M E S S A G E FRO M COUNTY AGENT

SEPTEMBER Page 1 M E S S A G E FRO M COUNTY AGENT Ag Agent Dwight Sexton d-sexton@tamu.edu Inside this issue Message from Agent... 1 Registration/Co. Council.. 2 Recordbooks... 3 Resources... 4 Events/Validation Info...5-8 4-H T-Shirt....9 Quality Counts.10 Limited Aid.11-12 Scholarship Agreement..13-14 Flyers.15-17 Calendar.18 Important Validation Dates Tag ordering deadlines Broiler ordering deadline School has started and so has 4-H. Registration continues and now 8 year old children going into the 3 rd grade can be registered on 4-H Connect. Excitement is in the air! Get ready this is going to be a great year! We are looking forward to seeing you succeed in all that you do. E X T E N S I O N O F F I C E I N F O R M A T I O N 1 7 0 9 E. S A R A H D E W I T T D R. G O N Z A L E S, T X 7 8 6 2 9 O F F I C E : 8 3 0. 6 7 2. 8 5 3 1 F A X : 8 3 0. 6 7 2. 8 5 3 2 Extension Office gonzales@ag.tamu.edu Marcella Perales marcella.perales@ag.tamu.edu Like Us! Website: http://gonzales.agrilife.org/

SEPTEMBER 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 or email Marcella Marcella.Perales@ag.tamu.edu at the Extension Office for assistance. All Eight Year Old and in the 3rd Grade youth who are starting 4-H in 2017-2018, can start registering September the 1 st or later to Register on 4-H Connect. Enrolling before the official 4-H year starts will not charge a participation fee and will consider them as a Clover Kid for the year! 4-H Council Members and Adult Leaders Thanks to all of our previous County Council officers for doing such a great job and look forward to working with the new officers. Meetings will be at the County Extension Office on Sept. 19, 2017 at 6:30 P.M. All Gonzales County 4-H club members are encouraged to come. Congratulations to: President: Braden Clampit Vice-President: Bailey Blair Secretary: Justin Komoll Treasurer: Sadie Thibodeaux Reporter: Savay Sexton Parliamentarian: Kathleen Knesek District Council Representatives: Braden Clampit, Ashtyn Kardosz and Kathleen Knesek

SEPTEMBER Page 3 County Council News By: Braden Clampit, President HOWDY! Hope you have had a great start to your year! Hurricane Harvey has definitely impacted lives of many Texans. Please continue to pray for everyone affected by this storm. We ask that you join us at the county council meeting September 19, 2017 at the extension office beginning at 6:30 p.m. to help plan service projects to help others. Plans for National 4-H Week and One Day 4-H will also be discussed. An email will be sent after the meeting to keep you updated. We hope you can join us! 4-H Record Books 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 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 2018. 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.

SEPTEMBER Page 4 RESOURCES Clover Kids The 4-H program serves youth from 3rd grade (minimum age 8) through 12th grade. 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. 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. 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

