Hays Co. Livestock Show's Home Skills Committee Meeting

Mrs. Nita Leinneweber is the Home Skills superintendent, and we have worked up a plan for a Home Skills Committee meeting, which will take place on Tue., Dec. 10th, 6:30 pm, at the Extension office.  The focus of this meeting will be to review the submitted recipe forms (entry deadline is Dec. 9th) and prepare for the show.  Anyone interested in helping with Home Skills is asked to participate.  There are usually over 500 Home Skills entries (food; arts, crafts & clothing; and photography), and all assistance is appreciated.  Also, if you have suggestions for judges, please let Nita know.

The Home Skills forms (food recipe form and form for arts, crafts & clothing and photography) are now available, along with rules, on the HCLE website.  

Horse Committee Meeting

The Hays County 4-H Horse Project Committee will meet on Mon., Nov. 25 at 6:30 pm, at the Extension Office, just prior to the  Hays County 4-H Council and Adult Leaders Association meetings.

4-H Council and Adult Leader Meetings

County 4-H Council and the County 4-H Adult Leaders Association bring together representatives of all 4-H clubs to share ideas and plan for county-wide 4-H activities.  They meet every other month.  Their next meetings are set for Mon., Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m., at the Extension Office.  If you are an adult involved with 4-H, then please make every effort to be involved in the 4-H Adult Leaders Association.

During the September meeting, Council members voted to help the Southside Community Center's Homeless Shelter as their year-long community service project, so Council members are reminded to bring bottled water, fruit snacks, crackers, etc. to the Nov. Council meeting.  Other items will be collected as the year goes on.  Also, assignments for the Nov. meeting are:
- program - Miliano - we will have a youth issues identification and discuss how Council might address some of the most significant issues
- recreation - Wesley
- drinks/cups - East San Marcos 4-H
- snacks/napkins - Fancy Feathers 4-H

Goats Needed as Donation

If you or anyone you know has some goats they would like to donate to the San Marcos Academy, please contact Jennifer Brown at 210-324-7207.  They are specifically looking for goats to graze.

Texas 4-H Re-Fashion Retreat

The Re-Fashion Retreat features educational sessions conducted by the Texas 4-H Clothing & Textiles youth advisory board member, fashion   industry leaders and extension staff. They will be conducting hands-on educational workshops. This new program will focus on increasing your knowledge and skills in the “Trashion Show” and a re-fashioning project. Don’t miss out on a weekend full of fun and exciting activities.  Registration closes on Dec. 8th.  Click here to learn more.

Take the National Rocketry Challenge!

Registration is now open for the 2014 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), the world's largest rocket contest where students compete for $60,000 in prizes and scholarships.  Students in grades 7-12 in any U.S. school or non-profit youth organization are eligible to compete.  Participation is open to the first 1000 teams who register by December 1st.  The 2014 challenge is to design, build and launch a model rocket containing 2 raw eggs that reaches an altitude of 825 feet, stays aloft for 48 to 50 seconds, and returns the eggs unbroken by parachute. The team’s qualification entry flight must be launched by March 31, 2014. If your score is one of the 100 best, you will be invited to compete for a share of the prize package in the national fly-off on May 10, 2014 in Manassas, Virginia.  Click here to visit the TARC website.

Texas 4-H Invitational Photography Judging Contest

Here's a new opportunity for intermediate (age 11-13) and senior (age 14-19) 4-H'ers those interested in the photography project.  Texas 4-H will host the Invitational Photography Judging Contest on June 10 during Texas 4-H Roundup.  This contest, similar to livestock, consumer decision making, or horse judging will challenge the 4-H members to ability to evaluate and select the correct order for four photographs in a class.  In addition to the placing of photographs, contest participants will also participate in problems classes testing their knowledge about cameras, camera settings, photography effects, and more.  Counties can enter as many teams and individuals as they wish.  Registration will be conducted on the Texas 4-H Roundup registration event through 4-H CONNECT.  Click here to visit the new website for all the details.

Recipe Rally

In the 4-H Recipe Rally, intermediate and senior 4-H members are challenged with selecting, creating, and/or altering a recipe and submitting a video, via YouTube. The video should highlight the 4-H member demonstrating the preparation of the recipe while also highlighting nutrients, food safety practices, serving size and cost analysis, as well as their inspiration for selection or creation of the recipe. The theme for the 2014 contest is Breakfast, and March 1st is the entry deadline.  Click here and look for "Recipe Rally" for more details.

