Monday, March 1, 2010

Freytag's Florist -Helping Hands Program

Freytag's Florist Helping Hands Program is designed to help non-profit organizations. Fretyag's Florist will donate 5% of the total transaction each time an order is placed and the organization and program are mentioned.

Freytag's Florists has been and continues to be a supporter of Travis County 4-H. Let's do our part and support them by spreading the word of this great program.

When you order an arrangement, be sure to mention Travis County 4-H and the Helping Hands Program.
Freytag's Florist - click on the link to the left to be directed to their website.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Recordbook Workshop

Monday, April 12th
6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office

This workshop will be designed for those who have never completed a recordbook or those who have completed one or two, but still need some guidance. Please bring with you the workshop the following;
  • Spiral Notebook, paper or laptop, writing instrument
  • A sheet typed or handwritten with the following information:
  1. Community Service Activities
  2. Leadership Activities (officer positions, led pledges, wore 4-H shirts, assisted with set up and clean up from meetings, activities)
  3. Learning Experiences (workshops, shows attended, articles read, conferences/seminars attended, books read, etc.)
  4. Awards Won/honors
  5. List of your projects
***If you bring a snack to share, that is volunteer leadership***

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

2010 Texas 4-H Congress

Texas 4-H Congress is a four-day mock legislative experience for 4-H members ages 15 (at the time of the event) to 18. During this time, the 4-H members assume the roles of senators, representatives, lobbyists, press corps, and special interest groups to gain a first-hand understanding of how the legislative process works. Bills that are written and sponsored by 4-H members focus on issues concerning Texas and Texas youth. These bills are assigned to the appropriate committee and then debated in committee meetings and then on the floor of the House or Senate. If a bill is successful in negotiation and the legislative debate in all three stages, it is delivered to the Governor of the Texas 4-H Congress for his or her signature or veto. Copies of all the bills that are signed into law during Texas 4-H Congress are provided to the Office of Governor Rick Perry for his review.

Texas 4-H Congress will be held in Austin, Texas July 11-14, 2010. The host hotel for the event will be the Sheraton Hotel near the Texas Capital. Youth will actually be allowed to participate in committee meetings in the same rooms where our state legislators do and debate bills on the floor of the House and Senate Chambers. County delegates and other 4-H members not attending Texas 4-H Congress will submit bills that will be the foundation of debate throughout the experience.

In addition to the mock legislative sessions and joint sessions of the House and Senate, all participants will have an opportunity to explore the Texas State Capitol during a guided tour. A special theme night dinner will be held on Monday and will feature the theme of 4-H Masquerade Ball. Participants are encouraged to research masquerade balls and come up with a creative mask and costume and compete in some exciting contests during the evening. The capstone event of Texas 4-H Congress is the Final Gala. This semi-formal banquet will recognize the participants for their completion of the event and celebrate Texas 4-H in grand style!

Youth who have attended Congress in 2006 or 2008 are encouraged to apply for a position as a lobbyist or press corp member. Applications will be submitted on 4-H Connect April 1-30, 2010. Youth not selected for one of these positions may still attend Congress as a member of the House or Senate.

Thanks to the assistance of more than $65,000.00 from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the R.S.M.I.S. Foundation, Ed Rachel Foundation, and Blue Bell Creameries, the cost of Texas 4-H Congress will only be $275 per person. Without these gracious donors, the registration cost would exceed $450.00 per person. Travis County has been allotted two spots for youth to attend Texas 4-H Congress. Interested youth must complete the application at www.travis4h.com and submit the application to Cory by April 30, 2010. (Look under the tab"forms")

If you are interested in attending Texas 4-H Congress and would like more information, please contact Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo - School Tour Guides Needed

The school tours committee is securing tour guides and helpers for this year’s event. These volunteers should be age 14 or older. The tour guides will be assigned classes and tour routes. The helpers will assist School Tour Committee members with other duties to make this event enjoyable and successful for everyone.

Volunteering as a school tour guide offers students the opportunity to help others while giving them leadership and community service experience. Students also receive other benefits such as daily drawings for prizes and fairground passes.

School Tour Dates: March 22-26, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(If you are showing a hog, steer or heifer during this week, please know the dates of your show and do not overlap.)

