May 17: Safety Day, Belton, 9am, Expo May 1: Sign-up for Safety Day Help, CEO

CALENDAR of EVENTS MAY May 1: RSVP Healthy Lifestyle Meeting May 12: 4-H Exchange Fundraiser at AutoZone & May 1: Deadline for Horse Validation Entries Tractor Supply in Temple May 1: Clover Kid Fair Entry Deadline May 17: Safety Day, Belton, 9am, Expo May 1: Sign-up for Safety Day Help, CEO May 18: State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO May 2-12: Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign May 19: 5K Run & Walk, 7:30am, Harris May 4: Award, Volunteer Nominations, and Community Center Ambassador Applications Due, CEO May 19: Market Poultry Production & Selection May 4: State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO Workshop, College Station May 4: Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship Interviews May 21: District Horse Show Entries Due, CEO May 4: Poultry Institute Submission Deadline May 22: Eat at Fuddruckers Day May 5: District Roundup- Meridian May 22: County Council Meeting, 6:30pm, CEO May 7: Healthy Lifestyles Invitational Contest May 22-24: Award and Ambassador Interviews, Meeting, 6pm, CEO 4pm, CEO May 9: Texas 4-H Roundup Entry Deadline- 4-H May 25: State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO Connect May 25: Broiler Orders Due May 11: State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO May 28: Holiday- Office Closed May 11: State Dog Show Deadline May 31: Mandatory Club Manager Training/MAB May 12: Clover Kid Fair, 10am-1pm, CTCS meeting, 6pm, CEO Lunchroom May 31: Leadership Lab Deadline & District Officer Forms Deadline JUNE June 1: Turkey Orders Due June 1 & 8: State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO June 4: Photography Workshop Deadline June 11-15: Texas 4-H Roundup, Lubbock TTU June 17-19: Poultry Institute, A&M Campus June 18-19: District Horse Show, Bell County Expo June 18: Recordbooks Due to CEO Check Out the Bell County 4-H website for a list of all 2012 4-H Camps. June 19: County Council/Ambassador Meeting/ Banquet Committee Meeting, 6pm, CEO June 20: County Recordbook Judging, 9am, CEO June 21-22: Statewide Photo workshop, Expo, 8am June 25: Canning workshop, TBA June 26: State Fair Validation, 8-8:30pm, Expo June 26: Steer Validation, 4-7pm, Expo June 27-29: District Leadership Lab, Brownwood http://agrilife.org/bell4h/4-h-activities/campinformation/#county Camp Inside Issue: County Council 2 2 Paper Clover Campaign Healthy Lifestyles 3 Texas 4-H Roundup 3 Scholarships 3 Adult Leader Awards 4 Clover Kid Fair 4 Safety Day 5 4-H Awards 5 Ambassadors 6 Fuddruckers 6 MAB/Club Manager Train. 7 Photography Workshop 7 County Camp 8 Horse Project 8 Leadership Lab 9 Recordbooks 9 Photography 9 Poultry Workshop 10 Broilers 10 Turkeys 10 Poultry Institute 11 State Fair 11 Steer Validation 11 District Horse Show 12 4-H Banquet 13 4-H Exchange 13 Calendar 14

Page 2 The Bell County 4H County Council will meet on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the County Extension Office Meeting Room. The council is ending it's trip around the world by coming back home to America. It is Election time. Be patriotic, run for an officer position, and wear Red, White, and Blue. This meeting is mandatory for all club presidents and council delegates in order to elect officers!!! If you cannot attend, you must find a replacement from your club to represent you at the meeting. Remember that each club needs to be represented by two delegates, they are the voting delegates for the club. The council will not be able to vote on officers unless at least 50% of the clubs are present! Come Join in the Fun!! The Bell County 4H County Council will be electing officers for the 2012-2013 4H year at the May 22nd County Council meeting. If you are interested in running for an officer position, please fill out a Intent To Run Form and bring it to the April meeting!!!! A form must be filled out to run for an officer position. To get a form, go to: (http://agrilife.org/bell4h/4-h-clubs-and-councils/4-h-county-council) Tractor Supply Company The Spring 2012 TSC Paper Clover Campaign is scheduled May 2-12, 2012. The clovers are only $1 and we received over $900 this year from the last clover campaign. We really need clubs to help participate and pick a day to stand outside and sell the paper clovers. If your club is interested, please email Barbara Wood

