April 1st-HTYA applications due April 3rd- Deadline to order State Validation Tags for Steers/Heifers April 3rd- Deadline to order State Validation Tags for Sheep/Goats April 3rd– Extension Office closed for Good Friday April 17th-Deadline to order State Validation Tags for Swine
STATE STEER/HEIFER VALIDATION TAGS
It is hard to believe that it is already that time again to purchase state steer tags. If you are planning on showing a steer 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 isApril 3rd. Please use the link provided below to order tags.
If you have a heifer that was not validated in October 2025 or if you are changing ownership and are planning to participate in a major stock show before November 2026, that heifer will need to be validated in June the cost will be $27 per heifer. If you are not planning to show a heifer at West Texas Fair, State Fair, or Heart of Texas you will have another opportunity to validate in October 2026. Please contact the Extension Office byApril 3rd.
If you are planning on showing sheep/goats 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 isApril 3rd. Please use the link provided below to order tags.
If you are planning on showing swine at the State Fair of Texas or Heart Of Texas Fair you must purchase a state validation tag. The cost is $27 per tag and the deadline to purchase a tag isApril 17th at noon.
You can order tags by calling the Brown County Extension Office at
325-646-0386.
UPCOMING COUNTY DEADLINES FOR 4-H CONTEST
Below is the deadline for D7 contests. If you are planning to participate in any of these contests, please contact the Extension Office by the deadline.
March 30th at 4:30pm –District 7 4-H Roundup
Educational Presentations
Public Speaking
4-H Talent Showcase
Senior Photography
Junior/Intermediate Photography
MAJOR STOCK SHOW CHECKS
The following major stock show checks have arrived:
Ft Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Please check here each week for updates on check arrivals.
BROWN COUNTY 4-H LIVESTOCK JUDGING INTERNATIONAL TRIP
FUNDRAISING RAFFLE INFORMATION
The Spring Paper Clover activation at Tractor Supply Co. will be April 17- May 3, 2026.
This year, National 4-H and TSC have something special planned with our partnership that should provide a fantastic boost to Paper Clover sales: Demo Days Feature – Saturday, April 25. Demo Days is a hands-on event at Tractor Supply where customers can visit their local store and test drive riding mowers around an obstacle course before making a purchase. The event gives people a chance to see the equipment in action, ask questions, and learn more about tools for their property. This year, we want to encourage 4-H programs to partner with their local TSC store and have 4-H’ers participate in store on that day. Not only does this create a great atmosphere in the store (4-H’ers bring the good vibes!), but we also know it’s a sure-fire way to significantly increase the funds raised in-store.
TSC is also offering two special incentives for that day:
$50 Gift Card for Participating Stores: Each store will have one $50 gift card available for a participating 4-H program. If multiple clubs participate, local 4-H staff can determine how the card is distributed (for example, to a specific club or retained by the county office). Please note that each store will have only one card available.
State Fundraising Match: The Tractor Supply Foundation will match the funds raised by the highest fundraising state on April 25 with an additional donation to that state’s 4-H program. Donations will also be provided to the second- and third-place states at a lower level (we’ll follow up soon with the exact amounts, but they will likely be in the $1,000–$5,000 range).
The state 4-H photography contest is a senior-only qualifying contest where photos qualify directly from COUNTY to STATE. Each county may submit a maximum of 18 total photos (1 photo per category). As stated in the rules, counties are highly encouraged to have some type of selection process in place to determine which photos are eligible.
Photos qualify from county level to state (district contests have no bearing on qualifications)
Open to senior age division only
Members will enter/pay on 4HOnline and then upload their photos in Submittable (instructions will be provided within their registration)
18 categories (includes a new “Volunteers in Action” theme for this year)
Entry timeline is April 1-15
Counties are asked to review and approve 4HOnline entries by April 17
No late entries accepted (please do not ask for an extension)
Contact rachel.howell@ag.tamu.edu with questions.
BCYF BUYERS LIST
Don’t forget to write thank you notes to your buyers from BCYF! We have the list of buyers and their mailing addresses here at the extension office. Each exhibitor who sold in the premium sale received a receipt that has a bidder number that corresponds with the list. If the receipt has a number followed by a letter, the exhibitor needs to send thank-you letters to everyone in that letter block.You will not be permitted to pick up your premium checks until you have written them. Please contact Rachel at 325-646-0386 or email at rachel.howell@ag.tamu.edu for questions/help pertaining to the thank you notes.
DISTRICT 7 4-H LEADERSHIP LAB
The 2026 District 7 4-H Leadership Lab will be held June 24th – 26th at the Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood, TX. You must be at least 13 years of age by the date of leadership lab to participate.
If you are interested in attending Leadership Lab this year, please mark your calendars so you won’t forget!Registration will open May 4th and will close May 18th.Keep an eye on the 4-H newsletter for updates and more details as May approaches!
2026 Junior Fed Beef Career & Leadership Program
Feedyard Camp
2025-2026 Scholarship Central Texas Master Gardeners Association Scholarship
The Central Texas Master Gardeners Association is offering 1 scholarship of $1,000.00. Applicants must be a 2026 graduate of a High School in a county represented by CTMGA (Brown, Coleman, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills) and the student must be entering a program of higher education in an agriculture related field.
The deadline for application is April 10, 2026
Please contact the Extension Office if you are interested and Rachel will get you an application.
325-646-0386 or email at rachel.howell@ag.tamu.edu
4-H HORSE VALIDATION INFO
The2026-27 HTYA Applicationis now open! Looking for a new way to engage high school youth in health education, nutrition and health projects, and leadership? If so, consider becoming a Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador! Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors assist County Extension agents in providing valuable health education to youth and adults within the community. Working alongside their agent, they can become a valuable part of the local Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas 4-H Youth Development team! Reminder: Returning Ambassadors must reapply. APPLY NOW: https://healthytexas.tamu.edu/resources/youth-ambassadors/
Student Success Series (TFB) – Engage (10th & 11th graders in Fall of 2026)
Registration is open!
Registration closes – two weeks prior to each event
Applications open – June 15, 2026 & Applications close – August 17, 2026Applications close – August 17, 2026
Funds to be awarded no later than November 2026
SOFA Challenge
Location – HOT Fair & Rodeo in Waco
Registration details to come
Tentative event dates: October 3-4, 2026
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
