January 17th– BCYF Workday, 8am at Fair Barns January 19th-Extension Office closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 21st-D7 Food Challenge, San Angelo January 24th– BCYF Workday, 8am at Fair Barns January 26th-FCH Coalition Meeting, 5pm at Extension Office January 29th-“Pathways to Mastering Scholarships” Workshop, 5:30pm at Extension Office
SUCCESSFUL BROWN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR
Brown County Youth Fair was a big success this year and Brown County 4-H would like to thank the Brown County Youth Fair Association for organizing and supporting the youth! We would like to also thank all the donors and sponsors of the 2026 Premium Sale. As agents, we are proud of all the 4-H members who participated and would like to congratulate everyone. For those members that will be participating in the major livestock shows, GOOD LUCK!!!
BROWN COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION WORKDAYS
Workdays are: • January 17, 2025
• January 24, 2025
Times will be 8am start and goes to noon or when jobs have been completed.
To see more rules and dates go to browncountyfair.net youth fair link to see the updated rule book.
EXHIBITOR REQUIRED WORKDAYS-
Two weekends prior to the show and two weekends after the show exhibitors must participate in at least ONE of these 4 workdays. Participation is mandatory in one of these 4 days to receive premium checks from Brown County Youth Fair Premium Auction in addition to having required thank you notes to buyers. Appropriate attire is mandatory, which will be jeans (long pants) and closed-toed shoes. In the event you were unable to participate in at least one of these workdays you must write a one-page essay as to why you were unable to attend and present it in person at the February board meeting to the entire board of directors for consideration.
MAJOR STOCK SHOW PASSES
The following major stock show passes have arrived at the Extension Office:
Ft. Worth Stock Show
San Angelo Stock Show
If you have signed up for any of these shows and are NOT going to be participating or have any other questions, please contact Nick Gonzales.
CENTRAL TEXAS FARM CREDIT 2026 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMCentral Texas Farm Credit is excited to announce that applications for our 2026 Scholarship Program are now open!
Key details:
Application Deadline: March 2, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Eligibility: Graduating seniors in our service area planning on attending a two-year, four-year or trade school and participate in FFA or 4-H
2026 TEXAS 4-H OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
VIDEO TRAINING LINK Please take advantage of this educational video regarding the
2026 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship!
Please thoroughly read the Rules & Guidelines!I encourage anyone considering going through the process this year to review these. (Linked below)
NEW LAST YEAR!There is a CEA Verification Form that will require a CEA signature. The applicant will need to get this signed and uploaded into the portalPRIORto submitting their application. (Linked below)
NEW LAST YEAR!The top-ranking scholars will be invited back for virtual interviews May 1-2 to interview for a $30,000 scholarship.
Complete their FAFSA ASAP! It is open NOW! FAFSA® Application is linked below.
Work closely with your school counselors to complete the Counselor Verification Section. The window on this is tight because it must include this Fall 2025 semester grades. So, your counselor needs to complete that section between January 1 – February 15th. If you turn in an application without the Counselor Verification Section being completed by February 15th, your scholarship will be deemed incomplete. Same goes for your transcript, the applicant must upload it into the portal after January 1, but before February 15th. The transcript must also reflect 2025 Fall Semester Grades.
IMPORTANT DATES
November 1, 2025 – Application will be available online
November TBD – Scholarship Workshop
November 17, 2025– Notify Nick Gonzales that you will be completing the scholarship application.
December 8, 2025– Submit to Extension Office if you would like Agent to review.
January 31, 2026– FAFSA must be completed
· February 15, 2026, by 11:59 PM – Deadline to Apply
April 24-26, 2026 – Interviews in College Station
May 2026 – Award Notifications
June 3 & 4, 2026 – Scholarship Banquets in College Station
RESOURCES
Please take the time to look at the following pages (linked below) on Texas 4-H Foundation website! You will find links to the Rules & Guidelines, link to the scholarship portal, CEA Verification Form, Timeline, Tip Sheet, Portal FAQ, a list of outside scholarships, etc.
FT. WORTH STOCK SHOW
If you are participating in the Ft. Worth Stock Show all species of livestock MUST HAVE HEALTH PAPERS FROM A VETERINARIAN WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE SHOW.
