Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Entries for Major Stock Shows!!

It is time to start turning in your entries and entry fees for the following major shows; San Antonio, Houston, STAR and San Angelo. It is the responsibility of each member/family to get their entries submitted to the Extension Office by 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13th. Entry forms may be found on the travis4h.com website. Please make sure that you have all required signatures prior to turning in your forms.

Houston Entry Forms must be notarized!!!

Each participant also needs to be complete the Summary Form and it may also be found on the website.

If you have any questions, please contact Brad or Cory.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Texas Extension Education Annual Bazaar

Saturday, November 8, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church
6600 Woodrow Avenue

This group of ladies always supports 4-H and this Bazaar is one of the events they host to help raise the funds they use to offer 4-H'ers scholarships.

They will have great holiday decorations, craft and gift items for sale as well as delicious homemade baked goods, breakfast tacos, hot soups, sandwiches, desserts, drinks and much more.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Speak Out for Military Kids - Opportunity

Speak Out for Military Kids
Ambassador Training November 1 and 2nd
For more details or to RSVP - mprause@ag.tamu.edu

Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) -The Speak Out for Military Kids Ambassador program is a key component of OMK in Texas. Military and civilian youth ages 13-17 may be nominated by an adult or self nominated with references. Nominees attend a two day training course to become Ambassadors for the program. During this training participants develop public speaking/presentation skills, leadership and citizenship skills as they explore issues of deployment, methods of coping and avenues to share their own viewpoints and pointers with others. Thus, allowing them to "SPEAK OUT" for military kids in their respective areas of the state. SOMK youth often assist with statewide activities and in special leadership roles such as interpretation events for key leaders, participating in media interviews at events and serving as Junior Counselors for Operation Purple or other camp opportunities for military youth! To see an example of the work (PSA) of our SOMK youth in Texas click here (TXDallasSOMK.wmv)!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Cowboy Christmas Ball


8th Ever Cowboy Christmas Ball
November 22nd, 2008
The Renaissance in the Arboretum
6:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight
Live Music by Bobby Pounds

Ticket Cost - $75 each
Reserved Table of 10 - $750

We are Also Accepting Donations
Ticket forms and flyer may be found on the travis4h.com website

Travis County Youth Show Entries


The entry deadline for the Travis County Youth Show is fast approaching. Your club manager has forms for you. Most clubs are completing the forms at their October 4-H Club meeting. You need to talk with your club manager to get your forms. If for some reason you miss your meeting or are not able to get with your club manager, please contact Cory at the county office by
October 31, 2008.

The form includes both Youth Fair and Livestock Entries.

Friday, October 3, 2008

North Veterinary Science - Sub Group

A sub-group is being added to the Veterinary Science Club that meets in Pflugerville. If you are interested in participating in the vet science program, please email Kandy Johnson at kandyo@msn.com. This is a great project to get involved in, with some very unique learning experiences.

Major Show Entries

Entries for the following shows will be due: Thursday, November 13, 2008.
Please click on the link to view the show websites.

San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo - February 5 - 22, 2009
San Angelo Stock Show& Rodeo - February 19 - March 1, 2009
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo - March 3 - 22, 2009
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo - March 13 - 28, 2009

Entry forms are not available at this time, please check back later

Ft Worth Stock Show - January 16th - February 8th

If you plan to exhibit at the Ft. Worth Stock show, your entry and entry fees will be due to the County Extension Office by Monday, November 3, 2008.

An entry form may be found on the following website:
http://www.fwssr.com/entryapps.asp

The form may be filled out online, but it needs to be printed and brought in or mailed to the extension office. You may also pick up a form at the office.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Texas Tech Fashion Camp

Check out the link below to view an awesome opportunity for all those interested in Fashion.

Tech Tech Fashion Camp

Monday, September 29, 2008

MAP Workshop - Making a Plan for the Future

A workshop for high school students and parents. This is an opportunity to learn key skills when interviewing and planning financially for college. Check out the flyer on the travis4h.com website.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Addition to Barrow Show at San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo

SAN ANTONIO, TX-The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo would like to announce the addition
of the Dark Crossbred breed to the 2009 Junior Market Barrow division.
“The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo believes in the junior livestock show program.

