REMINDER: National 4-H Congress Applications due 4/24

Please see the released information regarding the 2019 National 4-H Congress.  Applications are due online via 4-H CONNECT by Wednesday, April 24th.  Please let us know if you have any questions!

REMINDER: PAYB Scholarship Application is available and due 4/30/19

Please see the informational letter about the PAYB Scholarship for 2018-2019!  Email Mellanie at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu if you would like a copy of the application or if you have any questions!

REMINDER: State Fair Swine Validation Tag Orders due 4/16/19

In order to exhibit a market swine project in the State Fair of Texas, that animal must first be validated!  Be sure to order your State Fair Swine Validation Tags to let us know that you are validating an animal so you can participate and enter that animal in upcoming show!

All validation forms are available for download at: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/

And are directly linked here:

• State Fair Swine Tag PDF Order Form
• State Fair Swine Tag Fillable PDF Order Form

REMINDER: Youth Leadership Program Registration Program

Our Youth Leadership Program is going to take place on June 3rd, 4th, & 6th this year!  Come join us as we will do some in-depth learning about public speaking, along with tips and techniques, as well as develop and present three, 3-5 minute speeches.

Please see the informational flyer below and be sure to register online at https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-events/registrations/ 

If you need any type of accommodation to participate in this program or have

questions about the physical access provided, please contact Mellanie at

512-854-9600 or MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu at least 2 days prior to the program.

REMINDER: Steer Validation Tag Orders are due 4/16/19

In order to exhibit a steer in a major show, that steer must first be validated!  Be sure to order your Steer Validation Tags to let us know that you are validating an animal so you can participate and enter that animal in upcoming shows!

All validation forms are available for download at: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/

And are directly linked here:

• Steer Tag PDF Order Form
• Steer Tag Fillable PDF Order Form

REMINDER: NEW Texas 4-H Council Membership Updates

As we are looking toward the 2019-2020 4-H year, we wanted to make you aware of some new things that will be happening!  With input from current Texas 4-H Council members and many discussions with people invested in the Texas 4-H Program, our process for electing Texas 4-H Council members will be new and exciting beginning this year.  

Texas 4-H Council will consist of 30 members:

• 24 members will be elected during traditional District election processes 
• 6 at-large members will be elected by senior level 4-H members who cast their ballot in early June
•  More specific criteria and processes are linked below for your information and sharing with members and families.

This new approach will provide opportunities to a broader expanse of Texas 4-H members and is open to all members who meet the eligibility requirements.  We are excited about the possibilities and trust the membership will be as well. 

Important Documents:

• 2019-2020 Texas 4-H Council Information & Selection Process
• 2019-2020 Texas 4-H Council Membership Agreement
• 2019-2020 Texas 4-H Council Standing Rules

The Texas 4-H Council At-Large Delegate application is up and ready to accept applications.  The Texas 4-H Council membership information and the At-Large Delegate election process along with the requirements and other application instructions can be found at the Texas 4-H webpage - https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ .  Texas 4-H Council information, requirements, and application instructions are listed specifically under the Leadership & Citizenship project page, Leadership project and in the Texas 4-H Council section.  The application will actually be completed on 4-H Connect.  Applications must be complete on 4-H Connect with appropriate uploads by midnight April 28.

Bosque County Archery Tournament

REMINDER: State Fair Swine Validation Tag orders are due 4/16

In order to exhibit a market swine project in the State Fair of Texas, that animal must first be validated!  Be sure to order your State Fair Swine Validation Tags to let us know that you are validating an animal so you can participate and enter that animal in upcoming show!

All validation forms are available for download at: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/

And are directly linked here:

• State Fair Swine Tag PDF Order Form
• State Fair Swine Tag Fillable PDF Order Form

2019 East Austin Garden Fair - this Saturday, 4/13/19!

Join us for the 2019 East Austin Garden Fair on Saturday, April 13, 2019!  Come see lots of fun gardening activities and visit our 4-H informational booth!!!

REMINDER: Heifer UIN Order Forms are due 4/15

In order to exhibit a heifer in a major show, that heifer must first be validated!  Be sure to order your heifer UIN # to let us know that you are validating an animal so you can participate and enter that animal in upcoming shows!

All validation forms are available for download at: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/

And are directly linked here:

• Heifer UIN PDF Order Form
• Heifer UIN Fillable PDF Order Form

This week is National Volunteer Week!

April 7-13, 2019 is National Volunteer Week!  Be sure to reach out to your 4-H Community Leaders and thank them for all that they do - we could not accomplish any of our programs without them!!

Each year, thousands of 4-H volunteers donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live. These volunteers will be among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during the 43rd anniversary of National Volunteer Week, April 7-13, 2019.

Research conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that 25.3% of adult Americans (62.8 million) volunteered 7.9 billion hours of service worth $184 billion in 2014. In 2018, more than 27,000 adult and youth volunteers contributed countless hours in various capacities to the 4-H youth in their Texas communities. In Travis County, 133 volunteers, both youth and adult, will serve as club leaders, project leaders, committee members, and in advisory capacities for the 4-H Youth Development Program in 2019.

