Montgomery County 4 H Focus

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1 FEBRUARY MARCH 2017 Montgomery County 4 H Focus All right, 4 H fans! We have a busy spring ahead of us. Many of you are preparing for contests at major shows and the Montgomery County Fair. Good luck with all of your projects. Make sure that you have read through the rules at least once for any contest or show that you are participating in. Remember, that eligibility forms are required for any competitive 4 H event, regardless of the day of the competition. In addition to major shows, 4 H Roundup is fast approaching. Roundup sounds like some sort of cattle drive, but it is really just a name for the HUGE variety of contests that members can compete in. There are three levels of Roundup: County, District, and State. County 4 H Roundup was moved back to February 28th because Houston and the Montgomery County Fair are so close together this year. Please sign up for County Roundup by calling the office by February 22nd. County Roundup will be like a big social event, with lots of refreshments, mingling, and fun. If you haven t decided to do a contest, or are just curious about whether or not you would like to try one, make sure and attend. You will get to meet lots of kids just like you who either have experience with the contest, or are also trying it for the first time. District 9 4 H Roundup, or Big Time in D 9, is for the 18 counties in District 9 and will take place at Lone Star College this year on May 12th 13th. That s right! You can compete in a district event, right in our own backyard. In addition to contests, District Roundup includes a ton of games and activities for the entire family. Be sure and check it out! State 4 H Roundup is mostly for senior 4 H ers who are in 9th 12th grade, but there are some invitational contests for members who are in 6th 8th grade. It takes place in College Station June 5th 8th and boasts a variety of events, including the annual scholarship banquet. In this newsletter, you can read on about just some of the contests available for you to try. If you are interested in participating at any of these contests, please contact the 4 H Office. The Extension office will be closed the following days: February 20 President s Day April 14 Good Friday Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating 1 PHONE: Extension 3 FAX: ON THE WEB County 4-H agrilife.org/ montgomery4h County Extension Service montgomery.agrilife.org District d94-h.tamu.edu State texas4-h.tamu.edu Office Hours 8:00am - 12:00pm 1:00pm - 5:00pm M. Michelle Mihalek County Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development Caroline M. Cruz County Extension Agent Urban Youth Development Eligibility Forms (No Pass, No Play) are the member s responsibility to complete for any competitive 4 H event regardless of the day of competition. Even if you are not missing school, you still need to turn in an eligibility form.

2 Special Interest Projects 4 H Clothing & Textiles Contests at County, District, and State 4 H Roundup 2 Do you think of yourself as being a trendsetter or creative? Do you like to think outside the box or solve a problem? If fashion is your passion, check out these cool contests! Duds to Dazzle Teams come to the contest with sewing supplies and receive assorted materials. They have one hour to construct or refurbish a unique item, plan a presentation, and clean up. (District & State Roundup) Fashion Show Members can either buy or sew an outfit from their choice of 4 different categories. Members will get to model their outfit on a runway of sorts and will interview with judges. Storyboard A storyboard tells the story of the designer s idea, using illustrations, flats, magazine pictures, or fabric swatches. Each year there is a different design brief or theme for the storyboard contest. This year s theme is Inspired by Music. Trashion Show Let your imagination run wild in this fun contest! You get to create and exhibit a garment that is made of at least 75% recycled materials. Ideas for materials include paper, aluminum foil, plastic, cardboard, or anything else that you could recycle. (State Roundup only Intermediates & Seniors) FOOD CHALLENGE & DUDS TO DAZZLE REVIEW & MOCK CONTEST: February 11th from 8:30am 12:30pm at the Montgomery County Extension Office. This workshop will be for any ages /teams interested in Food Challenge or Duds to Dazzle contests. Please bring your supply kits refer to the D 9 4 H website for each contest supply list. Please RSVP by February 3rd by visiting sign up/ or call the office at Ext. 3 4 H Food & Nutrition Contests at County, District, and State 4 H Roundup Food Show Using MyPlate as a guide, participants prepare a dish at home, present it at the contest, and have a quick interview with judges. This year s theme is Family Favorites, so choose a dish that would work well when you enjoy a meal outside at the park, beach, or just hanging out with friends or family. Categories to choose from include protein, fruit and vegetable, grains, or dairy. Food Challenge In this exciting contest, a team of H ers are given 40 minutes and a list of ingredients to create a dish. Members present the dish to the judge and are scored on preparation, serving size, food safety concerns, nutritional value, and cost. (District & State Roundup) 4 H Science and Technology Contests at County, District, and State 4 H Roundup Discover the Scientific Method: S.E.T. Poster Contest Use the scientific method to research and solve a problem. Record your findings in a lab notebook and prepare a display board to present at the contest. You will have a chance to interview with judges to really show off your research! 4 H Photography Contests at County, District, and State 4 H Roundup District 9 4 H Photography Contest This contest is for all 4 H members in District 9. It does not qualify a member for the state contest they are two separate events. The entry fee is $5 per photo. En

