GREGG COUNTY 4-H FOCUS

APRIL 2014 UPCOMING EVENTS

April 1 Deadline to order Harvest Festival Roasters and Broilers Deadline to register for Speak Up Workshop Deadline to enter 2014 Texas 4-H Roundup Has Talent Competition Deadline to submit video on YouTube for 2014 Texas 4-H Trashion Show Deadline to enter District 4-H Judging Contests County Council Meeting, 6 p.m. Adult Leaders Association Meeting, 6:30 p.m. 3 Speak Up Workshop 5 District 4-H Horse Judging Contest at TAMU 8 County Roundup—Liberty City Community Center 11 Deadline to enter District 5 Roundup Spring Hill 4-H Chili Supper Fundraiser and Dessert Challenge 12 District 5 Shooting Sports—Rifle 15 Deadline to order STATE Steer, Swine, Lamb and Goat tags. 16 4-H Connect Registrations begin for Art Contest at Texas 4-H Roundup Registration opens on 4-H Connect for East Region Horse Show 26 District Judging Contests at TAMU Shooting Sports Extravaganza at Texas 4-H Center Harvest Festival Crawfish Boil District 5 4-H Showcase at SFA District 5 4-H Roundup at SFA District 5 4-H Entomology Contest at SFA 30 Shannon Harms 4-H Memorial Scholarship Applications due May 1 Deadline to register for District 5 Shotgun Sports Games in Lufkin 9 Deadline to submit Entomology collection to County 10 District 5 Shotgun Sports Games in Lufkin 16 Deadline to register for East Region Horse Show 17 Deadline to register for Art Contest at Texas 4-H Roundup 30 Deadline to register for Leadership Lab

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service Gregg County 405 E. Marshall, Ste .101 903-236-8428 gregg.agrilife.org

*****SHARE THE FUN NEW CATEGORY*****

Do you have a special talent like singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument or acting? Then the Share-The- Fun contest may be just for you! A NEW acting category has been added this year called DRAMEDY! Here is the category description: A dramedy (also known as a comedy-drama or comedic drama) is an act that combines elements of comedy and drama, having both humorous and sometimes serious content. Acts cannot incorporate 4-H related material or theme. (Otherwise, it would be categorized as Celebrate 4-H.) Skits can be currently available scripts, original material, or a combination of the two. Humor and creativity are encouraged, but the degradation of any individual or organization is not permitted. May incorporate music, vocal selections, and/or choreographed routines, but these aspects cannot be more than half of the performance.

The other six categories remain the same: Celebrate 4-H, Choreographed Routines, Poetry/Prose, Musical/ Instrumental, Solo/Band Performance, and Vocal. out the Roundup page on the Texas 4-H website at http:// texas4-h.tamu.edu/roundup to find the full listing of state rules. Check with your County Extension Agent for any county or district specific guidelines. Good luck! FASHION NEWS

Congratulations to all of the 4-H members who competed in the County 4-H ! 4-H’ers who placed first in the county contest will represent Gregg County 4-H by advancing to the District Contest on April 26, 2014. 4-H Connect deadline is April 1st.

Junior Division: Senior Division:

Buying: Semi-Formal to Formal Construction: Everyday Living Rymington Raven Elizabeth Boshers

Construction: Everyday Living Construction: Semi-formal to Formal Whitni Rayson Gwen Graves

Construction: Theatre/Costume Construction: Theatre/Costume Sasha Graves Samuel Olson

Intermediate Division: Buying: Business/Interview Attire Daniel Klerekoper Buying: Semi-Formal to Formal Jazzmon Young Braylon Crain Xavier Pippins Jakiron Jones

Team for Trashion: Buying: Fantastic Fashion Under $25 Kaci & Abigail Kramer Sarah Klerekoper Good luck at the District 5 4-H Fashion Showcase! Show them that Gregg County has STYLE!!!

