For the Record Recordkeeping is an important skill for every-

one to know. The 4-H Record Book program

has a long history of record keeping. The focus

of the program reflects the importance of this

life skill in our daily lives. In 4-H, young peo-

ple have tracked their activities, events, profits

and losses, skill development and learning ex-

periences, and much more using the 4-H Rec-

ord Book. In addition to record keeping, the 4-

H Record Book gives members an opportunity

to reflect on their year, measure their achievements, growth, set goals,

and develop plans to meet those goals.

Texas 4-H Record Book forms have changed this year. New forms are

required this year and training is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17th,

6:30 p.m. at the Bexar County AgriLife Extension Office in Suite-

208. Information on the new record books forms can be found at

www.4hreports.com. It is not required for you to use this reports web-

site, you have the option to download or print a hardcopy of the record

book forms from the State record book website at

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/youth_recordbooks. It helps you keep track

of what you have done in 4-H. Completing a 4-H Record Book can

earn you awards and scholarships. Record Books are due to our office

June 8th.

Quote of the Month “The biggest problem in record keeping is not just forgetting to write things

down, but also remembering where you put what you wrote.”

David Mellem

(paraphrased)

Visit us at Facebook Bexar County 4-H & Youth Development

Office Website

bexar-tx.tamu.edu 4-H Staff Email Addresses

Greg– gmyles@ag.tamu.edu Connie- c-sheppard@tamu.edu Bryan—bydavis@ag.tamu.edu Grace—g-guerra@tamu.edu Cheree’-cleita@ag.tamu.edu Mike- meshockey@ag.tamu.edu Pam- paxtell@ag.tamu.edu

D A T E S H A V E

B E E N S E T

Vet Science Workshop 4/3

District Roundup DUE 4/5

District6 Judging DUE 4/11

County Council Mtg. 4/12

Steer Validation DUE 4/16

Recordbook Trg. 4/17

Horse Validation DUE 5/1

Project Show Entry DUE 5/4

Scholarship Trg. 5/15

Bexar County 4-H Newsletter

April 2012

3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. Ste. 212, San Antonio, Texas 78230

(210) 467-6575 http: bexar-tx.tamu.edu

The goal of 4-H is to provide quality,

relevant outreach and continuing edu-

cation programs and services to the

people of Texas.

District Roundup Contest (Education Presentations,

Public Speaking, Share the Fun)

Do you like to sing, dance or play an instrument…then

you can enter the Share the Fun category of Roundup. Do

you like to put power point presentations togeth-

er???? Pick a category from the list and create an educa-

tional presentation with power point. District Roundup

will be Saturday, April 21st at the Comfort High School in

Comfort. Everyone (ages 8 – 18) has the opportunity to

go to the District Roundup Contest. Cost is $5 and done

on 4-H Connect (pay by credit card). Deadline to enter

on 4-H Connect is April 6th. You must be academically

eligible to compete at this District Contest. Eligibility

form is due to our office by Monday, April 9th.

Recordbook Keeping – Last Training Before Record-

books are DUE

Recordkeeping is an important skill for everyone to

know. Completing a recordbook can earn you awards and

scholarships. It helps you keep track of what you have

done in 4-H. Recordbook forms have changed this

year. New forms will be required this year to apply for

any awards. A training is scheduled for Tuesday, April

17th, 6:30 p.m. at our office in S-208. Recordbooks are

due to our office June 8th. New information on record-

books can be found at www.4hreports.com. It is not re-

quired for you to use this reports website, if you need a

hard copy to print off to complete your recordbook you

are welcome to use the State recordbook website

at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/youth_recordbooks. If you

have any questions about recordbooks, feel free to contact

Greg.

New Vet Science Project Book

The book has been updated and is now available for pur-

chase. The new title is “Veterinary Science: Preparatory

Training for the Veterinary Assistant.” To order your

books visit their website at http://aevm.tamu.edu/4-h-

veterinary-science/handbook-information/books.

