1709 E. Sarah DeWitt Dr. Gonzales, TX. 78629 Office: 830.672.8531 Fax: 830.672.8532 Message from County Agent Howdy Ya ll, What a wonderful time of year it is! Round up time is here so good luck to all that are competing, go and make us all proud! is just the perfect time to carve out that special time for your family with school being out for a break soon. So, rest up and be ready for January when things will all start getting busy again! Hoping you and your Family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Your County Extension Agents Ag Agent Dwight Sexton d-sexton@tamu.edu FCH Agent Lauren Strom lauren.strom@ag,tamu.edu Inside this issue Message from Agents 1 4-H Registration / County Council 2 County Council Meeting Summary 3 Recordbook Information 4 Events / Prospect shows 5 Broilers/Swine, Commercial Heifer Validation Dates and Times Top three Poinsettia Sellers 7 Club News 8-10 Scholarship Information 11 Meat Judging Information 12 Flyers 13-16 Calendar 17 6 Office Admin. Marcella Perales marcella.perales@ag.tamu.edu Extension Office gonzales@ag.tamu.edu Extension Education in Gonzales County http://gonzales.agrilife.org/ Like Us! https://www.facebook.com /GonzalesCounty4H Follow us @ gonzales4h
Page 2 Registration on 4-H Connect Please go to the following link https://texas.4honline.com and register. Your ID and password will be the same as last year. If you have any problems or questions please call (830) 672-8531 or email Marcella Marcella.Perales@ag.tamu.edu at the Extension Office for assistance. 4-H County Council and Adult Leaders Meetings will be at the County Extension Office on January 15, 2019 at 6:30 P.M. All Gonzales County 4-H club members are encouraged to come. County Council Officers President: Justin Komoll Vice-President: Sadie Thibodeaux Secretary: Braden Clampit Treasurer: Ashtyn Kardosz Reporter: Cooper LaBuhn Parliamentarian: Savay Sexton District Council Representatives: Justin Komoll, Ashtyn Kardosz and Kathleen Knesek Howdy 4-Hers! County Council News By: Justin Komoll, President Thanks to everyone who helped make this the best year for poinsettia and wreath sales! Congratulations to the top 3 poinsettia and wreath sellers. Check out page 7 to see who they are. I look forward to seeing you at the January 15 th County Council meeting. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Page 3 The Gonzales County 4-H Council met on November 20, 2018 at 6:30 PM. The meeting was called to order by President, Justin Komoll. The council members recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the 4-H Motto, and the 4-H Pledge together. Reports were shared including treasurers report, club reports, and reports of upcoming district activities. Braden Clampit, Secretary, shared the minutes from the last meeting. The council s program included sharing club letters explaining how members would utilize the shared money from Gonzales County 4-H Council. The clubs who submitted letters, had members in attendance, and received the donation included: Waelder 4-H, Sundowner s 4-H, Cost 4-H, Rising Star 4-H, Horse Project, Shooting Sports, and Green Clover 4-H. In old business, the group approved the new bylaws. A discussion regarding One Day 4-H service projects concluded in the council deciding to postpone the service until the Spring, possibly after Stock Show season. In new business, members of the council reviewed the work shifts set for clubs to work the Poinsettia sale on November 30, 2018 at Marrou and Company. The Gonzales County 4-H Council voted to purchase a $150 brick from the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce Brick Campaign. Robotics, livestock judging, and meat judging teams were all discussed. The council voted to fund the start of the Gonzales County Robotics team. The county council members also agreed to purchase unlimited access to a livestock judging practice software to help with training for the Gonzales County Livestock Judging teams. Council members also discussing helping monetarily with the start-up costs for a Meat Judging team. Members also discussed the possibility of the start of an Outdoor Challenge team. The Gonzales 4-H County Council will have its next meeting on January 15, 2019 at 6:30 PM at the County Extension Office. A short officer s meeting will follow the council meeting. All are invited to attend. Jot It Down: Pick up Poinsettias at Marrou and Company on November 30. County Council Meeting January 15, 2019 at 6:30pm at the County Extension Office Record books will be due Friday, June 14, 2019 (https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ recordbooks/) Note: Record book guidelines have changed for the 2018-2019 year. Please visit the webpage for details. Visit the Gonzales County 4-H webpage: https://gonzales.agrilife.org/4h/ Per Cooper LaBuhn, Gonzales County 4-H Reporter
Page 4 www.google.com/search?q=free+camera+clipart 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 from 3rd grade (minimum age 8) through 12th grade (minimum age 18). 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 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. Rural Youth Loans the Farm Service Agency has a program that provides loans to youth for purchasing income producing livestock to improve and/or begin their operation. Information on this program is available at the Gonzales FSA Office, 830-672-7511. NEW CHANGES 4-H RECORDBOOKS Recordkeeping is a very valuable skill taught to members of the Texas 4-H program. Members are encouraged to keep project records and have these records reviewed annually by submitting a Texas 4-H Record book. The primary purposes of completing a record book are for a young person to develop the skills necessary to set goals, work toward achieving those goals, reflect on his/her experiences, and set new and higher goals for themselves. A secondary benefit is to prepare young people for the process of completing quality academic scholarship applications. It is the goal of the Gonzales County Adult Leaders to provide a local review date to ensure all components have been included in the record book and provide suggestions before the book leaves for further judging. This deadline is required for all books in order to be eligible to receive any awards or to be able to apply for a senior scholarship. If a record book is incomplete, the member will be notified and corrections will need to be made prior to the multi county deadline. The Gonzales County deadline for review is in June 18, 2019. Books will be reviewed a second time to ensure corrections were made before leaving for Multi County Record book judging. Senior level books must have all corrections made in order to remain eligible for the scholarship. Go to https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/recordbooks/ to read about new changes or contact your Extension Agent.
