GONZALES COUNTY 4-h NEWSLETTER

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1 1709 E Sarah DeWitt Dr. Gonzales, Texas December / GONZALES COUNTY 4-h NEWSLETTER MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Thanksgiving is behind us and now we have a busy Christmas season to look forward to. There is lots of information in this newsletter with regards to Stock Shows, dates and spring events. Please take the time to look at the dates so that you do not miss something that is important to you. We hope each and every one of you have a Joyous and Blessed Christmas. Dwight Sexton CEA-Ag Gonzales County We re on the web. This newsletter is available on the internet at the Texas AgriLife Extension Gonzales County web page: Educational programs of Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

ATTENTION!! 4-H Council members and Adult Leaders There will not be meetings in the month of December. We will resume the 3 rd Tuesday of Jan, (Jan 18, 2011) at the County Extension Office @ 6:00 P.M.

2 ATTENTION!! 4-H Council members and Adult Leaders There will not be meetings in the month of December. We will resume the 3 rd Tuesday of Jan, (Jan 18, 2011) at the County Extension 6:00 P.M. All council members, club leaders, project leaders and 4-H Parents are encouraged to attend. The new 4-H Council Officers for this year are: President: Lauren Campion V President: Hanna Kincaid Secretary: Haley Clampit Treasurer: Katie Kuck Parliamentarian: Dustin Catchings Reporter: Cullen Eppright Dist Council Reps: Katie Kuck Hanna Kincaid Lauren Campion 4-H POINSETTIA SALE AND FRESH CHRISTMAS WREATHS. Pick up poinsettias and wreaths at Marrou s between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Sale also opens to the public during those hours. At least 2 adult volunteers from each club are asked to help on Friday, December 3 th. 10:00-Noon Rising Star, Lone Star, Nixon & Waelder Noon-2:00 Sundowners, & Smiley 2:00-4:00 Emmanuel Christian School, Leesville & Cost Shooting Sports project group will meet on the 4 th Sunday of each month at 2:00 P.M. at the Shooting Range! All who are interested are invited to attend!! For more information call Kenneth Fink at 830/ , Kenneth Gottwald or Britt Johnson at 830/ GONZALES STOCK SHOW BOARD Meets the second Monday of the month (Dec 13 th ) at 6 PM at the JB Wells Show Barn office. These meetings are open and all are invited to attend. NIXON/SMILEY STOCK SHOW EXHIBITORS December 4 th, Validate Market and breeder Hogs, Lambs & Goats from 8:30 to 10:00am at the show barn. GONZALES LIVESTOCK SHOW SWINE AND BREEDING ANIMAL VALIDATIONS: According to Gonzales Livestock Show Rules, entries in the Market Hog, and all Breeding Shows, except rabbits must be validated by the Board of Directors. This will be on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 TH from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the JB WELLS PARK. All breeding animals must be present at the scheduled validation. IMPORTANT: If you cannot make validation, you must make arrangements with a show board member to have your animals validated prior to December 8 th. If this is not done, you will not be allowed to show. GONZALES COMMERCIAL HEIFERS VALIDATION: Commercial heifer validation for the Gonzales Show will be on December 5 th 1:00-3:00 p.m. and December 12 th 1:00-3:00 p.m. at TC Cattle Co. Commercial heifers need to be validated on one of these dates. Gonzales Stock Show Exhibitors Exhibitor Social Security Numbers are required for all exhibitors. Please have this information available with you during your Gonzales Stock Show Validations. GONZALES STOCK SHOW BROILERS must be ordered by December 17 th. Will arrive January 18 th, 2011, call the Extension office to order your broilers. Gonzales Livestock Show Bake Rules can be picked up at the AgriLife Extension Office or downloaded from our website: atid=3062

