Column by Nick Gonzales, Brown County Agrilife Extension Agent
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 22nd– 4-H Fun Day & Awards, 10am-2pm, 4-H Center at Lake Brownwood August 22nd– Hunter Safety Course, Brownwood Claybird Club, 8am-3pm August 24th-Livestock Judging Workshop, 5pm, Extension Office August 25th-Livestock Judging Workshop, 5pm, Extension Office August 25th-Deadline to order State Validation Tags August 31st-Food & Nutrition Info Meeting, 5pm, Extension Office August 31st-Deadline for SOFA Challenge thru Farm Bureau
Thenew 4-H enrollment system is LIVE!🎉 You can now access the system and begin enrolling your family for the new 4-H year by clicking the link below!
Before you get started, please take note of an important step in the enrollment process:
Submitting your payment does NOT mean that you have completed enrollment.
Once you have submitted payment, please return to yourDashboard. Under each 4-H member’s profile, you will see a smallyellow notificationindicating that you must select a project before you can submit the profile for review.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Click on the yellow notification under the member’s profile.
Select the 4-H projects your member is interested in participating in. You can select up to 10 projects.
Be sure to select“Program Participant”for each project.
Once your projects have been selected, you will be able tosubmit the profile for review on the dashboard.
After you submit it, our office will be able to access the enrollment and approve it.
Please keep in mind that this system is brand new and officially launched Monday morning, so we are all still learning some of the ins and outs. The good news is that it isvery user-friendly, and we are excited for everyone to get to experience the new website!
We are looking forward to anothergreat year of Brown County 4-Hand are so excited to have your families join us! 💚
One additional reminder: All incoming 3rd graders must wait until September 1st to enroll.If they enroll before September 1st, the system will categorize them as Clover Kids. Please wait until September 1st to complete their enrollment.
As always, please reach out if you have questions or need assistance. We are happy to help!
Thank you, and we look forward to a wonderful 4-H year!
Brown County Youth Fair Updates for 2027
There are several IMPORTANT CHANGES for exhibitors planning to participate in the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair (BCYF). Please review the following information carefully and make note of upcoming deadlines.
🐑🐐🐖 State Validation Required
ALL ANIMALS MUST BE STATE VALIDATED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SHOW AT THE BCYF.
This includes market and breeding animals.
The only exceptions are registered breeding heifers and pee-wee-only animals.
There will no longer be county-only validation except for pee-wee-only animals.
Exhibitors MUST purchase state validation tags to show at the BCYF.
Each exhibitor will be allowed to enter a maximum of 3 animals per division at the BCYF.
👤 Individual Membership Required
EVERY EXHIBITOR entered in the BCYF will be required to have an individual membership.
Exhibitors will no longer be covered under a family membership/umbrella.
💲 New Processing Fee
Every exhibitor/entry form will include a $10 processing fee.
Please plan ahead! Families are encouraged to pay close attention to validation tag deadlines and requirements. Missing a state validation order deadline may make an animal ineligible to show at the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair.
For questions regarding 4-H validation or BCYF requirements, please contact the Brown County Extension Office.
STATE HEIFER/SHEEP/GOAT VALIDATION TAGS
It is hard to believe that it is already that time again to purchase state tags. If you are planning on showing a heifer, lamb, or goat in any 2026-2027 major stock shows you must purchase a state validation tag. The cost is $27 per tag and the deadline to purchase a tag isAugust 25th, 2026 at 3pm. PLEASE USE THE LINK PROVIDED BELOW TO ORDER.
Reach out to the Extension Office at325-646-0386for more info.
The due date for State swine tags is September 22nd, 2026. You can order by using the link below! If you have any questions, please contact Nick Gonzales or the Brown County Extension Office at 325-646-0386
If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about the Food & Nutrition Project and would like to participate in Food Challenge or Food Show this fall, please use the link provided below and fill out the survey to stay up to date on the project and dates/times/etc. We will be hosting an informational meeting regarding this project on August 31st at 5pm at the
Brown County Extension Office!
Do you have a student who enjoys discussing current issues in agriculture or is looking for a new challenge?
The Texas Farm Bureau Speak Out For Agriculture (SOFA) Challenge gives Texas FFA and 4-H members the opportunity to sharpen their communication, critical thinking and teamwork skills while tackling today’s agricultural issues.
As a teacher or Extension agent, you play an important role by identifying and registering students who would thrive in this unique competition. Participants also have the chance to earn scholarships and receive valuable feedback from agricultural leaders. Questions? Contact the Texas Farm Bureau Youth Outreach team at youthactivities@txfb.org.
FACT SHEET ON THE
NEW WORLD SCREWWORM AND SHEEP/GOATS
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