Travis County 4-H Agent, Mellanie Mickelson, states that "without Volunteers, we would not be able to accomplish half of what we do now, particularly in such an urban county as Travis County.  Volunteers are the key to reaching our kids and being everywhere that 4-H needs to be in our county so that our youth have as much support and guidance in setting and achieving their goals as possible." 

Volunteers spend numerous hours working on tasks, such as helping organize an event at the county fair, helping a child with a 4-H project, or leading a project to serve the community.

4-H Program volunteers are just one group of volunteers who are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Extension Service, including determining the needs of the local residents, planning and implementing programs to address these needs, securing resources, and evaluating programs. Thank you, to all 4-H volunteers for the impact you make on the youth around you.

Adapted by: Callie Henly, Texas 4-H Communications Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 

Adapted from article written by: Mary Jo Williams, State 4-H Youth Development Specialist, University of Missouri

Beef Cattle Project Clinic & Classic

2019 National 4-H Congress Information & Application Process

Please see the released information regarding the 2019 National 4-H Congress.  Applications are due online via 4-H CONNECT by Wednesday, April 24th.  Please let us know if you have any questions!

NEW: Texas 4-H Council Delegate Updates & Application

As we are looking toward the 2019-2020 4-H year, we wanted to make you aware of some new things that will be happening!  With input from current Texas 4-H Council members and many discussions with people invested in the Texas 4-H Program, our process for electing Texas 4-H Council members will be new and exciting beginning this year.  

Texas 4-H Council will consist of 30 members:

• 24 members will be elected during traditional District election processes 
• 6 at-large members will be elected by senior level 4-H members who cast their ballot in early June
•  More specific criteria and processes are linked below for your information and sharing with members and families.

This new approach will provide opportunities to a broader expanse of Texas 4-H members and is open to all members who meet the eligibility requirements.  We are excited about the possibilities and trust the membership will be as well. 

Important Documents:

• 2019-2020 Texas 4-H Council Information & Selection Process
• 2019-2020 Texas 4-H Council Membership Agreement
• 2019-2020 Texas 4-H Council Standing Rules

The Texas 4-H Council At-Large Delegate application is up and ready to accept applications.  The Texas 4-H Council membership information and the At-Large Delegate election process along with the requirements and other application instructions can be found at the Texas 4-H webpage - https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ .  Texas 4-H Council information, requirements, and application instructions are listed specifically under the Leadership & Citizenship project page, Leadership project and in the Texas 4-H Council section.  The application will actually be completed on 4-H Connect and opened today.  Applications must be complete on 4-H Connect with appropriate uploads by midnight April 28.

Raise Your Hand for Your State by 5/15!!

Raise Your Hand for Your State Youth! VOTE Win $20,000 and bring 4-H programs to more kids in your community! The "Raise Your Hand" initiative is a nationwide call-to-action for 4-H alumni, supporters, and friends to vote to win funding for their 4-H state program. This funding helps more kids in their communities benefit from the hands-on learning programs 4-H offers, helping kids serve their community and build critical life skills needed to thrive. Vote for your state and the three states with the highest ratio of hands raised to total state population will win $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 to bring local 4-H programs to more kids. Raising your hand is as easy as 1, 2, 3 1 Raise Your Hand: Go to 4-H.org/RaiseYourHand to support youth in your community. 2 Compete for Your State: Raising your hand is a vote for your state to win $20,000, $10,000 or $5,000 to bring 4-H skill-building programs to more kids. 3 Pay it Forward: Share support with friends & family with the #4HGrown hashtag! Ask them to raise their hand for kids in their community at 4-H.org/RaiseYourHand. 4 And finally: Thanks to JOANN, if you're a 4-H alumni, volunteer, or member - sign up for a JOANN rewards card while the promotion lasts, and your state will automatically be entered into a drawing to receive a $1,000 gift card. Raise Your Hand by May 15th—because every child deserves a chance to succeed. VOTE Get more support for your state. VOTE TODAY Share this email with friends. SHARE Share this message on Facebook. SHARE NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., age 13+. Void outside the 50 U.S./D.C. and where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts at 12:00:01 AM ET on 04/01/19 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 05/15/19. Total ARV of all prizes: $50,000. Odds of winning Random Drawing Prizes depend on the total number of entries received. For full Official Rules visit https://4-h.org/raise-your-hand/ . Sponsor: National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Update your profile Our mailing address is: National 4-H Council 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD, United States Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Copyright (C) 2019 National 4-H Council All rights reserved. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. This email was written, edited and published by National 4-H Council. No endorsement of these partners' products or services is granted or implied by 4-H.

REMINDER: State Fair Lamb & Goat Validation Tag orders due 4/10/19

In order to exhibit a market lamb or goat in the State Fair of Texas, that animal must first be validated!  Be sure to order your State Fair Lamb & Goat Validation Tags to let us know that you are validating an animal so you can participate and enter that animal in upcoming show!

All validation forms are available for download at: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/4-h-programs/4-h-livestock-information/

And are directly linked here:

• State Fair Lamb & Goat Tag PDF Order Form
• State Fair Lamb & Goat Tag Fillable PDF Order Form