Competing in the Clover Kid Division were:

Kalecia Sheffield Kamioya O’Quinn Gabbie Graves Jaxon Drake ShaNiyah Garland Danielle Raven Tysen McClain

Congratulations again to all of the Gregg County 4-H’ers who participated in the Gregg County 4-H Fashion Show!! DISTRICT CONTEST FEES—Guidelines set by the 4-H Adult Leaders Association

Due to budgetary constraints, the ALA will no longer by paying for district contest fees. If there is a need, the club managers can submit a scholarship request to the ALA for district contest fees for any 4-H member who requires assistance. These forms must be submitted 30 days before the district contest so there is time for the ALA to make a decision before payment is due.

Thank you,

Tammy Boshers, President Gregg County 4-H ALA

4-H Taxidermy and Habitat Competition

The 4-H Taxidermy and Habitat Competition will be held in conjunction with District 4-H Roundup. There will be four age divisions: Novice (first year in project regardless of age), Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.

A habitat entry must consist of three components (grass, rock, wood, and/or dirt). Two award options are available to all exhibitors: Taxidermy only and Taxidermy and Habitat.

Registration will be done on 4-H Connect. For more information, contact the Gregg County Extension Office.

2014 Texas 4-H Trashion Show

The Trashion Show provides an opportunity for 4-H members to use their design skills to create and exhibit a recycled/reused garment created from items that would otherwise be thrown in the trash. It also recognizes 4-H members who do outstanding work in a clothing project.

The contest is open to any Intermediate or Senior-level 4-H member who has a desire to turn trash into fashion, to create fun wearable garments from discarded material, and to recycle and repurpose “junk” into fabulous and fantastic fashion. Entrants are encouraged to let their imaginations go, be wildly inventive, and to “think outside of the recycle bin.”

4-H teams will submit a video application. All videos must be submitted by uploading to YouTube by the April 1, 2014 deadline. A team of judges will evaluate the entries, and the top 10 entries will be asked to compete in the Trashion Show Invitational event. The teams chosen will go through an interview process and model their garment in the Fashion Show at Texas 4-H Roundup.

TIME TO BREAK OUT YOUR CHEF HAT!

The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge is back.

First Lady Michelle Obama is again teaming up with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Epicurious to host a nationwide recipe challenge to promote cooking and healthy eating among America’s youth. We’re inviting parents or guardians and their children, ages 8-12, to submit an original lunch recipe that is healthy, affordable, and tasty, with the opportunity to be invited to attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House where a selection ofthe winning healthy recipes will be served. Go to: http://www.recipechallenge.epicurious.com/ for more information about the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and to submit your recipe. ENTRY DEADLINE: APRIL 5TH.

19th Annual Harvest Festival Crawfish Boil

When: Saturday, April 26, 2014 First Seating: 3 - 6 P.M. Second Seating: 7 -10 P.M. Where: Maude Cobb Activity Center

* The 2nd Seating (7-10 p.m.) is sold out!

The deadline to sign up to work is April 7, 2014. Youth workers must be at least 14 years old. Youth workers will receive complimentary tickets for the 1st seating (3-6 p.m.) You can get your ticket at the registration desk when you arrive to help. Please identify yourself as a Harvest Festival Junior Board member or 4-H member.

County 4-H Roundup

PUBLIC SPEAKING, METHOD DEMONSTRATION AND SHARE-THE FUN TIME IS HERE!!!

County 4-H Roundup is set for Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the Liberty City Community Center. To get to the Liberty City Community Center you can take I-20 West and then take the Overton/Liberty City exit, FM 3053. You will then take a right onto FM 3053 at the stop sign past the Whataburger. You will come to a 4-way stop (there is a bank on the corner) and continue going straight through the 4-way stop. The Community Center is located on the right diagonally across from the Sabine School tennis courts and immediately before you get to the Sabine Elementary School. The Community Center is located less than a mile from the interstate. If you have any specific questions about how to get there, please call the Extension office. The deadline to sign up is April 4, 2014.

District 4-H Roundup is set for Saturday, April 26 2013, at SFA in Nacogdoches.

