H Enrollment Begins: Aug 15 Oct H Open House: Ext. Office 6-8 pm. County 4-H Council Meeting: Sept.

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1 K l e b e rg - K e n e dy C o u n t y 4 - H N e w s l e t t e r : S e p t e m b e r H G r e e t i n g s The new H year has OFFICIALLY started. There are lots of activities already planned for this year so be sure to read through the newsletter each month for project and activity information! The new 4-H year brings a lot of opportunities to learn new things, compete for awards and honors, make new friends and learn valuable life skills. I would like to challenge everyone to try something new this year. Livestock projects are great, but be sure to look into the Food & Nutrition program, the Fashion Show, Photography, Consumer Decision Making, and Roundup contests, as well as the Shooting Sports programs. This is going to be a great year! With almost 500 youth and over 70 volunteers let s be the change we wish to see in the world! Feel free to come by the office if you are interested in serving as a volunteer to the Kleberg-Kenedy 4-H program or would like to learn about more great 4-H activities. Sincerely, Niki Kaiser, CEA 4-H & YD U p c o m i n g e v e n t D a t e s September 2014: H Enrollment Begins: Aug 15 Oct 31 4-H Open House: Ext. Office 6-8 pm County 4-H Council Meeting: Sept. 6:30pm Promote 4-H Committee Meeting: Sept. 6:30 Food & Nutrition Committee Mtg: Sept. 7:15 October 2014: H Enrollment Begins: Aug 15 Oct 31 National 4-H Week: Oct. 5th 11th One Day 4-H 4-K Run/Walk: Oct. DKP TSC Fall Paper Clover Campaign: Oct 8-19th State Goat/Lamb Validation: Oct. JK 5-7p.m. Shooting Sports Coaches Training: Sept in Alice K e e p i n t o u c h w i t h 4 - h H a p p e n i n g s Kleberg-Kenedy County Webpage: Being the Best Kleberg-Kenedy AgriLife Facebook: klebergkenedy.agrilife District 12 4-H Website: Texas 4-H Website: Supporting the Rest 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 4-H ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS BANQUET: CONGRATULATIONS to Annual 4-H Achievement Awards Banquet participants. The banquet held August 24, 2014 was a huge success. In attendance were members, parents, leaders, and community supporters. Receiving special awards for excelling in 4-H club work were: *Gold Star Award: Haley Wagner *Danforth I Dare You Award: Morgan Mathis and Cory Ray *Outstanding Award: Senior: Victoria Garza Intermediate: Jessica Pena Junior: Kirby Owen *Best Rookie Recordbook: Intermediate: Darby Florence *Jacket Award: Darby Florence Miles Mathis Alec Mertens Anthony Mertens *Golden Clover: Hayley Meyer *Outstanding Leaders: Laurie Cannon and Christina Titus *Friend of 4-H: Santa Gertrudis Elementary *Guest Speaker: Dr. Pancho Hubert, DVM

3 SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY-FYI: Kleberg-Kenedy County AgriLife Extension Service complies with the law set forth by legislature regarding eligibility and school absences. Members competing or simply participating in a 4-H event (food show, fashion, show, livestock show, etc.) must be certified as eligible to participate by their respective schools. School officials will be provided with a list of students entered in competitive and/or non-competitive 4-H events. Should a student be ineligible due to their respective School District s Policy (grades, absenteeism, discipline, etc.), school officials will notify the Kleberg- Kenedy Extension Office in writing. The students and their parents will be notified in writing of their ineligibility status by our office. COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING: County Council will meet on Monday, September 15 th ; 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office. Delegates please attend. FALL PAPER CLOVER AT TSC The 2014 Fall Paper Clover Campaign begins October 8 th through October 19 th at Tractor Supply. Every 4-H club is encouraged to sign up for a day to sell paper clovers at our local TSC. A sign-up sheet is available at the Extension Office for club managers. ENROLLMENT: 4-H OPEN HOUSE: September 11 th from 6-8 p.m. at the Extension Office. Join us to learn about 4-H opportunities, Meet the Agents, 4-H Council and some Club Managers! Computers will be available for us to assist you with enrolling on 4-H Connect H enrollments will begin August 15th through the end of October. Families can log on to the following website as they begin to enter their profile (new members) or updating/activation (current members) their previous profile/membership: Reminder: The enrollment fee ($20/member) is due upon enrollment. Families re-enrolling will be prompted to a payment screen through 4-H Connect. Payment must be made at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment. Payment is submitted through a credit card. Please do not indicate county will pay. If this option is selected, families will have their enrollment returned for correction. This means that members are not considered official until the office accepts your enrollment. Families with any questions can call the office. A computer is set up at the office for anyone needing to complete the enrollment process.