Page 3 Healthy Lifestyles State Contest Texas 4-H Roundup is inviting all Intermediates and Seniors to be part of a new contest for Texas 4-H Roundup. The Healthy Lifestyles contest is set up like the Consumer contest but involves everything to do with food and nutrition and health. This contest will be fun and Bell County 4-H won last year so we need to keep the momentum going. If you are interested in being part of the Healthy Lifestyles Contest and you are ages 12-18, please join the meeting on May 7th, 6pm, at the County Extension Office. All interested members must RSVP by May 1st to insure registration. If you haven't had the opportunity yet visit the 2012 Texas 4-H Roundup page on Facebook, it is a great way to let your friends and fellow 4-Hers know of the upcoming events by "liking" the 2012 Texas 4-H Roundup page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/2012-texas-4-h-roundup/315843191775648. Deadline for entries: May 9th Scholarships All Scholarship information/requirements and applications are available by going to: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/4-h-activities/scholarships/ Please make sure and review this information. Some NEW scholarships have been added so check regularly!

Page 4 ADULT LEADER AWARDS OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARDS: Bell County 4-H volunteer leaders and Bell County 4-H County Council will solicit nominations and vote to select two individuals to be recognized at the Annual 4-H Banquet for Distinguished Service. One will be chosen by the MAB and one chosen by 4-H members. 4-H volunteer leaders who are chosen for this award include outstanding club managers, leaders, project leaders, workshop leaders and volunteer leaders who go above and beyond their leader capabilities. OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD- The Outstanding Leader Award chosen from the 4-H member requires an essay no longer than 1 page. The ESSAYS ARE DUE May 4, 2012! The essay should include the following: Name of Person Making Nomination Leader Nominated Date Why do you think this leader is an outstanding leader? What does this leader do that is outstanding? Examples: Teaches others new projects, takes 4-Her s on tours, leads club, etc. How has this leader helped you? How has this leader helped others? Clover Kids are budding 4-H members ages 5-8 years old who are enrolled with a community 4-H Club. The Clover Kid Fair is a chance for them to participate in a fair just for Clover Kids and show what they have been learning! This is a great opportunity for them to become more familiar with what to expect as a real 4-H member down the road. The event will be on May 12th at the Central Texas Christian School Lunchroom from 10am to 1pm this year. All parents and family members are welcome to attend. Youth can enter Food, Textiles, Creative Arts, Photography, etc. (See entry forms for all entries.) At the end of the event, residents and guests are able to sample the baked goodies. Clovers need to provide enough for samples. Entry forms are due at the County Extension Office by May 1, 2012. Entry forms can be found on the Bell County 4-H Website (http://agrilife.org/bell4h/4-h-activities/clover-kid-fair/ ). For more information or if you would like to help, contact Barbara Wood at 939-0226. This is not a competitive event. Each clover kid will receive a participation ribbon for each entry. There are no entry fees.