3 tries take place on 4 H Connect by March 26, eventsandcontests/bigtime/photography/ For details, visit h.tamu.edu/ 3 Texas 4 H Photography Contest For seniors who are in grades Entry Period: April 1, 2017 to April 15, 2017 through 4 H CONNECT, HOWEVER there can only be one entry per category from each county. This means that before members enter their photos on 4 H Connect, they need to them to the 4 H office first. If there is more than one entry per category in our county, we will have a local photographer judge them to determine which one will advance to state. Photos need to be ed to Caroline at cmcruz@ag.tamu.edu by March 28, Changes to rules for Photos must be 8X10 in size with a quality resolution. Over the past two years the majority of disqualification in the contest have occurred when the photography is too small to be viewed by the judge when downloaded from 4 H CONNECT. Additionally, please remember that all photos must be the original work of the 4 H member submitting the photograph. No photograph can be submitted which has been taken by other 4 H members, a family member, or any printed/digital source. All photos will be scanned through a reverse image search. Rules can be found online h.tamu.edu/wp content/uploads/texas4h_photo_rules.pdf Public Speaking Contests at County, District, and State 4 H Roundup Public Speaking Contest Research a topic on current events and prepare a 5 7 minute speech that you will give in front of an audience. Visual aides are not used in this contest, but be prepared to answer questions from the audience. Educational Presentations This is a great way to share information with others, either by yourself or with up to 4 of your friends. A few of the categories to choose from include Beef, Clothing & Textiles, and Shooting Sports. There is also an Open category, among many others. Visual aides are used in Educational Presentations. Additional Roundup Contests: Consumer Decision Making Wildlife Challenge Ag Product ID Photo Judging Healthy Lifestyles BBQ Cook off & Burger Cook off Share the Fun Talent Show Vet Science Skilll a thon Quiz Bowls Contest Dates and Information County Roundup February 28 Extension Office, Conroe RSVP by February 22 District Roundup May Lone Star College Reg. on 4 H Connect by April 14 State Roundup June 5 8 Texas A&M University, College Station Reg. on 4 H Connect by May 18

4 Livestock Projects MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR: The Montgomery County Fair (MCF) will be held March 31 April 9. If you plan to exhibit livestock or non livestock items at the fair, be sure to read the rules at (To show at the fair, members must attend at least 3 regular monthly club meetings, from September through February.) You will do entries online again this year. The entry system is set to be open on January 16 th February 24 th at You must have a valid Quality Counts number in order to enter. Please do not wait until the last minute to take care of these we are able to help you out with any problems you are having if you allow us enough time. There will be an Online Entries Help Session/Q&A meeting at the Fair Office on Wednesday, February 1 st from 6pm 8pm. This was scheduled to take place after the entry system has opened, so that people may ask questions about things they have come across that are confusing or difficult. Country Store Announcement 4 H Clubs may enter a group project to sell at the country store and will receive 80% payback on the items that sell. If your club wanted to build a wooden bench, bake a million cookies or crochet pot holders to sell.as long as it is entered under your club (and not an individual) you can enter it to be sold at the Country Store. All entries must fall into the categories accepted in the store and should comply with all rules of the country store. Contact the Fair office for more details! If your animal loses a tag, please call the fair office and plan to be at one of the following re tag dates at 9am in front of the fair office: January 28, February 25, and March 18. BEEF MCF Calf Scramble Applications are available on our website at files/2016/11/mcf Calf Scramble App pdf and are due back to the 4 H Office by February 14, HORSE To qualify for the County 4 H Horse Show, you must participate in at least 2 county 4 H practice shows and one other event, either another Montgomery County 4 H Practice Show, or a Montgomery County 4 H Horsemanship Clinic. Negative Coggins is required. Upcoming Shows & Clinics: February 5, 2017 at Willis Ag Arena Showmanship Clinic 12:30PM; Judged events 1:30PM Horse Judging: Horse Judging provides an opportunity for youth to learn to make decisions and organize their thoughts. The presentation of oral reasons helps judgers improve their memory skills and speak effectively. These benefits are available whether they own a horse or not. If they are a rider it can help them become a better exhibitor as they learn the current show standards and criteria used by actual judges to evaluate each class. The following practices will be held at 6:30pm at the County Extension Office: February 13th February 20th March 6th March 20th POULTRY MCF Chicks Delivered Tuesday, February 21st from 1pm 3pm at the MCF Horseshoe Club. *NEW DATE* RABBIT MCF Rabbit Tag In Thursday, March 9th from 5pm 7pm at the Horseshoe Club at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Exhibitor should be present; parent/guardian must be present. March 5, 2017 at Magnolia Arena Stake Race Clinic 12:30PM; Speed events 1:30PM 4