Participants may sign up with John at JJRiegler@ag.tamu.edu, You must tell him which date you plan to serve as a guide. Once you sign up you are committing, so please check your calendar for others commitments you have made prior to signing up. Sign up deadline is February 26th.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Cowboy Christmas Ball - First Ever Cookbook

The Cowboy Christmas Ball Group is trying something new this year to raise more money for the Cowboy Christmas Ball, the first ever CCB Cookbook! They will be gathering recipes from all and combining them into a cookbook then selling the books at this years ball which will be on November 20, 2010 at the Double Tree Austin North. Please email your recipes to Kelly & Scott Pond at KPond@austin.rr.com Your help is greatly appreciated!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Aggieland Saturday

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences invites you to Aggieland Saturday, an annual campus-wide open house for prospective students and their families. In addition to all of the university-wide activities, we invite you to visit our college and learn more about the hundreds of exciting career opportunities available to our graduates.
So bring your family and friends, and we’ll see you in Aggieland on Saturday, February 20, 2010. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/aggielandsaturday.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Roundup Quilt Challenge

People have different reasons for why they quilt; each reason is valid. Quilts can interest the very young, the very old and everyone in between. There are a variety of reasons that 4-H members choose to participate in the Statewide Quilt Challenge; some enjoy learning how to make quilt blocks, some enjoy creating something beautiful, others enjoy spending time with their friends as they stitch together, while others enjoy giving their finished quilt to someone in need. It is amazing to see young people so interested in learning to quilt. The Quilt Challenge is a wonder opportunity for 4-H members to learn to quilt.

We are very excited about announcing the 2010 4-H Quilt Challenge!This year's challenge fabric is entitled "Barnyard Buddies" by Amy Bradley and includes whimsical barnyard animals on a 4-H green background.

The 4-H Quilt Challenge is open to all 4-H members, not just seniors. Entries maybe individuals,teams or clubs. Adults may help with the quilt design and construction, but a majority of the work needs to be completed by the 4-H members. Quilts may have any design or them but must incorporate some sort of 4-H identification into the quilt top. Completed quilts are donated to a charity (determined by the quilt makers) following Texas 4-H Roundup in June.

For more information about the 2010 State Roundup Quilt Challenge go to http://fcs.tamu.edu/clothing/4h/quiltchallenge/2010-quilt-challenge.pdf. To participate in the 4-H Quilt Challenge complete the attached request form to receive the Challenge fabric. There is a limited supply of challenge fabric so get your request in soon.

Please share the 4-H Quilt Challenge information with Club Managers, Clothing & Textiles Leaders and your local quilt guilds.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

County Roundup Contests

Roundup Contests are a great way to meet other youth in the county and across the districts. Roundup consists of several contests for youth to participate. Youth may choose to demonstrate/illustrate something, write a speech, gain knowledge in given topic, but most importantly, youth will be able to share their knowledge/talent.

County Contest – Monday, March 29, 2010 at the Extension Office we will start at 4:00 p.m. If you need an earlier or later time, please contact Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu to request a different time.

District Contest – Saturday, April 24, 2010 in Fredericksburg (You must compete at the county level to advance to the district level)

Educational Presentations: Either an individual or a team event (up to 5 members)

Topic Choices: Agronomy, Beef, Clothing and Textiles, Companion Animals, Consumer Life Skills, Family Life, Farm and Ranch Economics, Food and Nutrition, Health, Horse, Horticulture, Housing and Home Environment, Meat Science, Natural Resources, Open, Promote 4-H, Safety and Injury Prevention, Sheep and/or Goats, Shooting Sports and Technology.

  • May use Powerpoint or other visual aides for assistance
  • Must not be longer than 12 minutes in length
  • Can have 1 to 5 team members

Share the Fun: 6 Categories to choose from –

Maximum of 6 minutes per presentation

4 minutes for set up and break down

  • Poetry/Prose
  • Vocal
  • Musical (individual category)
  • Band (group of 2-9 members)
  • Choreographed Routine
  • Celebrate 4-H (skit relating to 4-H)

Public Speaking (prepare a speech on a topic relating to youth issue)

  • Individual Contest
  • No props, visual aids or audio/video recordings are permitted
  • Time limit of 5-7 minutes
  • Topic should relate to current events related to youth

Quiz Bowls (3 to 4 member teams of the same 4-H age range) – Must be a team event

  • Beef
  • Horse

Swine Skill A Thon – a great way to showcase your swine knowledge, there is a written exam, a quiz bowl portion and a hands on skills test

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Travis County Youth Show - Photos

Pictures are online! Go to Dawn Hunt's website and click on LINKS. Share the info with your other TCYS friends.

www.d-sphotography.com

TCYS Rule Changes/Suggestions

If you would like to offer suggestions/changes for the rules for the Travis County Youth Show, there is a form that must be completed and it is posted on the following website: Travis County Youth Show.

