Email Blast 1/22/20

Happy January 2020!

We hope you had a fantastic new year, so far!!!!  As we are getting ready to jump into Livestock Show season, we have quite a few events coming up this year, and a lot of applications for summer leadership opportunities available.  This email blast will focus on those opportunities in rough date order, with a spreadsheet calendar of what is included in the blog posts below the email signature.  We are working on sending out a separate Livestock Exhibitor Email with reminders for those participating in livestock projects tomorrow. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: FRIED CHICKEN BENEFIT SUPPER – FEBRUARY 7, 2020

• There will be a Fried Chicken Benefit Supper on Friday, February 7 at 5:00 p.m. at Cedar Creek United Methodist Church for a local widow who is in need of a vehicle to transport her children to school and for basic needs. 
• We will be offering baked goods for sale during the meal as well.  If 4-H families would like to donate baked goods, please contact Rachel Bauer at (512) 468-7953 by February 4 to sign up. 
• We will accept cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, etc.  Some will be sold whole, and some we will cut and sold for individual servings.  All proceeds will go toward the widow and her family.  Commissioner Mark Meuth, the Rockne Relayers and the Rockne/String Prairie Knights of Columbus are preparing the meal, which will be sold for $10 per plate.    
• If you would like to volunteer to help between 5 and 7 p.m., we could use volunteers to assist with the silent auction, clean up and sales also.

PECAN AUXILIARY VALENTINE’S DAY BAKE SALE – FEBRUARY 14, 2020

• The Pecan Auxiliary Group is hosting a bake sale at the First National Bank in Bastrop (across from the Starbucks) on Valentine’s Day to help raise funds for 4-H Scholarships! 
• We need 4-H members to bake, package, and bring items to sell to help raise these funds – remember baked goods do NOT need to contain pecans for this event.  If you are interested, please email Mellanie what you plan to bring at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu by February 7^th
• Participants can count this event as Community Service (member of a group) for their recordbooks.  This is super helpful if you plan to apply for scholarships later on in your 4-H career. 

TEXAS 4-H CONGRESS APPLICATIONS – DUE FEBRUARY 26, 2020 (EVENT IS JULY 12-15, 2020)

• This is an EXCELLENT citizenship experience and is highly recommended by all of our Agents and District Specialists – PLEASE APPLY FOR IT!  This experience helps to develop leadership and communication skills and is one of the big experiences that we like to look for in your recordbooks and scholarship applications. 
• Texas 4-H Congress is a four-day mock legislative experience for 4-H members in grades 9th to 12th (at the time of the event).  During this time, 4-H members assume the roles of senators, representatives, lobbyists, press corps, and/or special interest groups to gain a first-hand understanding of how the legislative process works.  Bills that are written and sponsored by 4-H members focus on issues concerning Texas and Texas youth.  These bills are assigned to the appropriate committee, debated in committee meetings, and then on the floor of the House or Senate.  If a bill is successful in negotiation and the legislative debate in all three stages, it is delivered to the Governor of Texas 4-H Congress for his or her signature or veto.  Copies of all the bills that are signed into law during Texas 4-H Congress are provided to the Office of the Governor for review.
• The estimated cost for this event is approximately $350 per individual.  The Bastrop County 4-H Council will reimburse 75% of the cost of Texas 4-H Congress.  To be eligible to be reimbursed, youth must have attended the event and must complete the Sponsorship Application Form for the event.  
• For youth to be considered from Bastrop County 4-H, they must complete and submit the online application located at the bottom of the web page by 12 Noon on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.   If you have any questions at any time, please contact Mellanie Mickelson at the CEO at 512-581-7186 or MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu. 
• The application and more information is available at https://bastrop.agrilife.org/texas-4-h-congress/

DISTRICT 10 4-H SPRING ROUNDUP – REGISTRATION IS MARCH 11-24, 2020 (EVENT IS APRIL 22-25, 2020)

• The District 10 4-H Spring Roundup packet has been released and is available for download on the District 10 Page at https://d104-h.tamu.edu/district-10-spring-round-up/ (we are happy to print copies, as well, just let us know)
• Spring Roundup will take place from April 22-25, 2020 in Fredericksburg, TX
• To help us with planning for entries and potential practices, please complete the Google Form (CLICK HERE to Access) to let us know what you are interested in.
• Contests included:
• Range & Pasture ID 
• Range Evaluation 
• Mohair Judging
• Wool Judging
• Leaders 4 Life
• Livestock Judging
• Soil Judging
• Duds to Dazzle
• Fashion Show
• Fashion Storyboard
• Share-The-Fun
• Small Bore Rifle

MISSION POSSIBLE MENTOR APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 20, 2020 (EVENT IS JUNE 29-JULY 2, 2020)

• This is an excellent Service Learning and Leadership Opportunity – Mission Possible is a camp designed for youth with medically diagnosed disabilities and with 4-H members serving as Mentors to allow the youth to have a summer camp experience.
• Application to be a mentor located here. Applications must be completed by March 20, 2020
• View the full flyer and information here.
• For questions, please email Cari Snider at cari.snider@ag.tamu.edu

BASTROP COUNTY 4-H AWARDS & RECOGNITION APPLICATIONS – DUE MAY 13, 2020
Deadline for the submission of application forms is midnight (11:59 PM) on Wednesday, May 13, 2019.  Please see the links below for information, forms, and interview sign-ups.  Please be aware that most awards require you to complete and turn in a 4-H Recordbook.  This information is also available on the Bastrop County Website at https://bastrop.agrilife.org/award-application-form/

