Photos Needed for 4-H Awards Night

If you have any 4-H photos you can share for the slide show during the upcoming Hays County 4-H Awards Night, please send those to the incoming Hays Co. 4-H Council Reporters:

• Haley White - haley21997@yahoo.com
• or Emily Sweet - emisweetheart97@gmail.com

Please have all photos sent to them no later than July 31st.  Thank you!!

Host Families Needed

Don't miss this great opportunity to host a youth from Japan and let them see Texas hospitality at its finest. You are not required to do anything out of the ordinary, just consider this guest as 'one of the family' and allow them to participate in daily family happenings. Most of the Japanese delegation are fluent in the English language.  Host dates are July 26 through August 22, 2014. The following delegates are still looking for a Texas host family:

• Hana, female age 12 - she likes basketball, chocolate ice cream, camping, cooking and math; she is talkative and values kindness.      
• Yoshinaga, male age 13 - he likes drawing and to do papercrafts, enjoys karate and piano and other music, he is allergic to cats and dogs and values a sense of humor.     
• Akito, male age 12 - he likes tennis, soccer, baseball, swimming and basketball; he would like to ride a horse or care for animals, even work on a farm. He has an allergy to dogs and cats.      
• Rinko, female age 12 - she likes animals, reading, musical theatre, music and cooking; horseback riding, camping and sports are other favorites.      
• Kagaho, female age 13 - likes being outdoors but also enjoys shopping, cooking, singing and music in general.      
• Ayaka, female age 12 - likes piano, swimming, photography, amusement parks; would like to ride a horse or work on a farm.      
• Sayaka, female age 12 - likes baskbetball, music, running, horseback riding, cooking and staying busy.     
• Hiyori, female age 12 - likes dogs, animals, hip hop dancing, cooking and wants to be busy. Would like to ride a horse or work on a farm.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Dr. Darlene Locke at 325.784.5482 or email dlocke@ag.tamu.edu for more information. Also, please share with other families in your community that might have interest in this global education program.

4-H Awards Night - Mon., Aug. 4th

Please join us on Monday, August 4th, beginning at 6:30 pm, for the Hays County 4-H Awards Night as 4-H members, volunteers and supporters will be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments during the 2013-14 4-H year.  The event will be at the Wimberley VFW Hall, and is being hosted by Wimberley 4-H.  Everyone is asked to bring finger foods to share.  The theme is “Black & Gold” so feel free to dress up.

Youth Leadership Program

Cory Talley in Travis County is hosting this workshop which will focus on public speaking.  The workshop is set for July 21-23 in Austin. Register by July 15th.  Click here to view a promotional flyer. 

4-H Club Manager & Officer Workshop

Thank you to everyone who participated in our this workshop on July 12th.  All 8 of our 4-H clubs were represented, which is great!!  We covered a lot of info, but more importantly our 4-H club members and volunteers got to interact and share ideas with each other.  Click here to view the PowerPoint presented during the workshop.  Special thanks to Texas State University's FCS program for allowing us to have the workshop in their building at no cost.  Please take a few minutes to write a few thank you notes to:

Dr. Rodney Runyan (allowed us to use the building)
School Director
FCS 104
Texas State University
601 University Dr.
San Marcos, TX 78666


Mrs. Denise Dorsey (opened building and helped with set up)
Administrative Assistant
FCS 101C
Texas State University
601 University Dr.
San Marcos, TX 78666


We discussed having a 4-H Club Resource spot on this website, so we'll be working on that over the next month or so.  It will contain resource handouts and ideas for clubs to utilize.  Please share with us any suggestions you have for what should be added.

Benefit for Konleigh

Konleigh Eben is a vibrant young lady that was in an ATV accident on April 5, 2014. Her and her family are in need of our help. Konleigh has fought the ultimate fight. She experienced multiple internal and external injuries and continues to fight to overcome her obstacles. After 2 months in the Dell Children’s hospital, weeks of which were spend in ICU, Konleigh returned home and is cared for by her parents. Konleigh is currently in therapy and rehab several days a week and it is expected to be a very long process.   Konleigh is the daughter of Tina and David Owens and David Eben. She is also the grand-daughter of Willie Thomas and Jack Eben.  The accident has put a huge emotional and financial burden on the family. With medical bills exceeding into the millions, parents not being able to work normal hours and years of therapy ahead, this family needs our community help.  The Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation was founded in 2012 after Gunner Thames past away from a head injury obtained in a rodeo accident. The foundation has a crisis fund to help area youth and families that find themselves in similar situations. The foundation will take their crisis fund donation and put on this benefit for Konleigh and her family to multiply the amount of the fund. 100% of funds raised at the benefit will be given to the family.  We are in need of any donations (monetarily, auction items, food for the bar-b-que dinner etc.) to help us make this benefit successful for the family.  We could also use help selling raffle tickets.  Thank you from all of us at The Gunner Thames Foundation for helping us make this benefit successful for this family.  To make donations: Call Destini @ 512-665-1459 or Brenda @ 512-844-9109 bthames6@aol.com or email dcdoherty@grandecom.net. Monetary donations can be mailed to The Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation at 5090 Purgatory Rd New Braunfels, Texas 78132. Write Konleigh in the memo so we know that it goes to the Konleigh Benefit.

