GONZALES COUNTY 4-h NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 1709 E Sarah DeWitt Dr. Gonzales, Texas January / GONZALES COUNTY 4-h NEWSLETTER HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015! We hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas Season and are ready for We have had a hard time getting use to writing Major Stock shows start this month so it is a very busy time a year. Good Luck to all those who are participating in the Major Stock Shows, but remember have fun. Dwight Sexton CEA-Ag Gonzales County Janie Pineda CEA-FCS Gonzales County We re on the web. This newsletter is available on the internet at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Gonzales County web page: and Facebook at Gonzales County4-H 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 Thank you, 4-Her s for representing Gonzales County at the District 10 4-H Food Show and Food Challenge on December 13 at Texas State University. Food Show Food Challenge Team 1 Food Challenge Team 2 Kathleen Knesek Bre Wolff Antonio Govea Mary San Miguel Mary San Miguel Carlos Mendoza Kiley Allen Leonel Izaguirie Rebekah Baker Kathleen Knesek

2 Let s Help Our Local Animal Shelters Gonzales County 4-H Seeking Donations to help support local animal shelters. 4-Her s should bring items to the Extension Office. If you have questions, please contact Loni Soefje, 4-H Council Vice President, at asoefje@gvec.net Shelters are in need of the following: Dog Shelter needs just about everything: Dry or canned dog food Dog treats, chew toys Towels (used or tattered are fine) Old blankets Leashes & collars Cat Shelter: Canned Cat Food ATTENTION!! 4-H Council members and Adult Leaders meetings will be at the County Extension Office on Jan 20, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. All council members and leaders are encouraged to attend. The 4-H Council Officers for this year are: President: Dylan Mills V President: Loni Soefje Secretary: Haley Clampit Treasurer: Kristofer Knesek Parliamentarian: Dillon Catchings Reporter: Sadie Thibodeaux Dist Council Reps: Dylan Mills Loni Soefje Savay Sexton 2015 GONZALES BAKE SHOW RULES The Gonzales Bake Show Rules can be picked up at the AgriLife Extension Office or downloaded from our website You can application and recipe to gonzales@ag.tamu.edu by 5 p.m. on January 28, The $5.00 non-refundable entry fee is due to the Gonzales County Extension by 5 p.m. on January 28, GONZALES STOCK SHOW BROILERS Will arrive January 21, PM at the Extension Office. This is a change from the Stock Show rules. All orders must be paid for when you pick up your chicks. 4-H Poinsettia Sale Many thanks to all the volunteers and 4-H members who helped with the 4-H Poinsettia Sale on December 5, 2014! Park GONZALES STOCK SHOW RABBITS validation February 4, P.M. -7 JB Wells You can stay up to date on events with the Nixon-Smiley Stock Show by following their Facebook page Nixon-Smiley Livestock Show Smiley-Livestock-Show/ GONZALES COUNTY ADULT LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP Due date for the application, recordbooks, and attendance records will be Wednesday, June 15, 2015.

3 LIVESTOCK PROJECTS Livestock shows will be here before you know it so if you have a livestock or poultry project its time to really start bearing down and getting your project looking its best for show day. If you need assistance in selecting your 4-H project or would like further advice on managing your project, you are encouraged to communicate with your 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. Prospect Shows Lone Star Classic-Gonzales, Steer/Heifer-, Jan 10-11, 2015 h/s Cuero Prospect Swine Show-Jan 10 Chisholm Trail Beef Challenge-Heifer, Jan 10 th -Lockhart 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. THE DISTRICT 10 4-H ROUNDUP Will be held on May 2, 2015 at Texas A&M San Antonio. 4-H members will have the opportunity to compete in Educational Presentations, the Horse Quiz Bowl, Public Speaking and Share the Fun. Texas 4-H Roundup Rules and Guidelines Texas 4-H Roundup will be held in College Station, Texas on campus of Texas A&M University from June 8 th to June 11 th. More information is available at 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, 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 The Texas 4-H Dog Show will be at the Bell County Expo in Belton, Texas for The new book will be out just after the new year. To be eligible to participate, 4-H members must validate their dogs. State Dog Validation due by midnight January 10, For more information contact Michelle Mihalek at or mmmihalek@ag.tamu.edu

