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Recordbook Informationals RSVP - 11/29 for seniors and 1/28 for Juniors/Intermediates!

SENIORS - Grades 9-12

Travis County will be hosting a Senior 4-H Recordbook Overview for 4-H members in grades 9-12 on Thursday, November 29, 2018, starting at 6:30 PM and lasting approximately 1.5 hours.  We will be going over the changes to the senior recordbook forms, as well as some tips and tricks for completing sections and keeping track of things!  The workshop will be held at the Travis County Extension Office at 1600-B Smith Road.

JUNIORS/INTERMEDIATES - Grades 3-8

We will also be hosting a Junior/Intermediate Recordbook Overview for 4-H members in grades 3-8 on Monday, January 28th, as the educational program of our County Council Meeting.  The Council meeting will start at 6:30 PM with the recordbook informational starting at 7 PM.  The workshop will be held at the Travis County Extension Office at 1600-B Smith Road.

Please RSVP at the link below!  

• The Senior link will be active until 11:59 PM on Wednesday, November 28th!
• The Junior/Intermediate link will be active until 11:59 PM on Sunday, January 27th!

RSVP: Travis County 4-H Recordbook Informationals

Rescheduled: Travis County 4-H Scholarship Workshop

 Travis County will be hosting a 4-H Scholarship Workshop on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, starting at 6:30 PM and lasting approximately 2 hours.  Please RSVP at the link below!  The link will be active until 11:59 PM on Tuesday, December 11th!

RSVP: Travis County 4-H Scholarship Workshop

Sheep shearing, wool and mohair schools set for Jan. 12-14 in San Angelo

Sheep shearing, wool and mohair schools set for Jan. 12-14 in San Angelo

By: Blair Fannin

SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host multiple comprehensive wool education schools at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87.

(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host multiple comprehensive wool education schools at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87. The Texas A&M AgriLife Shearing School and the Wool and Mohair Schools are scheduled for Jan. 12-14. 

(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The Texas A&M AgriLife Shearing School and the Wool and Mohair Schools are scheduled for Jan. 12-14.

The shearing school continues to grow in popularity, said Dr. Reid Redden, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo.

“Students appreciate the hands-on instruction, and the popularity of this school has made participant slots limited, so we are encouraging those interested to apply as soon as possible,” Redden said.
The school is meant to train the next generation of shearers by offering the most innovative technology available to harvest wool, he said. Shearing is physically demanding and participants should be aware that the skills taught require hard, manual labor.

“They should arrive willing to work and dressed in proper working attire,” he said.
Redden noted that whether individuals are new to shearing or wanting to hone their technique, something will be offered to everyone.

“The school has instructors who teach both international shearing pattern, often called Australian style, and the more commonly used shearing style in Texas. In addition to sheep, we also teach students to shear Angora goats, which makes our school unique to most other schools in the nation.”
Redden said the goal for all these schools is to develop industry professionals willing to use the most efficient technique, equipment and tools to harvest wool for sheep ranches of any size.
The wool-classing school is a separate school that teaches participants to sort wool into separate categories to improve the value of the wool clip for the grower and buyer, he said.

Dr. Ronald Pope, Texas A&M AgriLife Research director of the Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Research Lab, will coordinate the training.

“Both curriculums will complement each other,” Redden said. “And perhaps most importantly, students engage with industry professionals from ranch gate to retail shelf, which provides the opportunity for lifelong learning.”

The class sizes are limited due to the hands-on instruction, so applications for both schools must be submitted by Dec. 1. Successful applicants will be notified by Dec. 7.

Registration for the shearing school is available at https://agrilife.org/sheepandgoat/registration/. Registration for the mohair school is available at https://agrilife.org/sheepandgoat/woolmohair/. Those interested in registering may also phone 325-653-4576.   

Individual registration for the shearing school or wool classing school is $150 for Texas residents and $250 for non-residents. Students will receive a sheep shearing handbook and DVD or wool classing manual. Previous students will receive a $100 discount.


The minimum age for participating in either course is 16 years old.

The school is a collaborative effort among AgriLife Extension, AgriLife Research, the American Sheep Industry Association and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association.

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2018 Seguin Swine Breeders Prospect Pig Show - 12/2/18

Please see the opportunity below!  Forms are also available for download at https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/ (scroll down to swine)

2018 SouthEast Region Hunting Project Coach Training - December 8-9, 2018

Please see the opportunity below!

Free Cattle Fitting Clinic - 12/2/18 (Palo Pinto County)

Please see the opportunity below!