To keep up with Konleigh's progress, click here to visit the facebook page, Prayers for Konleigh.

Virtual 4-H Volunteer Conference

Texas 4-H is sponsoring a virtual (online) volunteer conference on a quarterly basis this year.  Workshops will be conducted during the day and evening hours using AgriLife Extension’s TTVN WebMeeting system. The final one for this 4-H year is set for:

• Thursday, July 31st and Tuesday, August 5th

Click here to find out more.  Please take advantage of these excellent training opportunities without leaving home.

Recordings from the 3 previous conferences are available for playback by clicking here.

Texas 4-H Congress Bill Book Available

Texas 4-H Congress is a 4-day mock legislative experience for 4-H members age 15-18, taking place July 13-16, at the Texas State Capitol.  4-H members from throughout Texas have written bills to be considered during Congress.  To learn more about Congress and see the "bill book" click here.  

4-H Livestock Extravaganza

Want to learn more about your 4-H or FFA livestock project?  How about being a better showman in the ring?  Then make plans to attend the Livestock Extravaganza on August 2 at the Buda Vo-Ag Building!  Educational topics would include selection, housing, feeding, health maintenance, record keeping, showmanship, and so much more!  The species that will be offered are goats, poultry, and swine.  Registration is $15/person on or before July 31, $20 after July 31.  You can access a registration flyer and more information by clicking here.

Duds to Dazzle

Texas 4-H is launching a new competition, Duds to Dazzle, within the 4-H clothing project, so come learn more about it at a workshop on Thursday, July 24th, 1-4 pm, in Kerrville. 

In the contest, teams of 3-5 4-H members work to create a new product from an existing item using only their sewing supply kit, sewing closet and their previous sewing and design skills.

Cost for the workshop is $5 and all supplies are provided.  Please sign up by July 16th by contacting Angela Fiedler at 830-257-6568 or afiedler@ag.tamu.edu.  Find out more by clicking here for a promo flyer.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) Virus Information

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus is a disease that is currently threatening the United States Swine Industry.  It is not just commercial swine operations that are at risk.  Show pig operations are also being affected by this.  By putting into practice some basic biosecurity measures, you can help to lessen the chance of bring PED home with you from a show or breeder.  Please click here to find out what you can do to prevent the spread of PED Virus.

Summer Youth Program Opportunities

There are so many wonderful opportunities right here in Hays County, and our Hays County FCS (Family & Consumer Sciences) Advisory Committee saw a need to compile a list of these as a tool for families to learn about the opportunities and be able to get involved in positive learning programs.  If you know of other opportunities you would like to see included, please e-mail that info to ljpetty@tamu.edu. 

Occurring Inside Hays County:
☺ Texas State University - Choir Camp, Fit-U, FITT240, CAP (College Access Project), Math Camps, Aquatic Sciences Adventures Camp, Kid’s Kollege, Performing Arts Camp, Austism Summer Camp, Youth Preparedness Camp
☺ Texas State University Athletics Program - baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball
☺ City of San Marcos - Bug Off Nature Camp, Fin & Feather Camp, Hatching Camp, Mayhem Week Camp, Midsummer Magick Camp, River Rat Nature Camp, Wild Times in Texas Camp, Summer Fun
☺ Hays YMCA
☺ Boys & Girls Club - Mitchell Center Summer Program, Summer Enrichment Program
☺ ...and many more!

Occurring Outside Hays County:
☺ Austin Community College - CSI, Film, Leadership Institute
☺ Texas 4-H Military Program - Young Heroes, Health & Fitness, College & Career Readiness, Camp Corral, Navy Specialty, STEM
☺ Texas 4-H Conference Center - Horizons, Mission Possible, Prime Time
☺ ...and many more!

Click here for more details on camps and activities occurring within and outside of Hays County.

Change to 2015 Hays County Livestock Show Steer Show

There will be a big change to the 2015 Hays County Livestock Show Steer Show.  All steers will be exhibited by breed.  This will only affect steers, not heifers.  For more information about the breed characteristics that the classifiers will use, please click here.