Complete the form and email it back to the person as indicated on the form.

West Region Leadership Lab

The 2010 West Region Leadership Lab will be held June 21-24 at the T BAR M Resort and Conference Center in New Braunfels. This event is open to youth ages 13 and up (must not have graduated from high school).

Those interested will need to register via 4-H Connect starting April 19th - May 14th. The cost is $210.00 per person and the 4-H program will pay half of the registration. The half will be reimbursed when you have attended the event.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please email Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu
The flyer may be viewed at travis4h.com

Howard County Lamb and Goat Camps

Howard County is hosting is annual lamb and goats camps. The registrations fill up fast, if you are interested, send in your registration soon. To check out more information on the camps, click the following link, travis4h.com, look under the tab " upcoming events".

4-H Has Talent Contest

4-H members are invited to submit their videos of their talent. Youth across the state have the opportunity to showcase their talents or musical abilities. Please see the flyer at travis4h.com. This is open to intermediate and senior 4-H members. Please look under the tab "upcoming events".

Polar Bear Golf Tournament

The Capitol Cleaners Dirty Laundry Buyer's Group is hosting the Polar Bear Golf Tournament on February 15, 2010. Check out the flyer at www.travis4h.com and look under the tab " Upcoming Events". The buyer's group is a huge supporter of 4-H and FFA so please spread the word about the tournament.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Leadership Opportunity at the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo

Looking for youth to recite: the 4-H Motto and Pledge, recite the FFA Motto and to sing the National Anthem. If you are willing to contribute in any way, please contact Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu.
The schedule of when youth are needed is as follows:

Sunday, March 14, 1pm, Poultry Show
Monday, March 15, 1pm, Rabbit Show
Saturday, March 20, 9am, Lamb Show
Sunday, March 21, 9am, Goat Show
Tuesday, March 23, 9am, Steer Show
Wednesday, March 24, 9am, Barrow Show
Wednesday, March 24, 10am, Steer Show
Thursday, March 25, 9am, Barrow Show
Friday, March 26, 8am, Heifer Show
Saturday, March 27, 8am, Heifer Show

Community Service Opportunity - Food Check Out

Travis County 4-H has the opportunity to partner with the Travis County Farm Bureau and their annual Food Check Out. Any non-perishable food items brought to the Extension Office by February 19, 2010 will be donated along with the items provided by the Travis County Farm Bureau. The food items are donated to the Ronald McDonald House. If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

4-H Outdoor Challenge Training

Forget Survivor
This is the way outdoors were meant to be enjoyed,
through teamwork and rugged determination. Yes,
you’ll be challenged physically and mentally, but you’ll
emerge a stronger leader with the confidence to take
on anything!!

Find out more:
Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge Training
Sat., March 27, 2010, 9 a.m.-12 noon
Hays County Extension Office, San Marcos

The flyer with contact information has been posted at travis4h.com Look on the left side of the page on click on the tab "upcoming events"

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

PBR Iron Cowboy Invitational

On the 4-h Website Travis4h.com you can find a flyer and an order form for tickets to this event. It is being held on February 20, 2010 at the Cowboy's Stadium. Check out eh website for more information.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

2010 Clothing Contest

Whether it be shopping for new clothes or constructing your own, this contest is for you. Youth have the opportunity to showcase their sewing skills or consumer shopping skills. Participants will either make a garment or purchase one and will be interviewed on your knowledge of the project and your experiences. Junior and Intermediate youth will need to check out the following website for more information on divisions and required paperwork; travis4h.com

Senior level 4-H members will need to complete the paperwork found on the following website;
State Fashion Show Information.

If you have questions regarding the fashion contest, please contact Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu.

2010 Textiles Contest

Listed below are the class divisions for the Textile Contest. All entries submitted to the Travis County Extension Office by the deadline of March 29, 2010 will be judged an awarded a ribbon. Anyone wishing to enter their items at the district level, must register their items on 4-H Connect by April 5, 2010 and pay the $5.00 fee. For additional information and the entry form please visit the travis4h.com to check out the scoring process and other information.

Class Divisions: Check out the website for description.

Jewelry
Household Item
Kitchen Item
Accessory Item
Embellished Item
Holiday Textile Item