Page 5 State Dog Show The 2012 Texas 4-H Dog Show Registration is now available on 4-H CONNECT. It will be open for regular registration until May 11, 2012. After May 11th members can register for a $50 late fee until May 18th. Each participant must complete the Waiver, Indemnification and Medical Treatment Authorization Form. If they are entering Agility, they must also have the Agility Release form signed by the project leader and by the County Extension Agent verifying they have completed formal training in agility. Safety Day WE STILL NEED A LOT OF KIDS TO SIGN UP!!! Deadline extended!!! Also, screened parents/ volunteers can be group leaders too!! Sign up soon!!! The Extension Office is looking for 11-18 year olds to help be group leaders and (speaker helpers: ages 14 and up) at the Safety Day on May 17th in Belton at the Bell County Expo. We need around 40 youth to help. All 4-H members must be enrolled in 4-H, be passing in school, and have enough days left to lose one day of school. The group leaders will help guide the students around at Safety Day and speaker helpers will help assist speakers with sessions. They will receive a lunch and a T-shirt for helping. All sign-ups MUST be done by May 1st (no signups after this date). Please call the Extension Office and give them your name, school, and T-shirt size (emails accept if emailed to mlholcombe@ag.tamu.edu). I will email the leaders all the specifics after May 1st. Thank you for signing up!!! Bell County 4-H Awards All 4-H members applying for awards (Gold, Silver or Bronze Star; Rookie, Honor Roll, All-Star Letterman; Danforth, Senior Awards Outstanding Community Service, must submit the appropriate paperwork and applications by May 4, 2012. Award Interviews will be on May 22-24, 2012 at the Bell County Extension Office. Record books for county competition will be due June 18, 2012. Awards age based on age as of August 31, 2011. Graduating seniors for the 2012 year, who are members of 4-H, may apply to receive a Senior Award, to be presented at the Bell County 4-H Awards Banquet. Seniors must have been active and meet the requirements listed on the application. Other descriptions and awards information is available on the Bell County 4-H Website by going to: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/4-h-activities/4-h-awards/ All applications are due May 4, 2012.

Page 6 The Bell County 4-H Ambassador Program aims to project a clear and accurate image of the Texas and Bell County 4-H & Youth Development Program. They help older youth develop leadership and communication skills, help the public understand the full scope of the 4-H program, and recruit new members from diverse backgrounds. Bell County 4-H Members must meet the following requirements to be considered for selection as an Bell County 4-H Ambassador: Be at least 14 years of age as of August 31 on the year of application. Example: the 4-H youth must be 14 on August 31, 2012, to be eligible to be a 4-H Ambassador for the 2012-2013 4-H year. If a 4-H youth is 13 at the time of the application deadline in May, they may still apply if they will reach their 14th birthday before August 31st. Must have been a member of 4-H for a minimum of two years at the time of submitting the application. (Exception: May apply if less than 2 years but acceptance will be based on their involvement the previous year and the number applying for ambassador positions the current 2012-2013 year. - A recordbook submission from the previous year 2011-2012 year may also be asked of if applying). Acceptance will be depending on Advisors and/or County Extension Agents. Submit a complete application, due on May 4, 2012. A formal interview will be given after all applications have been submitted. Members will be notified for interview times. Interviews will be formal dress. RENEWAL OF AMBASSADORS: Meet all activity requirements and minimum points by the application deadline, May 4, 2012, of the current 4-H year to be considered for renewal. (Recordbook is also a requirement and is due June 18, 2012). Need to have more family meals together?? Want to help 4-H make some money? Bring your family to Fuddruckers in April, May! All you have to do is pay for your meal and drop your receipt in the basket labeled 4-H and 4-H will receive money!! Fuddruckers locations are: Temple in the Mall (Proceeds go to Bell County 4-H) Killeen on 190 (Proceeds go to Military 4-H) Dates for this fall are: May 22 Go and eat a great meal with your family and support the 4-H program!

Page 7 MAB Meeting/Club Manager Training We will be having a MAB meeting on May 31, 2012 at 6pm at the CEO. We require ALL CLUB MANAGERS AND ASST CLUB MANAGERS TO ATTEND!!!! This meeting will be a major meeting because we have decided to go ahead and do the club manager training at this meeting. We also plan to vote on the budget for the new year. We will also be discussing the new 4-H cost recovery measures/participation fee and showing you the new online enrollment for next year. This will be a HUGE and IMPORTANT meeting. We will be having a potluck dinner so bring your favorite dish to share with everyone! (Please no shellfish.) Drinks will be provided. FYI this meeting may take longer than expected because of the training so please make time to come. Also, this meeting is NOT just for club and asst club managers, all parents and leaders are invited. We must have over 50% of the clubs to vote from each of the clubs. If you cannot attend, you MUST find a replacement from your club to represent you at the club meeting! Each club is allowed a maximum of 3 votes. June 21-22, 2012 June 21st: 8:45am- 4:00pm (Check in: 8:00-8:45am) June 22nd: 8:30am- 12:00pm (Check in: 8:00-8:30am) $20 for youth and adults Entry Deadline: June 4, 2012 Spend a couple extra days after Texas 4-H Roundup and join us for the 4-H Statewide Photography Workshop! Learn new and basic photography techniques at the Statewide Photography Workshop! The second day will be a field trip to the antique tractor fairgrounds where we will take pictures of tractors, old buildings, people in costume, and horses. Schedule and speakers to be posted soon: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/projects/photographyproject/