Vet Science Workshops

These workshops are open to all ages and are a learning

series to help youth meet their required learning lessons

in the veterinary science project. Scheduled meetings

are Tuesday, May 1st at 6:30 p.m. at the Helotes Activity

Center and June 5th and July 3rd location to be an-

nounced. For more information contact Jackie at

jackiewanke@gmail.com.

P a g e 2

County Project Show

This show is open to anyone ages 5 - 18, you do not

have to be enrolled in 4-H. Spread the word to your

friends and school classmates who would like to show

off their creative skills. You can enter photos, metal

projects, art projects, crafts and much more. The show

is scheduled for Saturday, May 19th at the Ft. Sam Hou-

ston School Age Services Bldg. Cost is $2 per

class. Entry deadline is Friday, May 4th. There will be

lots of fun activities for you to participate in while your

entry is being judged. Watch for more details on these

activities soon.

Texas 4-H Golf Challenge

Camp

This camp provides youth 12-18

an opportunity to take an in depth

look at the major components that

make up the Texas 4-H Golf

Challenge (sports nutrition, golf

course/turf grass management,

and the rules and etiquette of golf). During this two day

event, youth will work with Texas A&M Staff as well as

golf professionals. The camp will also give youth the

opportunity to learn more about career opportunities re-

lated to the Golf Challenge and how to prepare for col-

lege. Youth will work with golf professionals to enhance

their swing capabilities and compete in numerous skill

activities. The event is April 27-29, in College Station.

The cost to attend is $250 (includes lodging for two

nights, meals, professional instruction, t-shirt, and golf

instruction, transportation to and from locations). Regis-

tration is limited to the first 30 youth and will open Feb-

ruary 1st on 4-H Connect. For more information please

contact Kyle Merten at 979-845-6533. All Competitive Events Need Eligibility Forms

All competitive events that you will represent 4-Hwill

require academic eligibility forms to be completed by 4-

H members. Even if the events take place on weekends,

UIL rules state, you must be academically eligible to

participate in extracurricular activities. Depending on

the event, we will either email the form to you, have it

available it on our website or mail it to you. It is your

responsibility to follow through and take the form to

your school to mark if you are academically eligible to

participate in the event. Due date to return the form to

our office will be at the top of the form. There is a drop

slot in the front door to help you meet deadlines. If you

have any questions about eligibility, please contact us.

H E R E ’ S T H E L A T E S T

2012 Texas 4-H Congress, Austin, Texas - July 15-18,

2012

District 10 4-H youth that meet

age requirements may attend

Texas 4-H Congress as a House

or Senate Member, Lobbyist, or

Press Corp.

House or Senate Member:

These roles are primarily for 4-

H members that have never par-

ticipated in Texas 4-H Con-

gress. District 10 is allowed to

send 18 4-H members (with an

additional 2 from Travis and 2

from Bexar County) to serve as

House or Senate members. Each county is asked to sub-

mit the name of one (1) member from your county to

serve in this role. In addition, each county is asked to

submit names of up to three (3) alternates. The Lobby-

ists, Press Corps, and Texas 4-H Council members

are not included in this quota. Youth from across the

State will apply for Lobbyists and Press Corp through 4-

H CONNECT and will be selected before registration

opens for House or Senate. Counties will know if 4-H

members from their county who apply are not selected

as a Lobbyist or Press Corp so that they can then possi-

bly be eligible for the House or Senate members. There

will be counties in District 10 who may not use their

quota and alternates may fill unused quotas based on a

random drawing.

Lobbyist: This role is designed for 4-H members who

have attended Texas 4-H Congress in either 2008 or

2010. Members interested in serving as lobbyist must

apply on 4-H CONNECT between April 1 and April 30,

2012. There is no limit on the number of members per

county that may apply. The state 4-H office will select

up to 25 lobbyists from those that apply and notify ap-

plicants on or before May 20, 2012.

Press Corp: This role can be either first time or return-

ing 4-H members to Congress. Members interested in

serving as press corp must apply on 4-H CONNECT

between April 1 and April 30, 2012. There is no limit

on the number of members per county that may ap-

ply. The state 4-H office will select up to 15 lobbyists

from those that apply and notify applicants on or before

May 20, 2012.

