Montgomery County 4 H Focus

1 December 2014 January 2015 Montgomery County 4 H Focus One of the topics on your mind the next couple of months is probably going to be the Montgomery County Fair. Clubs will begin taking entries for the fair at their January club meeting, with entries due from clubs in February. We do not take individual entries, so it is imperative that you turn your entries in to your club manager the day that they specify, or make arrangements before the club s fair entry date. Please make the process easier for your managers. Make sure that you have read the rules at http://www.mcfa.org and completely filled out your entry form with all necessary signatures and item descriptions. Entries will no longer be turned in as individual cards. Starting this year, an exhibitor will complete 1 form for all entries. Please be patient with your club manager or fair coordinator, because although this new process will make completing and processing entries easier, old habits are die hard. Homemaking entries: Please remember to make a copy of your recipe for yourself to keep before you turn your entry in. Once it has been submitted to the Fair Office, you can not request information about the entry. Recipes will be stapled together and placed in a single envelope (no matter how many recipes you are entering) and the envelope will be stapled to the back of the new entry form. Eligibility forms: Eligibility forms are required for any competitive event where 4 H membership is a requirement, regardless of the day of the week, or if you will be on spring break. Every member must turn in an eligibility form. For the Fair, forms will be distributed to club managers after their entries have been turned in. It is the member s responsibility to turn the form back in to the 4 H Office one week prior to the event. 4 H Roundup 4 H Roundup includes about 50 different contests that test 4 H members on life skills in such attributes as decision making, public speaking, organization, and working with others. These contests include Fashion, Food, Share The Fun, various Quiz Bowls, Discover Scientific Method Poster Contest, an assortment of judging contests, and educational presentations. Visit the state 4 H web site often for State Roundup information and a full listing of contests and other opportunities. There are 3 levels of Roundup: County, District and State. County Roundup is like a practice or rehearsal to prepare members for District and State. Senior aged 4 H members may be able to advance to State 4 H Roundup after competing at District. County Roundup is still several months away, so you can use the time in between semesters to work on your project or presentation. More information can be found at http://texas4 h.tamu.edu/ roundup/ County Roundup March 24 Extension Office, Conroe District Roundup May 1 2 Alvin Community College State Roundup June 8 11 Texas A&M University, College Station PHONE Conroe: 936-539-7823 Houston: 281-354-5511 X 7823 281-364-4200 Cleveland: 281-689-3133 FAX: 936-538-8199 ON THE WEB County Extension Service http://montgomery.agrilife.org County 4-H http://agrilife.org/montgomery4h District http://d94-h.tamu.edu State http://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. Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

2 Special Interest Projects Vet Science Project The 4 H Veterinary Science Project is a 5 year curriculum based project with a set number of lessons and activities, that gives youth interested in veterinary medicine a chance to work in the field and see if they would like to pursue it as a career. After a member has completed the program, they may apply to take a test to become a Certified Veterinary Assistant. 4 H members may begin the project at any age, but have to be 16 years old in order to apply to take the test. Conroe Vet Science Group Lara Pena leads the Conroe Vet Science Project. They are meeting the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm at the County Extension Office. This program is in an accelerated format, to be completed in 2 years instead of 5. The work is a little more intense, but manageable. For details, email Lara at larapena@ymail.com. Magnolia Vet Science Group Edna Griswold leads the Magnolia Vet Science Project. They meet the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm at the 1st Baptist Church of Magnolia. For more information on that project, contact Edna at ednacgriswold@yahoo.com. Dog Project In the dog project, participants learn about dog care and training. Beginners work on obedience and showmanship/conformation, while advanced members work on agility and drill or rally. Not all members take their dogs to shows, but they train and practice like they are going to. Dogs may be purebred or mixed and age is not a factor. All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations. A list of required vaccinations is available. After approval of shot records, new dogs / handlers will take a beginner s obedience class and be evaluated before being integrated into the main group. To get on the beginner s class interest list, please call the 4 H Office at 936 539 7823. The State 4 H Dog will be in Belton, July 10 12, 2015. Dogs must be validated by January 10, 2015 on 4 H Connect in order to participate. Beekeeping Project The Beekeeping project will meet the first Thursday of every month at 7:00pm at the County Extension Office. For more information on the Beekeeping project, contact Lara Pena at larapena@ymail.com. The January meeting will be held on January 8th to avoid conflicting with New Years Day. Photography Project 2015 Texas 4 H Photography Contest rules and guidelines have been posted on the State 4 H Website at http://texas4 h.tamu.edu/project_photography. This state contest is for senior aged 4 H ers, ages 14 and up, as of August 31, 2014. Each county is allowed one entry per category, so contestants MUST email photos to the Extension office by March 23rd. Categories with multiple submissions will be evaluated by qualified judges. First place winners in each category on the county level will have until April 15th to register on 4 H Connect. District 9 4 H Photography Contest This contest is very similar to the State contest, but it is open to members of all ages. It is not a qualifying event for state. Entries are due via 4 H Connect by March 29th.

