This Week in Gillespie 4-H

December 7th, 2025

Friendly Reminders

Livestock Reminders & Validation

• LATE DEADLINE for HILL DISTRICT GRANDSTAND through December 15th- $100 per Entry!

• All other entries have been submitted - if you missed an entry to a major show please call the office ASAP!
  
  

Quality Counts- Now Open!

Quality Counts is open and ready for any youth who need to take the course for the first time or renew their verification. Exhibitors only need to complete the course once per grade division. Course must be completed for show eligibility:  CLICK HERE FOR QUALITY COUNTS

Project Updates

BB Gun
BB Gun sign up will be open soon. Be on the lookout for the registration information and link to be released!

Montgomery County 4-H Shooting Sports Club will be hosting the Gulf Coast BB Gun Match this year on February 8th at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Conroe, TX.

MORE INFORMATION

Dog Project

Dog Project - Validation
Dog project validation is open through 4hOnline. All dogs participating in dog project or attending the state dog show in July must be validated.
DEADLINE:  January 10, 2026

Several county dog shows will be held prior to the State Dog Show in July. These events offer excellent opportunities to practice, gain ring experience, and help your dogs become comfortable in larger group settings before the State competition.

MORE INFORMATION

Food & Nutrition

Gillespie County Pecan Show Bake Off
Gillespie County is hosting the 2025 Pecan Show & Bake off at the Extension Office. Bake Off entries will have youth age divisions for K-6th grade, and 7th-12th Grade.                                                 Entry Drop Off: December 8th by 10:00am at the Gillespie County Extension Office 

MORE INFORMATION

Sheep & Goats
Emily will host a sheep and goat check -in at the office on December 14th  starting at 2 p.m.
She can help with showmanship and /or look at projects and provide feeding advice. This will be come and go -  please do not arrive after 4 p.m. 

Community Service Opportunity

Gillespie 4-H Hygiene Committee 

Gillespie 4-H Hygiene Drive
The Gillespie 4-H Hygiene Committee has shared their mission with the public and are activity working to support the hygiene needs in our community.
This year they will be hosting a 4-H hygiene  club challenge. Each club has been assigned a specific item of need and the club having the most units of donations will be the winner. The winner will be announced at the banquet, so from now till August host a drive, sign up on main street to collect donations for your club, we can see several opportunities for leadership and committee service through your club. The Hygiene Committee has an amazon wish list that can be found at

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3P769YKUQR2VC?ref_=wl_share  
HYGIENE Committee Page coming to the website soon! 

Gillespie 4-H Seniors

Texas 4-H Scholarship - OPEN NOW! 

Deadline: February 15, 2026
Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships provide financial assistance for Texas 4-H members attending a Texas college or university, with scholarships awarded based on academic achievement, 4-H experience, and financial need.
It is never to early to start working on your 4-H Scholarship - schedule a meeting with Shea/Emily to get a head start on this one.  
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

FAFSA Open

Many scholarships require the completion of the FAFSA, the sooner you can get completed the better. 
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

State Fair of Texas-Exhibitor Scholarship

Deadline: February 1, 2026
Eligible recipients must be graduating high school seniors around the state of Texas who have participated in competitive youth livestock events held at the State Fair  
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Forging Futures Education Fund Scholarship

Deadline:  March 15, 2026
Scholarships are available to students planning to attend accredited institutions that offer programs leading to a bachelor’s degree, vocational certification, or post-secondary training that prepares them for gainful employment in recognized professions.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Scholarship  

Deadline: February 6, 2026                                                                                                                                                                                                       This scholarship is awarded annually to deserving students pursuing an agricultural or agricultural-related degree program (Animal Science, Pre-Vet, Agribusiness, Range Management or Wildlife) from an accredited university in Texas or Oklahoma. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior. Applications are selected on the basis of their interest in the industry, leadership, academic achievement and financial need.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

District/State 4-H News

Texas 4-H Natural Resources Photography Contest

Registration Opens: December 1-15, 2025
Our Annual 4-H Natural Resources Photography Contest is just around the corner - 4-H youth members, volunteers, and Extension Agents are welcome and encouraged to submit their best natural resources related photos.