Page 8 County Camp will be held July 9-11, 2012, at the Texas 4-H Center in Brownwood, TX. We will be going to and from camp in a chartered bus. 4-H Ages 9 (or 8 and in the 3rd grade) through ages 18 are welcome to attend. These ages are what grade you completed for the 2011-2012 year. Registration through camp is available and going through June 14th and final payment is due by June 23rd. Registration this year will be done via the internet. You can register for camp by going to: http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/ and clicking on Register in the middle of the page. You will need to make sure and sign up for COUNTY CAMP I. REGISTER NOW TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT!!! When registering, you will notice that you will have to pay $175 per participant and $80 per chaperone. We will pay for the first chaperones registered and needed then chaperones will have to pay the amount. This payment will be reimbursed to the chaperones. Chaperones are based on a 1 to 8 ratio and very few times have we not paid for registrations due to lack of chaperones. The registration for camp includes your bus ride and camp fee. No lunch will be provided to or from camp. No County Camp shirts will be bought this year however you can purchase shirts through the 4-H Center when you register. Schedule for day: July 9th: 11:30am Bus leaves County Extension Office 2:00pm Arrive at Texas 4-H Conference Center July 11th: 11:00am Bus leaves Texas 4-H Conference Center 1:00pm Arrive at County Extension Office (No LUNCH will be provided and we do not plan to stop. Please make arrangements to eat before or after.) Dates to Remember: Horse Activity dates to put on your calendar now!!!! May 1, 2012- Deadline to Validate ownership for District 8 and State Competition May 21, 2012- Deadline to submit entries for the District 8 Horse Show to the County Extension Office (forms available after Validation is complete) June 18-19, 2012- District 8 Horse Show at the Bell County Expo Center July 21-28, 2012- State 4-H Horse Show in Abilene (entries due at the District Horse Show June 18-19) Much MORE information can be found on the Bell County 4-H Horse Project Website: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/projects/horse-project/

Leadership Lab Page 9 When: June 27-29 Where: Texas 4-H Center Who: All participants must be at least 13 years of age by the start of Leadership Lab and cannot exceed the age of 19 How much: $200 Registration Information: Registration will be held on 4-H Connect (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu then click on 4-H Connect.) If you do not know your password, please put your email in that the office has on file then press forgot password. It will send it to the email. If you do not know which email you have on file, please call Tennille at the Extension Office. Registration will be held from May 1 May 31, 2012 at midnight. OFFICER ELECTIONS: One of the major events of Leadership Lab will be the election of officers for the District 8 4-H Council. Refer to the standing rules for eligibility. Council Officer applications are due to the District Office by May 31, 2011 (postmarked). Refer to the officer election letter for further details. For more information about Leadership Lab, please see the camp page on the Bell County 4-H Webpage http://agrilife.org/bell4h/4-h-activities/campinformation/ Recordbook Materials The recordbook materials have been updated on the website. If you have missed the trainings or wanted more information, it is now all updated! The section and tips handout will be VERY handy when doing your NEW recordbook! There is also a new family guide from state that will help too! Please read it very carefully! Good Luck! Deadlines are on the website! http://agrilife.org/bell4h/4-h-activities/recordbooks/ CONGRATS!!! State Photography Congrats to the following youth for qualifying with your photo that will go to state: Daniel Barron- People; Emma Coffman- Animals Domestic, Animals Wildlife, Details and Macro, Dominant Color, Elements of Design, Food, Marine/Aquatics, Night, Plant/Flora, Storyboard, Theme; Brandon Hoelscher- Catch All; Brooke Hoelscher- Nature/Landscape; Katherine Wood- Digital Darkroom. Congrats!!! See their photos by going here: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/projects/photographyproject/2012statephotowinners/