3 Since there is no limit per county, all entries will be done on 4 H Connect directly. For details, visit http://d94 h.tamu.edu/eventsandcontests/bigtime/photography/ Texas 4 H and FFA Agriculture Photography Contest case Texas agriculture through photos with a chance of having your entry displayed at the Texas State Capitol Agriculture Museum before the opening of Legislative Session. Any 4 H or FFA member may participate. There is no entry fee. Entries are open until December 20th. Visit h p://texas4 h.tamu.edu/ffa4hphoto for details. 4 H Fashion & Handicraft Workshop December 13, 2014. Please sign up by December 10 th 9:00 am 12:00 pm, Extension Office main building. Please park in the side parking lot and enter kitchen door (last door on side) Have you finished your holiday shopping? Still have a lot left to buy? Let s see if we can help you mark some names off your shopping list! We ll make different items that will be perfect for gift giving for both boys and girls of all ages. Sewing skills are NOT required. We ll also learn about the 4 H Fashion, Storyboard, Duds to Dazzle, and other contests and events. If you are experienced in the 4 H Clothing & Textiles project and would like a leadership opportunity, please let us know how you would like to help. Livestock Projects Quality Counts Verification: Quality Counts is an online training and test that members must complete before entering to show at any of the major shows or the county fair. There are two versions, one for Juniors and one for Seniors, so you may have to re take yours. If you turned 14 before August 31, 2014, you will need to take the Senior version of the test. The test can be found at http://agrilife.org/qualitycounts/ Montgomery County Fair: If you think you may participate at the Montgomery County Fair (MCF), please get familiar with the rules at www.mcfa.org. All general exception forms are due at each tag in and for non livestock exhibitors, the form is due in January.

Jingle Bell Classic Heifer Saturday, December 20th at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Rings A&C cost $20 per head. Rings B&D cost $25 per head. Must enter ring A to enter ring B and Ring C to enter Ring D. For details, call the 4 H Office at 936 539 7823. Montgomery Dobbin Progress January 31st at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Lambs, goats, barrows, heifers and steers cost $20 per head. Homemaking, showmanship and clover kids are $5 each. Entries are to be postmarked by January 23rd. Mail entries to Montgomery Dobbin 4 h at P.O. Box 1044, Montgomery, TX 77356. For questions, contact Frannie at 936 441 209 or frannie.dsanders@consolidated.com 4 HORSE To qualify for the County 4 H Horse, you must participate in at least 2 county 4 H practice shows and one other event, either another Montgomery County 4 H Practice, or a Montgomery County 4 H Horsemanship Clinic. Clinics: February 22 Texas Christian Horse Camp in Richardson 12:30pm Reining March 28 Willis Arena 12:30pm Speed Practice s (1:30pm): February 22 Texas Christian Horse Camp in Richardson Speed First March 28 Willis Arena Performance First Montgomery County 4 H Horse will be held on May 9th at the Lone Star Expo. LAMB/GOAT Montgomery County Fair Lamb & Goat Tag In Tuesday, December 2nd at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Bring Pictures! POULTRY Broilers Montgomery County Fair chickens will be distributed Thursday, February 26th from 1pm 3pm at the Horseshoe Club at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Houston chickens will be picked up on January 29, 2015. San Antonio chickens will be picked up on January 13, 2015. RABBITS Montgomery County Fair Market Rabbit Tag In Thursday, March 12 from 5pm 8pm at the Horseshoe Club, Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Russ Upton has volunteered to hold rabbit project meetings throughout the year. Meetings are held at 7:00pm at the Extension Office. These meetings are open to any 4 H er who is interested in the rabbit project. January 27 March 24 February 24 April 10 Meat pen picking for Fair SWINE Montgomery County Fair Market Barrow Tag In Tuesday, January 6 from 2pm 7pm at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Bring pictures of the member(s) and animal together in the photo, ear notch card and tag in card.

