Monday, August 20, 2018

2018-2019 4-H Enrollment Reminders!

As our 4-H Year is winding up and our Clubs are planning their 4-H year and becoming more active, we have a few enrollment reminders for both youth and adults.  

These reminders are VERY important for youth, if a youth does not have an active profile in 4-H CONNECT, we can't approve entries or send letters of excuse to schools if your enrollment is not current. 

What is the 4-H Year?
  • The 4-H year is considered to be September 1 through August 31 of each year.

WHO needs to enroll?
  • Any Youth in grades 3-12 wanting to participate in 4-H Activities (Club meetings, projects, contests, shows, etc.) youth in grades K-2 may also enroll as Clover Kids
  • Any Adult who would like to register for District and State 4-H events such as Roundups, Congress, etc.
  • Any Adult who wants to participate as a Volunteer (Club Manager, Project Leader, Chaperone, advisor, etc.) isrequired to enroll annually

WHEN should you enroll?
  • As soon as possible!  If your club is chartered, you can enroll in your club as early as August 15th
  • If you are submitting Livestock Show and Contest entries, we will not sign and submit them until you have an active profile.  

How much does it cost?
  • 4-H Member Enrollment from August 15 to October 31 is $20
  • 4-H Member Enrollment is $25 beginning on November 1
  • Adult Volunteer Fee is $10 (covers insurance policy for volunteers)
  • Adult Criminal History check is $5 (volunteers are screened every 2-3 years)

How long does it take profiles to be approved?
  • Adult Volunteer screenings and approval can take up to 2 weeks after their initiation
  • Youth enrollment and approval takes under 1 week if you do not need to transfer Counties
  • If you reside in another County, but want to participate in our County, you must complete a County Transfer Form and a profile in 4-H Connect

WHERE do you sign up? 

I'm new to 4-H, what do I need to do to enroll in 4-H CONNECT?
  • Step 1 - Go to https://tx.4honline.com and create a log in
  • Step 2 - When you first create your login, you will create a Family Profile with your mailing address and contact information
  • Step 3 - When you have completed your Family Profile, you will need to add your Family Members as individuals under your Family Profile
  • Step 4 - once you submit the individuals, wait for approval and attend your 4-H Club meetings!

For Questions:
  • Call the Extension Office at 512-854-9600 and ask to speak to Julissa or Mellanie

Please remember to update you information annually:



Thursday, August 16, 2018

New Quality Counts System Update

The new Quality Counts System is not quite ready to be released - the program itself is complete, but they are currently working on making the system more user-friendly and easy to navigate.  Please know that they are working tirelessly to get this out as soon as possible.

In the meantime, youth exhibitors wishing to enter the State Fair of Texas or Heart ‘O Texas Fair may still get verified on the old system at: http://qc.wieghatgraphics.com/. Verification on the new system will only be required for entry into Spring major livestock shows.

Thank you for your patience!

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

2018-2019 Major Lamb/Goat Validation Tag Orders Posted - Due Monday, August 27th


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The tag order form for 2018-2019 Major Lamb & Goats has been posted on the Travis County 4-H website and is also directly available by clicking HERE.  Please note that the form and payment must be returned to the Extension office by 12:00 PM on Monday, August 27th.  Tags cost $18.00 each.  Due to our Agents' schedules, we will have a hard time accepting late tag orders; please accept our apologies. Please feel free to email Mellanie at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu how many tags you are planning to order so that we can accommodate you if timing is an issue.

Major Lamb & Goat Validation will be held:

  • Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2018
  • Time: TBD
  • Location: Hendrickson High School Ag Barns (6324 Cele Road, Pflugerville)
  • Remember that TLBA tags need to be in the lamb's ear BEFORE they come to validation

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Monday, August 6, 2018

2018 Glen Rose Jackpot Show - Save the Date 9/15/18

Save September 15th for the  lamb and goat jackpot show at Oakdale Park in Glen Rose, TX! Pool will be open and RV Spots will be available.  More info to come!





2018 NCHA Cutting Horse Judging Contest - Youth participation opportunity!

Below you will find a flyer for the 2018 judging contest hosted by the National Cutting Horse Association November 30 – December 1st in Fort Worth.  This has been a strictly collegiate contest in previous years, but this year NCHA is including youth! This is an excellent learning opportunity and NCHA has some great prizes including scholarship money, buckles, trophies and more.  Please pass this info along to any horse judging teams in your county that might be interested. They will be sending out more info, including entry forms, as we get closer to the event.  


2018 South East Buyers Group Annual Swamp Stomp - 9/29/18



2018 Floral Design Workshop


Monday, July 30, 2018

2018 HOT Entries are posted - Due September 5th at Noon

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October 4-13, 2018
Waco, Texas


The entry forms for the 2018 Heart of Texas have been posted to the Travis 4-H website (https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/).  The completed forms and payment (checks payable to "Travis 4-H") are due to the Extension office by Wednesday, September 5, by 12 noon so that we have the time to perform the required on-line data entry.  This includes both livestock exhibitors and contest participants.

Please note that:
  • Livestock Exhibitors will use their OLD Quality Counts Number from 2017-2018 for this entry
  • Contest Participants need to complete and submit the contest entry and the Team Designation Form (this includes entries for the contests entered/paid the morning of so that we are aware of what is being entered)
  • The schedule and linked items below are subject to change at the discretion of the show
  • There will be a $25 late fee charged for any entries submitted to the County Extension Office after September 5th at noon.


