03/17/20 Email Blast - Updates, Applications, & Opportunities

INFORMATION IN THIS EMAIL BLAST (IN ORDER): Message from us COVID-19 Community Updates & Meetings Pop-Up Livestock Show Updates Texas 4-H Congress Applications – DUE 03/22/20 District 10 4-H Spring Roundup Registrations – DUE 03/24/20 Dog Project Meeting – 03/24/20 4-H Council Updates – Officer Applications DUE 03/31/20 & Elections 04/07/20 Livestock Validation Tag Orders – Steers, Summer Heifers, State Fair Lamb/Goat/Hog – DUE 04/15/20 County Ambassador Applications – DUE 05/13/20 Awards & Recognition Information – DUE 05/13/20 Recordbook Information & Guides – DUE 06/04/20 Scholarship Applications – DUE 05/13/20 Good afternoon all, In light of the very new and ever evolving situation, I know many of us are not quite sure what the next few weeks will look like with social distancing taking priority of our lives.  During this time, I want to remind everyone that while it is extremely inconvenient and stressful, our youth are watching us and looking for reassurance and how to react.  This is possibly one of the most important learning experiences they will have in life, so please help them understand this situation and that being a good community member in this instance includes following the public health directives and staying calm.  This situation is not permanent; it is a natural disaster much like a hurricane or fire and we’ve certainly had our fair share of those in the past.  This, too, shall pass.  As you all probably know by now, the Bastrop County public schools have announced that they are planning to extend the break and resume classes starting on Monday April 6th.  While we may be out of school, there are still many opportunities to continue to work on your 4-H projects and RECORDBOOKS (I know, I saw you cringe) during this time.  We certainly have quite a few applications and opportunities to work on in this email blast and the Texas 4-H Facebook page is hosting live video project/education opportunities that are open to the public.  Independent research and study of projects and career exploration is highly encouraged at this time, as well. Please also take this time to check on your elderly family and neighbors, spend time with family, take care of things around the house and remember to relax. I will continue to post updates as we get them. Our office is currently operating on a skeleton crew, so if you need anything, please call my cell phone at 512-522-9174.  I will be working on setting up some online/virtual opportunities and workshops to continue projects as we are able.  Take care and please let me know if you have questions. COVID-19 Community Updates & Meetings: We have received a directive from Texas A&M AgriLife state office; as a result, ALL face to face 4-H events are canceled through this next weekend.  What this means is ALL in-person 4-H club meetings, practices, project meetings and trainings are cancelled.  The state office is re-evaluating on a weekly basis as we receive more information.  We expect that we will need to move meetings to online/virtual spaces for now.  As a result, we are trying to extend the deadlines for opportunities as much as possible.  Event Updates: Bastrop County Youth Summit: previously scheduled for April 22, 2020 has been postponed at this time Smithville Livestock Show: Currently, the show will proceed as planned.  This may change once we get closer to the event based on the decisions of the City and County officials.  District 10 4-H Roundup: Please continue to have youth register for District 10 4-H Roundup events so that they are in the system. We will NOT be approving any entries until we are told by the state office to proceed. Therefore, no one will be charged unless we do proceed with the events as planned. Good Sources of Information: CDC & DSHS Information via Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services Forbes Article on flattening the curve – explains the reason behind some of the social distancing Pop-Up Livestock Show Updates: The directives that we have received instruct us to not be involved in these opportunities as they are not sanctioned 4-H/FFA events.  Additional reasoning is provided below.  If County Offices are asked to provide support letters for members to participate, we cannot provide them.  These events are occurring in public venues, bringing together large gatherings of people, and are not in compliance with the recommendations coming from state and local health officials.  Everyone involved in these events presumably has the best interest of our kids in mind as they try to organize these efforts.  The truth is, however, that the safety of our families and communities must be our priority.  If you choose to participate in these opportunities, please shoot Mellanie an email at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu to let her know when/where you are participating – there will be no consequences, this is simply so we can keep track of everything going on and if any news comes from those areas.  Texas 4-H Congress Applications: This is a unique opportunity for Senior age 4-H members where they 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.  This is possibly my FAVORITE 4-H Leadership event and looks amazing on college and scholarship applications. As long as you are going into 9th grade next year you can apply to attend! – the next opportunity will be in July 2022 as this event only takes place in even years when the Texas Legislature is not in session.   To apply for selection, please complete the online application at OR click here to download a fillable PDF to email to Mellanie at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu by this Sunday, March 22, 2020.  Please email Mellanie to get your name on the list as soon as possible.  District 10 4-H Spring Roundup Registrations: REGISTRATION IS MARCH 11-24, 2020 (EVENT IS APRIL 22-25, 2020) UPDATE: Please continue to have youth register for the events so that they are in the system. We will NOT be approving any entries until we are told by the state office to proceed. Therefore, no one will be charged unless we do proceed with the events as planned. 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/  Spring Roundup will take place from April 22-25, 2020 in Fredericksburg, TX 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 We currently have the following Teams that we are working on finding practices for: Duds to Dazzle (JR): Brooke Hammons, Violet Lang, Sarah Masur,   Duds to Dazzle (INT): Joshua Dube & Kelsey Dube - this team needs 1 more intermediate to be able to participate (we lost 1 person) Leaders 4 Life (INT): Luke Bauer, Brady Masur, Emily May, Brody Willis, & Alexis Woods Livestock Judging (INT): Emily May, Brody Willis, & Alexis Woods Dog Project Meeting – Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Our upcoming Dog Project meeting will take place place online at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 via Zoom at https://agrilife.zoom.us/j/695045409.  