This Week in Gillespie 4-H: September 2 - September 8th

 

Monday - September 2nd, 2024

• DEADLINE for HCYCHSS Pictures & Write Ups
• Gillespie 4-H Officer Training (Virtual) @ 6:00pm
• Doss 4-H Meeting @ 6:30pm
• Office Closed for Labor Day

Tuesday - September 3rd, 2024

• Stonewall 4-H Meeting @ 6:30pm
• Willow Creek 4-H Meeting @ 6:30pm
• Cave Creek 4-H Meeting @ 7:00pm

Wednesday - September 4th, 2024

• Food & Nutrition Workshop @ 4:00pm

Thursday - September 5th, 2024

• No Events Scheduled

Friday - September 6th, 2024

• No Events Scheduled

Saturday -September 7th, 2024

• No Events Scheduled

Sunday - September 8th, 2024

• No Events Scheduled

• September 10th- Dog Project Starts
• September 12th- Robotics Starts for Grades 3rd-5th (must be registered)
• September 16th- Clover Kid Experience Program
• September 17th- Grow It, Cook It Kids Program
• September 20th- DEADLINE Broiler Order for Major Stock Shows
• September 23rd- Kids Day Camp (Limited to 30 youth!)
• September 23rd- County Council Meeting/ Adult Leaders Meeting
• September 25th- Junior Master Gardeners Program Starts
• September 27th- DEADLINE Commercial Heifer Show Record Books
• September 30th- GCYLS Scholarship Applications Open
• October 4th- DEADLINE County Livestock Show Broiler Orders
• October 15th- Sheep & Goat Validation @ FHS Ag Barn
  *See details in email
• October 22nd- Sheep & Goat Validation in Harper
• October 28th- Sheep & Goat Validation Fredericksburg
• October 28th- DEADLINE for GCYLS Scholarship Applications
• October 28th- County Food Show/ Food Challenge Contest

Club Meetings

**** Meetings sometimes change after dates and locations  have been posted. Please always verify with Club Managers!

New News

Quality Counts is an online program designed to teach youth to have high standards in caring for their livestock.  The program focuses on displaying good character while working with livestock. This number is required for ALL stock show entries (county AND major stock shows). Quality Counts must be completed at each grade level division (junior – grades 3-5, intermediate – grades 6-8, senior – grades 9-12). It does not have to be renewed every year.

EACH CHILD WILL NEED TO REGISTER USING A DIFFERENT EMAIL ADDRESS

If you are having login or technical issues, please contact: learnonline@ag.tamu.edu. 

Step by step instructions on how to complete Quality Counts: https://texasyouthlivestock.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/QC-Enrollment-Instructions-UPDATED-2.pdf

Access Quality Counts Here

Time to Order Broilers for the County Show & Major Shows!

County and Major Livestock Show Broiler orders are now open for the 2025 Gillespie County, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin Livestock Shows!

Gillespie County Show Order Deadline: October 4^th
San Antonio, Houston & Austin Order Deadline: September 20^th

Price: $2/chick (Exhibitors must order in increments of 25 with a maximum of 75 per family or per exhibitor.)

 Chicks are ordered in increments of 25, and a minimum of 25 must be ordered per family or per exhibitor. Maximum per family or exhibitor is 75 birds. You must order different birds for each show (Gillespie County, San Antonio, and Houston/Austin).

 Rule Update for GCYLS: Families must order 25 birds per exhibitor up to a max of 75 birds per family/exhibitor. Example if you have 5 exhibitors in your family you no longer must order 25 per every exhibitor but must order a minimum of 75 birds as a family. If you would like to order more than 75 birds as a family then you may order each exhibitor an individual set of birds up to 75.
(Following major show guidelines.)

Orders may be placed at the Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX with cash or check, or online using this link, https://gillespie4h.ticketleap.com/2025-broiler-orders/.

Gillespie County Birds – Tentative Arrival Date: Friday, November 22^nd.
San Antonio Birds – Tentative Arrival Date: December 20^th
Houston & Austin Birds – Tentative Arrival Date: January 31st

Junior Master Gardener Kids Program!

Grades 3rd-6th on Wednesday's from 4:30PM - 5:30PM, starting September 25th through November 13th, 2024. Call the Extension Office to get signed up!

Dog project is having a kick off meeting on September 10th @ 6:00pm at the Extension Office! If you are interested in the Dog project this is the meeting to attend, but please no dogs!

Archery Sign Ups!

Archery Sign ups open on September 2nd for 3rd-12th graders! Youth MUST be enrolled in 4-H for the 2024-2025 year. A parent or Legal Guardian MUST attend each practice with the participant. There will be 3D shoots this year and a county contest. Scan the QR Code or go to the following below to register:

Archery registration

We invite you to the 2024 Guadalupe County Fair for the Fair Food Challenge on Sunday, October 13.  Check in is at 12:30 in the Seguin Coliseum by the loading dock.

We will also have the Desserts on Display Contest on Saturday, October 12 in the afternoon, and the brand-new ADULT desserts on display contest on the morning of October 12.

Entry forms can be sent via email by contacting Fiona at fiona.gideon@ag.tamu.edu. If you have any questions regarding these contests, please contact Matt Miranda, Guadalupe County 4-H CEA at
 (830) 303-3889, Please sign-up September 27 

Thank you to Hewston Lochte for capturing the 2024 Gillespie 4-H Banquet! Make sure to download your photos from the Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10PJrGY9hJ2Mq4Q5cRyp-ewu0pVLnHog0

Kids Day Camp!!!

September 23rd from 8am-5pm. A whole day of fun and learning for grades 1st - 6th! 4-H members are $45, non- 4-H members $55. Drop off will begin at 7:30am and pick up no later than 5:30pm. Scan the QR code to register!

Link to Register: 

Mark your calendars for Spark 2024! Spark is an exciting experience at the Texas 4-H Center in Brownwood for 3rd through 8th grade 4-H members to learn, grow, and have FUN! The 24-25 Texas 4-H Council will be hosting "Camo and Crowns" November 8-10. Registration is $170/participant and will be open September 1-October 28

Register/ Info

Save the Date!!!

Grow It, Cook It Kids!

Grow It, Cook It kids will be starting September 17th for 3rd- 8th graders. Sign Ups open on September 2nd. Kids will get a chance to learn about growing/ producing and how to make delicious foods! Be on the look out for sign ups!

Livestock Corner

Gear up for those new animal projects!!!!

It is HOT outside! 

While we are trying to keep our animals cool it is important to think about our barn layout and utilizing the natural breeze at our property. If you have an enclosed area with no breeze and it is hot and stuff, adding a fan is just going to be moving that hot air. Think about working with the breeze and using a fan to pull and push cool air. Same thing if you have added a portacool or any type of device like this. Consider using a fan behind the system to push more air through it and then fans throughout your barn to pull the cool air through. 

Another key thing to think about while it is SOOO hot is your water! Is it sitting out in the sun and is more like drinking bath water, than getting a cool refreshing drink? Make sure your water bucket is in the shade and is clean to increase hydration on these hot days. 

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

4-H Spotlight

Our weekly spotlight highlights New Member Night on August 28th. We had a spectacular turnout and had a great time helping people find their passion through Gillespie County 4-H! We are excited about the new 4-H year!!

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

School Excuse forms and policies can be found by clicking below

School Excuses

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