Rockwall County 4-H Gazette - November/December Edition

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating Rockwall County 4-H Gazette Todd K. Williams CEA-Agriculture/Natural Resources Adult & Youth Have you registered on 4-H Connect yet?  Reminder! Registration fee for becoming a member of 4-H increases from $20 to $25 per person on November 1! Hopefully by now you have attended at least one club meeting, filled out a green form and registered on 4-H Connect.  These are the steps you take to become a member of Rockwall County 4-H for the 2011-2012 4-H year.  If you are having trouble with any of the above, please call the Extension Office at 972-204-7660 for help!  REMINDER! Rules for event registration:  A late entry extension will ensue for a two-day time period starting at 12:01 AM immediately following the standard district deadline.  This extension will only apply to district-level contests.  Example:  if the normal deadline is on Friday at midnight, late entry would open at 12:01 AM on Saturday morning and close at midnight on Sunday.  For entries placed during this late time period, there will be an added late fee of $20 (in addition to the standard contest fee).   No registration extensions will be granted beyond the late registration time period. Rockwall County 4-H Clubs & Information Busy Bee’s 4-H Club    3rd Monday of every month 6:30 p.m. Toyota of Rockwall Lucky Shamrocks 4-H Club 3rd Tuesday of every month 7:00 pm Britt Training center  Gold Buckle 4-H Club 2nd Thursday of every month 6:30 pm  Barn  -  9061 CR 2584, Royce City, Texas (look for updates regarding meeting location changes!)  Rockin’ Riders 4-H Horse Club    4th Monday of every month 7:00 p.m.  TBA  Rockwall Clovers 4-H Club 2nd Monday of every month 7:00 p.m.  Chisholm Baptist Church  District 4 4-H Fall Focus - November 3, 2012 Fall focus is a series of project and management workshops targeted to both 4-H members and adult leaders. Join in on this educational event and meet your fellow 4-H members and leaders from across the District! Registration and Payment must be made through 4-H Connect no later than October 26. (Note: registration is supposed to be extended on this, I will let you know more information as I receive it!) Schedule of Events:  8:30  - Registration - Foyer of Liberty Hall,              Rockwall County Courthouse, 1111 East Yellowjacket Lane 9:00  -  Morning Tracks 11:30 - Lunch 12:30 - Registration for Reception - see 1:00 below!   1:00  - Gold Star and Distinguished Leader Recognition Reception 3:00  -  District Council Meeting 3:30  -  Afternoon 1st track 4:15  -  Recreation 4:30  -  Afternoon 2nd track 5:15  -  Dance 7:00  -  Depart Option 1 - Full Day: includes lunch, all educational workshops, cost recovery, snacks and awards ceremony - $30 Option 2 - Morning through Awards: includes morning workshop, lunch, cost recovery and awards ceremony - $25 Option 3 - Lunch through Dance: includes lunch, awards, cost recovery, and afternoon workshops-  $25  Individuals who want to come only for the Awards Ceremony & Reception (1-3) may do so at no cost  with no registration required.  Major Stock Show Entries Due November 8 If you plan on exhibiting an animal, competing in Livestock Judging Contests or Consumer Decision Making Contests at Winter Major Stock Shows, entries are due in the office no later than 7:00 pm Nov. 8 here in the Extension Office.  The office will remain open until 7pm on November 8 to assist you with your entries.  See the show websites for rules, entry cost, forms  & requirements, and contest dates.  Fort Worth – www.fwssr.com San Antonio - www.sarodeo.com Houston - www.hlsr.com San Angelo - www.sanangelorodeo.com Austin – www.rodeoaustin.com Several 4-H members represented Rockwall County 4-H at the East Texas State Fair,  Heart of Texas Fair and State Fair of Texas.        Look for pictures to be added to the blog soon!  Rockwall County 4-H Council & PAL Rockwall County 4-H Council will meet November 13 at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office.  If you are the President or Council Delegate for your club, it is important you are present.    Final plans will be made for the upcoming Christmas party. Coinciding with County Council, a Parent & Leader (PAL) meeting will be held.  All adults are encouraged to attend!          Prior to the 4-H Council & PAL, a clean up will be held beginning at 6:30 of the area of the Extension Office where the Christmas Party will be located.   Everyone is welcome!     Junior Leadership Retreat WHO: 4-H members ages 9-14 (and Adult Chaperones) WHAT: State level leadership development program WHERE: Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood WHEN: Friday November 9 arrive 7:30—8:30 p.m. through Sunday November 11 depart by 11:00 a.m. COST: $105 for youth, $70 for Adult Chaperones (includes two nights lodging, four meals, two evening snacks and program fees) Junior Leadership Retreat features Texas 4-H Council members conducting hands-on educational workshops with younger 4-H members. To Register… Go to the 4-H Center website texas4hcenter.tamu.edu.  Click on Register Now link.  Registration open September 13 through November 5. Remember, each county is responsible for providing Adult Chaperones. 