5 COUNTY COUNCIL County Council meets the 4th Monday of every month at 7pm at the Extension Office, unless noted otherwise. The February meeting will be held on February 27th. The Community Service Project is the Special Angels Rodeo on February 12th, this event helps special needs competitors participate in a variety of modified rodeo events.. To volunteer please sign up online at sign up/special angels rodeo/. Highlight clubs are Montgomery County 4 H Shooting Sports, Montgomery County 4 H Dog Club, Trails End 4 H, and December County Council Meeting Gift Exchange Lone Star Tradition. The March meeting will be held on March 27th. The highlight clubs are Morning Star 4 H, Cut N Shoot 4 H, Evening Star 4 H, and West Montgomery County 4 H Shooting Sports. 4-H Record Books Why do a record book? Record keeping is a skill you will need for the rest of your life. Our memories fade with time. We need to write it down so we remember what we did. You need to know what you did to be able to improve on it the next year. Job applications, scholarship applications, college applications etc. ask about knowledge and skills, extra curricular activities, leadership and community service. All the same things required in your 4 H Record Book. Annual competition allows you to see where you stand among your peers so you know what you need to improve. Record Book Trainings will be held at the County Extension Office in Conroe. April 27, :30 PM: Beginner Record Book Training For anyone who has not done ~ record book before to learn how to put the information together. May 2, :30 PM: Advanced Record Book Training For members who have previously completed a record book and just need help with the fine tuning. June 10, :00 AM 12 PM Book a palooza Anyone wanting help putting their record book together or having questions about wording and formatting. Come and go event. Record Books can be turned in at this time if you want. June 12, :30 PM: Deadline to submit 4 H Record Book for County judging. June 15, :00 AM: County Record Book Judging Parents this is the BEST way to learn about Record Books in a hurry. Texas A&M AgriLife - Montgomery Co. Scholarship The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Montgomery County scholarship application packet is now available. This application is for several different scholarships, ranging from $500 to $1000 each. Applications (and all corresponding items) are due to the 4 H Office by March 9, Application can be obtained by visiting agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/montgomery4h/files/2016/12/mont Co Ext Scholarship pdf 5

6 Montgomery County 4-H Spirit Wear Order Did you miss the fall order? Want to get your spirit wear in time for Roundup? Order your Montgomery County 4 H Spirit Wear now! Several options are available: Short Sleeve, Long Sleeve, and Hoodie! See insert for details. Montgomery County Fair Kids Days Calling all Tour Guide Volunteers! Kids Day Tour Guides will lead pre school and elementary aged children around the Fair grounds to see the various educational exhibits and activities. You will receive six hours of volunteer time for this event. All you have to do is register and then show up on April 3rd and/or April 4th at 8:00 am at the Fair office. You must be between years of age and an active member in 4 H or FFA! It is your responsibility to get your 4 H academic eligibility forms turned in to the Extension office for these days. Visit the following link to register to volunteer as a Tour Guide for Kids Day. In order to register you will be asked to create a Sign Up Genius account. day. If you have specific questions about Kids Days, please contact the Montgomery County Fair Office at Texas Youth Cattle Conference The Texas Beef Council (TBC) is proud to announce the second annual Texas Youth Cattle Conference dates have been set for June and July 5 8. The June conference will take place in Central and South Texas regions and the July conference will be located in the Panhandle. Students can apply to attend the session of their choice. The conference is designed for youth who have a desire to expand their knowledge about the Texas beef industry. Attendees will explore the beef industry by focusing on beef s role in the food industry, nutrition, beef cattle science, management and marketing in that region of Texas. Students will hear from industry experts and have the chance to learn through hands on activities throughout the conference. The Texas Youth Cattle Conference is designed to empower our young men and women with the knowledge and tools needed to become successful members and advocates of the beef community. This checkoff funded program is free of charge. Students will only be responsible for their travel to and from the starting locations for either conference. Texas youth involved in junior cattle breed associations, the Texas FFA Association or Texas 4 H are encouraged to apply online at texasyouth. Applications are due March 10, A limited number of students will be accepted to attend each conference. Applicants must be at least 16 years old as of January Special Angels Rodeo Hosted by: Montgomery County 4H Horsemanship Club Join us February 12, 2017 from 2pm 5pm at the Montgomery County Fair Grounds Equestrian Center for a day filled with lots of rodeo fun and adapted events prepared for special needs Angels. All school aged special needs Angels and their families are invited to participate. Events include: Carnival Games, Fun Jumps, Stick Horse Race, Petting Zoo, Adapted Roping Event, Adapted Saddle Bronc, Adapted Bull Riding, Adapted Bucking Barrel, Hay Ride, Fishing Game. Entry Forms are available at Mail entries to: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Attn: 4H Special Angels Rodeo, 9020 Airport Road Conroe, Texas If you would like to volunteer at this great event please visit sign up/ special angels rodeo/ to sign up. For more Information: holtklau@gmail.com or Ext 3 6

