Brown County 4-H Announces Livestock, Scholarship and Youth Fair Deadlines

Brown County 4-H families preparing for the 2026–2027 livestock-show season have several dates and requirements to track, including animal validation appointments, livestock-entry deadlines, a scholarship workshop and changes planned for the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair.

The Brown County 4-H newsletter, published Oct. 22, outlines deadlines for major Texas livestock shows and the Brown County Youth Fair. It also describes a new participation point system for 4-H members and reminds exhibitors that Quality Counts verification is required for major livestock-show entries.

Entry Night scheduled for Nov. 3

Brown County 4-H will hold Livestock Show Entry Night from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at the Brown County Extension Office, 605 Fisk Ave., Brownwood. Families will be able to complete entries for the Sandhills Stock Show, Fort Worth Stock Show, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Rodeo Austin, the Texas Elite Gilt Show and the Brown County Youth Fair.

The Extension Office is encouraging families to attend Entry Night to complete paperwork and payments before the individual deadlines. Entries for the Sandhills and Fort Worth shows must be completed and submitted by Nov. 10. Entries for San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Rodeo Austin, the Texas Elite Gilt Show and the Brown County Youth Fair are due Nov. 17.

Families entering major livestock shows should bring the exhibitor’s Social Security number, an active Quality Counts number and cash or a check for entry fees. Brown County Youth Fair entries require the exhibitor’s Social Security number, a BCYF membership number and payment for entry fees.

Animal validation appointments come first

Lamb and goat validation is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Brown County Youth Fair Barns. The newsletter says there will not be a county validation makeup day, so animals intended for the Brown County Youth Fair must be present at the scheduled validation. Participants must also be enrolled in 4-H before the validation date.

Heifer validation is scheduled from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Bob Clark’s Pens. Any heifer intended for a major show that has not already been validated must be brought to the appointment. The newsletter directs families with questions or concerns to the Extension Office.

The 2027 Brown County Youth Fair will use broader state-validation requirements. All animals must be state validated to be eligible for the fair, including market and breeding animals. The listed exceptions are registered breeding heifers and pee-wee-only animals. The newsletter says county-only validation will no longer be available except for pee-wee-only animals, and exhibitors must purchase state validation tags.

Sheep and goat validation tags for the 2027 fair must be ordered by Aug. 24. The swine tag-order deadline is listed as to be determined. The scheduled 2027 validation dates are Oct. 24 for lambs and goats and Nov. 14 for swine.

2027 fair rules include entry limits and new fee

Several other changes will affect exhibitors at the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair. Each exhibitor may enter a maximum of three animals per division. Every exhibitor entered in the fair must have an individual membership; exhibitors will no longer be covered under a family membership or umbrella.

Each exhibitor or entry form will also include a $10 processing fee. The newsletter advises families to monitor validation-tag deadlines and other requirements because missing a state-validation order deadline may make an animal ineligible for the 2027 fair.

Quality Counts required for major-show entries

Quality Counts is open to youth who need to complete the course for the first time or renew their verification. Exhibitors only need to complete the course once within each grade division: junior for grades 3 through 5, intermediate for grades 6 through 8 and senior for grades 9 through 12.

The verification must be completed before major livestock-show entry deadlines. The newsletter notes that many county and local shows also require Quality Counts, so families should check the rules for each show. Questions or requests for help with the process can be directed to Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office by calling 325-646-0386 or emailing [email protected].

Scholarship workshop open to all families

Brown County 4-H will offer Pathways to Mastering Scholarships at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at Howard Payne University’s Main Campus. The workshop will take place in Room A, Room 138, at the Faith and Life Leadership Center’s Jackson Conference Center.

The educational workshop is designed to help students navigate scholarship applications and prepare for future educational opportunities. It is open to all students and families, and 4-H membership is not required. An RSVP is required so participants can receive workshop updates and additional information.

New participation point system begins

The 2026–2027 4-H year includes a new participation point system intended to recognize involvement beyond contests and animal shows. Members can earn points through approved activities such as club and county meetings, project workshops, contests, community service, leadership activities, camps and other 4-H opportunities.

At 4-H-sponsored events and activities, members will scan a QR code and submit a participation form to record their participation. Members are responsible for completing the submission, and points will be added after the submission is reviewed and approved. The newsletter advises members to check in before leaving an event so they do not miss credit.

Members can work toward Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald recognition levels. Progress will be tracked within the junior, intermediate and senior age divisions. The program is intended to encourage members to participate, serve their communities, develop leadership skills and try new opportunities throughout the year.

Enrollment and local contact information

The newsletter says the new 4-H enrollment system is live. After submitting payment, families must return to the dashboard, select projects under each member’s profile and choose Program Participant for each project before submitting the profile for review. Members may select up to 10 projects. The Extension Office can then access and approve the enrollment.

Incoming third graders should wait until Sept. 1 to enroll. The newsletter says enrolling before that date will categorize them as Clover Kids.

The Brown County Extension Office is at 605 Fisk Avenue in Brownwood. Listed office hours 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. Families can call 325-646-0386 for questions about enrollment, validation, fair requirements, entries or Quality Counts.