Group 1 includes Berkshires, Durocs, Hampshires, Poland Chinas, Spots, and Dark
Crossbreds. These breeds will arrive on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 and will show Feb. 15-16.
Group 2 includes Chester White, Landrace, Yorkshire, and Light-Colored Crossbred barrows.
This group will arrive Tuesday, Feb. 17 and will exhibit Feb. 18-19. The Junior Market Barrow
auction will be held on Friday, Feb. 20.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Junior Leadership Retreat

The 4-H Conference Center, Texas AgriLife Extension, is pleased to announce the 2008 Junior
Leadership Retreat, November 7-9, 2008

Objectives of the Junior Leadership Retreat are:
1. Develop an understanding of styles of leadership.
2. Learn and practice communication and public speaking skills.
3. Learn and implement skills in teamwork and cooperation.
4. Provide an opportunity for State 4-H Council members to mentor younger 4-H members.
This year’s theme: “You’ve Won the Gold! Now What?” ties in with the popular Olympic
theme and aims to help 4-H members move beyond the Gold, and interpret what they have
learned from their 4-H experiences. Public speaking and marketing will be major aspects of the
program.
Program Highlights
The workshop will focus on basics such as communication skills, leadership, team building,
community service, leading recreation, how to manage groups, and more. It is the goal of the
workshop to empower youth with the skills they need to become leaders in their community
clubs and county programs.
Counties should plan to arrive between 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and be ready to begin! The first session
will begin at 8:30 p.m! Please arrange your travel plans so that you can arrive by 8:00!
Participants should plan on a full agenda, so come prepared to learn and to have fun!
Dress for the workshop is comfortable and casual. Saturday night’s dance will have an “Olympic
Stars” theme. Come prepared to dress as your favorite Olympic athlete, keeping the 4-H
Conference Center dress code in mind. It will be a fun evening of celebration and reflection.

Cost:
Youth (age 9 to 14- as of August 31, 2008) $115.00
Adult Chaperones (housed in dorms) $75.00
(An adult chaperone from the county must attend - adult must be screend as well)

A promotional flyer may be found on the travis4h.com website.

National 4-H Conference

The National 4-H Conference is the Secretary of Agriculture’s premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program. The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults--at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture--assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. This event brings together youth, volunteer leaders, and state and county Extension staff members from across the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the Canadian Provinces.National 4-H Conference will be held March 28-April 2, 2009 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The cost is $1250.00 per delegate and is at the expense of the delegate.

WHO SHOULD APPLY? The National 4-H Conference requires youth who are focused and committed to working during the Conference and in their state. The Texas delegation will consist of 10 youth delegates (senior age 4-H members), who need to engage in pre- and post- conference work and participate in all scheduled conference activities.Here is the timeline for applying and other important information:

* Application open on 4-H Connect -- November 5 through December 5, 2008* Delegates announced -- December 12, 2008* Payment deadline -- January 23, 2009* Travel start date -- March 28, 2009* Travel end date -- April 2, 2009For more information, contact your local county Extension agent! or look at the website below.

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/natconference/index.html#dates

Bee Keeping Essay

The State Bee Keeping Essay Contest for 2009 has been announced and this year's essay topic is: “The Dance Language of Bees”. Honey bees possess the ability to communicate thedistance and direction of resources to their nestmates. They employ a symbolic dance languagein which the position of the sun is symbolically represented by gravity, and a trained observer can watch their dances and predict where they are foraging. The use of symbolic language by an insect has made them one of the most studied animals. This year’s essay contest invites participants to learn about the honey bee’s dance language, how it was discovered, how it works and how it provides colonies the ability to find and exploit floral resources. To enter, you must be an active 4-H member. The deadline for entering is January 31, 2009. There are cash prizes for the state contest and the state winner is forwarded to the national contest where bigger cash prizes are up for grabs. To see more information, go to the link below.
http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/beekeeping/index.html

Hurricane Ike Relief Help

If you are looking for a way to help with Hurricane Relief Efforts, the Texas 4-H State Council has provided us with an opportunity. Due to the mass amount of clean-up that residents and business owners will have to undergo, those effected will need cleaning supplies.