Page 10 Market Poultry Production & Selection Workshop~ May 19, 2012 This workshop provides an excellent opportunity for CEAs, agriscience instructors, leaders, parents and youth to hear the experts and work alongside Texas major poultry judges. Youth interested in a career in poultry science should make a special effort to attend the workshop. Departmental personnel will be available to counsel potential students. Educational activities include in-depth discussion on brooding, management, sanitation and feeding programs and selection and processing methods for broilers, turkeys and roasters. Discussion on selection procedures and bird quality characteristics will be followed by hands on practice in early culling and selecting and putting together show pens. Register online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu Keyword Search: Poultry Register by phone: 979-845-2604 Registration by May 11 is $50 per person/family, $75 thereafter or on site. Catered lunch is available for $10 per person and must be pre-purchased with registration. 4-H members who plan to show broilers in Dallas should contact Randall or Pam no later than May 25, 2012 at 254-933-5305. Any 4-H exhibitors who plan to show turkeys in 2013 at the Bell County Youth Fair, Houston, San Antonio, or Star of Texas Fair, must order birds no later than June 1, 2012. Birds must be ordered in multiples of 5 and each exhibitor or family may order no more than 75. Cost of the birds will be $3.50 each. For more information, contact Pam in the Extension Office at 254-933-5305.

Page 11 Poultry Institute for Youth June 17-19, 2012 2012 Poultry Institute for Youth Application http://gallus.tamu.edu/library/youthprograms/poultryinstitute/2012%20institute%20application.pdf - submission deadline is May 4, 2012 The TAMU Poultry Institute for Youth is held on the Texas A&M campus once a year (usually in June). The purpose of this program is to give high school students with an interest in learning about the poultry industry a chance to gain first hand knowledge. Participants will have the opportunity to meet Texas A&M staff and Texas poultry industry leaders. A portion of the institute will also include hands on work with birds and areas of leadership. Registration is open students who will be enrolled in the fall as high school juniors, seniors or college freshmen. This will be held June 26, 2012 at the Bell County Expo Center from 8:00-8:30 p.m. Anyone planning to show a lamb, goat, barrow, or steer at the State Fair of Texas must validate these on this day. Also, remember that exhibitors must also enter the State Fair in August through Randall Rakowitz at the County Extension Office or with your Ag Science teacher. Steer Validation Steer validation for 4-H and FFA members will be held June 26, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. at the Bell County Expo Center. All exhibitors who plan to show at the State Fair in October, the Bell County Youth Fair, or any Major Livestock Show in 2013, must validate your steers on this day. A parent or guardian must be present to complete paperwork.

