Entomology Judging Clinc

Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza

The Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza is now open on 4-H Connect.  This match is a Beginner Match.  It is intended for any age 4-H’er that has only been involved in a Shooting Sports discipline for less than 2 years.  The contest will be held at the Texas 4-H Conference Center on April 22, with an optional educational program on Friday night April 21.  

More information can be found on the 4-H Shooting Sports web-page at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/shooting-sports/ under the “Contests” link.

2017 National 4-H Congress

Thursday, November 23rd through Tuesday, November 28th, the National 4‐H Congress will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia. The National 4‐H Congress is the flagship event of the National 4‐H program.  The program combines a variety of fun and exciting educational, recreational and networking opportunities. The program includes sessions, seminars, discussion groups, and a service learning experience.

For more information about the event, registration and selection process, please click here and scroll down to National Events.

7th Annual Dallas 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational

This event will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017.  For more information, map and forms, please click here.

Texas 4-H Ambassador Program Report

2017 Texas 4-H Horse Show Rules/Regulations

The 2017 Texas 4-H Horse Show Rules and Regulations and other information for the 2017 State 4-H Horse Show can also be found at this link: http://animalscience.tamu.edu/livestock-species/equine/state-4h-show/.  The significant rule changes for this year are:

·         * At District and State Shows, a horse may be ridden by only one 4-H’er per Class.  Separate age groups do NOT count as separate classes.  Example: a horse may be ridden in barrels by one 4-Her and Stakes by another 4-Her, provided that the 4-H’ers are siblings, the ownership requirements are met, and the horse has been properly validated as a 4-H project (see validation rules). Exception: Drill and precision riding.  Futurity horses may never be ridden by more than one person.

o   Previously horses could only be ridden by one 4-Her per division.  This has been changed to one 4-Her per class, so that families with limited horses and multiple siblings can more easily participate.    

·        *  Lower fence heights have been set for Juniors in the over fences classes. 

·        *  Juniors will have an extended time (45 seconds) to complete their run in the roping division. 

Texas 4-H is working to finalize the show schedule for this year and as soon as that process is complete, the schedule will be available on the website.  They will also be posting updates on their Facebook page “Texas 4-H Horse” https://www.facebook.com/texas4hhorse/.

Texas Brigades Wildlife Leadership Youth Camps

SAN ANGELO – The March 15 registration deadline for the Texas Brigades wildlife leadership youth camps conducted in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is fast approaching, said Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist and the camps’ founder.

“This summer marks 25 years that the camps have been honing young leaders through the Texas Brigades curriculum,” said Rollins, who is based in San Angelo. “That’s the whole goal of the camps, to empower young people with the confidence and skills needed to assume professional leadership roles in the future.

“While our camps feature quail, deer, bass, redfish, ducks and livestock, the aim is to equip young people with the resources and determination needed to really make a difference in wildlife conservation and proper land stewardship throughout their lives.”

Rollins said all the camps held at various locations across the state share the focus of teaching youth leadership skills, natural resources conservation and proper land management. Each camp is limited to 20-30 students ages 13-17.

“The camps are designed to develop such life skills as critical thinking and team building through fun and interesting activities surrounding the particular camp’s species of wildlife, fish or livestock,” Rollins said.

Rollins said the “Coastal Brigade” is the latest camp offering. It will feature conservation issues associated with the Texas Gulf Coast.

The camp dates and locations are:

– Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade, Centennial Lodge, Coleman, June 10-14.

– South Texas Buckskin Brigade, Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, June 11-15.

– South Texas Bobwhite Brigade, Buck Horn Creek Ranch, McCoy, June 23-27.

– Bass Brigade, Warren Ranch, Santa Anna, July 5-9.

– Waterfowl Brigade, The BigWoods on the Trinity, Tennessee Colony, July 16-20.

– Ranch Brigade, Warren Ranch, July 17-21.

– North Texas Buckskin Brigade, Warren Ranch, July 23-27.

– Coastal Brigade, Sea Star Base, Galveston, July 25-29.

The camps are all partnership efforts of AgriLife Extension, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with several universities, conservation groups, local soil and water conservation districts, private businesses and individuals with an interest in wildlife and youth leadership development.

Tuition is $500 per cadet per camp, and sponsors throughout Texas are available to provide financial aid when requested, Rollins said.

Natalie Bartek, Texas Brigades’ executive director at San Antonio, said camp organizers are looking for adult leaders to help at all the camps. Adults interested in working with the Texas Brigades program should be highly motivated, preferably over 21 years old and willing to serve as “covey,” “school,” “herd,” or “flock” leaders; no prior wildlife or fisheries knowledge is required to assist in these capacities.

Applications may be found and completed online at http://www.texasbrigades.org. For more information, contact Bartek at natalie@texasbrigades.org or call 855-556-1391.

Capital Farm Credit Video Contest (Scholarship Opportunity)

Contest Rules:

• Video must address the question “What does Agriculture mean to me?"
• Entrants must hold membership in a Texas 4H or FFA chapter AND be considered a High School student (current Freshman to Senior).
• Video must be uploaded to YouTube or Instagram first. Paste the video URL when entering contest.
• Video can be raw footage or edited.
• Preferred video length is 30 seconds or less.
• One entry allowed per entrant.
• Videos become the property of Capital Farm Credit.
• Entrants certify they have permission of all adults shown in each video and the permission of parents for all minors shown in each video. (as applicable)
• The deadline to submit (and vote) is March 20, 2017. (hint- the earlier you post, the sooner you can start promoting your video)

 Prizes:

·        Winners will be announced March 21, 2017, based on number of votes. Voting is open to the public, one vote per user per day.

·        TOP FIVE VIDEOS: Individuals receive $1,000 scholarships. Their 4H or FFA chapter receives $500 donation.

·        TOP VIDEO: Individual receives additional $1,500 scholarship ($2,500 total). Their 4H or FFA chapter receives additional $1,000 donation ($1,500 total).