Collect anything from the list below and if you can't find a 5 gallon bucket with a lid, donate what you can. We will be collecting supplies through Friday, September 26, 2008

Bleach, 82 ounces
5 scouring pads
7 sponges
1 scrub brush
18 cleaning towels
liquid laundry detergent (50 ounces)
Household cleaner (12-16 ounce bottles)
Disinfectant dish soap (16-28 ounces bottles)
50 clothespins
clothesline (100 fee)
5 masks (N-95 rating)
2 pair of latex gloves
1 pair of work gloves
24 bag roll of heavy duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon size
Air freshener - 8 -9 ounce can

Travis County Contact: Lauren and Robin Schneider
Phone: 512-657-7097
Email: schneiderfamily@pvco.net

Monday, September 8, 2008

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards


The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards constitute the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteering. Over the past 13 years, the program has honored more than 80,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level. You can apply online for The 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards! Click below to start, continue or check the status of an online application.you've made a difference by volunteering in your community.

access code is spirit
Applications must be submitted to Cory by Friday, October 31, 2008. Selection of one honoree in 5th -8th grades will be selected and one honoree for 9th -12th grades.

Habitat for Humanity

District 10 4-H is doing something BIG!

Who:
D-10 Senior 4-H members and Habitat for Humanity!' ( must be at least 14 years of age)
What: Community service landscaping project!
When: November 1st, 7:45am-3:30pm
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Why: We're going to build community within D-10 4-H while we build a real community in San Antonio, Texas. Join in an together we'll Make the Best Better

Sign Up to Volunteer through your County Extension office!

A waiver must be completed and turned in to Cory by Friday, October 10, 2008. The only way to obtain a waiver is to contact Cory. Parents will need to attend with youth.

2008 Travis County Food Show


Saturday, October 25, 2008 @ the Extension office - 9:30 a.m.


Age Divsions (all ages as of August 31, 2008)

Clover - K-2nd grade - may enter their favorite snack

Junior - 8 and in the 3rd grade to 10 years of age

Intermediate - 11-13 years of age

Senior - 14 to 19 years of age

Categories


Main Dish
Foods classified as main dishes usually contain a meat or meat alternate such as cheese,
eggs, dry beans or peas, or peanut butter. They may also contain other foods. Dishes to
enter in this category may include: beef, veal, pork, variety meats, poultry, eggs, fish and shellfish, dry beans, casseroles, meat loaves, meat, poultry, fish pies, souffles, omelets, meat
salads, sandwiches, dry peas, soybeans, soups and chowders.”


Fruit and Vegetable
Side dishes or foods that are usually served along with a main dish or as accompaniments to
the main course. These are usually fruit or vegetable dishes. Suggested dishes to enter in
this category may include: salads, cooked vegetables, cooked fruits, relish tray, vegetable
casseroles, fruit platters and combination vegetable dishes.


Bread and Cereal
Suggested dishes to enter in this category may include: quick breads, yeast breads, hot roll or
bread mixes, rice dishes and pastas.


Nutritious Snacks Category (no oven time)
Snacks are commonly eaten between meals by those having higher energy needs (such as
teens and children). Snacks should provide energy and enhance diet quality. Suggested
dishes to enter in this category may include: milk drinks and floats, fruit drinks, dips and
dippers, fondues, custards, sandwiches, party foods and refreshments, appetizers, and
nutritious no-bake cookies.


Entry Form and other materials may be found on the travis4h.com website

County Round Up Contest

What is Roundup?
4-H Roundup provides an opportunity for members to compete in contests related to their projects by preparing demonstrations, illustrated talks, public speaking or Share-the-Fun Acts. Youth may also test their knowledge in horse or beef quiz bowl or the swine-skill-a-thon.

Age Divisions - All Ages are as of August 31, 2008
Juniors - Ages 8-10
Intermediate - Ages 11-13
Seniors - Ages14-19

Resources - Need a good idea? Contact a local Extension Agent or look at The Texas 4-H Handbook is available at the 4-H office or downloaded at:
***www.texas4-h.tamu.edu
Deadline - Deadline for submitting your entry form and eligibility form is October 21, 2008

Fee - No County fee to enter, however there will be a District fee for those that advance to the District Contest on December 6, 2008.

Those who may be interested need to contact Cory to discuss a time for you to present your speech/presentation or if you have any questions in general.

Registration form and other information may be found on the travis4h.com website.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Swine Tag Order Form


If you plan to exhibit market barrows at the Travis County Youth Show or the 2009 Major Stock Shows, you will need to purchase a swine tag per hog that you plan to possibly exhibit. The form may be found at the Extension Office or on the travis4h.com website.
Tag orders are due to the Extension Office by Thursday, September 18, 2008.