National 4-H Conference

This is a working conference in which youth age 15-18 and adults--at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture--assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H and youth programs nationally and in their communities.  Buda 4-H member Mikayla Wenzel participated in the 2012 conference, saying it was a fantastic experience!!  It will be April 5-10 in Maryland.  Deadline to apply (on 4-H Connect) is Dec. 15. Click here to find out more.

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.

TSC Paper Clover Promotion Report

Thank you to everyone who supported the 4-H Paper Clover Promotion during October 9-20!!  A new record of $600,000+ was set this time!! Texas stores had top sales with almost $83,000.  Special congratulations to the Dripping Springs store - their paper clover sales were $2,036, earning them the 10th top sales spot in the nation.  The store with the most sales was Frederick, Maryland with $4,685. 

Christmas Community Service Opportunity - Hays County Brown Santa

Brown Santa is an annual event used by the Hays County Sheriff's Office to collect toys, food, and funds for families of Hays County that are in need. The assistance of deputies, correction officers, dispatchers, and the community typically reach out to touch the lives of hundreds of families. The program is similar to the city police department Blue Santa programs. The brown color is the historical uniform color of most Texas sheriff's offices. Brown Santa operations begin in late October or early November, and culminate in the delivery of Christmas presents and food just prior to Christmas. If you wish to volunteer or for more information, call 512-393-7373.

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!

4-H Exhibitor Signs

We are no longer able to get the 4-H exhibitor signs that we have used in the past.  These signs were helpful in identifying ownership of livestock projects at livestock shows.  However, we have created an exhibitor card that you can fill out, print off and bring with you prior to the livestock show.  Please click here to access the form.  We will not have these cards at the Hays County Livestock Show.  If you want your pen/project identified as yours, you must print off your form and bring it with you.  To be able to type directly onto the card, you must download the file to your computer.  From there, you should be able to type into the form.

Photo Contest

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is offering a photography contest within their horticulture section.  The theme is "Texas Reflections and Shadows."  Photos must contain subjects related to horticulture, flower arrangements, gardens and landscapes.  Photos must incorporate a reflection and/or shadow.  Entry deadline is Jan. 31st.  Click here for details.  For rules and entry forms, click here.  There are several other opportunities within the horticulture contests, so check it out.

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. Mark your calendar for this year's training dates: 

• Tuesday, February 25th and Thursday, February 27th 
• Monday, May 5th and Monday, May 6th 
• Thursday, July 31st and Tuesday, August 5th

For the November training, topics include invitational contests, scholarships, tax filing and many more.  Click here to find out more.  Please take advantage of these excellent training opportunities without leaving home.

Quality Counts

Since 2012, Quality Counts verification has been required for all youth exhibiting livestock (market and/or breeding) at major livestock shows in Texas (including the Ft. Worth Livestock Show, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Star of Texas Fair in Austin, San Angelo Livestock Show, Sandhills Stock Show in Odessa, State Fair of Texas in Dallas, and Heart O'Texas Fair in Waco). The verification process  requires junior exhibitors to pass an online test that measures their knowledge on quality assurance and character education content items.

The Quality Counts Program has now been in existence statewide for eight years. Over this time, it has reached an average of 30,000 youth per year through the 4-H and FFA Programs. The program outcomes clearly demonstrate youth being more knowledgeable of best management practices associated with livestock projects. More importantly, the program's impact has demonstrated positive changes in personal character attributes as well as adoption of livestock best management practices.

Over this time, Quality Counts has been supported and endorsed by every major livestock show in Texas. These livestock shows have been instrumental in helping market the program statewide and have also been a strong partner regarding the educational content developed for the Quality Counts Program. In addition, these livestock shows have fully endorsed this verification process.

If you are planning on participating in one of the livestock shows listed above, you must take the Quality Counts online program, take the test and become verified. A verification number will need to be provided at the time of making an official entry into a Texas major livestock show. Thus, youth will need to have completed and passed the test before the major livestock show's entry deadline. A passing score has been determined to be 80%.  If you have already taken the test, you do not need to retake the test unless you have turned 14 years of age since you last took the test. 

Do not wait until the last minute to take the test.  Major Livestock Show will not be accepted at the Hays County Extension Office without a Quality Counts Number.

To find out how to enroll and take the training program, click here.

To take the test, click here.