More information is available directly on the Heart of Texas website including the following:


If you have any questions, please contact us at the Extension office by phone (512.854.9600) or via email.                               

                                           

2018 State Fair of Texas Entries are posted! - Due Friday, August 17, by 4:00 PM

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 The entry forms for the 2018 State Fair of Texas have been posted to the Travis 4-H website (https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/).  The completed forms and payment (checks payable to "Travis 4-H") are due to the Extension office by Friday, August 17, no later than 4:00 PM so that we have the time to perform the required on-line data entry.  This includes both livestock exhibitors and contest participants.

Please note that:

  • Livestock Exhibitors will use their OLD Quality Counts Number from 2017-2018 for this entry
  • Contest Participants need to complete and submit the contest entry and the Team Designation Form
  • The schedule and linked items below are subject to change at the discretion of the show
  • There will be a $25 late fee charged for any entries submitted to the County Extension Office after August 17th at 4:00 PM.


More information is available directly on the State Fair of Texas website including the following:

Youth Market Show Judges:
Youth Market SteersDan HogeCambridge, IL
Youth Prospect SteersNick FitzsimmonsPerry, OK
Youth Market BarrowsBrian ArnoldOtterbein, IN
Youth Market LambsBrian ReillyShullsburg, WI
Youth Market GoatsBrandon MorganBlanchard, OK
Youth Market BroilersKeith ScottFloresville, TX

Youth Heifer Show Judges:
AngusScott WerningEmery, SD
ARBBrady RaglandCibolo, TX
BeefmasterBrady RaglandCibolo, TX
BrangusBrady RaglandCibolo, TX
BrahmanQuest NewberryCollege Station, TX
CharolaisScott WerningEmery, SD
ChianinaScott WerningEmery, SD
HerefordScott WerningEmery, SD
Maine AnjouScott WerningEmery, SD
LimousinScott WerningEmery, SD
ORBScott WerningEmery, SD
Polled HerefordScott WerningEmery, SD
Red AngusScott WerningEmery, SD
Junior Red Angus - Bred & Owned/ShowmanshipChance FarmerEnnis, TX
Red BrangusBrady RaglandCibolo, TX
Santa GertrudisBrady RaglandCibolo, TX
ShorthornScott WerningEmery, SD
SimbrahBrady RaglandCibolo, TX
SimmentalBrady RaglandCibolo, TX

If you have any questions, please contact us at the Extension office by phone (512.854.9600) or via email.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

DSC Cattle Showmanship Clinic - Saturday, July 21, 2018

Don't forget to come join us this Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the DSC Cattle Showmanship Clinic hosted by our very own Livestock Mentor, Ernie Dominguez!

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2018 District 10 Recordbook Judging Results for Travis County!

Below are the District 10 Recordbook Judging Results for Travis County!  Please note that they are not complete, we did not have time to get everyone's placing written down at the event and are waiting for the District Results to be posted to verify the results highlighted in yellow.

Congratulations to everyone on their hard work and accomplishments this year - your recordbooks were so much fun to read! We are so happy we took 32 recordbooks to District this year.

Congratulations to Will Whitaker and Caitlin McCauslin for placing First in their categories and advancing to State!

Recordbooks are available for pick up at our Travis County Extension Office at your convenience.


Tuesday, July 10, 2018

REMINDER: Turkey Order Forms are due July 13, 2018

Turkey order forms are now available on the Travis 4-H Website (click the link and scroll down to Poultry).  Order forms are due July 13th at the Travis County Extension Office!


REMINDER: Recordbooks are due back on July 11, 2018 at noon!

All 1st place entries will advance to District 10 Recordbook Judging.  If you would like to make changes to your recordbook betweek now and District judging, you may check your recordbook out of the office and return it back to the Travis County Extension Office by 12 noon on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Friday, July 6, 2018

Awards Applications are open until 5 PM on Saturday, July 7th

Travis 4-H Award Applications have been reopened for a short period of time until 5:00 PM on Saturday, July 7, 2018.  Forms are available on the Travis 4-H Website.

2018 Ag Game Show at the Luling Foundation - 7/24/18

Travis County 4-H youth and adults are invited to participate in Ag Game Show at the Luling Foundation on Tuesday, July 24th!  Be sure to RSVP and reserve your spot - please see flyer below for details.

2018 Texas 4-H Livestock Judging - COACHES Clinic July 28-29

The West Region is excited to announce this statewide opportunity, the 2018 Texas 4-H Livestock Judging Coaches Clinic!

The event will be held at the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Fairgrounds on July 28 & 29, 2018.
Registration will be via 4-H Connect and limited to the first 50 registered volunteers with a fee of $75 per person.
(No charge for County Extension Agents, but will still need to register via 4-H Connect)

Registration closes Monday- July 16th (or when full).

We think this will be an awesome opportunity for individuals that want to learn how to become a Livestock Judging Coach! Speakers include coaches at all levels that will share information including but not limited to: Starting Teams, Working with Youth, Evaluating Livestock, Educational Resources, Oral Reasons & much more.


See flyer below for more information.