5 Jingle Bell Classic Saturday, December 20 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds The Jingle Bell Classic Heifer is held every December. This even t supplements the Montgomery County 4 H Pecan Sale since costs have increased. We will need help with sponsorship, setup, registration and cleanup. Please discuss this opportunity with your club membership to see how you can help. Work done at the Jingle Bell Classic can be used for leadership in your 4 H record book. There are two opportunities to assist and neither takes very much time. First, before December 15th, we need buckle and blanket sponsors. The letter and sponsor form are included in this manager s packet. If each club will recruit just one blanket and one buckle sponsor, the majority of the awards will be covered. We give buckles to each breed champion and blankets to each reserve champion in Ring B. Each of the winners must complete a thank you note before receiving their award, so you know your sponsor will get one. Second, we need help on December 19th and 20th. There are roughly three time frames. Friday, December 19th, for set up beginning at 5:00pm. Saturday, December 20th in the morning to help with the show. Registration, handing out awards, directing traffic, welcoming guests, opening stalls are all items that require a handful of people. The exact timeframe will depend on which responsibility you volunteer for. Registration opens at 6:30 am, show starts at 8:30am, and depending on the numbers, Rings A and B are done around 1:oo. Rings C and D are finished around 4:00. The largest number of volunteers are needed beginning at 3:00 to help with clean up. The more people we have, the faster the work will go. In the past, this group has been done around 6 or 7. Please call 936 539 7823 or email amfagan@ag.tamu.edu by December 9th to volunteer to help. County Council County Council meetings are held the 4th Monday of the month at 7:00pm at the Extension Office, unless stated otherwise. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend. The December meeting will take place on the 15th, along with a potluck Christmas Party. Bring a $5 gift for the white elephant gift exchange. Upcoming Community Service Collection Projects: Please bring the items you or your club have collected to the month s County Council Meeting. See the insert for more information. December January Book drive for kids. Bring new or gently used books for children and teens. Valentine Drive. Bring Valentine s cards for senior citizens or items to decorate cards.

6 Scholarship Training December 11 at 6:30pm at the County Extension Office It s never too soon to begin thinking about how to pay for college, so we have a training planned for Thursday, December 11th, which is open to all 4 H families. It is especially beneficial for high school seniors. Michelle will outline the steps for putting together a more competitive scholarship application, so that participants will walk away with a more clear understanding of what scholarship committees and interviewers are looking for. We will also pass out the Texas 4 H Foundation scholarship application packet as well as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Montgomery County scholarship application packet. If you would like to attend, please sign up by December 9th by calling 936 539 7823. If you are interested in completing the Foundation scholarship application, go ahead and complete your FAFSA based on your 2013 taxes. The application can be updated once your 2014 taxes are done. You also need to take your SAT and ACT early so you have time to increase your score and get your results back in time for application deadlines. 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 next year. Job applications, scholarship applications, college applications all ask about knowledge and skills, extracurricular activities, leadership and community service. These are all the same things that are required in your 4 H record book. IMPORTANT DATES December 11 6:30pm Scholarship Training How to use your record keeping skills to complete college scholarship applications April 23 6:30pm Beginner record book training For anyone who has not done a record book before to learn how to put the information together April 30 6:30pm Advanced record book training For members who have previously completed a record book and just need help with the fine tuning June 13 8:00am Noon 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 15 4:30pm Deadline to submit a 4 H record book for county judging The 4 H Office will be closed December 24th and 25th and January 1st and 19th.

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 MCF Lamb and Goat Tag-in 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Scholarship Training 12 Duds to Dazzle Leader Workshop 13 Fashion & Handicraft Workshop 14 15 Council Christmas Party 16 17 18 19 Jingle Bell Classic Set up 4-6 p.m. 20 Jingle Bell Classic TCAA Heifer 21 22 23 24 Christmas 25 Christmas 26 27 28 29 30 31 JANUARY Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Fort Worth 1/16-2/7 1 New Year s Day 2 3 Willis Progress 4 5 6 MCF Swine Tag-in SALE Broiler Pick up 7 8 Bee Keeping Project 9 Dist. Archery Summary Due Shooting Sports Safety Training 10 State Dog Validation deadline Porter FFA Progress 11 New Caney FFA Progress 12 13 14 15 Vet Science Magnolia 16 17Dist. 4-H Council Meeting College Park Progress 18 Oak Ridge FFA Progress 19 Dist. 4-H Archery Entries Due Martin Luther King 20 21 Vet Science Conroe 22 23 a 24 Splendora FFA Progress 25 26 County Council Meeting 27 Rabbit Project 28 29 30 31 Montgomery- Dobbin Progress MCF Re-Tag