Congratulations to our 4-H Foundation Scholarship Recipients!

We would like to say congratulations to our Travis County 4-H Foundation Scholarship recipients this year.  Congratulations to John Paul Whitaker and Scout Goldsmith for receiving a combined total of $15,000 in scholarships!  We would also like to thank our generous donors the McLean Estate and the Texas Farm Bureau.  

Travis and Bastrop County 2022 Photography Contest Results

The judging for the Travis and Bastrop County 4-H Photography Contest 2022 is now complete.  Please click on the following links to view the photo galleries.  Click on photos in the gallery to see the name, 4-H Club, and ribbon awarded to each photo.  You can also download the photos from the gallery.  Congratulations to all our participants--it was the highest number of photos we have ever had submitted into the contest!

Junior Animals - Domestic

Junior Animals-Wildlife

Junior Catch All

Junior Details & Macro

Junior Elements of Design

Junior Enhanced

Junior Food

Junior Landscape/Nature

Junior Leading Line

 Junior Motion/Action

Junior People

Junior Plant/Flora

Junior Shadow/Silhouette

Junior Theme

Intermediate Animals-Domestic

Intermediate Animals-Wildlife

Intermediate Catch All

Intermediate Details & Macro

Intermediate Elements of Design

Intermediate Food

Intermediate Landscape & Nature

Intermediate Motion/Action

Intermediate People

Intermediate Plant/Flora

Intermediate Shadow/Silhouette

Intermediate Theme

Senior Animals-Domestic

Senior Animals-Wildlife

Senior Catch-All

Senior Details & Macro

Senior Elements of Design

Senior Food

Senior Landscape & Nature

Senior Leading Line

Senior Motion/Action

Senior People

Senior Plant/Flora

Senior Shadow/Silhouette

Videography Contest - All ages

CEP 4-H State Photography Contest

Please see below for information regarding the second annual CEP 4-H State Photography Contest for Juniors and Intermediates.  Link to register is here.

BEATS Camp

 Please click on this link to register for this event.

2022 District 10 4-H Leadership Lab Event Information

District 10 Roundup results for Travis County

I would like to share with you the results of the Travis County Participants in the District 10 Roundup.  Congratulations to all our participants and good luck at State Roundup!  

2022 District 10 Results Travis County:

District 10 Fashion Show

Emily Shaw - 1st place, Construction - Everyday Living

Scout Goldsmith - 1st place, Construction - Semi-Formal to Formal

Kristen Early - 1st place, Theater/Costume

Emily Shaw - 1st place, Natural Fibers - Wool/Alpaca/Mohair

 

District 10 Leaders 4 Life

Travis Sr. Team: Clare Whitaker, John Paul Whitaker, Sarah Shaw, Anna‐Laura Whitaker - 2nd place

District 10 Consumer Decision Making

John Paul Whitaker, Anna-Laura Whitaker, Clare Whitaker, Emily Shaw - 2nd place

 

District 10 Share the Fun 

Willow Goldsmith - Musical Instrument - 1st place

Clare Whitaker - Poetry/Prose - 1st place

2022 National 4-H Congress - Texas Delegate Application Process - Deadline May 20, 2022

I would like to share with you the following message from 4-H Specialist Megan Logan:

Good Afternoon,

We are excited to announce that the 2022 National 4-H Congress event is set for November 25-29, 2022 in Atlanta, GA. Therefore, it is now time to have all youth who are interested in attending to apply to serve as a 2022 Texas 4-H Delegate at National 4-H Congress.

Attached you will find the National 4-H Congress Announcement with details about the application process as well as additional details about travel, costs, etc. Please share with any interested parties that you have. Applications will be open from May 1 (Sunday) – May 20, 2022 on 4Honline. There is no cost to apply for consideration as a delegate.

If you have any questions please let me know. 

Megan

Registration extended for TAMU 4-H One Day

Registration has been extended for the TAMU 4-H Day 2022 until Sunday, April 24^th. 4-H members, grades 8^th – 11^th are eligible to attend. This was a change from the original announcement of 10^th-11^th graders. Space is limited. Registration is through 4HOnline, look for the event “TAMU 4-H Day 2022”. Share the attached flyer with 4-H members you feel may be interested in attending.