SEPTEMBER Page 5 2017-2018 Texas 4-H/FFA Heifer Validation Program Again this fall, there will be a major show heifer validation for any 4-H or FFA member wanting to exhibit heifers at the major livestock shows (Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Waco & Dallas. The animal ownership deadline and registration papers will need to be transferred to the exhibitor before this validation. The heifers must be tattooed, brands recorded and hair samples will be collected for a DNA assay. There will be a $15 charge per heifer validated. The validation will occur on October 25 th, at the Guadalupe Valley Vet. Clinic from 5-6:00 pm. Previously major show validated heifers do not need to be re-validated unless there is a change of ownership or breed, but do need to be present for the Gonzales Stock Show validation. If you have heifers to validate, please call the Extension Office by September 15 th so enough supplies can be on hand. Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2017 Sept. 02-03, 2017 Sept. 09, 2017 Sept. 08-10, 2017 Sept. 16-17, 2017 Oct. 7-8, 2017 Jackpot Shows Fayette Co, Fair - LaGrange: Heifer, Goat, and Lamb Lone Star Classic - Gonzales: Heifer, Steer Sam Keach Jr. Memorial Prospect Show-George West: Lamb & Goat Medina County Fair - Hondo: Heifer & Steers Medina County Fair - Hondo: Goats-Lambs Atascosa County Fair - Pleasanton: Lamb, Goat, Heifer, Steer Gonzales County Youth Show Sheep, Goat, and Halter Heifer Exhibitors Validation for the lambs and goats will occur Wednesday, October 18, 2017 from 5-6:00 pm at the JB Wells Park. Validation for the halter heifers will occur Wednesday October 25, 2017 from 5-6:00 pm at the Guadalupe Valley Vet. Clinic. Rules by the Gonzales County Youth Show Association for 2018 are available at http://gonzales.agrilife.org/ under the tab Publications/Workshops/CEU s/stock Show Information. GONZALES LIVESTOCK SHOW - Heads up on the rules for the 2018 Gonzales Livestock Show, all exhibitors must be a FFA or 4-H member in Gonzales County by November 1, 2017. TEXAS 4-H/FFA SWINE VALIDATION All hogs that will be shown in the major shows must be validated to be eligible to participate. Validation will be held in November. To assist us with ordering validation ear tags, please contact the Extension office by September 15th. If you do not order your tags, then you cannot show your animals later. The cost of the tags is $15.00/tag. Information about the validation date will be advertised later.

SEPTEMBER Page 6 MAJOR SHOW BROILER ORDERS Deadline-September 15 th Cost per box-$37.50/box of 25 chicks All major livestock show broiler orders (San Antonio, Houston and Austin) need to be ordered by September 15th. Navarro County 4-H Shotgun team Shoot Saturday, Nov. 18 th @ 8 am in Teague 4-H Sporting Clays, Whiz Bang, and an open shoot for adults. Register in iclays.com Boot Scoot, and Shoot Sporting Clay Event Saturday, September 23, 2017 in Corpus Christi Additional information is available at the Extension Office. Gonzales Shooting Light Rifle Shooting Sports Location: Gonzales City Landfill near the Gonzales City animal shelter that is located on the County Road off FM 532 (Moulton Highway) Dates: September 10 th 2-4 pm October 8 th 2-4 pm November 5 th 2-4 pm December 10 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. 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 fall 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. Guadalupe County Livestock Judging Contest September 23, 2017 in Marion 8 AM Registration State Fair of Texas Livestock Judging Contest October 10, 2017 in Dallas Hill Country Livestock Judging Contest October 14, in Mason 8 AM Registration

2017 2017 4-H 4-H NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER Page 7 Meeting Dates & Times as follows: September 11 th @ 6 pm September 23 rd @ 6 pm November 20 th @ 6 pm December 18 th @ 6 pm Be sure to bring your horse & other equipment (Saddle, Bridle, etc.) Sundowners 4-H 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. Come learn about the Foods Project! Saturday, September 9. 2017 Master Gardner's PACE Bldg. 623 Fair Street 10:00-12:00 Fun Food Activities 12:00-12:30 Learn about Contest Opportunities 12:30 County Food Show/Challenge Planning Meeting (adult and teen leaders) Please RSVP to Marcella by Thursday, September 7 so that we have enough supplies. Contact Natalie Knesek at 830-857-6164 or natalieknesek@att.net with questions. If you want to be involved and are unable to make this meeting please let Natalie know. We hope to have an active group this year. 2017 Guadalupe County Fair Food Challenge Sunday, October 15 at Seguin Colliseum. Entry Deadline is Oct. 6 th. Additional Information is available at the Extension Office.

SEPTEMBER Page 8 If you are planning to ride the 4-H float during the Come & Take It Parade RSVP by Sept. 22 nd. Remember you must be registered on 4-H Connect to participate. Kids will meet at EBARR on the side at the barns @ 9:30 am and trailer will put out @ 9:45 am Be sure to take water, snack if needed, sunglasses sunscreen prior, etc. Wear a green 4-H shirt or any shirt. Last years Come & Take It Trailer! Thanks to Mr. Ehrig!