2018 Wool & Mohair Judging Coaches Clinic - 12/8/18

We will be hosting a 4-H Wool & Mohair Judging Coaches Training on December 8^th, 2018 here at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in San Angelo (7887 US Highway 87 N, San Angelo, TX 76901).

This training is for Adult Volunteers and County Extension Agents Only (NOT a youth training) to provide coaches with information and resources that will help them, as they work with youth in your county programs.

Topics include but not limited to:

• How to work with Youth
• Contest Guidelines/Rules
• Available Resources
• Evaluation Methods

There is no fee for this training, but all participants must register by December 3^rd for the event through the following link: https://d74-h.tamu.edu/educational-opportunities/

Lunch will be provided.

Below is a flyer for the event.

More details will be made available closer to the event.

2018 Guadalupe County Sumo-Bot Competition - 12/1/18

The Guadalupe County 4-H Robotics Club would like to invite your robotics team to our Sumo Bot contest on Saturday, December 1.  See the details attached and below.  Last year we had a full house, and we hope you will join us!  

Location: Guadalupe County Agricultural Extension Office, 210 Live Oak, Seguin, TX 78155

Date and Time: December 1, 2018 from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM, doors open at 8:00 AM

Registration Fee: $50 per team

Registration deadline: November 23, 2018

Teams: 4-H Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams of 1-4 participants on each team

Food: Concession stand will be available and pizza orders will be taken with Registration.

Registration form is available for download at https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-events/.  

2018 Grayson County Fur, Feather, & Friends Show - 12/15/18

Grayson County Livestock Project Coalition is looking forward to the 2018 Fur, Feather, and Friends Show on December 15th. 

This year we will be adding some new options:

- Showmanship Clinic from 9 to 10 am
- Photography entries due by 10 am
- Egg Contest entries due by 10 am
- All shows (rabbit, poultry, and dairy goat) will start at 10:30 am
- Breed ID contest open from 10 to noon
- Food Challenge will begin at 12:30 p.m.
- Costume Contest and Crowing Contest to start at 2 p.m.
- Showmanship open from 11 to 1 p.m. for rabbits and poultry, dairy goat showmanship will happen in the ring

NOTE: The rabbit show will be a double show, exhibitors will have an opportunity to show TWO times! 

2018 District 11 Shooting Sports Training - December 8-9, 2018

District 11 4-H is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Shooting Sports Coaches’ Training for Archery, Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun in Markham (Matagorda County) on December 8-9, 2018.

This training is open to any potential coaches across the state.

• Registration is open now on 4‐H Connect.
• Look for 2018 D11 Shooting Sports Coaches’ Training – December 8-9, 2018, Markham, TX.
• Registration will be open starting October 1 and closes November 21, 2018.
• Cost is $120.
• All County Extension Agents are able to register for free.
• Please see attached flyer and training information document for more details.

All participants must be ACTIVE volunteers in 4-H Connect.  This includes passing the volunteer screening that is a part of the volunteer enrollment process.

Additional details:

• Registration includes program materials, lunch, dinner and other training supplies.
• Participants may only receive certification in ONE shooting discipline (archery, pistol, rifle, or shotgun) per training weekend.
• Lodging is on your own at this training. Various lodging options are available in and around Bay City. Please see website for more details.
• Tentative agenda, what to bring list, and release forms can be found on the website. More details will follow after registration.
• Event will begin at 8:00am on Saturday, December 8 and tentatively end at noon on Sunday, December 9, 2018.

Visit the website for further information:

https://d114-h.tamu.edu/events-and-contests/district-11-shooting-sports/

The informational flyer below is also available at https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-shooting-sports-information/ 

2018 Coastal Bend Classic Clinic & Show - December 1-2, 2018

District 11 4-H is pleased to announce the 9^th Annual Coastal Bend Classic Clinic & Show on December 1 & 2, 2018 at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds in Sinton, TX!

New for 2018:

• Specie clinics for Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, and Rabbits will be held on Saturday December 1.
• Specie shows for Steers, Heifers, Sheep, & Goats will be held December 2.
• FREE Dinner & Social for participants who RSVP.  Speed Judging and games will take place during this time.

