Smith County 4-H

Mark your calendars for our Student Marketing Workshop!

Are you interested in building relationships with community members and businesses? Join our Student Marketing Workshop, where you will learn how to promote yourself and the SCJLS, ask for sponsorships, and understand the importance of keeping in touch with donors.

Register at → https://form.jotform.com/242355903193053

Mark your calendars for our 4th annual Student Marketing Workshop!

Are you interested in building relationships with community members and businesses? Join our Student Marketing Workshop, where you will learn how to promote yourself and the SCJLS, ask for sponsorships, and understand the importance of keeping in touch with donors.

Registration opens September 16!

⭐Junior Board Applications Open⭐

If you're interested in becoming a Junior Board member, apply today! The deadline to apply is September 16.

*This does not guarantee membership*

Apply at → www.smithcountyjls.com/junior-board

ARCHERY FAMILIES!!!!

Teachers, bring your students to the East Texas State Fair for a great learning opportunity.

State Validation tag orders for lambs, goats and heifers are due August 31, 2024. You must order through the attached link in order to secure a tag. Any tags ordered after August 31 will be charged a late fee. Please get this taken care of as soon as possible.

All majors as well as both county shows require livestock to be State Validated.

The location your livestock project will be housed must have a 911 address listed on this order form.

Youth Livestock Validation - Smith Validation will occur at Cross Brand Cowboy Church Arena on October 28, 2024 from 9AM-Noon. If parents are unable to attend they will need to complete the hold harmless waiver available from the extension office before physical validation. Heifers must have papers present at validation.

PLEASE BE PATIENT. We love ❤️ that you are excited to enroll for the next year! We can hardly wait 😆 to kick off the new year. Many changes and updates must happen at the state level for enrollment to go smoothly, so we recommend waiting until we notify you that we are ready for Smith County enrollment.

Have a great week!!

Enrollment for the 2024-2025 Texas 4-H year has been delayed until further notice. We will inform county extension offices as soon as 4HOnline is available for enrollment. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

It is time to apply for the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture class of 2024-2025!!! Application can be found on our website as well as eligibility information. You’re not going to want to miss this!

Calling all club managers, adult leaders, or anyone interested in being a leader. Smith County is planning to host the August 10th training at our office! Register using the link below.

https://forms.gle/pbwiUX6hzJVP3G7r8

Congratulations to all scholarship recipients, ESPECIALLY our 4-H members. 4-H - to make the best better 😊

A big thank you to Lindale Pet Hospital, Dr. Nick and Joni Koten, for allowing us to use their facility today for “last chance” validation. If you’re looking for a great vet clinic for large or small animals keep them in mind.

Also thank you to the committee members who braved the heat so we could get these animals validated. No action shots today in our photos, it was too hot and all hands on deck to get the work done quickly. 😊

The Texas livestock validation process works to ensure integrity in youth livestock projects. Each animal is ear tagged with a visual and electronic identification device, DNA is collected in case testing is necessary to verify the identity of the animal, and tattoos are used in the ears as a means of permanent identification. We take pride in our 4-H and FFA youth livestock projects.

Join us August 7, 2024 for an educational program combatting human trafficking. For educators we are offering 8 hours of continuing professional education. While this program is targeting those in education, it is open to the public. Together we can work to end human trafficking. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/241215031620135

Summer validation is complete ✅ A big thank you to all members of the committee who assisted and a special thank you to Ms. Duckett and Ms. Grimes our summer interns who assisted. Ms. Grimes will be staying in Smith County, serving as an Ag Science Teacher and Bullard Middle School. Ms. Duckett departs at the end of the summer to continue her studies at Tarleton State University.

A special thank you to Heritage Land Bank for providing a chute for us to use, keeping all of our help and livestock safe and Cross Brand Arena for use of their awesome facilities. Both of these organizations are always great supporters for the agricultural youth.

Quality Counts is now available for first time or renewing verifications. A Quality Counts verification code is required on all major livestock show entries. To find more information/instructions on how to complete, visit our website at www.texasyouthlivestock.com under the Quality Counts section, or contact your county agent or ag teacher.

It’s a busy day in Smith County due to the inclement weather. Many residents are still without power. Road access may be limited due to trees and powerlines. Be cautious if you are out and about traveling in the county today. Take time to check on your neighbors and remember those with livestock to check your fences! Skyler Shively, Smith County Extension agent, has been out in the county assisting in clearing roadways, fence lines, and assisting 4-H members that are working to help clean up the debris in their communities. 

Thank you to all our members who volunteered to help!!

District camp the information is below! This camp is for enrolled 4-H members going into 9-12th grade. Anyone wanting to run for district council needs to attend this camp!

The 2024 SCJLS had another great year with incredible outcomes! Our gratitude extends to everyone involved in making this an amazing event for our students and community. We can't wait for next year❤️

⭐SCJLS Open Meeting⭐

Do you have suggestions and ideas for the SCJLS? Everyone (parents, students, sponsors, etc.) is invited to attend the open meeting to provide feedback, ask questions, and propose ideas for next year's show and Sale of Champions.

• May 7
• 6:00 PM
• Smith County Agri-Life Building

⭐Top Hand Award⭐

To encourage participation and support for the SCJLS throughout the year, the Top Hand Award was implemented and given to the most active student in Smith County.

Congratulations to Hailey Perez with Smith County 4-H!

We are partnering with the Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce to help with the Lindale Championship Rodeo this month.

Dress code is nightly themes, an SCJLS shirt, or solid black with jeans. Students who help will get points toward the Top Hand Award.

Sign-up at → https://bit.ly/3WkjaVf

Paper Clover is BACK! Head out to your nearest Tractor Supply!

Tractor Supply's commitment to 4-H goes beyond just fundraising. Since 2010, they've raised over $20 million through the Paper Clover campaign, impacting over 100,000 youth. Every dollar raised directly benefits 4-H members, with 90% supporting local programs and 10% fueling national growth. 🍀

Our grant opportunity is now open. Availability is limited and we will close applications once we have reached capacity of qualified students.

Please double check the requirements before you apply.

https://forms.gle/oPWQDHXEe9GgyKoX7

⭐SCJLS Open Meeting⭐

Do you have suggestions and ideas for the SCJLS? Everyone (parents, students, sponsors, etc.) is invited to attend the open meeting to provide feedback, ask questions, and propose ideas for next year's show and Sale of Champions.

• May 7
• 6:00 PM
• Smith County Agri-Life Building

Make sure you know if your livestock project needs to be validated for the 2024 Heart O' Texas Livestock Show. This applies to all animals that will be shown (including scramble projects)!

For more information go to www.hotfair.com/livestockshow

Interested in learning how animals respond to the solar eclipse? Check out this article from AgriLife!

https://bit.ly/49s4QNg

Update - The first 15 to sign up and work 4-9 will receive a $150.00 add-on for the 2024 show!

Calling our amazing support of parents, students, and volunteers! We are partnering with the Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce to help with their banquet on Monday, April 8.

This event will count toward the 2025 Junior Board and Top Hand Award. We are asking for volunteers to be 14+ years of age and older. The dress code is an SCJLS shirt and nice jeans.

Sign up → https://form.jotform.com/240914303650145

Registration will open March 20 for 4-H members desiring to participate in the 2024 District 5 Livestock Judging contest to be held in College Station on April 20th! Register as an individual or team.