Public speaking is a stand alone category. The time frame is 5-7 minutes. The presentation should persuade others regarding a particular issue. No props or visual aids are allowed.

Educational presentations - (For individuals or groups of up to 5 members. The presentation time limit is 12 minutes).

Share-The-Fun — For individuals or groups of 2—9 members. There is a 6 minute performance time limit. the schedule for county roundup is

as follows: Check in…………………………………… 5:30 p.m. Contestant’s Orientation …………….. 6:00 p.m. Contest Begins ………………………….. 6:15 p.m.

Mark your calendars!

The Spring Hill 4-H Chili Supper Fundraiser and Dessert Challenge will be on Friday, April 11. A $5 ticket will buy a bowl of chili, a beverage, and a sample of all the desserts that our teams create. Enjoy the dessert presentation, vote for your favorite dessert, and come have a good time supporting our 4-H Club. Invite your friends! Tickets will be on sale from February 17th to April 3rd for $5 each. See any of our 4-H members to purchase your tickets. Club News

Shamrocks 4-H Community Club—The Shamrocks met on Monday, March 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. We had a special guest, Donna Sharp, from Longview Community Ministries. Mrs. Donna shared a little bit about herself and Longview Community Ministries. We took a short break and enjoyed a snack. President Daniel Klerekoper led our business meeting where we discussed new and old business. Club member, Kaci Kramer, talked about upcoming events. Due to sickness and travelling, some club members could not attend.

Spring Hill 4-H Community Club—Our monthly meeting was held on March 17th at 4:00 at the Extension Office. We practiced our talents for roundup instead of having a guest speaker. Some of us also sang “ Far over the Misty Mountains” from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. The interesting presentations ranged from telling us how to take care of a turtle to a poem about being “Kidnapped”. Another member shared her musical talent by playing the flute, and another member sang. We also discussed if Clover Kids should be able to have more interesting jobs and discussed the future pet show-n-tell. Our next meeting will be held at 4:00 on April 21st at the Extension Office and we will have a pet show-n-tell. Therefore, begin thinking about what pet information you want to share with us! If you are hesitant to bring your pet in a cage/box, then you can bring pictures and pet-care information and even be prepared to tell us some funny stories about your pet! We want to celebrate our pets, even if they can’t be present at the meeting.

***Send us your club news so we can put it in the newsletter.*** MAY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: May 23rd by 5 PM

THE SPRING 2014 PAPER CLOVER FUNDRAISER

Coming April 23 - May 4, 2014 at the Longview Tractor Supply Store. The Extension Office will notify all when additional information is available.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE

ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS:

Shannon Harms 4-H Memorial Scholarship of $600.00 Application deadline is April 30, 2014 ...……APRIL IS THE MONTH FOR ……...

State Fair Lamb & Goat Ear Tag Order Deadline

Deadline to order tags is April 15th. Cost is $10.00 per tag and due in Extension Office no later than April 15th. Late tags can be pur- chased if needed at a cost of $20.00 per tag. All official validation and tagging will occur the month of June (1-30) in the presence of the County Lamb and Goat Validation Committee(s).

2014 MAJOR SWINE VALIDATION

Deadline to order tags is April 15th. Cost is $8.00 per tag and due to Extension Office no later than April 15th Contact Extension Office with any questions.

STEER PROJECTS

Attention: All 4-H’ers interested in showing a steer for the 2015 Major Livestock Shows or for the 2014 Harvest Festival & Livestock Show.

Deadline to order tags is April 15th. Cost is $10.00 per tag and due in Extension Office no later than April 15th. Late tags can be purchased between April 23th and June 23rd at a fee of $20.00 per tag.