To dial in via phone, please use the information below: Meeting ID: 695 045 409 One tap mobile: +13462487799,,695045409# US (Houston) At this meeting, we will go over the Dog Skillathon contest, some basic topics that it might cover, and we’ll go through some examples and answer questions. 4-H Council Updates Council Officer Applications have been extended to be due March 31, 2020 – the application is online and is available by clicking here.  The next council meeting and elections will be held online at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 via Zoom at https://agrilife.zoom.us/j/993597825.  To dial in via phone, please use the information below: Meeting ID: 993 597 825 One Tap Mobile: +13462487799,,993597825# US The elections themselves will take place via online voting – please remember that only current officers and delegates will be able to vote; however this is an excellent opportunity to attend a Council Meeting for your award applications! Livestock Validation Tag Orders – Steers, Summer Heifers, State Fair Lamb/Goat/Hog Livestock Project One Pager:   Click here to download a one-page quick guide for livestock projects.  This is helpful for those who are new to showing livestock and the validation timelines.   Reminder: there is no state validation for rabbits - if you would like to show rabbits, you will need to work on looking into the show rules and age requirements to work on purchasing rabbits and work on entries.  It is a good idea to start visiting with breeders now and as you learn more about the shows you would like to attend.   Reminder: Another validation tag order will be placed in the fall for lamb, goat, swine, and heifer projects attending the spring major shows. All tags for Steers, Summer Heifers, State Fair Swine, and State Fair Lambs/Goats are due to the County Extension Office (CEO) by Wednesday, April 15th at $20 each.   This will be the only validation for steers - if you would like to show a steer at ANY major show, you will need to purchase tags and validate the animal(s). This will be the first of 2 heifer validations - you may validate your heifer now to exhibit her in the State Fair or Heart of Texas shows or wait until the fall.  Heifers that were previously validated do NOT need to be revalidated unless they changed breed or ownership. If you are planning to exhibit a lamb, goat, or hog at the State Fair or Heart of Texas Shows, you will need to purchase tags and validate the animal(s).  These animals will need to be revalidated in the fall if you would like to show them in the spring major shows.   Late Tag orders will be accepted after April 15th until Wednesday, May 13th, at $30 each.   Fillable PDF Order Forms are linked below – families may physically bring the order forms & payment, mail them, or place them online through our Eventbrite websites (there is a small fee to use credit cards) by the dates listed. 2020-2021 State Fair Swine Tag Order Form 2020-2021 State Fair Lamb & Goat Tag Order Form 2020-2021 Steer Tag Order Form 2020-2021 Summer Heifer UIN Order Form (another validation will take place in the fall for Heifers) To order tags online, or download additional forms, please visit our website at https://bastrop.agrilife.org/livestock/ and click on the species you would like to order Bastrop County Ambassador Applications: The County 4-H Ambassadors are youth selected to provide input and leadership to our 4-H program.  These applications are due to the CEO by 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. If you were a previous Ambassador and made it to 3 meetings and plan to turn in a recordbook, you will be accepted but still need to turn in an application for next year.  Livestock Ambassador Application 4-H & Youth Ambassador Application Natural Resources Ambassador Application Family & Community Health (FCH) Ambassador Application Bastrop County 4-H Awards & Recognition Information: Deadline for the online submission of application forms is midnight (11:59 PM) on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.  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. Web Page: 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 4-H Recordbook Information & Guidelines Bastrop County 4-H Recordbook Resources District 10 4-H Online Presentation (Recorded) Recordbook Resources and Information: 2019-2020 4-H Recordbooks are due to the County Extension Office (CEO) by 12 Noon on Thursday, June 4, 2020.   Texas 4-H Recordbook Page – State page with resources, forms, etc. – this page also has links and video tutorials to the new online recordbook system available to 4-H’ers 2019-2020 Bastrop County 4-H Recordbook Overview – created and presented by Mellanie Mickelson 2019-2020 District 10 4-H Recordbook Overview – created, recorded, and presented by Mellanie Mickelson 2019-2020 Bastrop County 4-H Recordbook One-Pager – brief overview & tips for getting started Bastrop County 4-H Scholarship Information: The Deadline for the submission of application forms is 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.  Please see the links below for information, forms, and interview sign-ups.  Please be aware that the Bastrop County 4-H Scholarships require you to turn in a completed Recordbook with effort put into it.  Recordbooks with little to no content will not be considered for this purpose.   Web Page: https://bastrop.agrilife.org/4-h-scholarship-information/ 4-H Scholarship & Sponsorship Information: 2019-2020 Scholarship & Sponsorship General Information Packet (PDF) Bastrop County 4-H Scholarship Applications: 2019-2020 Bastrop County 4-H Scholarship Application (PDF)  2019-2020 Bastrop Couny 4-H Scholarship Application (Fillable PDF)  Rockne Livestock Booster Club Scholarship Applications: 2019-2020 Rockne Livestock Booster Club Scholarship Application (PDF)  Scholarship Interview Sign Ups: 2019-2020 Bastrop County Scholarship Interview Sign Ups Scholarships Compendium (Multiple Scholarships with deadlines & links): https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/education/msp/funding/aid/faidalpha.php Texas Scholarships (Multiple Scholarships with deadlines & links): https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/texas-scholarships/ I believe that is all for now, please let me 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 March 22, 2020 NA Texas 4-H Congress Applications DUE online or via email to Mellanie March 24, 2020 NA Dog Project Meeting Oniline (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM) March 31, 2020 NA Council Officer Applications due online April 7, 2020 NA County Council Meeting Online (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM) April 15, 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 1, 2020 5/1 Bastrop & Travis County 4-H Photography Contest Entries DUE via email 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 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 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