Howdy Texas 4-Hers!

Your Texas 4-H State Council would first like to say

how excited and honored we are to be serving you this

year. One of the biggest projects we are working on is

Texas 4-H Roundup 2012! We have so many fun and

exciting surprises in store for 4-H this year. Our goal as

your 4-H State Council is to serve you, create new expe-

riences, and make the best better. Because 4-H is grow-

ing and creating new experiences this year, especially in

the area of State Roundup we as a council created a mot-

to we would like to share with you. “A new team, a new

experience…it’s history in the making!” As 4-Hers

across Texas you create and inspire those new experi-

ences, helping to make history every day. As fellow 4-

Hers we look forward to making history with you.

Texas 4-H Roundup will be June 11- 15, 2012 at Texas

Tech University. This is a new and adventurous oppor-

tunity in which both Senior and Intermediate 4-Hers are

invited to participate. Whether it is through a qualifying

event for Seniors, Invitational workshops for all ages or

just the other fun events Roundup is going to be great

this year! We have a couple of exciting updates for

you.... First, Aaron Watson will be performing at

Roundup this year on Thursday night so mark it on your

calendars. Also, the annual trade show will be coming

to Roundup with all of its former goodies and then

some.

Look for more updates on the 4-H State Council and

Roundup 2012 right here or online via our facebook

page 2012 Texas 4-H Roundup: http://

www.facebook.com/#!/pages/2012-Texas-4-H-

Roundup/315843191775648 and the Teas 4-H Roundup

website: http://texas4-h.tamu/youth/roundup/index.php .

“To Make the Best Better.”

Your 2012 Texas 4-H Council

Club Charters

4-H clubs must re-charter every year. Club charter pa-

perwork was handed out at the Club Manager trainings

we held in August. If you were unable to attend, please

contact us and we will mail you a charter packet

P a g e 3

National 4-H Congress will be Thursday, Novem-

ber 29 through Tuesday, December 4 at the Hyatt

Regency Atlanta in Georgia. National 4-H Con-

gress is the flagship event of the National 4-

H program. Each year a National Design Team of

Extension educators, 4-H youth, and 4-H adult vol-

unteers analyze current youth issues and determine

the most effective ways to address them. The pro-

gram combines a variety of fun and excit-

ing educational, recreational and networking oppor-

tunities. The program combines plenary sessions,

seminars, discussion groups, and a service learning

experience. The nation’s most outstand-

ing community leaders, speakers, and educators

present the most current and timely information

available. Find out more information at the follow-

ing website http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/

youth_national_congress Registration is open until

April 16, 2012 on 4-H Connect.

Texas 4-H Volunteer Conference

Join volunteers and adult leaders on July 27th –

29th from throughout Texas in more than 30 educa-

tional workshops to be held right here in San Anto-

nio. Learn the latest and greatest of what's going

on in the Texas 4-H program, enjoy an energizing

and motivational keynote address and network with

volunteers from around the great state of Tex-

as. The Texas 4-H Foundation will, once again,

sponsor scholarships for volunteers to attend the

conference. The scholarships are in the amount of

$65, which will cover half of the conference regis-

tration fee ($130). More information about the

conference and scholarship is available on the

State 4-H Website at http://texas4h.tamu.edu/

volunteer_conference?

utm_source=Volunteer+Conference+Update+2%

2F8%2F12&utm_campaign=UA-7940369-

1&utm_medium=email. Applications will be ac-

cepted thru Friday, March 23rd.

Re-enrollment in 4-H began August 1st Par-

ticipation FEE - $25 after October 31st.

All members must re-enroll in 4-H.every

year. Enrollment will be on line via the 4-H

Connect program. If you already have a profile

set up on 4-H Connect, all you need to do is up-

date your profile information and select you

want to enroll for the new 2011-2012 4-H

year. However, this year there is a new partici-

pation fee, which 4-H Connect will ask you

how you would like to pay the $20 fee. Please

select credit card. Adult leaders and Clovers

Kids are not required to pay the $20 fee. The

fee is $20 between August 1st, 2011 and October

31st, 2011 or $25 between November 1st, 2011

and August 31st, 2012 of the 4-H year. If you

cannot remember your password on 4-H Con-

nect, please call Greg or Pam to reassign you a

new password.