2018 Speakers & Judges

• Sheep – Dr. Shawn Ramsey, sponsored by Ful- O-Pep Feeds
• Goats – Scott Mauney, retired County Extension Agent
• Poultry (clinic only) – Keith Staggs, Purina Honor Show Chow Ambassador
• Rabbits (clinic only)  – Michael Heaton, Heaton Rabbitry- Cuero, Tx
• Beef – TBA
• Swine (clinic only)  – TBA

Early bird registration will be from October 1 – November 16.  Regular registration will be from November 16 to day of show.

	EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OCTOBER 1 – NOVEMBER 16	REGULAR REGISTRATION NOVEMBER 17- DAY OF SHOW
CLINIC & SHOW	$25	$30
SHOW ONLY (SUNDAY ONLY)	$25/head of livestock	$30/head of livestock

The first 100 pre-registered participants will receive a FREE Coastal Bend Classic cap.

For more information, please visit https://d114-h.tamu.edu/events-and-contests/coastal-bend-classic/ or follow our FACEBOOK event for a complete lineup of speakers & judges! 

Video Tutorial Link - How to calculate Cost per Dish and Cost Per Serving

A BIG thank you to Luis Saldana, D12 4-H Specialist for preparing this extremely helpful video tutorial.  It teaches youth how to calculate their Cost Per Dish and Cost Per Serving.  

https://youtu.be/RxNV_SP-3iw

Additional resources for Food Challenge are available as a series at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD4DB7F0DD4109468 

2018-2019 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship Workshop - Comal County 12/10/18

Don't forget - Quality Counts Numbers are due 11/15/18

Quality Counts numbers must be verified on Thursday, November 15th.  This means that you must have completed the module and passed the test with an 80% in order for us to submit your entries!

Helpful Links:

• Quality Counts Website
• Enrollment Instructions (be sure to choose Travis County 4-H)

Travis County Extension Office Closed Monday, 11/12, & Tuesday, 11/13

Please be advised that the Travis County Extension Office will be closed Monday, 11/12/18, in observation of Veteran's Day.

The Extension Office will also be closed on Tuesday, 11/13/18, due to construction requirements around the office. 

We are scheduled to resume and be open for during normal business hours Wednesday through Friday. Thank you for your patience!

Community Service Opportunity: Wimberley Tree Planting this Saturday 11/10

We just received an email with information on the community service opportunity below - please RSVP using the Regsitration Link Below.  Exact locations and instructions will be sent to those who register.  Pleases let us know if you have any questions!

EVENT: Wimberly Tree Planting

Event Date: Saturday, November 10 from 10am - 1pm (We will also have another event on Feb 16th in case anyone is interested)

Location: The general area for the event is close to Hwy 2325 and Burnett Ranch Rd in Wimberley. Out of respect for the landowner's privacy, we only email the exact address along with directions to people who register online for the event.

Registration: https://www.treefolks.org/volunteer-with-trees-2/

Info about the event: We will be planting saplings along a stretch of the Blanco River. This event is part of a 4-year program to help reforest the banks of the Blanco River damaged during the Memorial Day Weekend Floods of 2015. The new seedlings will help to reduce erosion, clean the water, and slow future flooding. Join us for TreeFolks' final planting season on the Blanco River!   

2018 Texas Agriculture Memorial Service at the Capitol - Participation Opportunity - RSVP by 11/10/18

The Texas Ag Memorial Day at the Capitol is scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2018. 

This ceremony honors those with family members who have dedicated their lives to agriculture, as well as those who have been injured or died in their devotion to agriculture.  At 1:30 PM, the honorees are invited to gather on the North Steps of the Capitol for a special wreath presentation by the Texas Department of Agriculture along with the Texas State FFA officers, the Texas State 4 H officers, and local 4 H and FFA chapters who will be presenting a special wreath given by the Texas Nurserymen Association to the families.  They will proceed from the front gates of the Capitol up to the north steps to present it to the families.  Once this presentation is completed, the procession will move through the Capitol to the auditorium where our ceremony will be held in the State Capitol Auditorium at 2 pm. 

The group currently has a delegate of around 20 FFA members and the State 4-H Officers participating in the service and is looking for a group of around 20 4-H members to represent 4-H in the walk to the Capitol steps in their green club shirts.  If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Mellanie at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu by 10:00 PM this Saturday, November 10, 2018 to receive further details.

Intermediate & Senior Equine Photography Workshop - 11/10/18

Please see the workshop opportunity below and RSVP to ecbaker7@gmail.com or 512-964-1820 by Friday, November 9, 2018!

Are you Up to Date?

Please make sure you have passed your quality counts and are registered in 4-H Connect.

This needs to be completed before the upcoming shows.