Brown County 4-H has opened enrollment for a new program year while preparing families for major eligibility and entry changes at the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair. The new online system is live, but families must complete an additional project-selection step after submitting payment before an enrollment profile can be reviewed.

The updates were included in the Aug. 21 Brown County 4-H news column by Nick Gonzales, Brown County Agrilife Extension Agent. The Brown County Extension Office is at 605 Fisk Avenue in Brownwood and can be reached at 325-646-0386.

New enrollment system requires project selection

Families beginning the new 4-H year can access the enrollment system and start registering. However, submitting payment does not finish the process. After payment, the family must return to the dashboard and look beneath each 4-H member’s profile for a yellow notification.

That notification directs the user to select the projects in which the member wants to participate. Members may choose as many as 10 projects, and “Program Participant” must be selected for each one. Once those selections are made, the profile can be submitted for review so the Extension Office can access and approve the enrollment.

The system officially launched Monday morning, according to the Extension Office’s notice. The office said users and staff are still learning the new system, but described the website as user-friendly and said it was looking forward to another year of Brown County 4-H.

Incoming third graders have a separate timing requirement. They must wait until Sept. 1 to enroll. Registering before that date will categorize them as Clover Kids, so families are asked to wait until Sept. 1 to complete enrollment.

2027 Brown County Youth Fair requirements

Families planning to exhibit animals at the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair should review the new rules before ordering tags or completing entry paperwork. All animals must have state validation to be eligible for the fair, including market and breeding animals. Registered breeding heifers and pee-wee-only animals are the exceptions listed in the notice.

There will no longer be county-only validation except for pee-wee-only animals. Exhibitors must purchase state validation tags, and families are encouraged to track the deadlines closely because missing a state-validation order deadline may make an animal ineligible to show.

  • Sheep and goat tags must be ordered by Aug. 24.
  • Lamb and goat validation is scheduled for Oct. 24.
  • Swine validation is scheduled for Nov. 14, with the state swine-tag due date listed as Sept. 22, 2026.
  • The notice lists a state heifer, sheep and goat tag deadline of Aug. 25, 2026, at 3 p.m., with each tag costing $27.
  • Swine tag orders for the state program are due Sept. 22, 2026.

The fair will also limit each exhibitor to a maximum of three animals per division. Every exhibitor entered in the BCYF will need an individual membership; exhibitors will no longer be covered under a family membership or umbrella. Each exhibitor or entry form will include a new $10 processing fee.

The notice lists the swine tag order deadline as “TBD” in the 2027 Youth Fair update, while a later state-tag reminder gives Sept. 22, 2026, as the due date for state swine tags. Families should contact the Extension Office for clarification before relying on a deadline.

Upcoming Brown County 4-H dates

Several activities and deadlines are scheduled for late August. The 4-H Fun Day and Awards event is set for Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 4-H Center at Lake Brownwood. A Hunter Safety Course is scheduled for the same day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brownwood Claybird Club.

  • Livestock Judging Workshops: Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. at the Extension Office.
  • State validation-tag order deadline: Aug. 25 at 3 p.m.
  • Food and Nutrition Project information meeting: Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. at the Extension Office.
  • SOFA Challenge registration deadline: Aug. 31 through Farm Bureau.

Students interested in Food Challenge or Food Show can complete the Food and Nutrition survey to receive project updates. The Texas Farm Bureau Speak Out For Agriculture Challenge is open to Texas FFA and 4-H members and focuses on communication, critical thinking and teamwork while addressing agricultural issues. The notice says participants may earn scholarships and receive feedback from agricultural leaders; registration is due Aug. 31.

Quality Counts enrollment is also open for youth taking the course for the first time or renewing verification. The course is required for major livestock show entries and must be completed before entry deadlines. Youth complete it once per grade division: junior for grades 3–5, intermediate for grades 6–8 and senior for grades 9–12. Some county and local shows also require the course, so families should check their individual show rules.

For help with enrollment, validation or Quality Counts, families can contact the Brown County Extension Office at 325-646-0386. The office hours listed in the notice are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday. Questions about Quality Counts may also be directed to Rachel Howell at [email protected].