P a g e 4

In Cooperation With

BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT Nelson W. Wolff, County Judge

Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez Kevin K. Wolff Commissioner, Pct. 1 Commissioner, Pct. 3 Paul Elizondo Tommy Adkisson

Commissioner, Pct. 2 Commissioner, Pct. 4

Alamo College Scholarship Opportunities

San Antonio College St. Philip’s College

Palo Alto College Northwest Vista College

Northeast Lakeview College

Apply online at http://www.alamo.edu/foundation/

scholarships.htm : The application deadline is

APRIL 15th. If you want to be considered for a

S.A.L.E. scholarship, you must -Complete the

online scholarship application -When prompted,

indicate on the application a S.A.L.E. approved

major, as listed on the attachment. If you have any

questions, please call; Anna Rangel, Scholarship

Coordinator Institutional Advancement Office Ala-

mo Colleges at 210-485-0776.

Norman Vestal Memorial Rotary Scholarship

The Rotary Club of San Antonio gives away five

$500 scholarships to graduating seniors who plan

to pursue a career in agriculture (to include agri-

business). Deadline is April 6th.

S C H O L A R S H I P S

P a g e 5

F a m i l y & C o n s u m e r S c i e n c e s

Dreamgirls Prom to Princess Event

Donations may be dropped off at: St. Matthew’s

Church Rectory Office at 10703 Wurzbach Rd.,

Monday-Friday (9am-5pm) & Saturday (9am-

12noon) #478-5000. The event date for

Dreamgirls Prom to Princess will be Saturday,

March 31, 2012, 10am- 2pm. If you have any fur-

ther questions or would like more information

about the event, please call (210) 541-6977.

Club Managers receive email updates once a

week on all 4-H happenings. Contact your Club

Manager for updated information. You can al-

so read the “Updates & Reminders” on our

website at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/4H/

index.htm.

4-H families receive “Upcoming Events” emails

from our office twice a month. These emails

include very important information about pro-

grams and deadlines. Please read the emails

from our office.

Family & Consumer Sciences Project Toolkit

The Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program

places great value on the 4-H Family and Con-

sumer Sciences projects. These projects expose 4

-H members to the academic disciplines for fami-

ly and consumer science and help them gain valu-

able skills and knowledge that can be applied to

daily life.

We are pleased to introduce the 4-H FCS Project

Toolkit. This online resource was developed by

volunteers and county Extension agents to use

when managing and leading 4-H FCS projects at

the county level. General project information is

provided as well as projects resources, lesson

plans and activities for each of the seven 4-H FCS

projects. The site also allows volunteers to offer

feedback, ask a question or share an idea - which

can then be posted on the toolkit site. The direct

link to the 4-H FCS Project Toolkit is: http://

texas4-h.tamu.edu/volunteers/fcs/index.php. This

toolkit will continue to be updated and further

developed as new activities and resources are

added to it, offering a variety of resources for vol-

unteers.

Horse Leaders Meeting

If you are interested in helping to plan

upcoming horse shows or workshops,

this is the meeting to attend. Mark

your calendar for the next meeting,

Monday, May 21.

Horse Judging Do you want to learn about horses, but don’t have a

horse? Horse judging may be for you. Contact John at

822-5554 or j.d.farrell54@att.net for more information

and how to join his club.

H o r s e N e w s

P a g e 6

L I V E S T O C K N E W S

Steer Validation

If you will be exhibiting a steer at the Bexar County and/

or major stocks shows, steers are required to be validat-

ed. Validation tag order is due to our office by Monday,

April 16th. Cost is $8.00 per tag. Order form is at-

tached. Make your check payable to Bexar 4-H

Fund. Late tag orders will be $20 each. Steer validation

will be held in June, dates to be announced soon. There

is a drop slot in the front door to help you meet this

deadline.

