Major Show Steer Tag Orders Due for 2013 Shows

It is time to order steer validation tags for the 2013 Major Livestock Shows.  If you are planning to show a market steer at the 2012 State Fair or 2013 Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Austin or San Angelo shows you must order validation tags.  The cost is $10.00 per tag and the deadline for ordering is April 17, 2012 to the Extension office.  The date for the actual validation will be in June.  When ordering tags, make checks payable to the Bastrop 4-H Validation Fund.

State Fair of Texas Lamb, Goat and Swine Validation

If you plan to show at the 2012 State Fair of Texas in Dallas, time is fast approaching to make decisions on how many ear tags you will need to order for the 2012 State Fair of Texas Lamb, Goat and Swine Validation Programs.  Tag orders are due to the Extension office by April 13th.  Tag cost is $10 each, with checks made out to the Animal Validation Account.   Hog, Lamb and Goat Validation for the State Fair will be held in late June.

Bastrop Area Livestock Show Thank You Letters Due

Each Bastrop Area Livestock Show exhibitor must submit a thank you letter to each buyer within a buyers group and turn in the original letters to his/her Ag. Science Instructor or County Extension Agent by April 16, 2012 along with an addressed, stamped envelope to each buyer.  Thank you notes to buyers must be turned in by this date, or a fine of fifty dollars ($50) will be deducted from the exhibitor's premium check.  Thank you notes must be received before exhibitors receive their premium check.  If all monies from buyers are not received by the Livestock Show Treasurer by April 16, exhibitors will only be paid the amount of money received for their animal.

4-H Water Camp

The 2012 State Youth Water Camp will be July 8-12, 2012, at the Bentley 4-H Center in Monahans, TX.  The Camp is open to high-school youth who are interested in water conservation and water issues, and who are willing to work in teams. Adult project leaders may also apply, but must pass a background check before participating.

 

State Youth Water Camp is a five day educational camp planned to teach high school youth the importance of water stewardship, train them in water conservation and preservation, and illustrate how our water resources are being used by industry, agriculture and municipalities. We accomplish this through hands-on experiences, guest speakers, and field trips. The Camp is co-sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Upper Pecos Soil & Water Conservation District.

Applications and information are available at:  http://ward.agrilife.org/ . Applications must be received in the AgriLife Extension office in Ward County by May 18, 2012. Participants will be informed of their acceptance by May 31, 2012.  Registration is $150.00, due in the AgriLife Extension office in Ward County by June 8, 2012.  Soil and water conservation districts, ground water conservation districts and youth organizations are sources of scholarships. Water Camp is open to all Texas youth, but space is limited so we encourage early registration.

For more information, call the AgriLife Extension office in Ward County at 432-943-4112/2682.

New Camps offered at 4-H Center

The Texas 4-H Conference Center is busy planning their camps for this summer 2012.  They are offering two new camps in addition to the other fun camps you've heard about.

Are you, or someone you know,  an 8-15 year old child of a wounded or disabled veteran?  If so, check out Camp Corral.

Horizons is a camp for youth in 4th-8th grades. Each participant will select one of six projects to focus.
 These include:

• dog project
• robotics
• culinary arts
• clothing & textiles
• natural resources 
• creative leadership.

4-H membership is NOT a requirement for most camps at the 4-H Center. 

Purple UP! for Military Kids - April 13th

We have a NEW and UNIQUE opportunity to support our military youth throughout Texas. 
April marks the nation’s “Month of the Military Child,” a time to honor youth impacted by deployment. In celebration, Texas Operation: Military Kids (OMK), part of the 4-H Youth Development program of Texas AgriLife Extension Services, invites you to join us for the 2nd annual “Purple Up! For Military Kids.”

We are encouraging everyone across the state of Texas to wear purple on Friday, April 13th, as a visible way to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue. OMK hopes everyone will take this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate these young heroes.

We need your help! Please use the attached flyer, to promote Purple Up Day far and wide. Review the flyer for ideas and add your own. We invited the rest of the country to join Texas in our "Purple Up! for Military Kids" efforts.

PLEASE PASS ON TO ALL YOUR CONTACTS.  LET'S MAKE TEXAS PURPLE IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY YOUTH!!!

Rabies Clinic - April 19th

The Rockne 4H Club will be having its annual rabies clinic on Thursday, April 19 from 5-7 pm at the Rockne Grocery Parking Lot. Rabies vaccines as well as parvo will be available for dogs and cats at low cost. Dr. Maynard from Crossroads Animal Hospital will be conducting the rabies clinic.