Page 5 EVENTS 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. Here is a helpful website for 4-H members interested in showing livestock: http://texasyouthlivestock.com/ You can stay up to date on events with the Nixon-Smiley Stock Show by following their Facebook page Nixon- Smiley Livestock Show http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/nixon-smiley-livestock- Show/131652440191335 Prospect Shows Cowboy Capital Classic - Bandera, Dec 15 th Lone Star Classic - Dec. 15th & 16, Gonzales Steer & Heifer Quality Counts Training Training for the Quality Counts verification can be done online at https://www.texaslivestockvalidation.com/qc/qcregister.aspx ALL Gonzales County Youth Show (Animals and Bake Show) exhibitors must recertify their Quality Counts number by Dec 31, 2018.
Page 6 Gonzales County Youth Show Exhibitors Validation for Swine 04, 2018 5-6 pm @ JB Wells Validation for Commercial Heifers 2 nd or 9 th 1-2 pm @ Guadalupe Valley Vet Clinic GONZALES COUNTY YOUTH SHOW BROILERS 14 th is the Order deadline @ the Extension Office Jan. 16 th - Broiler Delivery Date
Page 7 Livestock Judging We have a group of members who participate in many youth livestock judging contests. At these contests, there are 4 animals in a class that are placed, consisting of cattle, swine, sheep and goats. This program is a great way for kids to build confidence, and improve their decision making skills, They also learn about livestock production and life skills along the way. We will host livestock judging practices this winter as time permits. If you want your child to participate in these practices and contests, please notify the Extension Office so you can stay informed. Our kids have been very successful in the past, and have learned much. Congratulations to the top Poinsettia Sellers First Place-$30: Savay Sexton Second Place-$20: Addison Pustka Third Place- $10: Blake Noahubi
Page 8 Club News Gonzales Shooting Light Rifle Shooting Sports Location: Gonzales City Landfill near the Gonzales City animal shelter that is located on County Road 488 off FM 532 (Moulton Highway) Date: 16 th 2-4 pm RSVP to the Extension Office by Friday Noon before the date of the shoot. Participants must be registered in 4-H on 4-H Connect and are encouraged to bring their.22 rifle to the event. An OBI (open breech indicator) is needed for each rifle. Please call Jay for questions about this. For further questions, please contact Jay Pyssen at (830)203-1636. Horse Project Do you LOVE horses? Do you want to sharpen your skills? Come join in the fun! Location: JB Wells Arena 2301 CR 297, Gonzales, TX 78629 If you have any questions contact Amy Thibodeaux @ (830) 203-0470 If you do not have a horse but are interested call Amy.
Page 9 Green Clover Club News The Green Clover 4-H Club met on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. With Veteran s Day a couple of days before the meeting, the guest speakers were Veterans, Scott Massie and Sheriff Matt Atkinson. Both individuals shared their military experiences and service to our community. The 4-H Club would like to again, thank these individuals for their service to our country and community, along with all of our service men and women. Coming Up! Green Clover 4-H will be collecting dimes for their Dime Drive at the meeting on Tues Dec 11 th. 4-Hers are encouraged to bring their green folder and be signed in prior to the start time of 4:14! We are looking forward to all the activities scheduled for the meeting!