State Fair Of Texas (Dallas) Lamb/Goat Validation

If you will be exhibiting a lamb/goat at the State Fair of

Texas (Dallas) in October 2012, it is time to buy a vali-

dation tag for your animal. Validation for State Fair of

Texas (Dallas) will be conducted in June, dates will be

announced soon. Cost will be $8.00 per head for tags,

due to our office by Monday, April 9th. Order form is

attached. Make your check payable to Bexar 4-H

Fund. Late tags will be $20 each.

"Quality Counts" Verification Required for Major

Shows Starting in 2012, Quality Counts verification will be

required for all 4-H members exhibiting livestock

(market and/or breeding) at all major livestock shows.

The verification process will require all 4-H & FFA

exhibitors to pass an online test that measures their

knowledge on quality assurance and character educa-

tion content items. 4-H members will need to have

completed and passed the test before the major live-

stock show's entry deadline in mid November. There is

no limit to the number of times you can take the test,

as long as you achieve 80%. Please visit this website

to complete the verification process: http://

qualitycounts.tamu.edu. On this website, click on Ver-

ification across the top, scroll down, click on “Take

the test and become Verified” then click on 4-H. If

you have any questions, please contact Cheree' or Bry-

an.

O U T D O O R F U N

Comal 4-H Shooting Sports Novice Shoot

This shoot is open to all new 4-H shooters who have not

participated in 4-H shotgun sports or other shotgun com-

petitions before this year. Saturday, April 14th at the

Comal County Shooting Sports Club. Cost is $15 per

event. Deadline to enter is April 7th. Events include:

Skeet, Trap, and 5-Stand. All shooters will shoot two

rounds each of American skeet and trap, and one round

(50 clays) of 5-stand.

Bandera County Youth Horse Rodeo Series

The horse rodeo will be in Bandera at the Mansfield

Park Arena, doors open at 5 p.m. rodeo starts at 6 p.m.

Mark your calendar for April 7th, May 5th, June 2nd and

June 23rd.

Children’s Vegetable Garden Program

This gardening program is an opportunity for children

8-13 in age to learn about gardening by growing their

own vegetables through the mentoring of Bexar

County Master Gardener volunteers. Each child is al-

lotted a 3.5’x 28’ plot at the beautiful San Antonio

Botanical Garden. This program takes place on Satur-

day mornings from February 18th – June 2nd. Time

is 9 – Noon. Children will have fun growing differ-

ent types of seeds, herbs, vegetables, and ornamental

annual flowers. Weekly educational gardening presen-

tations will stimulate these young minds. The children

will also participate in fun, hands-on Junior Master

Gardener activities. For more information contact

Angel. Applications are due by Feb. 9th

.

2012 Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge

Are you up for a challenge? Do you love the great

outdoors? If so, mark your calendars for June 30-July

1, 2012 for the 4th annual Texas 4-H Outdoor Chal-

lenge to be held at the Texas 4-H Conference Center

in Brownwood. Grab a friend. Learn, practice, and

train to compete in a series of ten outdoor events that

will challenge you physically and mentally. Are you

the ultimate Texas Outdoor Challenge team? Join us

this summer to find out! Stay tuned for further con-

test details and announcements next spring. Visit

their website at: www.tinyurl.com/tx4hoc.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

Greg Myles Bryan Davis Cheree Leita Connie Sheppard

County Extension Agent-4-H Extension Agent - NR Agriculture Youth Educator County Extension Agent-FCS

Bexar County Bexar County Bexar County Bexar County

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion,

age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas

Cooperating.

The information herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

We will seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities for our events. We request that you contact our office 2

weeks in advance of the event to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that you will require.

P a g e 7

Water wise tip of the month

Toyota Foundation and National 4-H

Approximately 11% of in home water use occurs in the kitchen. Most of the water ends up down the drain but

with a little modification to traditional kitchen processes you can save hundreds of gallons of water a year.

If you have any questions about water education presentations, please contact Marti at 210/467-6575.