4 PROMOTING 4-H COMMITTEE (NATIONAL 4-H WEEK): The Promoting 4-H Committee, which is responsible for promoting 4-H during National 4-H Week and at other times throughout the year, will meet on Monday, September 22 nd ; 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office. The following clubs are responsible for assisting with this event (Managers please send representation): *Rough Riders *Wild Horse Desert *Lone Star *Country Club *TJLA ers *Family Club *Saint Patrick s Young Patriots *Council Officer Co-Chairs: Austin Silva & Anthony Mertens *Texas 4-H Sunday: October 5 th *National 4-H Week: October 5-11 th *One Day 4-H: October 11 th All managers are asked to plan club activities during this week. Be creative! FOOD & NUTRITION COMMITTEE (FOOD SHOW): The Food & Nutrition Committee, which is responsible for planning the 2014 County Foods and Nutrition Workday, Food Show Contest, and Food Challenge Contest is scheduled to meet on Monday, September 22 nd ; 7:15 p.m. at the Extension Office. 4-H clubs responsible for assisting with this event (Managers please send representation): *Kountry Kickers *Brahma *Animal Roundup *NAS Kingsville *South Creek *Council officer Co-Chairs: Morgan Mathis & Luke Kraatz 2014 ONE DAY 4-H EVENT 2014 marks the 6th year for One Day 4-H in Texas. This year the Kleberg-Kenedy County will be hosting the One Day 4-H Philanthropic 4-K Run/Walk on October 11 th at Dick Kleberg Park. The 4-H 4-K will be benefiting Kingsville/Kleberg County Parks. See Attached Flyer for more information. We would like to see as many 4-H families participate as possible. Cost is only $15 per entry with T-Shirts and goody bags available to those who pre-register. Please call the Extension Office if you would like to make a donation towards the event.

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6 LIVESTOCK PROJECT INFORMATION STATE LAMB/GOAT PROJECTS AND BREEDING SHEEP: Major Show Lamb/Goat Validation is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on October 21, 2014 at J.K. Northway. STATE SWINE PROJECTS: State Swine validation information is available in this packet. Families interested in attending a major show with a swine project must order tags. Vanessa Chase, Academy Ag. Teacher is the point of contact on ordering tags. For more information on ordering tags, please call Vanessa ( ). NO EXTRA TAGS will be ordered and no tags will be ordered without payment, please don t forget. The deadline to turn in forms and payment to Vanessa (SGISD-FFA) is September 5, Validation is scheduled for 8-10 a.m. on November 15, 2014 at HM Ag Farm. MAJOR SHOWS: PLEASE LOOK INTO IT Families interested in attending a Major Show with a livestock project in the junior division are asked to please look into that particular show of interest by visiting their website for dates, times, rules, new additions, etc. Please do not wait, it is important to know what you must do in preparation of the event. Links (websites) to some of these Major Shows are available on our County web page under links. QUALITY COUNTS REQUIREMENT FOR MAJOR SHOW PARTICIPATION: Members planning on entering a Major Show with a Livestock Project must have completed the Quality Counts online Verification Training and Testing. Please see below for more information and website: This means youth exhibitors will need to demonstrate their knowledge of the Six Pillars of Character and the Eight Core Concepts presented in the Quality Counts Curriculum. To do this, they will need to pass an online test on the website ( and acquire a Quality Counts Verification number. Things you need to know about Verification: *2014- All Major Livestock Shows in Texas will require Quality Counts Verification at the time of entry- This means youth will need to be verified prior to entry in the fall of A Verification number is obtained by answering 80% of the questions correctly on an online test. MAJOR SHOW BREEDING HEIFERS: Members planning on exhibiting a heifer project at the Major Shows much purchase their project, have in their possession, and have the project registered in their name (junior exhibitor) by November 1, Please see new Heifer Validation Program on the next page. Contact the office if you are planning on showing a heifer at a Major Show. MAJOR SHOW MARKET BROILERS: Members interested in exhibiting market broilers at a Major Show (San Antonio, Houston, Star of Texas), please call and information will be mailed to you once it arrives. LIVESTOCK PROJECTS: If anyone needs assistance in selecting livestock projects for the upcoming show season, please call us ASAP. A limited number of trips will be made so it is important that you contact us if we can help.