3 LIVESTOCK PROJECTS 4-H members who want assistance in selecting their 4-H livestock projects or would like further advice on managing their projects, are encouraged to communicate with their club managers, and are also welcome to seek assistance from your county agent, Dwight Sexton. Mr. Sexton is available to make project visits and provide advice on your projects. AGE DIVISIONS: 4-H has consistent age divisions across the state: Juniors-8 & in 3 rd grade 9 & 10 years old Intermediate- 11, 12, &13 years old Seniors years old All ages are based on August 31, 2010 This will be important as you enter the County and District 4-H contests. Prospect Shows Coastal Bend Classic-Sinton-Steer, Heifer, Lamb & Goat, Dec 4 th Seguin Swine Breeders-Swine-Dec 5 th Seguin Hill Country Goat classic-goat-dec 11 th, Bandera Live Oak Pig Out Jan 2 nd,--swine- Three Rivers 4-H COMPUTER We now have a computer that any 4-H member can use in our office. If you are working on recordbooks and need to scan pictures or if you are in need of registering on 4-H connect and do not have access to a computer, you can now use a computer here in our office. SAVE THE DATE: 4-H BANQUET Thursday, August 4, 2011 More details to come SAVE THE DATE: 4-H Scholarship Dinner & Dance Saturday, April 9th at Pardner's Dance Hall Dinner, Dance, Silent & Live Auction items, Band: Pale Horses Tickets $20 per person for dinner & dance More details to come. 4-H DOG PROJECT CERTIFICATION FORMS Anyone wishing to participate in the State 4- H Dog Project Show needs to complete a dog certification form at the AgriLife Extension Office by Jan 10, 2011 Rural Youth Loans the Farm Service Agency has a program that provides loans to youth for purchasing income producing livestock o improve and/or begin their operation. Information on this program is available at the Gonzales FSA Office, TEXAS 4-H & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES SCHOLARSHIP. Applications and instructions are now available online at h.tamu.edu/youth/scholarships/index_youth_ scholarships.php GONZALES COUNTY 4-H owns a liquid nitrogen tank to store bull semen for any 4-H member to use for their beef projects. This tank is available for check-out at the AgriLife Extension Office.

4 WELCOME NEW 4-H CLUBS We want to welcome two new 4-H clubs this year. We have Emmanuel Christian School 4-H and Waelder 4-H. They are both off to a good start so let s give these new clubs our support and help them in any way that we can. TAKE PICTURES and tell us what is going on at your club meetings or other 4-H activities. Let s promote 4-H in our community and show Gonzales what 4-H is all about. Send your pictures and stories to gonzales@ag.tamu.edu CLOVER KIDS The 4-H program serves youth 9 years of age (or 8 years of age and in the 3 rd grade) to 19. As an affiliated group, youth enrolled as 4-H Clover Kids have activities and programs suitable for their age group. Clover Kids are not eligible to participate in activities, recognition programs and competitive events reserved for older youth. Competitive events and competitive judging are inappropriate for Clover Kids. Clover Kids may have animal projects; however, it is recommended animal projects should not exceed a rabbit in size. Most standard 4-H accident insurance normally is not available for youth under 5 years of age. Gonzales County 4-H Horse Show Information. Come join the Horse Shows and have some fun. Sign-up for each show will be from 1:00 1:45 P.M., show time will be promptly at 2:00 P.M. with performance events followed by speed events. All 4-H members and clover kids are welcome to participate. All horses must have proof of current Coggins papers. For more information please contact Amy Thibodeaux at (830) All shows are on Sunday. December 5, 2010 January 2, 2011 January 23, 2011 February 20, 2011 Registration 1-1:45 pm. No late entries will be accepted. Show begins promptly at 2:00 pm For any questions please call 830/

5 S.A.L.E. SCHOOL TOURS Anyone interested in serving as a school tour guide during the 2011 San Antonio Livestock Exposition needs to contact the Extension Office for available dates. Scholarships apply to past tour guides. STAR OF TEXAS SCHOOL TOURS Anyone interest in serving as a school tour guide during the 2011 Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo in Austin needs to contact the Extension office for available dates. 4-H Foods and Nutrition Project News Food Challenge: Consists of a team of 3-5 members who complete "Iron Chef" style. Team members have 30 minutes to create a dish using supplied ingredients and create nutrition and cost analysis. Team members then are interviewed by the judges. District 10 competition is Saturday, December 11 in San Marcos Food Show: Select a recipe from one of the following categories: main dish, nutritious snacks, breads and cereal, or fruits and vegetables and prepare a serving for evaluation during an interview by judges. Answer questions about the nutritive value and the preparation of your dish. District Contest is Tuesday, January 10 in Fredericksburg (those advancing from County will have to miss school for district contest) Nutrition Quiz Bowl: trivia contest, compete as an individual or as a team, District Competition is on Tuesday, January 10 in conjunction with the District Food Show. For More information contact Natalie Knesek, lemondrops@gvec.net or