4 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. San Antonio School Tours If anyone is interested in working with the school tours program at the San Antonio Stock Show or the Star of Texas Stock Show in Austin next February and March, contact the Extension Office to reserve dates that will cooperate with your schedule. District 11 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training Jan 10-11, 2015 Victoria 4-H Activity Center Disciplines Offered: Rifle, Pistol, Archery, & Shotgun Registration via 4-H Connect through January 5, NUTRITION QUIZ BOWL CONTEST DATE: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 LOCATION: Kerrville Church of Christ, Kerrville REGISTRATION: Registration will be conducted on 4-H Connect: Regular Registration: January 6-20, 2015 Late Registration: January 21-27, 2015 Registration fees will be: Regular Registration: $40.00 Per Team Late Registration: $65.00 Per Team (Includes $25 Late Fee) DISTRICT CONTEST RESOURCES: This contest helps participants increase their knowledge of basic nutrition, consumer information, food and kitchen safety, food preparation skills and storage, and nutrition and health. This contest will follow the rules and procedures listed in the Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl Study Guide, 4-H The State 4-H Food & Nutrition Quiz Bowl Study Guide should be utilized for support information. More information is available at:

5 Share the Fun Contest There are minor changes in the specific rules for this contest for 2014, as well as an additional category being offered-dramedy! A total of 7 categories will be offered for the 2014 contest. New This Year! An additional acting category has been added called Dramedy. More information for teams qualifying for Texas 4-H Roundup will be made available in the spring. If you have questions, please contact Laura A. Huebinger at or lhuebinger@tamu.edu 2015 CONSUMER DECISION MAKING CONTEST Good consumer skills can help you get more for your money. Consumer Decision Making gives youth the opportunity to make wise decisions when shopping. Consumer Decision Making is a judging contest designed to teach kids to observe, compare and make consumer based decisions based on facts. 4-Hers use their consumer knowledge to rank similarly based products to fit a given scenario. Kids learn to organize their thoughts and to defend their decisions in oral reasons. DATE: Saturday, February 21, 2015 LOCATION: SALE Headquarters 723 AT&T Center Parkway San Antonio, TX DISTRICT CONTEST RESOURCES The Contest will follow the Texas 4-H Consumer Decision Making Contest Rules and Guidelines. Study materials to be used will be whatever resources are available on the website below on December 1, Consumer Decision Making resources can be found at: Planting for Bees from Backyards and Up 2015 Beekeeping Essay Entry for the 2015 Texas 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest is now available. This year s theme is Planting for Bees from Backyards and up. For a complete list of rules and guidelines please visit the following website All entries should be submitted electronically to Amy Dromgoole at amy.dromgoole@tamu.edu no later than January 9, 2015.

6 4-H Recordbooks- Download one now and start keeping records monthly! 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 Recordbook. The primary purposes of completing a recordbook 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. Two versions are available to complete a recordbook: online or by using a word document. The online version can be found at 4hreports.com. This site allows you to create a family profile and save all information from year to year. To find the word document form, simply visit h.tamu.edu/youth_recordbooks. Open and save the appropriate age division and personal information sheet. Age categories (age as of Sept. 1) are: junior (3 rd grade 10), intermediate (11 13Yreas), and senior (14 18 years). Each age division has different requirements and standards. Always keep all of your past year s recordbook forms as they may be included behind in the current years book. 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 recordbook 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 recordbook 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 June 15, Books will be reviewed a second time to ensure corrections were made before leaving for Multi County Recordbook judging. Senior level books must have all corrections made in order to remain eligible for the scholarship. Recordbook information can be found at h.tamu.edu/youth_recordbooks or

7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS January 9-11, 2015 Teen 4-H Conference Center January 16-18, 2015 ReFashion 4-H Conference Center January 20, :30PM 4-H Council and Adult leaders at the County Extension Office January 21, 2015 Pick up Gonzales Stock Show Extension Office 4-6 PM January 28, 2015 Gonzales Bake Show Application and Recipe due February 4, 2015 Gonzales Stock Show Rabbit Validation 5-7 PM JB Wells February 10, 2015 Nutrition Quiz Bowl Contest in Kerrville February 21, 2015 Consumer Decision Making Contest in San Antonio March 25, H Day at the Capitol May 2, 2015 Dist 10 4-H Roundup June 8-11, 2015 Texas 4-H Roundup-College Station June 15, 2015 Record books due June 15, 2015 Adult Leaders Scholarship applications due For more district Calendar information go to the District 4-H Website: h.tamu.edu/