New Youth Livestock Project Resource

There is a new online resource to support you and your livestock projects - Texas Youth Livestock and Agriculture.  The goal of this website is to provide unbiased educational resources for educators, volunteers, 4-H/FFA families and others interested in youth livestock projects and agricultural advocacy. We are committed to connecting people to credible sources of information and educational opportunities to ensure the successful development of young people involved in agriculture.  Livestock projects supported on this website include beef cattle, goat, sheep, swine, horse, poultry, and rabbits.  The website can be found at http://www.texasyouthlivestock.com/.

4-H Volunteer Training Scholarships

With the dissolution of the District 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, their funds will now provide scholarships to 4-H volunteers for training.  So if you are looking at volunteer trainings (Volunteer Conference, Shooting Sports Coach Certification, etc.), then check the 4-H blog for an application.  Each county is limited to 2 scholarships per year, and the amount given will be $100 per volunteer.  Scholarships will be issued until the money is depleted.  You can access the scholarship form by clicking here.

District 4-H Facebook Page

The District 10 Facebook page is up and running!  Please “like” the page for up to date information on events and activities in the program:  https://www.facebook.com/District.10.4H.

Help Fancy Feathers 4-H Help National Breast Cancer Foundation

This year, Fancy Feathers 4-H Club is partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation in a revolutionary fight against Cancer. Please help them fight this fatal disease that has affected so many families in the US.  So far, Fancy Feathers has raised $931 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. But they want to take it "through the roof"! You can help them by donating - click here.  Please share this link with 10 of your friends. Your help can make a great difference. Stay fancy!

Hays County 4-H Adult Leader Reimbursement Policy

The Hays County 4-H Adult Leaders Association has money allotted in their budget to reimburse Hays County 4-H members that participate in District, State, and National opportunities.  Their reimbursement policy was approved at their September 23, 2013 meeting.  Their reimbursement policy to Hays County 4-H members is:

Members will be reimbursed for registration and lodging only.  Reimbursement will not exceed $125.00 per event.   Reimbursement for lodging will only be one per family.

Example:         Bobby will be reimbursed for registration of $25.00 and lodging of $100.00, totaling $125.00.  His sister, Sue, participated in the same event.  She will be reimbursed her registration only.

A maximum reimbursement of $250.00 per member will be allowed during each 4-H year.  Members must also complete 20 hours of community service prior to being reimbursed.  At least 15 of these hours must be 4-H related.  A check request, copies of receipts and documentation of service must be submitted for reimbursement prior to the Adult Leaders Meeting.  No reimbursement checks will be written until after approval at the Hays County Adult Leaders Association meeting.

A copy of the check request form can be downloaded by clicking here.

4-H News & Events App

Check your app store for the "4-H News and Events" app.  This is a free app that includes info for county, district and state 4-H activities.  We are beginning to add dates and events to the app for Hays County as yet another way to keep folks up to date. 

New Opportunity - 4-H SPIN Clubs

Texas 4-H is also offering a new initiative this year, 4-H SPIN clubs, which are short-term experiences focused on a specific topic.  SPIN, standing for Special Interest, clubs allow kids ages 5 to 18 with common interests or hobbies to meet as a club and share their special interest.  Whatever their passion is, kids can gain knowledge and enhance their skills through a positive group experience.  A SPIN club can be started with a minimum of one adult volunteer and five young people with an interest in a particular topic.  While the adult provides expertise and guidance, club members take an active role in planning and running their own activities.  SPIN clubs reach out to youth and families with common interests and brings them together. They are a great way to introduce young people to a specific hobby or interest they might not otherwise have a chance to develop within a group setting.

2013-14 Hays County 4-H Handbook

Hard copies of the Handbook are being distributed during 4-H club meetings, but you can view and download your own copy now by clicking here.  This handbook is an excellent resource for all 4-H families.  Please review it and learn about all the great opportunities 4-H has to offer!!

2012-13 Hays County 4-H Youth Development Report

Wondering what Hays County 4-H did over the 2012-13 4-H year.  Click here to view a 2-page summary which provides some highlight on various program efforts and outcomes.

4-H Member and Volunteer Cards

Texas 4-H is providing 4-H Member cards this year.  Our office will continue to provide 4-H Volunteer cards for those adults who complete their enrollment on 4-H Connect.  Member and volunteer cards will be given to our Club Managers to distribute during your 4-H club meetings.  For those of you who are enrolled in more than one 4-H club, your card will be distributed to the club listed as your primary club.