6 Horse project learning opportunity The Rutgers Equine Science Center has introduced a new way for kids to horse around on the web: Equine Science 4 Kids! This online classroom features games, interactive activities, and even a little horseplay for children of all ages. Equine Science 4 kids is headed by the Center s very own Professor Emeritus, Lord Nelson an American Quarter Horse with a storied history as Rutgers University and a lot of horse sense. Lord Nelson uses his years of experience to guide kids through the world of equine science, presenting fun facts and solid science about health, nutrition, exercise physiology, and horses and the environment. Check it out at ( and click on Equine Science 4 kids. 4-H District 10 Website The District 10 website is now up to date with the new State 4-H website and AgriLife websites. There is not a lot of information available on the site yet, but I encourage you to go take a look around and update your bookmarks! Here are some things I think you will find a great addition to the site! * A blog that will be updated as new information is available -- it is the third column under the pictures on the main page! I just added the info about the Silent Auction to the blog! You can subscribe to the blog and receive a notification when any new posts are made!!! * A 4-H Project Spotlight -- we'll be featuring a different project or activity/contest to spotlight each month! (2nd column below the pictures on main page) * There's a survey for anyone to vote on to determine the next project/activity to spotlight! We'll be doing surveys like this throughout the year so keep an eye out on this! (first column under picture on main page!) *Calendar -- check out the calendar link! This is a live calendar and will be updated throughout the year!!! We're still adding information to the calendar! * We'll also be changing out the pictures on the main page so if you have some GREAT PICTURES from your county you would like to share, send them to me in a JPG and we'll rotate them in! District 10 VLAT Facebook Group Now Active! The District 10 Volunteer Leaders Association has established a group on Facebook to provide an opportunity for volunteers to network, receive information, and more! This strategy is being done to strengthen the core of our volunteer base and make sure that we are on the cutting edge! To join the group, you must have a Facebook account! Once that is in place, do a search for this group: District 10 4-H Volunteer Connect. When the page comes up, click on the button "Join The Group." You will then receive updates on your wall when any new information is posted! Not only can you review information posted by others, but if you have a great idea, a wonderful resource or lesson, or 4-H activity you want to promote that would benefit others in District 10, you can post to the page! Let's get some dialogue going and work together "To Make The Best Better" in District 10!

7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 3, AM to 4PM-Poinsettia Sale at Marrou s December 4, 2010 Nixon/Smiley Stock Show Validate market and breeder Hogs, Lamb and Goats 8:30-10am at the show barn December 5 th and 12 th, 2010 Gonzales Livestock Show-Commercial Heifer Validation 1-3pm at TC Cattle Co December 8, 2010 Gonzales Livestock Show-Swine and Breeding Animal Validation 5-7 PM at JB Wells Park December 11, 2010 Food Texas State, San Marcos December 13, 2010 Gonzales Stock Show Board JB Wells Show Barn December 17, 2010 Gonzales Stock Show Broilers Orders Due January 7-9, 2011 Texas Teen Texas 4-H Conference Center January 10, 2011 Food Show/Nutrition Quiz Fredericksburg January 18, PM-4-H Council and Adults Leaders County Extension Office January 18, 2011 Gonzales Stock Show broilers to arrive April 9, 2011 Gonzales County Adults Leaders 4-H Scholarship Dinner & Dance June 8, 2011 Recordbooks Due August 4, H Banquet For more district Calendar information go to the District 4-H Website:

8 4-H RECORDBOOK INFORMATION Recordbooks due JUNE 8, H members are encouraged to complete a recordbook. Recordbooks are due June 8, 2011 to the extension office. If a 4-Her turns in a recordbook that is not complete according to the Texas 4-H Recordbook Guidelines he/she will be contacted by the extension office. Members will be asked to correct any part of the recordbook that is not complete and return it to the office. Recordbooks must be completed correctly to receive recognition at the annual awards banquet and to be eligible for other awards. Different age categories in which recordbooks compete: Junior (3 rd grade 10 yrs), Intermediate (11-13 yrs), and Senior (14-18 yrs). Recordbook Components: Personal Info. Page, 4-H Story& Photo Portfolio, 4-H Report Form, Resume (Senior Level) Helpful guidelines: 1) All recordbook forms must be current and can be downloaded from the website (At this site, you can download many documents to help with recordbook keeping.) 2) (At this site, you can watch videos about recordbook keeping.) 3) (click publications to find resources) 4) The following documents can be copied at the extension office: a. Examples of winning recordbook pages b. Example of the Recordbook Form with helpful hints 5) Recordbook covers can be purchased from the extension office. 6) Questions, please call the Extension Office or ask your club leader. H E L P F U L T I P S : 1) Start now. Record everything you do with 4-H on a calendar (time involved, etc). 2) Keep information together (folder or binder). 3) Try more than one project. 4) Pictures should be ACTION shots (not posed).