 

Core Application 2022

 Don’t miss this opportunity!

Core Application 2022 is now available! Deadline is May 1st! Please let me know if you have any questions.

https://forms.gle/kdAdHNKzoqqitvKH9

Goat Give-Away!

 A message from Cynthia Pierfax:

Hello!

It is officially the Prairie View A&M 4-H Goat Give-Away season, and the Goat Give-Away committee would like to share an opportunity to expand your youth agricultural program. The 4-H Goat Kid Giveaway Program has promoted dairy goats as a 4-H project since 1987. There has been an additional option for meat goats (contingent on the meat goat breeder being willing to donate the meat goats). 

Applications are open April 5th-April 15th. The committee will judge the applications by looking for evidence that the applicant has the resources and knowledge to properly take care of the goat and show commitment to furthering their goat and overall 4-H involvement. Applicants do not need to have previously raised goats to enter this program. Dairy goats will be ready the second week in May. For those wanting meat goats, once the committee gets the number of meat goats requested, we will work with the breeder to see if he is still willing to donate this year. The delivery timeline of the meat goats will depend on the breeder's schedule. The committee will inform the youth of their acceptance in the give-away by April 30th. 

Attached is the marketing flyer for the project. We would love to have your 4-H, FFA, or youth organization participate this year. If interested or would like additional information, please respond to this email, and we can move forward from there.

Click on flyer for link:

Travis & Bastrop County Videography Contest (Update)

I am pleased to announce that the new county videography contest will be open to Bastrop County as well.  Please see below for the updated letter:

Travis County Videography Contest

Please see below information regarding the Travis County Videography contest.  Please email me if you have any questions at Nathan.Tucker@ag.tamu.edu

2022-2023 Texas 4-H Council: At-Large Delegates

 The 2022-2023 Texas 4-H Council At-Large Application information has now been posted at https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ambassadors/ under Texas 4-H Council. Interested 4-H members will apply on 4HOnline by selecting the “2022-2023 Texas 4-H Council At-Large Application” event.

 

Deadline is Thursday, March 31^st. We ask that all applications be approved on 4HOnline by the county offices by Wednesday, April 6 so that the committee can begin reviewing the applications and invite candidates for the first round of interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of April 25^th.

 

Applications will be accepted for the Texas 4-H Council At-Large Delegate positions and narrowed to a pool of applicants (approximately 12 or so to complete the speech/impromptu question part of the process) by the selection committee. The At-Large Delegate Presentations will take place on Monday, June 6^th as part of the LEAD Academy Kickoff event. Elections will be held using an electronic method and results announced Thursday, June 9^th at the general assembly.

 

If you have any questions about the At-Large Election process, please reach out to the Texas 4-H Council Advisors or your District 4-H Specialist.

 

Thanks,

Texas 4-H Council Advisors

 

Jana Barrett – jcbarrett@ag.tame.edu

Garry Branham – garry.branham@ag.tamu.edu

Bailee Wright – bailee.wright@ag.tamu.edu

Montza Williams – Montza.Williams@ag.tamu.edu

Travis and Bastrop County 4-H Photography Contest

Please see the letter below for information about the Travis and Bastrop County 4-H Photography contest for 2021-2022.  Let me know if you have any questions about the contest!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 Just wanted to take a second to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope everyone enjoys some much needed time with family, and wonderful food! I am very thankful for Travis County 4-H members, families, and volunteers!

I hope everyone has a very blessed holiday.

All the best,

Mikayla

TCYS & Travis County 4-H - Consumer Decision Making Contest!

 

Consumer Decision Making Contest:

• Tuesday, December 7^th @ the Extension Office (1600B Smith Rd. Austin, TX)
• Orientation begins at 5:30 pm, followed by the contest starting at 6:00 pm.
• If planning to participate, please complete the Google Form by 5:00 pm on November 30^th (need time to complete eligibility with schools).
• If participating on a team, I will also need the Team Designation Form completed and emailed to me by 5:00 pm on November 30^th. Please note, in this case, checks will need to be made to TCYS.
• Cost of contest will be $10 per individual. Exact cash and checks (made to TCYS) will be accepted at the door.
• Please note that parents will be asked to stay outside or in their cars during the contest, but will of course be invited inside for awards.
• REGISTER HERE

Quality Counts or Character Counts DUE SOON!