7 NEW Texas 4-H/FFA Heifer Validation Program Texas is privileged to have the largest junior breeding heifer program in the nation. However, the sheer size of Texas, diversity in counties and beef breed associations has created some challenges for effectively and fairly managing the program. Because of numerous breed divisions offered, there are inconsistencies in how breed associations record purchase and transfer information. Heifer Validation is being initiated to ensure a level playing field for all junior breeding beef heifer exhibitors and to present a unified approach to verifying breeding beef heifer registration papers, ownership and physical possession. Further, history has proven collecting DNA hair samples during validation has added integrity to market animal divisions. Therefore, we are implementing a statewide electronic verification process in addition to requiring the physical validation of breeding beef heifers. An electronic verification process will ensure that ownership has been transferred by the respective owner- ship deadlines. The verification process along with the added physical validation component will allow for certifying exhibitor ownership, possession, heifer identification (tattoo/brand) far in advance of each respective major livestock show. Full and part-time personnel will be required to effectively review and validate all submitted heifer registration papers and to enforce rules during the participating major livestock shows. Purpose An electronic verification for heifer registration papers would serve four primary purposes: Ensure ownership has been transferred by the respective ownership deadline Eliminate backdating of junior heifer ownership Allow heifer verification chair and co-chair to communicate any disqualifications prior to arrival to shows Allow for a more efficient check-in process Physical Validation would serve four primary objectives: Ensure ownership and physical possession of heifer in designated county on validation day(s). Physical viewing of tattoos/brands allows for verification tattoos/brands match the registration paper reducing disqualifications at major livestock shows. DNA collection provides a robust system to authenticate that the heifer presented at physical validation is the same heifer exhibiting at major livestock shows. Allows County Extension Agents and Ag Science Teachers to continue building positive relationships with breeding heifer exhibitors Spring Show Timeline October 1, 2014 October 1-November 15, 2014 November 1, 2014 November 15, 2014 December 19, 2014 January 7, Fall Show Timeline June 1, 2015 June 1-30, 2015 July 1, 2015 August 20, 2015 August 25, 2015 September 15, 2015 Heifer Verification Database is open to ASTs/CEAs Participating major livestock shows are requiring all junior breeding heifers to be tattooed, brands recorded and hair samples collected for the DNA Assay between 10/1/2014 and 11/15/2014 for 2015 spring shows. All heifers must be validated at a time, place, and date determined by the County Validation Committee. Ownership deadline for all spring shows Registration Paper upload deadline and physical validation paperwork and DNA must be postmarked and sent to Tex- as 4-H Headquarters Projected deadline for all papers to be reviewed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Projected deadline for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to notify all ineligible exhibitors and major livestock show officials for spring shows Heifer Verification Database is open to ASTs/CEAs Participating major livestock shows are requiring all junior breeding heifers to be tattooed, brands recorded and hair samples collected for the DNA Assay between 6/1/2015 and 6/30/2015 for 2015 fall shows. All heifers must be validated at a time, place, and date determined by the County Validation Committee. Ownership deadline, registration paper upload deadline and physical validation paperwork and DNA must be postmarked and sent to Texas 4-H Headquarters Projected deadline for all papers to be reviewed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Fall show entry deadline Projected deadline for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to notify all ineligible exhibitors and major livestock show officials for fall shows

8 COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: 28th Annual Fall Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27th along Baffin Bay, Loyola Beach. Check in: Kaufer-Hubert Park, FM 628 Contact Susan Ivy The Adopt-A-Beach program is an allvolunteer effort to remove trash from our beaches and to increase public awareness of the problems of marine debris and beach litter. For more information about Adopt-A- Beach program visit: texasadoptabeach.org. KLEBERG-KENEDY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW INFO: Show Dates: January 23 31, 2015 Website: Entry Fees: The following is a list of entry fees for the county livestock show: *Livestock Projects ($20) *PEE-Wee projects ($10) *Queen s contest ($20) *Farm Shop ($20) *Youth Homemaking ($5) KKJLS RABBIT EXHIBITORS: - The breeding date for market rabbits this year is October 20, The Extension Office will now have an ARBA Standards of Perfection rule book for exhibitors to come read the sections that pertain to our show. -Rabbit Scales purchased last year will be available at the Extension Office for anyone wanting to weigh their rabbit projects. Club managers will be responsible for collecting all livestock show entry information from club members. Managers will be receiving packets in mid-september to distribute to club members. Entries will NOT be accepted at the Extension Office by individual 4-H members. Please keep in contact with club managers about the entry process. Managers must turn in entries to the Extension Office between October 20 th -24 th.

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15 Vanessa G Chase vchase@sgisd.net (956) Dear 4-H/FFA Member and Parent: This letter is in reference to exhibiting a Swine project at the upcoming Major Livestock Shows (San Antonio, Houston, RGVLS etc.). Members interested must have their project validated under the Texas Swine Validation Program. Attached is an order form to be filled out by each family, providing that the exhibitors are blood siblings, legally adopted siblings, or step siblings and reside in the same county. ONLY, buy tags for your family to avoid confusion during validation. Please completely fill out and return the attached form along with a check or money order (non-refundable) payable to SGISD-FFA no later than September 5, No extra tags will be ordered! Validation is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at HM FARM. If your swine projects are at the HM Farm be there at 10:00AM (we will start those projects as soon as we are done with the projects in line) If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (956) Sincerely, Vanessa G Chase AST/FFA Advisor Academy Pride FFA Santa Gertrudis ISD

16 Kleberg-Kenedy County Major Swine Validation Tag Order Form Name of Exhibitor #1: Name of Exhibitor #2: Name of Exhibitor #3: Name of Exhibitor #4: Address: City: Zip: Phone: Number of Tags Requesting: State Swine Tags x $12.00 = $ *NON-REFUNDABLE TOTAL = $ * Order form and payment must be mailed in or delivered by 4:00 PM on September 5, Who will you be showing under? AFFA KFFA RFFA 4-H Payable: Submit to: SGISD-FFA Vanessa G Chase State Swine Validation 1055 W Santa Gertrudis Kingsville, TX 78363

17 ATTENTION 4-H MEMBERS!!! 4-H Clover Project: Color a set of hand and return to the Extension Office for a clover display being created for National 4-H Week. Hands need to be returned to the office by October 1 st. You can design the hands any way you would like and put your name and club on the back.