application is due to Mellanie (Word Doc via email)
• January 22, 2018 – Final Draft (original, hard copy, with all paperwork complete) due to Mellanie in the Extension Office
• April 13, 2018 – Applicants will be notified if they have been selected for an interview
• May 4-6, 2018 – Interviews take place in College Station
• June 12, 13, &/or 14, 2018 – Awards Assemblies/Banquets in College Station (State Roundup Attendance is mandatory)

Upcoming Nov/Dec 2017 Reminders: Dates and Eligibility Checks

Upcoming Program and Deadline Reminders:

• Tuesday, November 28 – Quality Counts test deadline for livestock exhibitors
• Wednesday, November 29 – TCYS Baked Good recipes submissions due by 4:59 PM
• Friday, December 1 – San Antonio Tour Guide Sign Ups are due
• Friday, December 1 – TCYS broiler pick ups (more information soon!)
• Monday, December 4 – College Admission Tips with Collegewise at 6:30 PM
• Friday, December 8-9 – District 10 Fall Roundup in Kerrville, TX
• Monday, December 11 – Travis County 4-H Council Holiday Party & Banquet Theme Selection at 6:30 PM at the Extension Office
• Monday, December 18 – Travis County 4-H Photography Workshop at 6:30 PM
• Friday, December 22 – Rodeo Austin Tour Guide Sign Ups are due
• Friday, December 22 – Teen Leadership Retreat sign-ups due

Eligibility Check & Club Attendance Reminders

This is a reminder for our parents and exhibitors that our office will be asking schools to verify eligibility in early December and January for those participating in TCYS.  We will continue checks throughout the spring for those participating in other events. Parents, please actively check your child’s grades.  Exhibitors, please be aware of your grades and work on them with your teachers now if there is a concern.

We want to remind everyone that the Extension Office and Agents do NOT make any decisions regarding school eligibility; your school registrar checks a box stating whether or not you are eligible.  Please keep in mind that some of the schools can’t provide this information until their grading period ends in January – right before TCYS.  We will do our best to notify you immediately via email if you are marked as ineligible, but please keep in mind this is based on when your school returns the form to us.

Please also be aware that TCYS will also ask our office to verify that you have attended at least 50% of your 4-H Club’s meetings since August of 2017.  We will be asking your Club Managers to verify this using their sign-in sheets. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 512-854-9600 or MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu

Travis County 4-H Photography Workshop: Monday, December 18, 2017

2018 Texas Farm Bureau Scholarship Opportunities

There are Scholarship Opportunities available through the Texas Farm Bureau!  

The following information that is now available on the Texas Farm Bureau website.

There are several scholarship opportunities provided by Texas Farm Bureau. Three of the available scholarship programs are for high school students who have not yet graduated:

1. TFB District Scholarship - (39 scholarships available at $1,000 each) & (13 scholarships available at $1,500 each)

2. TFB Young Farmer & Rancher High School Scholarship - (13 scholarships available at $1,000 each)

3. TFB Dick Mitchell Memorial Scholarship - (1 scholarship available at $1,000)

This year the scholarship application process is online through a new portal called MyTFB. All information for the scholarships can be found on the Texas Farm Bureau website under the Youth Opportunities page. This includes deadlines, individual scholarship rules, eligibility, awards and the link to MyTFB. The direct link to the Youth Opportunities page is http://texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities/

All students applying for the above scholarships must be a member of a Texas Farm Bureau family, with membership remaining current during the duration of the scholarship. To become a Texas Farm Bureau member go to the following link: https://my.texasfarmbureau.org .  Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is providing a complimentary membership to each of the more than 1,500 4-H clubs across the Lone Star State.

Click on “Don’t have a Membership” located within the “Sign Up” box on the MyTFB website.

All scholarship applications must be submitted online no later than midnight March 1, 2018. All applicants will be notified of the results by May 1, 2018.

The scholarships listed above represent a part of the total scholarship funds offered by Texas Farm Bureau. Other scholarship programs, including the Free Enterprise Speech Contest, will be announced later. You are encouraged to make eligible students, and their parents aware of these opportunities. If you have any questions, contact me at 254-399-5037 or mbalko@txfb.org.

2018 Houston Junior Market Lamb Scholarship (Hildebrand Scholarship)

2018 Houston Technical Scholarships

2018 Rodeo Austin (STAR of Texas) School Tour Guides

4-H youth in the 9-12 grades may volunteer to serve as a school tour guide at Rodeo Austin. Youth will need to commit their entire day from approximately 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM to serving in this leadership role and must be academically eligible to be excused from school in March. 

The dates this year include March 19-23, 2018.  Rodeo Austin expects over 6,000 attendees and will need approximately 75 tour guides per day to handle the classes.  We will receive a confirmation of sign-ups and more specific information for tour guides at the end of February.  

Youth must register for their day of choice by noon on Friday, December 22, 2017. Once you sign up, you are fully committed to that date, so be sure to triple check your schedule before signing up.

Click here to sign up as a tour guide!  A copy of your selection(s) will be emailed to the address submitted in the form.

Junior MasterChef is Casting !

2017 Workshop: College Admission Tips with CollegeWise

We have a cool opportunity for our youth and parents who have inquired about applying for college and other scholarship opportunities!  Join us on Monday, December 4, 2017, at 6:30 PM to talk about how to use your 4-H experience to your advantage.  We would love to see our 9th through 12th graders and answer any questions you have!  Let us know you are planning to attend by signing up here.

Teen Leadership Retreat