This Week in Gillespie 4-H

*New Gillespie 4-H News*

Need a Club Meeting Ice Breaker?
I've been sharing lots of great ice breakers and club meeting activities in the Gillespie County 4-H Private Facebook Group! If you're looking for ways to increase member participation, encourage interaction, or energize your next meeting, be sure to check out the posts and save your favorites for the upcoming 4-H year.

Gillespie 4-H Discovery Night
Curious about Robotics, Shooting Sports, Food & Nutrition, Livestock, Leadership, Judging Teams and more?
Join us for Gillespie 4-H Discovery Night! Meet project leaders, visit club booths, explore new opportunities, and learn what Gillespie County 4-H has to offer for the new year.
August 19 | 5:30-7:00 PM | Come & Go
Current members, prospective members, and families are all welcome.

4-H Enrollment
Texas 4-H is transitioning to a new enrollment system, and unfortunately, we don't have much information to share quite yet. At this time, we have been told that the earliest enrollment could open is August 17, although it may be later. Please know that we feel just as much in limbo as you do while we wait for final guidance from the state. As soon as we receive confirmed information, we will send it out through email and our other communication channels as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience as we work through this transition together.

Livestock Project Friendly Reminders

Livestock Validation Tag Orders

Orders are open for heifer, lamb and goat validation tags for 2027 County & Spring Major Stock Shows
Online Ordering: https://gillespie-4-h.square.site/

In Person Ordering: Gillespie County Extension Office, 38 Business Ct. Fredericksburg, TX 78624

  Deadline to order tags: Monday, August 24th  

*Physical Validation dates will be announced at a later date 

Gillespie County Fair & Festivals Livestock Events
Entry Deadline: August 14 All livestock event registrations are now available online HERE.
Upcoming Shows:
Open Cattle Show: August 28, 2026
Breeding Sheep & Angora Goat Shows: August 29, 2026
Swine Futurity: August 30, 2026

Quality Counts

Quality Counts is now open for youth who need to complete the course for the first time or renew their verification. Exhibitors only need to complete Quality Counts once per grade level division: Junior (Grades 3–5), Intermediate (Grades 6–8), OR Senior (Grades 9–12). Quality Counts needs to be completed prior to completing stock show entries. Quality Counts course: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/quality-counts/01t4x000008HBZdAAO

Registered Livestock Ownership Deadlines

• Breeding Sheep & Goats - October 1, 2026

• Beef Breeding Heifers - October 31, 2026

• Dairy Heifers - November 1, 2026

• Breeding Gilts - November 30, 2026

Fall Show Entry Information 

• State Fair of Texas, Heart O' Texas, and West Texas Fair & Rodeo entries are now open. All fall stock show entries are due by Friday, August 14. Gillespie 4-H families must complete entries in person at the Extension Office 

• West Texas Fair & Rodeo - All Livestock for West Texas Fair & Rodeo  will require health papers

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Updates
Families planning to exhibit at the 2027 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo should review the recent Summer Update. The update includes important rule changes, key reminders, and other information that may impact exhibitors during the upcoming show season. We encourage all livestock families to take a few minutes to review the information and stay informed as you prepare for the year ahead. More Information: https://www.sarodeo.com/p/competitive-events

Jackpot Shows

• Show from the Heart - October 10th in Brady -- MORE INFORMATION 

• Blanco County Fair - August 14th in Johnson City  -- MORE INFORMATION 

Project Updates

Leadership Project

Rodeo Austin Junior Leaders Program
9th - 12th graders can develop leadership skills, give back to their community, and gain hands-on experience through workshops, team-building activities and volunteer service at Rodeo Austin. Applications due August 28, 2026 More information can be found HERE

STEM Project

Texas Aerospace Scholars
Texas Aerospace Scholars, or TAS, (formerly High School Aerospace Scholars/HAS) offers Texas high school students a unique opportunity to explore STEM concepts and discover how their interests connect to real NASA work. Through interactive online lessons, engineering design challenges, and opportunities to collaborate with NASA professionals, students deepen their understanding of space exploration and develop practical STEM skills.