• 4-H Awards & Recognition Information Packet:
• 2019-2020 Awards & Recognition Information
• 4-H Youth Awards:
• 4-H Year Pin Application Form (Available January 15, 2020 – May 13, 2020)
• 4-H Awards Application Form (Available January 15, 2020 – May 13, 2020)
• 4-H Adult Awards:
• 4-H Alumni Nomination Form (Available January 15, 2020 – May 13, 2020)
• Friend of 4-H Nomination Form (Available January 15, 2020 – May 13, 2020)
• Award Interview Sign Ups: 
• 2019-2020 Youth Award Interview Sign-Up (Note: year pin awards do not require an interview)
• 4-H Recordbook Information & Guidelines
• Bastrop County 4-H Recordbook Resources
• District 10 4-H Online Presentation (Recorded)

BLOG POST UPDATES & SUBSCRIPTION:

• Other Blog Opportunities that have been posted:
• 2020 Texas 4-H Roundup Information:
• https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/roundup/
• http://texas4hroundup.blogspot.com/
• TAMU Online Horse Judging Course
• Blog Posts that will be posted in the next couple of days with some good information:
• Bell County Youth Fair Invitational Judging Contests
• 4-H WHEP Project Workshop
• Brazos County 4-H Dog Show Information
• District 10 4-H & State 4-H Photography Photography Contest Overview
• Leadership Opportunities at 2020 Rodeo Austin – National Anthem & Pledges
• District 10 4-H Meat Judging Contest
• To have the blog posts sent to your email when a new post is made, be sure to subscribe to it!  This is a great option if you’re not a huge fan of social media or looking up items on our Facebook Page.
• To subscribe to the blog, be sure to go to the blog at http://bastrop4h.blogspot.com/
• In the upper Left corner, enter your email address and click “subscribe”
• Complete the subscription by checking the box that verifies you’re a human being and you’re done!

I think that is all for now!  Please let us know if you have any questions!

M
Mellanie L. Mickelson
Bastrop County Extension Agent - 4-H & Youth Development
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services
P.O. Box 650 | 901 Pecan Street | Bastrop, TX 78602
p: (512) 581-7186 | c: (512) 522-9174 | f: (512) 581-7187
MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu

Website - https://bastrop.agrilife.org
Blog - www.bastrop4h.blogspot.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/BastropCounty4H

UPCOMING EVENTS ON THE BLOG:

BASTROP COUNTY 4-H EVENTS
Date of Event	Deadline to Apply	Name of Event
January 24, 2020	NA	Dog Project Meeting (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
January 28, 2020	NA	Consumer Education Project Practice (5:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
February 4, 2020	NA	Consumer Education Project Practice (County Contest - 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
February 4, 2020	NA	County Council Meeting (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
February 11, 2020	NA	Consumer Education Project Practice (5:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
February 11, 2020	NA	Dog Project Meeting (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
February 13, 2020	11/1	BALS Rabbit Validation (5:30 PM to 6:30 PM)
February 14, 2020	NA	Pecan Auxiliary Valentine's Day Bake Sale (8:00 AM to ???)
February 17, 2020	NA	CEO Closed in observance of President's Day
March 6-7, 2020	NA	BALS Livestock Show
February 24, 2020	NA	Dog Project Meeting (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
March 31, 2020	NA	FCH Coalition Meeting
April 14, 2020	4/14	State Fair Lamb, Goat, & Swine Validation Tag Orders DUE for fall 2020
April 15, 2020	4/15	Major Show Steer & Summer Heifer Validation Tag orders due for 2020-2021 show season
April 18, 2020	NA	Smithville Livestock Show
April 29, 2020	4/29	Bastrop County 4-H Camp paperwork DUE to CEO
May 13, 2020	5/13	Bastrop County Ambassador Applications, Award Applications, Scholarship Applications DUE to CEO
DISTRICT 10 4-H EVENTS
Date of Event	Deadline to Apply	Name of Event
February 1-25, 2020	2/25	District 10 4-H Photography Contest (online via 4-H CONNECT)
April 15, 2020	3/24	District 10 4-H Meat Judging Contest (San Angelo, TX)
April 22-25, 2020	3/24	District 10 4-H Spring Roundup - Fredericksburg, TX (SAVE THE DATE)
June 17-18, 2019	TBA	District 4-H 10 Horse Show
June 24-26, 2019	TBA	District 10 4-H Leadership Lab (Brownwood, TX)
EXTERNAL COUNTY, STATE,  AND NATIONAL 4-H EVENTS
Date of Event	Deadline to Apply	Name of Event
January 24-26, 2020	TBA	Re-Fashion Retreat (Brownwood, TX)
February 21, 2020	2/21	Capital Farm Credit Scholarship Application DUE
February 23, 2020	NA	13th Annual South Texas Select Club Calf Sale
March 7-8, 2020	TBA	District 7 Shooting Sports Coach Training (Brownwood, TX)
April 1-15, 2020	4/15	Texas 4-H Photography Contest Entries Due (Senior Age Group only)
April 5, 2020	3/29	West Texas Invitational Hippology Contest
June 17-19, 2020	TBA	4-H Fishing Camp
June 17-19, 2020	TBA	STEM Camp
June 28, 2020	TBA	Mission Possible Mentor Training
June 28-July 2, 2020	TBA	Horizons Camp
June 29-July 2, 2020	TBA	Mission Possible Camp
July 2-4, 2020	TBA	County Camp I
July 6-8, 2020	TBA	County Camp II
July 8-10, 2020	TBA	Outdoor Adventure Camp
Juy 12-15, 2020	2/26	Texas 4-H Congress - Initial Information
July 12-15, 2020	TBA	Prime Time I
July 15-18, 2020	TBA	Prime Time II