8 SCHOLARSHIP NEWS 2015 TEXAS 4 H AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS Application are due into the Extension Office by Feb 1, The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program and the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation is once again pleased to offer to our senior high school 4-H members and current college students the opportunity to apply for an Opportunity Scholarship through the Texas 4-H Program. All applications, instructions, and an on-line training module are available through the Texas 4-H and Youth Development website at 4-H RECORDBOOK INFORMATION Recordbooks due JUNE 15, H members are encouraged to complete a recordbook. Recordbooks are due June 15, 2015 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 information is available at: Houston Livestock Show Ag Mechanics Technician Scholarship A scholarship for graduating seniors pursuing an associate s degree in the field of Agriculture Technology; Diesel/Automotive Engines; Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition; Power Systems (Electric or Hydraulic); or welding. Check out more information at ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL MEMBERS Gonzales County 4-H Adult Leaders wish to provide an opportunity for any Gonzales County 4-H high school student to apply for a scholarship during his/her senior year. Incoming freshman and returning eligible members now is the time to sign the scholarship agreement. Eligibility requirements involve completing record books, involvement, fundraiser assistance, and completing an application during your senior year. Completing a record book 3 out of 4 years during high school has always been a requirement. Be sure to acquire a copy of the Gonzales County 4-H Scholarship Agreement. If you feel you meet these requirements be sure to return the receipt to the Extension Office no later than October 15, Copies are available online or from the extension office.

9 THE GONZALES COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT The Gonzales County 4-H Adult Leaders wish to provide an opportunity for any Gonzales County 4-H high school student to apply for a scholarship during his/her senior year. Scholarship(s) will be given at the discretion of the scholarship committee. The Gonzales 4-H Adult Leaders request that the scholarship be established and administered as follows: 1. Name: Gonzales County 4-H Scholarship 2. Type: Annual scholarship to be continued as long as the Adult Leaders consider it justified and financially feasible. The scholarship is not renewable and is a one time scholarship per recipient. 3. Effective: To become effective with the academic year. 4. Availability: Availability of the scholarship will be publicized by written notification to all qualified applicants by means of the Texas AgriLIFE Extension newsletter or by other means deemed appropriate by the Scholarship Committee. 5. Recipient: Regularly enrolled freshman student, pursuing a baccalaureate degree or related degree, to include a degree program in an accredited trade or vocational school. 6. Eligibility: A. Record book: Student must have completed record books three out of four years in high school. If the recordbook does not meet the Texas 4-H Record book Guidelines then student becomes ineligible. A record book committee will be established to provide assistance prior to deadline. B. Involvement: Student must show active involvement in Gonzales County 4-H and attend a minimum of five meetings per year throughout high school. Students will be given an attendance record to be signed by the club adult leader, County Extension Agent - AG or Country Extension Agent Family and Consumer Science. Attendance records can be turned in after five signatures. In the event a student misses a meeting, an excuse must be submitted to the Extension Office within 7 days. Excuses will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee, documented and filed in student s folder. C. Fundraiser Assistance: Student must assist in scholarship fundraising per year throughout high school. Scholarship fundraiser committee will inform students of type of assistance within a timely manner. D. Application: During the student s senior year, an application must be completed by the deadline as set forth by the scholarship committee. Late applications will not be accepted. E. Transfer Students: Students must show proof of involvement and record book completion in the form of a letter from the County Extension Office or Club Manager from their previous county. Also, students must show completion of scholarship criteria throughout the remaining years of high school while being a member of Gonzales County 4-H. Transfer students will be reviewed on an individual basis as needed. Scholarship committee reserves the right to prorate scholarship funds if deemed necessary. 7. Stipulated Terms of Scholarship: A. Student must be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student. Special circumstance must be addressed to the scholarship committee prior to disbursements of funds. Funds are to be used for educational purposes.

10 B. Payments to be made following proof of enrollment in a college, trade or vocational school no later than September 30, 2014 for the fall semester and no later than January 29, 2015 for the spring semester. Proof of enrollment should be sent to the Scholarship chairperson or Treasurer at the Extension Office. C. Failure of a student to maintain at least a 2.0 overall average at time of mid-semester grade reporting would be grounds for termination. Grades need to be turned in no later than January 29, D. Scholarship committee reserves to right to make changes as needed prior to a school year. 8. Selection of Scholarship Recipient(s) Scholarship(s) will be given at the discretion of the scholarship committee. ************************************************************************************************************************************ RECEIPT OF THE GONZALES COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT Year: I have read and understand the scholarship agreement as set forth by the Gonzales County 4-H Scholarship Committee. Student Signature Date: Date: Parent Signature Please mail or drop off receipt of scholarship agreement no later than October 15, Keep pages above for your records. GRADUATING SENIORS: Applications are available at the Texas AgriLIFE Extension office. Deadline to return application is June 15, 2015.