Sundowners 4-H Page 10 The Sundower s 4-H Club met on Sunday, November 11, 2018. President Braden Clampit called the meeting to order. Braden also presented a tribute to veterans, and members recognized their appreciation. The pledges and prayer were led by members with birthdays in January through June. Reports were presented and accepted. Health and Safety Officer, Cade Davis, presented a program on health safety during cold and flu season. Guests for the November meeting were four members of the San Antonio Rodeo Committee. The members shared the mission of the committee including advocating for agriculture. One of the ways the committee advocates for agriculture is to invest in the youth of Texas. The SA Rodeo Committee has donated 198 million dollars to date to youth, and the goal this year is 12 million dollars. Members reviewed the dates for the 2019 rodeo (starting February 7, 2019) and presented members with a voucher for free admission onto the rodeo grounds on the opening day of the rodeo. Members donated 66 items to GCAM for the month of November as well as numerous toiletry items for Legacy Ranch. Sundowner s members shared 4-H-related activities since the last meeting. It was decided that Sundowner s members will bring their favorite treats to the meeting to celebrate with a Christmas party. Members discussed plans to spend the county club donation money. Ideas included St. Judes, coats for children in Gonzales County, food for GCAM, and Rwanda Star School. Members enjoyed recreation together, and Bailey Blair won the monthy drawing. The donation item to GCAM will be soup. The next meeting will be on Sunday, 9, 2018 at 4:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church. Reminders: -Quality Counts completion must be done by the end of the year. -Visit the Sundower s 4-H Facebook page to keep current on club happenings. -Visit texas4-h.tamu.edu/recordbooks to review recordbook changes for the year.
Page 11 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) Scholarship HLSR Scholarship Applications are available Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo RodeoHouston Houston, Texas Rodeo Area Go Texan Military - Technical - Exhibitor - 4-H - FFA... The Exhibitor scholarship I will be glad to assist any student and/or parent with questions.. 979.229.9317 or sherrihooperagt@yahoo.com Students attending Gonzales, Waelder or Nixon-Smiley High School can apply, participation in HLSR is NOT REQUIRED.. There are several options available -- Area Go Texan, Military, Exhibitor, Hildebrand, Technical etc. (Our local Gonzales County Area Go Texan applications will be available after the 1st of the year - 4yr degree, 2yr trade or technical, homeschooled students or private school from a contiguous county)
Page 12 I am very excited to announce that we will start training for meat judging for this spring. Meat judging is a competition where you will learn about the meat you eat and what makes it better than another. This competition will be open to Junior-Senior level members. Please Email me at lauren.strom@ag.tamu.edu with any question or if you or someone you know is interested in joining us in learning and competing. Thank ya ll for all you do, Lauren Strom
Page 15 IMPORTANT REMINDERS FROM COUNTY COUNCIL 4-H County Council covers: Half camp fees hosted by Texas 4-H Half entry fees for participation in a 4-H hosted workshop or state round-up workshop(s) ALL entry fees for District 10 and/or State 4-H level contests hosted by the Texas 4-H Staff ALL entry fees for 4-H team based contests Contact office if this may apply to you. Members are held accountable by submitting a 4-H Payment Request Form and provide receipt of event attended to the council within 30 days of the event attended. Members will be notified once paperwork has been reviewed. Contact office for further information. Paperwork can be picked up at the office or found online at gonzales.agrilife.org. 2018-2019 Limited Financial Aid Information Gonzales County 4-H Adult Leaders are available to provide limited financial aid for members who have attended workshops, camps, or clinics that enhances his/her 4-H project. Financial aid is also available for those who have represented Gonzales County at the district, state, or national levels in other events. Cost incurred other than camp/entry fees will be taken into consideration. Financial aid based on 2018-2019 yearly budget. FIRST, members are held accountable by submitting the limited financial assistance request form and provide receipts (s) of event attended to the adult leaders within 30 days of the event attended. SECOND, the VERIFICATION FORM must be completed after speaking at any 4-H meeting within the given time frame. Late forms will not be accepted. Contact Natalie Knesek 830-857-6164 or Melissa Clampit 830-857-4931 for more information. Paperwork can be picked up at the office or found online at gonzales.agrilife.org under the 4-H tab.
2018 SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Commercial Heifer Validation Swine Validation Food Challenge Practice District Round-Up District Round-Up 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Commercial Heifer Validation 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Shooting Sports 2-4 pm Horse Project 6 pm 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Office Closed 31 Office Closed Merry Christmas Office Closed