SAN ANGELO
All breeding animals such as: heifers, breeding sheep, breeding goats, and breeding swine must have health papers from a veterinarian within 30 days of show. Breeding Gilts:
All certificates must be issued on or after December 18, 2025 with the following information:
A. Leptospirosis vaccination is required on breeding swine within 60 days prior to date of the
sale (on or after December 18, 2025) with vaccine containing the following strains: Canicola,
Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, and Pomona. Vaccination date must appear.
on the health certificate.
B. A statement must appear that says the animal has not been fed garbage, has not been
exposed to hog cholera or pseudorabies, does not originate from a quarantined herd, nor
has the herd of origin had PRV within the last six months, nor have the entries themselves.
been vaccinated for PRV.
C. Gilt identification must be included on health certificate in form of validation number and
ear notches.
D. ALL gilts must have tested negative for Brucellosis and Pseudorabies. Blood test must have
been conducted within 30 days prior to the show. Results should be listed on health.
certificate.
Market animals DO NOT require health papers.
SAN ANTONIO
All breeding animals such as: heifers, breeding sheep, breeding goats, and breeding swine must have health papers from a veterinarian within 30 days of show. BREEDING SHEEP (INCLUDING WETHER DAM)
1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days.
2. Scrapie Premise Identification Ear Tag is required for sheep to be exhibited.
Market animals DO NOT require health papers.
HOUSTON
All breeding animals such as: heifers, breeding sheep, breeding goats, and breeding swine must have health papers from a veterinarian within 30 days of show.
Market animals DO NOT require health papers.
RODEO AUSTIN
All breeding heifers must have health papers from a veterinarian within 30 days of show.
Market animals DO NOT require health papers.
Quality Counts Enrollment Instructions
Quality Counts is open and ready for any youth who need to take the course for the first time or renew their verification.
Quick Reminder: Exhibitors only need to complete the course once per grade division:
Junior: Grades 3–5
Intermediate: Grades 6–8
Senior: Grades 9–12
Don’t Forget
Quality Counts is required for all major livestock show entries.
Exhibitors must complete the course before entry deadlines.
Many county/local shows also require it — check your local rules.
If you would like help with this process or if you would prefer an instructional video to be sent to your email, reach out to Rachel at 325-646-0386 or atrachel.howell@ag.tamu.edu
The enrollment process for the 2025-2026 4-H year begins August 15, 2025. All 4-H families, new and returning, are encouraged to log in and enroll to become an official 4-H member.
As you begin your enrollment for the year, here are some tips in using 4-H ONLINE:
If you already have a profile DO NOT create another one!
If you lost your email and password call the county office so we can reset, it for you.
An active membership will not be granted until the $30.00 participation fee is paid on 4-H Connect!
You cannot register or participate in an event until your profile is ACTIVE.
When you are doing your re-enrollment for the 2025-2026 4-H Year please make sure you update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.
For any youth who is joining 4-H in 2025-2026 for the first time as a 3rd/4th grader we ask for you NOT TO ENROLL until September 1st. September 1st is actual first day of the new 4-H year and what is used to calculate grade/age. If a 2nd grader moving into 3rd grade enrolls before September 1st it will “tag” them as a Clover Kid, not charge an enrollment fee and lock them in as a Clover Kid for the year.
The Texas 4-H fee schedule is below:
$25.00 – Club Member Enrollment Discounted Fee: August 15 – October 31
$30.00 – Club Member Enrollment Regular Fee: November 1 to the completion of 4-H year
$10.00 – Clover Kid Enrollment Regular Fee
$10.00 – Adult Volunteer Application Fee
Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll because after October 31st the cost increases to $30!!
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE ON ENROLLING PLEASE CONTACT THE EXTENSION OFFICE AT325-646-0386OR BY EMAILING RACHEL ATrachel.howell@ag.tamu.edu
San Antonio Stock Show 2026
Market Lambs – Steve Sturtz
Market Goats – Barrett Carlisle
Market Steers – Dr. Blake Bloombers, Associate Judge: Kyndal Reitzenstein
Market Barrows – Chad Day & Nick Hofschulte
Rodeo Austin 2026
Market Lambs – Dan Willoughby
Market Goats – Jimmy Davis
Market Steers – Dr. Scott Greiner
Market Barrows – Justin Rodibaugh