7 7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 MCF Online Entries Help Session / Q&A Montgomery County Open 4-H Dog Show County Food Challenge & Duds to Dazzle Review & Mock Contest 12 Special Angels Rodeo 13 Horse Judging Practice Office Closed Horse Judging Practice 21 MCF Chicks Delivered 22 County Roundup Entry Deadline MCF Online Junior Entries Deadline 25 MCF Re-Tag County Council Meeting 28 County Roundup San Angelo Stock Show - Feb 3-19 San Antonio Livestock Exposition - Feb Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Houston Livestock Show March 7-26 Rodeo Austin March Horse Judging Practice TAAES- Montgomery Co. Scholarship Application Deadline MCF Rabbit Tag-in MCF Re-Tag Horse Judging Practice County Council Meeting MCF March 31-April 9

8 8 Wildlife and Woodland Expo This year s Wildlife and Woodland Expo will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lone Star College Montgomery on College Park Drive / Hwy 242. Volunteer shifts are availa ble. Select either a morning or afternoon shift. Expo visitors of all ages learn about wildlife, forestry, landscaping, gardening and more. You can learn more about what is available at the expo by visiting 4 H sponsored activities include Junior Master Gardener, wildlife, birds, insects and others. If you or your club would like to volunteer, please contact the 4 H Office to sign up by March 20th. We are looking for volunteers to help with archery or shooting sports demos, too! This is a great and fun opportunity to gain experience in promoting 4 H! Conroe Kidz Fest Conroe Kidz Fest will be held in downtown Conroe at Heritage Park on Saturday, April 29, The event time is 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Volunteer shifts are available! Select either a morning or after noon time shift. Montgomery County 4 H will be hosting the Discovery Village. This is a great oppor tunity for 4 H clubs, youth groups, or other groups and individuals to gain promotional leadership as a volunteer with 4 H Discovery Village. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the 4 H Office to sign up by March 20th. 4-H County Council Scrapbook Party 4 H County Council Scrapbook Party! Come out on Sunday February 19th at 4:00 pm to the 4 H office to join the fun. Everyone should bring pictures from county 4 H events that are printed and be pre pared to complete a page. Snacks will be provided. Lauren at holtklau@gmail.com if interested.

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10 2017 Montgomery County 4-H Roundup! February 28th - Please RSVP by February 22nd Food, fun, and excitement! Practice several 4-H contests and try out something new! This is a great way to learn about the events at Big Time in D9! Big Time in D-9 - District 4-H Roundup! May 12-13, 2017 Lone Star College Montgomery on College Park Drive D-9 Roundup Events/ Contests Include: Food Show Food Challenge Fashion Show Fashion Storyboard Duds to Dazzle Fashion Consumer Decision Making (Judging contest) Wildlife Challenge Share The Fun (Talent Show) Educational Presentations & Public Speaking Photography Contest (earlier deadline see website) Quiz Bowls (Beef, Horse, Nutrition, Swine) Ag Product ID Contest Photography Judging Science Poster Contest Robotics Challenge Healthy Lifestyles (Judging Contest) Leaders 4 Life Vet Science Skill-A-Thon BBQ Cook-Off Hamburger Cook-Off Produce Judging Friday Night Dance! Fun activities and outside games for everyone! Silent Auction, Community Service & MORE!!! See website for additions Register on 4-H Connect Before April 14th Eligibility Form Required to Participate in D-9 The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating. If you need any type of accommodation to participate in this program or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Extension office. Requests for accommodation should be made to the most direct program contact through the Extension Office at the time of registration or at least 2 weeks prior to the program or event.

11 M o n t g o m e r y C o u n t y 4 - H S p i r i t W e a r O r d e r! SEVERAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE: SHORT SLEEVE, LONG SLEEVE, AND HOODIE! PRICED AT $17, $22, AND $31 Place your Order Online: Order-Form/Montgomery-County-4H/COF Place Orders February 4-18 Items will be delivered to 4 H Office