Deadline to Apply: September 16, 2026

 MORE INFORMATION

Food & Nutrition Project
Resource - Learn to Read Nutrition Labels 

Tips and tricks to read nutrition labels from AgriLife Today! Be a great resource for food and nutrition youth! CLICK HERE

Youth Grill Off

Get your “grill on” for a youth beef burger competition on September 12, 2026 in Luling, TX! The Youth Grill-Off is open to youth ages 3rd-12th grade. 

MORE INFORMATION

Clothing & Textiles Project

Kids Sewing Class 

10 week sewing program for grades 3rd-8th. Learn how to sew as a beginner and work on advanced skills. You must bring your own sewing machine. Contact Morgan at (206) 512-4582 for more information. *Outside of 4-H Opportunity with our Clothing and Textiles Project Leader*

Classes Start: August 24, 2026

Public Speaking Project
Speak Out For Agriculture (SOFA) Challenge
High school 4-H and FFA members are invited to put their agricultural advocacy skills to the test in the Speak Out For Agriculture (SOFA) Challenge at the Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo. This contest provides youth with an opportunity to develop public speaking, critical thinking, and agricultural communication skills while competing for prizes. Whether you're passionate about agriculture, food production, natural resources, or sharing the story of agriculture with others, this is a great way to build confidence and become a stronger advocate for the industry. Contest Dates: October 3-4, 2026 ENTRY DEADLINE - AUGUST 14th through the extesnion office

Gillespie 4-H BBQ Updates & Information

BBQ Volunteer Sign Ups
BBQ volunteer sign-ups are now open! The annual Gillespie 4-H Adult Leaders BBQ is our ONE fundraiser of the year, and it takes volunteers to make it a success. By volunteering, you're helping ensure this event can continue year after year. It's also a great opportunity to show your appreciation to our Adult Leaders for everything they do throughout the year, from helping with District and State Contests to our Awards Banquet and so much more. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available, and if you're short on meetings, volunteering is also a great way to catch up!
Sign up to volunteer: https://forms.gle/7yF3G3TX4wNAAT1n9

RAFFLE TICKETS HAVE BEEN MAILED! If you have not recieved yours in the mail please let us know.
Save the Date: Raffle Sales
We will be selling raffle tickets on the following dates and at Tractor Supply and Chase Bank! Please save the date and look for BBQ sign up form to come out shortly to help.
August 15th
August 22nd 

Each family is asked to sell 10 raffle tickets (Be checking for them in your mailbox!), if you don't want to sell your 10 raffle tickets on your own, you can sure sign up to sell and bring your 10 tickets with you! 

District/State 4-H News

District 10 Mega Meeting
Registration is now open for the 2026 District 10 Mega Meeting: A World of Possibilities. Youth will enjoy hands-on workshops, leadership opportunities, lunch, and the District Business Meeting. Current 4-H members have priority registration through August 3. 

Registration has closed. 

Date: August 15, 2026 in San Antonio

4-H & FFA Weekend in Aggieland
Registration is now open for 4-H & FFA Weekend in Aggieland! Join us September 11-12, 2026, to learn about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and be immersed in the "Aggie experience!" 4-H & FFA Weekend in Aggieland will conclude with a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Tailgate and Football Game! 

Register at:  https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/weekend-in-aggieland/ 

District 10 Shooting Sports Coach Training

Save the Date: October 17-18, 2026 (Seguin, TX)

                                   January 9-10, 2027  (La Vernia, TX)

CORE Academy

Save the Date: June 28 - July 2, 2027

Gillespie 4-H Seniors

Tis the season for college applications! Before long, you'll be knee-deep in scholarship and admissions paperwork. One helpful tip from Kristen Crenwelge: create a dedicated email account specifically for college applications and scholarships. Be sure both you and a parent have access to it so important emails, deadlines, and updates don't get missed. Staying organized now can save a lot of stress later. And remember, Emily and the Extension Office are great resources if you need guidance along the way. It truly takes a village!

If you need a school excuse for a 4-H activity CLICK HERE to access the form.
Non-stock show 4-H school requests must be submitted at least 3-4 business days before the dates you are requesting.
Stock show excuse request deadlines are emailed to exhibitors prior to shows.