4-H Club Manager & Club Officer Workshop Resources

Thanks to everyone who participated in this training!!  We covered a lot of important info and resources so everyone should be ready for a great 2013-14 4-H year.  Click here to see the Power Point from the training.  Special thanks to Cory Talley and the Travis Co. Leaders 4 Life team members for covering Parliamentary Procedure so well.  Click here for a great Parli Pro guide and click here for additional resources.  Click here to access the 4-H Club Officer Handbook, along with other 4-H publications.  A big thanks also to Fancy Feathers 4-H for sharing their "effective club leadership team" info!  

Lots of Ways to Help Hays Co. Food Bank

The Hays County Food Bank has one mission - to feed hungry people in Hays County.  There are many opportunities to help them do this, so here are a few:

- Your 4-H club could participate in the Turkeys Tackling Hunger campaign in which you can help "feed a family for Thanksgiving."  Share your good fortune and help others by putting up posters, coordinating a fund drive at your office, or even donning a turkey suit for special events. For every $20 that you raise, a family enjoys a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.  Contact Laura or click here to find out more.

- We are scheduling times during the year for 4-H members and volunteers to help organize food donations.

- 4-H teens could partner with parents and/or other adult volunteers to do pick up's of donated food.

- And the Food Bank is always glad to receive donations - both food or money.  They accept a wide variety of healthy, nonperishable food items including boxed or bagged food, and canned food.  Most needed items include rice and beans (preferably in 1-pound bags); macaroni and cheese; canned fruits and vegetables; cereal and oatmeal; tuna, salmon, and other canned meats; peanut butter and jelly; pasta and pasta sauce; Jell-O (regular and sugar-free).  Last year Buda 4-H collected lots of foods through their "trick or treat for canned goods" project.  There are many great ideas, so just find fun ways to collect and donate food to help those in need.

Community Service Opportunities

Helping the community is such a part of what 4-H is - hands to larger service!!  Here are some ideas for individual, group, or club community service project opportunities:
☞ Central Texas Children’s Home in Buda - contact them for details on what items are needed - 512-243-1386
☞ Greater San Marcos Youth Council (youth shelter) - always need gently used clothing, shoes, food, household items, hygiene products, etc.  - 512-754-0500
☞ Southside Community Center’s Homeless Shelter - could use toiletry packages including deodorant, shampoo, conditioner,  toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap etc.; canned foods; furniture; towels, blankets, etc.; Wimberley 4-H has prepared and served meals there, so this is also a great project for other clubs - 512-392-6697
There are many other opportunities, so help make a difference in your community!!

College Prep Resources

Preparing for college is not something that is limited to graduating seniors. Most guidance counselors and university admissions advisors will tell you that once students enter high school, there are many things they can and should be doing to prepare for college. Extension and 4-H are in a very unique position when it comes to post-secondary education and college preparedness. Many county and district events have valuable partnerships with colleges and universities across the state. This is a valuable way to expose young people to higher education; and in many cases, it is the only opportunity a young person may have to visit a college/university campus.


Educational programs for 4-H members and 4-H parents are a great way to help 4-H members and 4-H families prepare for college. In fact, many college admissions offices are willing to come and conduct workshops for 4-H families. One unique opportunity is to have your local college admissions office conduct a FAFSA workshop for your 4-H families. This is especially helpful for families with high school seniors need to complete a 4-H Opportunity Scholarship application. There are infinite resources available to parents and families related to college preparedness. More resources can be found by clicking here.

4-H FCS Project Toolkit

This is a web-based resource for volunteers to use when managing and leading 4-H FCS projects including food & nutrition, clothing & textiles, consumer education, family life, health, housing & home environment, and safety.  General project info is provided along with project resources, lesson plans, activities and videos for each project.  The toolkit can be found by clicking here.

On-Line Orientation for 4-H Volunteers

The Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program is pleased to announce the availability of an online orientation course for 4-H volunteers. The goal of this course is to provide volunteers with an understanding of the organizational structure of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and how the 4-H program operates. It also helps volunteers recognize their roles and responsibilities within the structure and program. Specifically, the course provides information on:
• An overview of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service
• 4-H 101: Facts about 4-H
• An overview of the various methods of participation available in the 4-H program
• Volunteer qualifications, roles in which volunteers may serve and the responsibilities associated with each role
• A list of resources for 4-H volunteers

The course is available online at http://campus.extension.org and can be completed within one hour. If you cannot complete the orientation in one sitting, you have the capability to come back to it at a later time. Once the course is complete, you can print off a completion certificate. Directions on how to enroll in the course can be found at http://hays-tx.tamu.edu/newsletters/Enroll%20in%20Texas%204-H%20Volunteer%20Orientation%20Course.pdf.