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SEPTEMBER Page 10 Quality Counts Verification for Gonzales and Major Livestock Show Exhibitors How often must I be verified? Exhibitors only need to be verified once as a junior and once again as a senior. Junior is 8 and in the 3 rd grade through 13 years of age as of the previous August 31 st. Senior is 14 years or older as of the previous August 31 st. How do I become verified? Pass the online test with 80% correct answers (8 out of 10) How many times can I take the test? As many times as necessary to achieve an 80% score What happens when I pass the test? You are given a Quality Counts verification number and the online system allows you to print a personalized certificate. What do I do with the Quality Counts verification number? Hold on to the number and use it when asked for by stock shows as a part of entry requirement. How do I learn the material needed to pass the test? All of the material is available online at Qualitycounts.tamu.edu and from there you can also access the online teaching system Texas Trail. The online version will take 2 hours to complete and can be done at more than one sitting. Ag Science Teachers and/or County Extension Agents may also offer classroom and hands-on educational activities using the Quality Counts curriculum. Once you have completed the training, click the Verification tab and take the test. Do I have to be verified to show? Check your stock show rules. Each show has different requirements regarding Quality Counts verification. This includes deadlines for verification and whether or not you must be verified to participate. Above information was taken for http://agrilife.org/qualitycounts/verification/faq/ where you can go for more information.

SEPTEMBER Page 11 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. Freshman and returning members now is the time to sign the scholarship agreement. Sophomores who did not participate as freshman can apply for this opportunity with an adjusted scholarship amount. Since 2012, eligibility requirements involve completing record book, attendance 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 and attendance record either online at gonzales.agrilife.org, monthly newsletter, or at the Gonzales AgriLife Extension Office. Deadline to submit the scholarship agreement receipt is September 28, 2017. Late receipts will not be accepted. Important Reminders from County Council County Council will cover all entry fees for District 10 and/or State 4-H level contests hosted by the Texas 4-H staff. Contact office if this may apply to you. County Council will cover half of the cost of camps or retreats attended by a 4-H member. Camps/retreats eligible are those hosted by the 4-H Center in Brownwood or any leadership based camp hosted by Texas 4-H staff. Members must submit paperwork and provide receipt of camp/retreat attended 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 under the financial assistance header. 2017-2018 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. Financial aid can include travel expenses. Members must submit all proper paperwork and receipts within 30 days of the event attended. The VERIFICATION FORM must be completed after speaking at a meeting. 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.

2017-2018 GONZALES COUNTY 4-H ADULT LEADERS LIMITED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST FORM (Must submit form within 30 days to be considered) 4-H Member s Name: Parent s Name: Contact Number: Date of Event: Event: Fees: Event Fee: TOTAL mileage: Parking Fee: Other: Per member: Attach a hand written or typed paragraph on a regular sheet of paper explaining what was learned from this 4-H event. Submit copies of receipts. Download and print VERIFICATION FORM (online at gonzalesagrilife.org). Complete and submit form once you have spoken at either a club or council meeting within 2 months of this event. (April-August events will be shared within the first two months of the 4-H year). Please note if verification form is not received then the limited reimbursement request is forfeited. We have read and understand the expectations to be eligible to receive limited reimbursement. Parent Signature: Member Signature: Thank you for representing Gonzales County 4-H! Paperwork will be reviewed during regularly scheduled meetings of the Adult Leaders. ************************************************************************************ To be filled out by office only: Date submitted: 7.14.2017 R0

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 2017-2018 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. Involvement beyond club level is highly encouraged. 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. F. Scholarship Funds: Full scholarships will be awarded to those members who have completed all criteria for all four years of high school. Prorated scholarships will be considered. Funds allotted will be determined by the scholarship committee pertaining to the level of 4-H participation. 7.14.17