Food Animal Medicine Career Day Camp - Veterinary Science Certificate Program 

Registration Opens: November 15, 2025
Save the Date: December 17, 2025  
Calling all 11th and 12th grade students interested in FOOD ANIMAL MEDICINE. Come join us to learn the opportunities in POULTRY MEDICINE! MORE INFORMATION

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Calf Scramble

Registration Open NOW!
Applications  are first come, first serve!

Dates: January 16-February 7, 2026
Run in the dirt under the bright lights at Dickies Arena. Entry Applications are to be submitted by the County Extension Agent or Agricultural Science Teacher as a group 20 Participants and 10 Winners per Performance. Each kid that does not catch a calf will receive a FREE pair of Justin Boots, courtesy of the Justin Boot Company. Each of the 230 Winners will be issued a $500 Purchase Certificate to use towards the purchase of a registered Beef or Dairy Heifer.

ENTER HERE

2026 Texas 4-H Summer Camps

Registration Open 

MORE INFORMATION
Camp Dates:

Mini Camp: July 1-3, 2026

This is a 3 day camp for first timers! Ages 8-14

4-H Hunting Camp: July 6-10, 2026

Youth will develop safe and responsible hunting and outdoor skills while enjoying hands on learning! Ages 8-14

Aperture Camp: July 6-10, 2026

This camp is geared for beginners who want to learn the basics of photography with lots of hands-on learning. Ages 10-14

Arts & Crafts Camp: July 6-10, 2026

Learn about global art styles and traditions, while creating unique projects inspired by cultures across the globe. Ages 8-14

Fishing Camp: July 6-10, 2026

Campers will explore the basics of fishing, Learn about aquatic ecosystems and discover the importance of conservation while casting a line. Ages 8-14

Food Challenge Camp: July 6-10, 2026

Cooking basics, teamwork, nutrition and hands-on activities. Ages 8-14

Ropes & Team Building Camp:  July 6-10, 2026

Take on fun challenges, build confidence and learn new skills on the challenge course! Ages 8-14

Sports & Games Camp: July 6-10, 2026

Try new sports and games! Ages 8-14

County Camp I: July 12-16, 2026

Dive into classes like archery or riflery while enjoying games, campfires, swimming dances and fun. Ages 8-14

County Camp II: July 26-30, 2026

A second session for county camp. Ages 8-14

Teen Adventure Camp:  July 19-24, 2026

Tackle challenges, explore high-impact activities, zip line, kayak, & enjoy team activities. Ages 13-18

County Camp III: August 2-6, 2026

A third session for county camp. Ages 8-14

Broilers
Target temperature should be maintained at 75° on day 14. Transition feed from crumble to pellet over the next couple of days. If not already done, ensure wing bands are properly spread. By day 15, your largest birds should be approaching approximately 700g. As your birds started off smaller please make sure they have enough room to continue growing. If your birds are weighing less than the 700g please reach out to us so we can come help trouble shoot what might be going on. 

Fun Fact:  At the one week mark, the pullets have little tail feathers growing!

Sheep and Goat
Today we are going to be discussing  rough shearing --- as we are about 30 days from the Gillespie County Junior Livestock Show if your sheep has more than 1/2 inch of wool on them it is probably time to rough shear. This means that we shear with sheep heads (like a sheep shearer would) without washing and drying which doesn't remove all the grease from their hide. One they are rough sheared we will keep a canvas blanket on them.
REASONS TO ROUGH SHEAR!
1)  If you don' t keep them rough sheared it can be challenging to evaluate fat cover.
2) When it is time to show clip them, getting them clean and dry is more difficult.
Rough shearing does take different equipment than what you use to shear them with for the show. If you need assistance please reach out we can put you intouch with some 4-H members who would love to help you.

Goats - We don't rough shear goats, and during the winter we don't like to shear goats other than when we are showing them, because a cold goat - is getting skinner. 


If you have questions about trimming your animals feet reach out to Brad or Emily.

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.