10 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2011 Area Go Texan Scholarship Gonzales County Area Go Texan is proud to announce that the 2011 scholarship will be a four (4) year, $16, dollar award. This means that the student would receive $4, annually for four (4) years. With this new announcement, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) will be awarding $1,120, annually to students in the sixty (60) Area Go Texan Counties! There are a few changes that we would like to make our prospective applicants aware of First of all, students will be REQUIRED to complete the application online. Applications will be available at either of the following locations: or The applications will be available in October (actual date unknown) After completion you will be prompted to Submit & Print. Once you have the printed document you will take it to the school registrar for them to complete the section concerning GPA and SAT-ACT test scores. The school will provide a certified copy for you to attach with your application. At this time you will turn in the application to the Area Go Texan Scholarship Committee. ( below) The registrar s will be required to convert all GPA s to the 100 point system so all applications state wide will be consistent. Students will apply thru the Area Go Texan (AGT) County where they attend school. EX: live in DeWitt County, but attend school in Gonzales, application would be sent thru the Gonzales County Committee live in Gonzales, but attend school in Shiner, application would be sent thru Lavaca County Committee. Area Go Texan Committees are required to have all scholarship applications turned or postmarked by January 14, 2011 for them to be accepted by HLSR. New to the form will be a section for Ag Involvement in this area the students will list any activities for 4-H, FFA, county fairs, major stock shows, contests, rodeo competition, breed association memberships, etc. This will be used for information purposes only, and will not have any bearings on the judges. We encourage all students, both juniors and seniors, to take the SAT and/or ACT test EARLY so scores will be available for our application. Check with your counselors for the October/November/December dates and registration process. Hopefully this will be of assistance to students applying for the 2011 HLSR Area Go Texan Scholarship. If you have any questions feel free to call Mike Brzozowski

12 News Release Texas Teen Retreat Slated for January 7-9, 2011 For 4-H ers 13-19, this weekend retreat is a great opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills while building your 4-H network of friends from across the state! Texas Teen Retreat is scheduled for January 7-9, 2011 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood. It is designed to build leadership and life skills in youth to help them become productive leaders in their 4-H clubs. Our unique theme this year is Leaders 4 Life! an in depth look at this new project. Participants will see, learn, and get some hands-on practice in components of the project! There will also be an exciting service learning slash team building activity sure to capture the attention of all. Teen Retreat participants will be equipped to return to their counties and lead activities with afterschool programs, 4-H clubs, Youth Boards, and more! Come to Teen Retreat 2011 to get more in depth training in the Leaders 4 Life project and contest. You will leave equipped to make plans for implementation the program in your county! Registration fee for Texas Teen Retreat is $ per youth & $65.00 per Adult Chaperone. Registration will be conducted on 4-H Connect. For more information on Texas Teen Retreat, please contact the Gonzales County Extension Office at (830) Conference Center We are looking forward to seeing you in January as we kick off the New Year with the Texas Teen Retreat! Below are items you will need to bring: Casual Clothes Toiletries, shower shoes, etc. Linens (sheets, blanket, pillow, towels, etc.) Completed Release Forms Walking Shoes and a coat...the weather can get nasty! Positive Attitude and Cooperative Spirit! DO NOT BRING: In-line skates, ropes and roping dummies, weapons (including knives), etc. Items brought are subject to confiscation by the Texas 4-H Conference Center. Participants are encouraged NOT to bring personal electronics such as cellular phones, beepers, portable stereos, walkman, MP3 players, computers, electronic games, etc. Misuse of personal electronics will subject them to confiscation by the Texas 4-H Conference Center. Participants assume all responsibility for items brought with them. The Texas 4-H Conference Center will NOT be responsible for items damaged, lost, or stolen while at Teen Retreat. Please plan to arrive by 8:00 p.m. on Friday!

4-H is year round! Newsletter Date November Inside This Issue

4-H is year round! Newsletter Date November Inside This Issue Newsletter Date November 2015 Inside This Issue 1 Message from County Agents 2 Poinsettia Sale/Club Managers Information 3 Resources/Events 4 Livestock Show Information & Validation Program 5 Coach Training