2014 Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship

The applications for the 2014 Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarships have been released.  The applications and guidelines can be found by clicking here.  Completed applications are due to the Hays County Extension Office by January 31, 2014. 

2013 Texas 4-H Rabbit Extravaganza

The 2013 Texas 4-H Rabbit Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, November 16 at the Gatesville Civic Center in Gatesville.  There will be a wide variety of opportunities to exhibit your rabbit project.  In addition to exhibiting your rabbit project, there is a poster, are and photography division, t-shirt design competition, breed identification, hand-on rabbit judging, and more!  You do not have to even own a rabbit to participate.  Registration for this event is on 4-H Connect.  Registration closes on October 31.  Don't delay...get registered today.  Check out the Show Catalogue for more information by clicking here.

Monday Night Horse Riding Series

The Monday Night Horse Riding Series has started again.  Rides will be held on Monday Nights from 6-9pm at Dripping Springs Ranch Park.  There will be no Monday Night Rides on the 2nd Monday of each month.

On Oct. 28th, we will have the annual costume contest.  Participants and horses come dressed in costume, ready to do tricks with your horses for treats!

Major Livestock Show Entries Due - November 15

It is time to complete entries for the major livestock shows.  All entries (except for Fort Worth) are due to the Hays County Extension Office by November 15.  Fort Worth entries are due to the Hays County Extension Office by November 4.  The entries for each show can be found at the links below.

San Antonio Livestock Show

San Angelo Livestock Show

Houston Livestock Show

Star of Texas Livestock Show

Get Enrolled

If you have not already enrolled/re-enrolled on 4-H Connect for the 2013-14 4-H year, please do that!!  If you are planning to participate in any contest or other activity through 4-H, your enrollment must be "active."  Please note the Texas 4-H Participation Fee (for 4-H members only) is $25 per person.  We also encourage all of our parents to enroll/re-enroll as volunteers.  4-H Connect is a web-based system used to enroll youth and accept applications for adults in the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program.  Contact us if you have any questions about getting enrolled.

4-H Maps & Apps Project

We had a great 4-H Maps & Apps Workshop at Philips on National Youth Science Day, which was Oct. 9th.  To see a highlight video of the event, click here. 

We have 4-H Maps & Apps project kits available for check out to 4-H clubs, schools and other groups who would like to learn more about GIS (geographic information system).  Please contact Lana at 512-393-2120 to reserve your kit.

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.  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.

Texas 4-H Re-Fashion Retreat

The Re-Fashion Retreat on Dec. 13-15 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center, features educational sessions conducted by the Texas 4-H Clothing & Textiles youth advisory board members, fashion industry leaders and extension staff.  The hands-on educational workshops will focus on increasing your knowledge and skills in the “Trashion Show” and a re-fashioning project.  Don’t miss out on a weekend full of fun and exciting activities. Click here to see a promo flyer.

4-H Dog Project Agility Group

If you are interested in participating in the Hays County 4-H Dog Project Agility Group, please contact Annie Bouckley either by email at teambouckley@yahoo.com  or by telephone at 925-325-4820.

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!!

Help - Our Water Trailer Was Stolen!!

We arrived at work today and found our 4-H2O trailer was gone.  San Marcos Police took a report, but said the contents were probably in a dumpster somewhere and the trailer was repainted.  The trailer contained most of our youth water program materials, so this loss will severely affect the Water Fairs that we do for area schools.  We are just devastated!!

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!  

4-H Presentation During Court

Special thanks to all of the 4-H members, volunteers and supporters who filled the Commissioners Court session on Tue., Aug. 13!!  We provided some quick highlights about the 2012-13 4-H year and then recognized our recent 4-H award recipients.  Commissioner Court sessions are streamed lived and taped for future viewing, so click here to access the site in which you can view the Aug. 13th court session.  We are at the very beginning.

Big Change for 2014 Hays County Livestock Show

There will be a BIG change for the 2014 Hays County Livestock Show.  In 2014, the Hays County Livestock Show will be held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, not the Hays County Civic Center.  Dripping Springs Ranch Park is located north of Dripping Springs on Ranch Road 12.

You can find more information about the 2014 Hays County Livestock Show on their website.  Click here to access their site.

As soon as the rules for the 2014 Hays County Livestock Show are available, they will also be posted on their website.

For information on reserving RV spaces at the Dripping Springs facility, contact Tracie Spillar at Tspillar@gmail.com.

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.