This Week in Gillespie 4-H: February 19th - February 25th

  

Monday - February 19th, 2024

• BB Gun Practice @ 6:00 PM (3rd grade & up)
• DEADLINE for D10 Virtual Photography Registration 
• San Antonio Stock Show

Tuesday - February 20th, 2024

• Fredericksburg Range Judging  @ 5:15 PM
• Cross Mountain 4-H Meeting @ 6:30 PM
• San Antonio Stock Show

Wednesday - February 21st, 2024

• Meats Judging Practice @ 5:00 PM
• BB Gun Practice @ 6:00 PM (1st & 2nd grade)
• Sheep & Goat Skill-a-Thon Practice @ 6:00 PM
• San Antonio Stock Show

Thursday - February 22nd, 2024

• San Antonio Stock Show

Friday - February 23rd, 2024

• San Antonio Stock Show

Saturday -February 24th, 2024

• San Antonio Stock Show

Sunday - February 25th, 2024

• San Antonio Livestock Show

• February 26th-March 17th- Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
• March 1st- D10 Spring Roundup Registration Opens
• March 2nd- BB Gun State Match
• March 7th- Clover Kids Experience
• March 8th-23rd- Austin Rodeo & Livestock Show
• March 18th- DEADLINE for D10 Spring Roundup
• March 25th- Adult Leaders Meeting
• March 26th- Holiday Baking Championship
• March 28th- Spring Robotics Begins (Must be pre-registered)
• March 29th- D10 Virtual Photography Results Released

Club Meetings

**** Meetings sometimes change after dates and locations  have been posted. Please 

always verify meetings with Club Managers****

New News

 San Antonio & Austin passes are available to be picked up at the Extension Office!

   

Houston Passes are in the Office! Make sure you come pick them up!

Archery Sign Ups Open!

Only spots for 30 participants available. Must be in 3rd grade or above. Parent or legal guardian is required to attend ALL practices with participant.

Sign Up Here

Applications for the 2024 Texas 4-H Congress Press Corps and Lobbyist roles will open on February 15, 2024, and are due on 4HOnline on March 14, 2024. 

As a reminder, all youth who are planning on attending are required to submit a bill. A guide to assist in writing and developing a bill as well as the link to the submission form can be found on the Texas 4-H website or at under Bill Submissions or at the link provided below. There are also three past Bill Books posted so that you can see some of the past Bills submitted.

Bill Submission Link

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Core Academy Application 2024 are open! Please send this out to your 9^th through 12^th grade 4-H members. Deadline is April 15th! You can now pay online, Click Link Below. 

REGISTER HERE

All High Schools in Gillespie County are welcome to attend this job and career fair! We hope to see everyone there!

 

2024 Livestock Ambassador Short Course 

2024 Short Course Offering: 

1. Texas 4-H Equine Ambassador Short Course, Texas Tech University – June 10-13, 2024
2. Texas 4-H Poultry Ambassador Short Course, Texas A&M University – June 24-27, 2024
3. Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course, Texas A&M University-Kingsville – June 17-20, 2024
4. Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course, Texas A&M University – July 15-18, 2024
5. Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course, West Texas A&M University/Texas Tech University – July 22-25, 2024 

Selection Criteria: 

1. Senior level (grades 9-12 in fall 2024) 4-H youth that have exhibited a superior level of ambition regarding his/her livestock/equine/poultry projects 
2. Students with a profound interest in animal/equine/poultry science, animal production and advocacy 
3. Students have shown advanced leadership qualities and a willingness to help others 
4. Top 25% class rank  

Application Process: 

1. Applications will be released on the Texas Youth Livestock and Agriculture website (www.texasyouthlivestock.com) on February 15, 2024

1. Student will complete the application and enter the contact information of supervising County Extension Agent 
2. CEA will be automatically emailed a recommendation survey 
3. A selection committee will review the applications and accept up to 25 participants per short course 
4. Applications are due April 15, 2024

2024 Phase II and Phase III Offering:

1. Texas 4-H Advocacy Academy, Austin – July 1-3, 2024

Texas 4-H Mountain West Agricultural Experience – July 27-August 6, 2024 - *dates tentative*

Details Here

Help Carter with his Service Project and support the Stonewall Spring Sale too! If you have questions contact Carter at (830) 342-4194, or email Rebekah Cathey at rebekahcathey7@gmail.com

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The Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors are hosting the first-ever Lone Star 4-H Splash Camp (water camp) at the Texas 4-H Center April 26-28. This event is open to 6^th-8^th grade students. Registration opens February 5 on the Texas 4-H Conference Center website. Youth will be involved in project-based learning and lots of fun water activities! Registration is $210 per student, which includes two nights' lodging, meals, a camp t-shirt, a camp water bottle, and all workshops and programming. 

Save the date to register beginning February 5th! 

The Texas Farm Bureau Student Success Series Engage Program is for current freshmen and sophomores in high school. Participants will learn more about TFB, engage with community leaders in agriculture and western industries, gain insight into the free enterprise system, and tour a local agricultural operation. This program will take place in each of the 13 TFB Districts. 

Click here for Information & Registration

Join the Texas 4-H Center staff for Camp Ambassador Training March 14-17th at the Texas 4-H Center. Youth should be ages 15-17 (or 18 if a graduating senior). At this event, teens will participate in teambuilding activities, learn their role as a camp ambassador, help create camp activities and themes, participate in an "empathy lunch, and more. Ambassadors receive 50 hours of volunteer service for each camp they serve at. Ambassadors from 2023 are encouraged to attend again. Registration fee is waived for youth who bring a friend to participate as well. Reach out to Alec Kiser for more information at alec.kiser@ag.tamu.edu. 

Register

Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador can assist county Extension agents in providing valuable health education to youth and adults within the community.  Working alongside their agent, they can become a valuable part of the local Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas 4-H Youth Development team!

Application deadline is April 1.  Once applications are received, completed applications will be forwarded to County Extension Agents for final approval into the program. 

All returning ambassadors must also reapply and will be eligible to continue in the program pending approval and completion of their required annual hours. Ambassadors must attend the annual training summit. There will be NO virtual or “last chance” summit offered in 2024.   

HTYA Timeline

1. January - March, 2024 – Market and recruit for the Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador Program
2. February 1 - April 1, 2024 – Online application available
3. April 1, 2024 – Deadline for completion of online applications
4. April 1-15, 2024 – County Extension Agents review applications & determine selection criteria
5. April 15, 2024 – Agents submit roster of selected ambassadors to Julie Gardner
6. May 1, 2024 – State Coordinator will notify youth of acceptance
7. May 15 – Deadline for registration for Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador Summit (Estimated cost $100)
8. June 4-5, 2023 – State-wide Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador Summit in College Station.

Click Here to Apply

Livestock Corner

Good Luck to everyone at all the upcoming stock shows!!!!

If you ever need help with your project please contact our office and set up an appointment with Brad or Emily. 

4-H Spotlight

This week's spotlight highlights all our stock show kiddos. From cute little bunnies to eating lunch in the lamb pens and going out and winning big in Skill-A-Thon competitions, stock shows are definitely an "Eat, Breathe, Sleep" lifestyle. From January through March these kids go non-stop and do an amazing job of representing Gillespie County in the process!!!

If you have someone you would like to nominate for 4-H  spotlight please email emily.grant@ag.tamu.edu

STAY CONNECTED WITH GILLESPIE COUNTY 4-H

There are ALOT of opportunities available for 4-H youth on a county, district, and state level and through external organizations. We do our best to keep you updated with these opportunities through the following methods! If you have any questions please let us know.

The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating