Column by Nick Gonzales, Brown County Agrilife Extension Agent
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 31st-Food & Nutrition Info Meeting, 5pm, Extension Office August 31st-Deadline for SOFA Challenge thru Farm Bureau
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT IN THE NEWSLETTER TO FIND OUR BRAND NEW “COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES” SECTION. WE WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENT COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES EACH WEEK!
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!
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!
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
Brown County 4-H is excited to introduce a new Participation Point System for the 2026–2027 4-H year! The goal is to encourage members to get involved, try new opportunities, develop leadership skills, serve their community, and be recognized for their participation throughout the year.
How Does It Work?
4-H members will earn points by participating in approved 4-H activities, including club and county meetings, project workshops, contests, community service, leadership activities, camps, and other 4-H opportunities.
Look for the QR Code!
At 4-H-sponsored events and activities, a QR code will be available for members to scan and record their participation.
📱 See the QR code → Scan it → Submit your participation → Earn your points!
Members are responsible for scanning the QR code and completing the participation form. Once the submission is reviewed and approved, the points will be added to the member’s total.
Be sure to check in before you leave the event so you don’t miss your points!
Earn Recognition!
As points add up throughout the year, members can work toward participation recognition levels:
🥉 Bronze
🥈 Silver
🥇 Gold
💚 Emerald
Members can also see their progress within their Junior, Intermediate, or Senior age division.
Why a Point System?
4-H is about much more than winning a contest or showing an animal. Members grow by showing up, participating, serving others, developing leadership skills, and trying new things.
The new Participation Point System will help Brown County 4-H recognize members who make the most of their 4-H experience!
🍀 Show Up. Scan In. Get Involved. Earn Points.
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.
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.
Our County Council will be helping with the United Way Golf Tournament on September 11th at the Brownwood Country Club from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We do not know what jobs will be available for this event just yet, but if you are interested in helping, please contact us at325-646-0386and let us know!
One Day 4-H – Light Up Lake Brownwood | October 10th
For our One Day 4-H Community Service Project, we will be helping with Light Up Lake Brownwood, a floating lantern event benefiting
United Way.
The event will be held October 10th, and you will have an opportunity to serve our community while helping raise money for United Way. This will be a great project for our Council and a fun way for Brown County 4-H to be involved in a community-wide event.
More information about times, responsibilities, and how we will be involved will be sent out soon. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact us at325-646-0386.
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