Page 12 District Horse Show LOCATION: Bell County Expo Center DATE: Monday, June 18, 2012 and Tuesday June 19, 2012 STARTING TIMES AND SCHEDULE in letter on website: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/projects/horse-project/ NOTE: Monday, June 18, Gate opens at 8:00 a.m. Stalls will become available at 8am on Monday. All horses on the grounds during the 2012 District 8 Horse Show will be required to furnish proof of a negative test for EIA (Coggins Test) dated within the preceding twelve (12) month period. Any horse unable to furnish the required documentation will be excused from the grounds. This test requires some time for interpretation of results so make potential exhibitors aware of this requirement now. ENTRY DEADLINE: May 21, 2012 (Register on 4-H CONNECT, Pay, and Bring in Hard Copy Entry Form and Waiver Form) ENTRIES: Once again, entries must be completed on 4-H Connect. (https://texas.4honline.com) Registration will be open from May 1-21, 2012. A separate registration PER HORSE will need to be completed on 4-H Connect. A hard copy of the Waiver, Indemnification, and Medical Treatment Authorization Form must still be turned into your County Extension Office by the May 21st deadline along with entry form hard copy. Please submit the form with original signatures. The entry form is still included as a GUIDE to help you with the online registration process. As in the past, one entry form per horse should be used. Please note that the OFFICIAL entry is through 4-H Connect, not the paper entry form. The Entry Form and Waiver, Indemnification, and Medical Treatment Authorization FORM is the Bell County 4-H Horse Project website: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/projects/horse-project/ AGREEMENT: Waiver, Indemnification, and Medical Treatment Authorization Form - Exhibitors and parents or guardians must complete this agreement. Entries will not be accepted if this agreement is not completed in its entirety. Must be turned into office with ENTRY FORM hard copy and Waiver FORM by May 21, 2012. PAYMENT: It is highly recommended that you pay via credit card or e-check on 4-H Connect. No personal checks will be accepted. They will be returned if sent in to the Texas 4-H Foundation! If you prefer writing a check, payment must be made to your 4-H Club or County account and a group payment can be sent. Make checks payable to: Bell 4-H Horse Club FEE: Qualifying Division Classes: $10.00 per class Judged Western Division Halter Division Speed Events Division Hunter-Flat Division Futurity Divisions Open Division Classes: $10.00 per class Hunter Over Fences Division Stock Horse Division *NOTE: Only Open Classes having a minimum of six paid entries by entry deadline will be held. NEW!!!! A new Stock Horse Pleasure class has been added to the Open Division. Please note that a horse MAY NOT enter both Class 2 Western Pleasure and Class 25 Stock Horse Pleasure. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISTRICT AND STATE CONTEST AVAILABLE ON THE BELL COUNTY 4-H WEBSITE FOR HORSE PROJECT: http://agrilife.org/bell4h/projects/horseproject/

Page 13 4-H Banquet The 4-H Banquet is set for August 25, 2012, so please mark your calendar. The banquet cost will be FREE. We also need pictures for the slideshow. Pictures can be emailed to mlholcombe@ag.tamu.edu or burned on to a CD or flash drive and dropped by the Extension Office. The last day to accept pictures will be August 3rd. Pictures are for the slideshow which is a great opportunity to show what clubs and 4-H members have been doing all year. Please make sure and give pictures so your club and your family are in the slideshow! Exchange Fundraiser The 4-H Exchange Club will be hosting a car wash/hot dog fundraiser for Saturday, May 12th at AutoZone in Temple on 31st Street and Tractor Supply starting at 10:00am. Come out and support the club so they can raise money for their 4-H Exchange trip to Minnesota!!! BELL COUNTY 4-H FOCUS Bell County Extension 1605 N. Main, Room 102 Belton, TX 76513 Phone: 254.933.5305 FAX: 254.933.5312 http://bell-co.tamu.edu Randall Rakowitz County Extension Agent Natural Resources Micah Holcombe County Extension Agent 4-H and Youth Development Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 5 1 2 3 Deadline for Horse Validation Entries Clover Kid Fair Entry Deadline Sign-up for Safety Day Help, CEO RSVP for Healthy Lifestyles Meeting Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign Award, Volunteer Nominations & Ambassador Applications Due, CEO State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO Poultry Institute Submission Deadline District Roundup, Meridian 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Healthy Lifestyles Invitational Contest Meeting, 6pm, CEO Texas 4-H Roundup Entry Deadline on 4-H Connect Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign 13 14 15 16 17 Safety Day, 9am, Bell County Expo State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO State Dog Show Sign-up Deadline 18 State Consumer Practice, 9am, CEO Clover Kid Fair, 10am-1pm, CTCS Lunchroom 4-H Exchange Fundraiser at Autozone & Tractor Supply in Temple 19 5K Run & Walk, 7:30am, Harris Community Center 20 21 22 23 24 25 Market Poultry Production & Selection Workshop, College Station 26 District Horse Show Entries Due, CEO Eat at Fuddruckers County Council, 6:30pm, CEO Award & Ambassador Interviews, 4pm, CEO State Consumer Due, CEO Broiler Orders Due 27 28 29 30 31 CEO Closed Leadership Lab Deadline & District Officer Forms Deadline Mandatory Club Manager Training/ MAB Meeting, 6pm, CEO