THE GONZALES COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT (Continued) 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. B. Payments to be made following proof of enrollment in the military, college, trade or vocational school no later than September 28, 2017 for the fall semester and no later than January 30, 2018 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 30, 2018. 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 September 28, 2017. Keep pages above for your records. GRADUATING SENIORS: Applications are available at the Texas AgriLife Extension office. Deadline to return application is June 18, 2018. 7.14.17

D 10 4-H Conference The 2017 District 10 4-H Conference will be held Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Comfort High School in Comfort, TX. This conference gives youth and adults from around the district the opportunity to expand their 4-H knowledge by highlighting projects from different areas. It provides for district level leadership that they can take back to their county and teach to local 4-Hers. This conference will feature six (6) rotating sessions for youth and adults, that you can pick three (3) to attend. These sessions will offer various training on available contests and project experiences. Cost: $15.00 per registrant, youth and adults The schedule for the day will be: 12:00pm(Noon)-12:30pm Registration & Welcome 12:30pm 1:10pm Rotation I 1:15pm 1:55pm Rotation II 2:00pm 2:40pm Rotation III 1:20 pm - 1:50 pm District 10 Council - Games and Activities 2:00 pm 3:00 pm District 10 council Meeting Youth and adults will be attending the same sessions* *** Schedule subject to change*** Youth Rotating Sessions Healthy Lifestyles Skill-a-thon Hippology Contest Leadership & Statewide Opportunities Recreation Leadership Making Presentations Pop! State Ambassador Programs Session Description Come learn what all is involved to be a part of the Healthy Lifestyles Skill-a-thon. Emily Eindorff, Fayette County will talk about her team participation in national horse competitions. Preparation, resources and opportunities will be discussed. The District 10 Council Officers will lead a presentation on not only the opportunities at the district level, but also on State Council, Texas 4- H Congress, National 4-H Conference and more. Can playing games and having fun grow your county program? We will show you how incorporating recreation into your 4-H activities also encourages leadership and team building in your 4-H youth. With the educational presentation contest coming up in December, now is the time to write your speeches; and Dr. Charla Bading will be teaching you a few tips and tricks to make them stand out in the crowd. Join 4-H Ambassadors from around the district as they share with you what it takes to become an ambassador and promote the 4-H program in a new way! Ambassadors include livestock, water, shooting sport, horse, and healthy lifestyles Registration will open on 4-H Connect on September 4, 2017 and must be completed by September 15, 2017. All 4-H members, parents, volunteers, or other youth not of 4-H age must register to participate in the event.

SEPTEMBER Page 17 District 10 4-H Fall Round-Up December 7-9, 2017 Kerrville, TX Thursday December 7 th, 2017 Prep Day for Food Challenge & Food Show Friday-December 8 th, 2017 Food Challenge Food Show Entomology Saturday-December 9 th, 2017 Beef Quiz Bowl Horse Quiz Bowl Nutrition Quiz Bowl Educational Presentations Public Speaking Registration will be on 4-H Connect from October 24 th -Nov. 7 th. Late Registration will be November 8-9 th ONLY.

SEPTEMBER Page 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Lone Star Classic- Gonzales: 3 Lone Star Classic- Gonzales: Heifer, Steer 4 Labor Day Office Closed 5 COST 7 pm 6 Leesville 7 pm Smiley 7 pm Nixon 6:30 pm 7 Waelder 6 pm 8 9 Foods Project @ 10 am Sam Keach Jr. Memorial Prospect Show 10 Rising Star 6:30 pm Sundowners 4 pm Shooting Sports - 2-4 pm 11 Sundowners 4-H Horse Project 6 pm 12 13 14 15 Last day to order Swine Tags Last day to order Major Show Broilers 16 17 18 19 County Council & Adult Leaders Meeting 6:30 @ Extension Office 4-H 101 6-8 pm 20 21 22 23 Guadalupe Co. Livestock Judging Contest Boot, Scoot, & Shoot Sporting Clay Event in Corpus Christi 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Dist. 10 4-H Conference & Council Meeting