 Reminder!! Quality Counts or Character Counts MUST be completed by December 1st for all TCYS participants!!

Quality Counts: required if you are showing a livestock project.

Character Counts: required if have Youth Fair entries only.

Refer to prior Blog post for details on Quality Counts vs. Character Counts.

Contact me with any questions, mikayla.herron@ag.tamu.edu

TCYS Quality Counts VS. Character Counts

 

Quality Counts and Character Counts Information

 

Quality Counts: If you plan to exhibit a livestock project at the Travis County Youth Show, or a livestock project at any of the major shows (Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, etc.), all youth are required to complete Quality Counts.

Quality Counts will need to be completed at three different times during an exhibitor’s livestock involvement: Junior level (3^rd – 5^th grade), Intermediate level (6^th – 8^th grade), and Senior level (9^th – 12^th grade). All exhibitors must have an active Quality Counts number in the correct age division, or they will be disqualified. It is very important that during registration, you put BOTH your 4-H and FFA information, regardless of which you think you will show through so that all needed parties have access to your Quality Counts information. Enrollment instructions and FAQ’s will be distributed as well, and I highly encourage you to check with me that your Quality Counts information is accurate and correct.

Each exhibitor must make 80% or higher to pass the test and receive your ID number. You may take the test as many times as necessary.

-          Website with information: https://agrilife.org/qualitycounts/

-          Quality Counts Enrollment Information and Steps: https://texasyouthlivestock.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/QC-Enrollment-INSTRUCTIONS-Exhibitors-2021.pdf

-          Quality Counts FAQ’s: https://texasyouthlivestock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Quality-Counts-FAQ-Updated-11.19.pdf

 

 

Character Counts: If you only exhibit Youth Fair projects at TCYS (no livestock), all exhibitors are required to complete the Character Counts (Six Pillars of Character) exam, through the County level. At this time, not all records from past years are available, therefore everyone will need to take or re-take the exam. Each exhibitor will need to make a 90% or higher to pass. After you have submitted your test, you can view your results immediately to determine if you need to re-take. You will also receive an email if a re-take is necessary within a few days.

-          Website containing all content: https://charactercounts.org/character-counts-overview/six-pillars/

-          Link to the Google Form Exam: https://forms.gle/dMchq7EZSEAhYdhe8

 

All of the following exams need to be completed by 11:59 on December 1, 2021. Any exhibitors that have not completed and passed their needed exam, will be disqualified from participating in TCYS.

* Please note that if you entered any major livestock show, you already had to have your Quality Counts information to me by time of entry. *

Please also know that we have a LOT of 4-H names on our roster that do NOT have an up-to-date Quality Counts Number.... some never completed or passed the test, and others never re-took the exam when they moved up into the next age division. Please don't hesitate to verify information with me!

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Travis County 4-H Food Show & Food Challenge!

Last week, we had an amazing group of kids participate in the Travis County 4-H Food Show! I am always amazed at their abilities to create such elaborate dishes, while also having the courage and confidence to speak in front of the judges!

Participants include: Sarah Shaw, John Paul Whitaker, Anna-Laura Whitaker, Clare Whitaker, Luke Whitaker, Rachel Sheguit, Scout Goldsmith, and Rachel Pflum! Congrats to all of our first place winners advancing to District, and to our Slice and Dice Food Challenge Team advancing to District as well!

Our Slice and Dice team includes Sarah Shaw, John Paul Whitaker, Anna-Laura Whitaker and Clare Whitaker!

GREAT job to all participants, and best of luck at District!

Major Livestock Show Entry Deadlines!

 Major Livestock Show entry deadlines are right around the corner!

Please get signed up for your Turn-In slot!

Entry Turn-In Sheet

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Mikayla.herron@ag.tamu.edu