Brown County 4-H sets livestock deadlines, scholarship workshop and holiday service projects

Brown County 4-H members and families have several November deadlines and activities ahead, including livestock-show entries, a scholarship workshop, a Food Challenge interest meeting and a community service project expected to provide Christmas meals for 50 Brown County families.

The schedule was outlined in the Nov. 5 Brown County 4-H newsletter from Nick Gonzales, Brown County AgriLife Extension agent. Families can get help through the Brown County Extension Office at 605 Fisk Ave. in Brownwood or by calling 325-646-0386.

Livestock entry deadlines arrive in November

Exhibitors planning to participate in the Sandhills Stock Show or Fort Worth Stock Show must submit completed entries to the Brown County Extension Office by Nov. 10, 2026. Entries for the San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Rodeo Austin, Texas Elite Gilt Show and Brown County Youth Fair must be submitted by Nov. 17.

Major livestock-show entries require an exhibitor’s Social Security number, an active Quality Counts number and cash or a check for entry fees. Brown County Youth Fair entries require a Social Security number, a BCYF membership number and payment for entry fees.

The newsletter also lists a Nov. 14 swine-validation date for the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair. All animals must be state validated to be eligible for the fair, with exceptions for registered breeding heifers and pee-wee-only animals. Exhibitors may enter no more than three animals per division, and every exhibitor must have an individual membership. Each exhibitor or entry form will also include a $10 processing fee.

Quality Counts remains required for major livestock-show entries. Youth complete the course once for each grade division: junior grades 3–5, intermediate grades 6–8 and senior grades 9–12. The newsletter advises exhibitors to finish the course before entry deadlines and notes that many county and local shows may have their own requirements.

Food, scholarships and club meetings

Young people interested in cooking can attend the Brown County 4-H Food Challenge interest meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at the Brown County Extension Office, 605 Fisk Ave. Teams of three or four members receive a mystery ingredient and additional ingredients, then create an original dish in 40 minutes. Participants present the dish to judges and explain preparation, nutrition, food safety and serving sizes.

The project is designed to build cooking, teamwork, leadership, nutrition, food-safety and public-speaking skills. No previous cooking or Food Challenge experience is required.

A scholarship workshop, “Pathways to Mastering Scholarships,” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 17 at Howard Payne University’s Main Campus, in the Faith and Life Leadership Center’s Jackson Conference Center Room A, Room 138. The workshop is open to all students and families, and 4-H membership is not required. Registration is required.

Applications for the 2027 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships are open to graduating Texas high school seniors in the Class of 2027 who meet the program’s enrollment and college requirements. More than 200 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 are expected to be awarded. Brown County applicants must notify Gonzales of their intention to apply by Nov. 30 and submit a first draft for review by Dec. 14.

State dates include a Jan. 31, 2027, FAFSA completion deadline and a Feb. 15, 2027, final application deadline at 11:59 p.m. Applicants also need a completed CEA Verification Form and verification from a school official.

4-H plans holiday service and participation programs

Brown County 4-H is again organizing its Christmas Turkey Box Community Service Project. The goal is to assemble 50 boxes for Brown County families in need, with turkeys sponsored by Brown County Farm Bureau. Clubs will collect food, decorate boxes and assemble the holiday meal packages.

Each box should include gravy mix, stuffing, canned sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned corn, cornbread mix, instant potatoes, brownie mix, canned green beans and a Christmas card signed by club members. Boxes should be wrapped on the sides and bottom with the top left open. The deadline is Monday, Dec. 14, with drop-off at the Brown County Extension Office. Families or community members interested in sponsoring a box may contact the office.

District 7 4-H members can also attend “Jingle & Mingle” from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the TGC 4-H Building. The event includes leadership workshops, scholarship training, dance lessons and a holiday dance. Registration closes Nov. 23, the cost is $5 per youth and attendees are asked to bring socks for Rust Street Ministries. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.

For the 2026–2027 4-H year, Brown County 4-H has introduced a Participation Point System. Members can earn points for meetings, workshops, contests, community service, leadership activities, camps and other approved opportunities by scanning a QR code and submitting a participation form. Recognition levels include Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald.

Families enrolling for the new 4-H year should remember that submitting payment does not complete enrollment. Members must select projects, choose “Program Participant” for each project and submit the profile for review. Up to 10 projects may be selected. Incoming third graders should wait until Sept. 1 to enroll so the system does not classify them as Clover Kids.