2014 HORSE VALIDATION

March 1, 2014 to April 15, 2014 at $10.00 per horse April 16, 2014 to May 1, 2014 at $20.00 per horse Validation and payment is required of ALL horses regardless if they were entered this year or last! Enter via 4-H Connect. TEXAS 4-H OUTDOOR CHALLENGE

Derrick Bruton, [email protected] Ready for a challenge, an outdoor challenge? Join in the fun during the 2014 Texas 4 -H Outdoor Challenge competition. This year’s competition will be held June 27-29 at the Collin County Adventure Camp in Anna, Texas. Registration is open on 4-H CONNECT from May 1st to May 31st. Cost is $30.00 per person for contest and $100.00 per person for meals, lodging, and facility expenses. For more information go to: texas4-h.tamu.edu/outdoor

Texas Brigades Natural Resource and Leadership Development Camp

Please help us recruit cadets (teens 13-17 years old) and CEAs as Covey (or Herd or Flock or Ranch, given the particular camp). A 5-day tour of duty with a Brigades camp will leave one physically exhausted but mentally rejuvenated about our youth's role in conservation. Visit quailresearch.org to view a most recent testimonial of an urban Dallas girl who has now "seen the light" regarding conservation, see the Feb. issue of the e-Quail Newsletter under the heading of "intern diaries."

"I have been most fortunate to be an active participant and speaker at some of the Texas Brigades. To put my experience simp- ly, the Brigades are difference makers for young people. Brigades are week long investment for a life-changing outcome for youth participants." - Dr. Chris Boleman Gregg County 4-H FCS Projects Find the information you need in the following packets on the websites listed. 4-H Family & Consumer projects have many opportunities for youth to participate in person and online entry submissions! There are always new and exciting ways to be involved in FCS projects. Please check with the Gregg County Extension office for an official copy of the new rules and guidelines if you are unable to print your own or check the website (gregg.agrilife.org) as we try to keep it updated.

2014 Clothing and Textiles Packet: http://fcs.tamu.edu/clothing/4h/packet/index.php

2013-2014 Consumer Decision Making Categories & Guidelines: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_consumer/cdm

2014 Food Show & Nutrition Quiz Bowl Guidelines Packet: http://fcs.tamu.edu/food_and_nutrition/index.php

2014 Healthy Lifestyles (including Food Challenge) Resources: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/healthy_lifestyles

If there are other FCS related projects you are interested in, please let us know so we can make sure you get the information and are kept updated!

4-H Recipe Rally

In the 4-H Recipe Rally, intermediate and senior 4-H members are challenged with selecting, creating, and/ or altering a recipe and submitting a video.

For 2014, youth may enter as an individual or a team. The theme for the 2014 contest is “Breakfast”.

More information is available at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/healthy_lifestyles

QUOTE FOR THE MONTH “You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go! 2014 TEXAS 4-H ROUNDUP COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

Changes for 2014: - The Computer Educational Presentation is being discontinued - A new rule has been implemented as of September 1, 2013 that affects all individuals & teams who have previously won STATE in a contest - Those competing in the Companion Animal Educational Presentation may not submit entries related to market livestock - Horse Judging will now have 3 or 4 sets of oral reasons required - 1 or 2 halter and 2 or 3 performance - Stock Horse Pleasure has now been added as an option for a performance class during the horse judging contest - An Invitational Entomology Collection Contest has been created for all non-qualifying intermediate and senior 4-H’ers - Participation points have been removed from both the Healthy Lifestyles Sweepstakes and the Livestock Sweepstakes - An Overall Texas 4-H Roundup Sweepstakes has been created for the 2014 Texas 4-H Roundup. The WINNING county will receive a $500 cash award - Fashion Show categories have changed - Construction - Everyday Living, Refashion, Semi-Formal to Formal and Theatre/Costume - Buying - Business/Interview Attire, Fantastic under $25, Semi-Formal to Formal and Special Interest

INVITATIONAL ENTOMOLOGY COLLECTION CONTEST STATE 4-H ROUNDUP

The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program and the Entomology Department at Texas A&M is pleased to announce a new invitational contest that will be held at the 2014 Texas 4-H Roundup. The Invitational Entomology Collection Contest is open to all intermediate and senior 4-H members. The collection contest allows youth to learn more about insects and arthropods through collection, preservation and identification. Youth learn how to properly identify insects and arthropods to common name, arrange them in neat and organized, professional insect collection, and learn proper preservation tools to ensure that their collections can last for years. All collections must be complete and submitted to the individual's respected county or district office no later than May 9, 2014. For more information on the event please visit the links below.