4-H Consumer Decision Making Consumer Decision meetings  have kicked off and are being held every Monday from 6:30-7:30. Thank you to the Fuqua family for opening your home! If you need the address, call the Extension Office.     Please bring your notebook and a sharpened pencil as well as a calculator every week because we will be practicing like it's competition.. Dr. Edward Romero will be working on reasons with the intermediates and seniors so please be prepared to work on reasons as well.   The contest will be held December 8, 2012 at Texas A&M Commerce.  Entries are due on 4-H Connect by November 16 and cost is $10 per contestant.   Study Guides are available at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/consumer/consumer_decision_making.php.  If you are interested in participating contact project leader Margeret Romero at 979-229-6324. On December 8, Quiz Bowl contests will be held at Texas A&M Commerce.  This includes Beef, Horse and Food & Nutrition Quiz Bowls.  Cost is $10 per person and registration is due on 4-H Connect by November 16, 2012. Visit: http://d44-h.tamu.edu/district-events/quiz-bowls/ for contest details.  4-H Christmas Parade  The Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade is December 1, 2012.  This year’s theme is “Through the eyes of a child.”  Many of the clubs will be collaborating to have a county Christmas float.  More information will be released after the Council & PAL meeting on November 13.    4-H Christmas Party The county-wide 4-H Christmas party is scheduled for December 7 at the Extension office..   Details are being finalized at the November 13 County Council and PAL meeting and will be sent out soon.   Photography Project Kick Off  We are having a Photography Project Kickoff on Friday, December 28th, 1-4 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse, Downtown Rockwall here in the Extension Office.  You will want to bring: ·         digital camera or cell phone w/camera. ·         USB cord for downloading pictures onto computer ·         bottled water for your use During this time we will be both inside and outside so dress appropriately. There should also be one adult with each family represented to help the        4-Hers as they go about with assigned tasks. It promises to be a very fun afternoon. See you there. Photography Contests Check your memory card and don’t miss out on those opportunities to capture that “Kodak Moment.”  The autumn leaves changing on trees, the first frost and Thanksgiving celebrations.  Don’t forget Santa Claus, tree trimming, house decorations and lights at night. There are some fun times coming up that you won’t want to be caught without your camera!  The first contest for the Photography project is the District IV competition. Entry deadline will be March 1 on 4-H Connect in the office.  Cost is $10 for the 1st photo plus  50 cents for each additional photo.  The judging will be held on March 19.  It is important to know the rules before you enter your special photos.  To avoid disqualification, all photos must meet matting and size guidelines.  They also must be labeled with the correct form.  District rules are not online yet but you can view last year’s contest rules at: http://d44-h.tamu.edu/district-events/ Rules for the 2013 State 4-H Photography contest, a senior division only event are already available on-line at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/photography_contest Log-on and get a head start!     District Food Contests The District Food Show and Food Challenge will be held February 9 at Texas A&M Commerce.  Project meetings and locations should be announced soon! If you are interested in the Food Show portion of the contest, rules are attached.  For those that competed last year, please note the rules have changed considerably so please read them carefully! We will forward Food Challenge information as we receive it! Entries will be due in January.  Rockwall Youth Fair Rockwall Youth Fair is scheduled for April 3-6, 2013.   Note: Livestock and clothing entries are due February 20, 2013.     If you plan to exhibit a market hog at the 2013 Rockwall Youth Fair, validation will be held December 10 at the RISD Ag. Center  from 5:00- 6:00pm.  You will need to be present with your animal on the scheduled time and date. For those who plan to exhibit a pen of market rabbits at the 2013 Rockwall Youth Fair, you must have possession of your rabbits at least 30 days prior to show date.  Validation will be March 16, 2013 at 6pm.   For those who plan to exhibit a breeding animal, you must have ownership on or before January 1. Visit:  http://www.orgsites.com/tx/rockwallyouthfair/ to see a complete set of rules!  District IV Lock In The District IV 4-H Lock-In will be held  January 11-12, 2013 in Carrollton. This fun event is for all Agents, Adult leaders, all 4-H members age 11 (as of September 1) and up.  Register on 4-H Connect by December 28, 2012.  Stay tuned for cost and details!  Are you subscribing to our blog yet? http://rockwallco4h.blogspot.com/   Subscribing to the blog is the best way to get 4-H information as it happens!  If you are not returning to 4-H and no longer wish receive 4-H correspondence, please reply.