Resources 4-H Entomology Resource Center Website (http://insects.tamu.edu/youth/4H/index.html) Texas 4-H Roundup Website (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/files/2013/09/roundup_entomology.pdf)

2014 TEXAS 4-H CALF ROPING AND BREAK AWAY SCHOOL Scott Anderson, [email protected] The 2014 Texas 4-H Roping School has been announced for June 15th to the 19th at the Tarleton State University Equine Arena. The cost of the school will be $380.00 for the week. Registration fee includes event insurance, meals, lodging, stall rental for one horse, and cost for practice calves. For more information and to request a complete registration packet, email Scott Anderson, Brown County Extension Agent at [email protected]

Congress at a Glance

Date: July 13 - 16, 2014 Location: Austin, Texas Cost: $330 registration at Legislative events: Males - Coat & Tie Females - Professional Style Dress Members must be 15 at the time of the event or older Delegates to include: House and Senate members Lobbyists Press Corps members. There will be a tour of Texas State Capitol and a Theme party (The Roaring 20’s).

TEXAS 4-H CONGRESS CALENDAR: April 1 - Lobbyist and Press Corps application opens on-line via Texas 4-H Website April 30 - Lobbyist and Press Corps application closes May 1 - Bill submission opens May 20 - Press Corps and Lobbyist notification Online Registration opens via 4-H CONNECT June 16 - Bill submission closes Online Registration closes

REGISTRATION VIA 4-H CONNECT OPENS ON APRIL 16TH AND CLOSES MIDNIGHT ON MAY 16TH. East Region 4-H Horse Show District 4 and District 5 4-H members participating Henderson County Fair Park Complex – Athens, Texas – June 16-18, 2014

SCHEDULE Monday, June 16, 2014  3:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Office opened for early arrival and early check-in Coliseum J.D. Lewis Arena 6:00 p.m. Clinic 1 – Cow Boxing and Ranch Sorting 6:00 p.m. Clinic 2 – Stock Horse Horsemanship

Arenas will close 1 hour prior to the show time

Tuesday, June 17, 2014  6:30 a.m. – Office opens  7:00 a.m. – Registration opens Coliseum – 8:00 a.m. J.D. Lewis Arena – 8:00 a.m. Class 22 Tie Down Calf Roping Class 13 Hunter Showmanship Class 23 Breakaway Roping Class 14 Hunter Under Saddle Class 24 Team Roping Class 15 Hunt Seat Equitation Class 25 Working Cow Horse Class 33 Hunter Hack Class 26 Cow Boxing Class 16 Hunt Seat Versatility Class 32 Team Penning Class 30 Stock Horse Trail Class 40 Ranch Sorting Class 21 3-year-old Futurity Trail 30 minute Futurity Warm-Up Class 5 Western Trail Class 21 3-year-old Futurity Pleasure Pattern Class 29 Stock Horse Pleasure Class 31 Stock Horse Horsemanship 15 minute Futurity Warm-Up Class 21 3-year-old Futurity Reining Class 28 Reining

Wednesday, June 18, 2014  6:30 a.m. – Office opens  7:00 a.m. – Registration opens Coliseum – 8:00 a.m. J. D. Lewis Arena – 8:00 a.m. Class 1 Showmanship at Halter Futurity Warm-Up Class 6 Mares 5 and Over 8-9 a.m. yearlings only Class 7 Mares 4 and Under 9-10 a.m. 2 year olds Champion and Reserve Champion Mare Class 8 Geldings 5 and Over Class 20 2-year-old Futurity Pleasure Pattern Class 9 Geldings 4 and Under Class 20 2-year-old Futurity Versatility Champion and Reserve Champion Geldings Class 20 2-year-old Futurity Western Pleasure Class 18 Yearling Halter Filly – Futurity 30 minute break Class 17 Yearling Halter Gelding – Futurity Class 19 Longe Line - Futurity Class 10 Pole Bending Class 11 Barrel Racing Class 12 Stakes Race Class 2 Western Pleasure Class 3 Western Horsemanship Class 4 Western Riding

2014 East Region Leadership Lab! When: JUNE 24-26,2014 Registration Deadline: May 30, 2014 Katelyn Smith Charlotte Hold County Extension Agent— County Program Assistant— 4-H & Youth Development 4-H & Youth Development Gregg County Gregg County

Dee Lee Smith Hugh Soape County Extension Agent— County Extension Agent— Family & Consumer Sciences Agriculture/Natural Resources Gregg County Gregg County

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 April 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Order deadline 2 3 4 5 for H.F Roasters and Broilers Speak Up 1 Entry deadline Workshop for 2014 Texas 5:30 pm Horse Judging 4-H Roundup Contest—TAMU Has Talent Competition Deadline to upload video for Trashion Deadline to enter District 4-H 2 3 Judging4 Contests 5 6 7 8 4-H Fashion Deadline to 4-H Fashion Workshop (Buying/register for Speak Workshop Up Workshop Construction) (Trashion) 6 7 5:30 8 9 10 5:30 11 12 County Roundup Shiloh Club 4-H Livestock Spring Hill 4-H Registration DeadlineLiberty City Meeting 6:00 pm Club Meeting Chili Supper District 5 Shooting for District 5 Horse5:30 pm 7:00 pm Fundraiser Sports—Rifle 6:00 pm Judging Happy Hearts 4-H Club meeting Deadline for 9 10 6:00 p.m.11 12 13 4-H FashionD- 5 Roundup14 15 Shamrocks Club Food Preservation Workshop 13 14 Mtg 2:00 15 Workshop 16 17 (Storyboard) 18 19 Shamrocks 4-H 9—3 4-H Connect 5:30 Club meeting, Deadline for Registrations Archery4-H Club Livestock HOLIDAY 2:00 p.m. ordering State begin for Art PracticeClub 6:00 pm Steer,Deadline Swine,— DistrictContest at Texas 7:00 Shotgun Club Lamb, and Goat 4-H Roundup Practice 5:30pm tags. 5 4-H Fashion Showcase Registration opens on 4-H Connect for East Region Horse

2016 21 17 22 18 23 19 24 20 25 21 26 22HARVEST Spring Hill Club Mtg 4-H Fashion Show FESTIVAL EASTER Spring3:30 Hill 4-H 5:30 Spring Paper CRAWFISH Club meeting, Clover BOIL 4.00 p.m. Fundraiser at Tractor Supply D-5 ROUNDUP St. Patrick’s begins FASHION SHOW Day PHOTOGRAPHY at SFA

Dist. 5 Judging 23 24 25 26 27 28 Contests —TAMU

Shooting Sports Extravaganza- TX 4-H Center – Brownwood, TX

27 28 29 30 Shannon Harms Shotgun Club 4-H Memorial Practice 5:30 pm Scholarship Application deadline May 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3

Archery Club Practice 6:00 pm

Deadline to register for D5 Shotgun Sports Games in Lufkin

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Spring Paper Happy Hearts Shiloh Club 4-H Livestock Deadline to D5 Shotgun Sports Clover Club Meeting Meeting 6:00 pm Club 7:00 pm submit Games at Pines Fundraiser at 6:00 pm Entomology Gun Club in Lufkin Tractor Supply collection to ends County

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Shamrocks Club Deadline to Deadline to register Mtg 2:00 pm register for for Art Contest at East Region Texas 4-H Horse Show Roundup

18 19 21 22 23 24

Spring Hill Club Deadline to Meeting 4:00 pm submit club news for the 4- H newsletter

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Deadline to HOLIDAY register for Leadership Lab at Stonefort Camp in Tyler

Deadline to register for D5 Officer Training and planning at Stonefort Camp in Tyler