Documenting Your Time You Invest in 4-H Projects

Dear families with Livestock Projects, each year families spend numerous hours working with 4-H livestock projects, but much of what is seen is only the exhibition time in the show ring.  On lookers, potential 4-Hers, and the general public have no clue how much work it takes.  So I need your help.  I need each 4-Her to keep a log of the hours spent on their livestock projects.  An easy way to do this is to put a clip board up at your stall.  It doesn't matter if you are located at the Ag barn, or at your own barn, recording your hours of work will help you know just how much time you spend with your project.

After the Rockwall Youth Fair, I will ask each of you to turn in those hours.  I will compile that information and be able to use that to help others understand just how much time and dedication it takes to have a successful project.  It will also help me gage  your progress as I or a 4-H Livestock Mentor stop by from time to time. 

Hours recorded should be the 4-Her's time and not a brother or sister, mom or dad.  I realize this is important as a family but I just need the 4-Her responsible for the project to keep their hours.  This includes time cleaning pens, feeding, grooming, clipping, vet visits, learning subject matter, showmanship practices, etc.

This will also help you with records that are required by the Rockwall Youth Fair.

Time is precious.  I know you spend a lot of time with your projects.  Help me tell your story and the hours your spend with your project.  Document your time.

Lucky Shamrocks 1st Archery Practice

  We met at Blue Ridge Riding Club for our first archery practice. 

Fun was had by all .

We are excited about our next practice

which will be held on November 10th @ 10 am at 

  TXAA State Archery Training Center, 600 Accent Drive, Suite B, Plano.

We would also like to Thank Collin County for 

hosting our practice.

Instructions for the Caterpillar for Fall Festival

Okay here is the instructional video for the caterpillar.  It is very simple.   Thanks again for helping out with the Family Fall Festival.  If you still need to sign up as a helper, contact the office. We need parents to be on hand with their 4-Hers to help the process run smoothly. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crc834M2JWM&feature=youtu.be

Instructions for Family Fall Festival Crafts

Following are two videos for instructions on constructing the butterfly craft at the Fall Family Festival.  After the family has gone through the Master Gardener booth of the Stages of Plant Growth,  the family will come to the 4-H trailer.  This is the point where the kids in the family will have the opportunity, with your help to create a butterfly or a caterpillar.  There will be a bowl with a lot of ping pong balls in it.  Each child will choose a ping pong ball.  On the ping pong ball will be either the word - caterpillar or butterfly.  The will determine which critter the child will make.  Only one critter per child.  Mom and or Dad, or adult guardian will have to be present and help.  This is not a rush through activity.  There is plenty of time.  Talk with the participants.  You can even share with them about 4-H.  Don't rush through, the families will wait in line.  Many wait for 20 minutes to have their face painted. 

Please review the videos so you will know what to do when manning the booth.  Thanks in advance.  It should be a great time of fun.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQqXC4va9cY&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R94oyx2m5w&feature=plcp

State Fair of Texas

4-Hers from Rockwall County have been busy with State Fair activities even before the first official day of the Fair.  Several 4-Hers participated in the Horse events.  These include Trevor Rowe, Shelby Rowe, Kelli Steadham, and Ryan Tilley.  Congratulations to each!  This week is the market show competitions and the start of the junior heifer show.  Kirsten will be competing with Huck her progress steer. Cody and Cade Miller will be competing with their market hogs.  Ashlyn Stembridge will be showcasing her skills with her market goat.


Sam Kazlow will be showing his market broilers.  Sam was interviewed by Good Morning Texas and will appear in their October 5th Show.  Be sure to watch it.  At the end of the week Ethan Spearman will be showing three of his breeding Shorthorn heifers.  This is exciting stuff.  Stay tuned for updates. 

Next week brings a whole new set of competitions with the breeding Hereford, Polled Hereford and Angus shows.  We will have several families competing.  These include, Olivia and Joshua Born, McKenzie Loughtry, and Tanner Howey.

News from the East Texas State Fair

Kirsten works her steer's hair with the dryer

Carson wins Junior Showmanship

 The East Texas State Fair has just concluded in Tyler.  Rockwall County 4-H had several participants.  Here is a quick run down of highlights from the show.  Kirsten Miller, placed first with her Maine Cross Steer, Huckleberry, during the first week of show.  This past Saturday we had four families with lambs and goats compete.  4-Hers included, Ashlyn Stembridge, Carson Glasscock, Anna Schieberle, and Hailey Crumpley.  Anna Shieberle took Reserve Champion Market Goat honors,  Carson Classcock won Junior Showmanship, and Ashlyn Stembridge won Intermediate Showmanship.  Congratulations to everyone for a great day.  The rain was very much appreciated too.  However it did make things slippery.  Many of these young people and their families will be participating in the State Fair of Texas this week as well.  Best wishes to everyone!  More pictures should be up later.

Anna takes Reserve Champion honors

Hailey Check on her goats.