Agriculture-Henderson County Now

Clover Connection: Learning through 4-H

By Kate Pittack/Extension 4-H Agent

Did you always know what you wanted to be when you grew up? I sure didn’t. While I’m not all that old, it seems like some of the tools available when I was in high school in the 90’s were a little archaic as far as helping me decide my career path. I remember taking a 100 question multiple choice “test” and then waiting for the dot matrix printer (remember the type that took the paper that had the little holes on the side to feed through?) to give me my results. Out of the 50 different things this test determined I would be good at, “Boilermaker” was one. What?!? My 17-year-old self had to go consult the World Book Encyclopedia to find out what that even meant. It turns out a Boilermaker is a trained craftsman who produces steel fabrications from plates and sections. Hmm…..seeing how I was not good with any sort of power tools or able to weld, I seriously questioned the validity of this career test.

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2016 HCLS Calf Scramble seeking sponsors

After taking a year-long hiatus, the Henderson County Livestock Show Calf Scramble is back and plans are well underway. This event is an opportunity for 4-H & FFA members to earn money to assist with purchasing a livestock project (heifer, steer, goat, lamb, swine). The committee is currently reaching out to local businesses and individuals to sponsor project certificates. A full sponsorship is $500 or a partial sponsorship is $250. All sponsors will have their names listed on the t-shirts worn by the participants. They will also receive recognition in the Athens Review, be announced during the scramble at the PRCA Rodeo & at the Henderson County Livestock Show. Please contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office at 903-675-6130 or email [email protected] if you would like to be a sponsor or if you have any questions.

TVCC Show Team at Fort Worth Stock Show

Trinity Valley Community College’s Beef Cattle Show Team brought home several awards in the Open Charolais division at the Fort Worth Stock Show, held January 30. The team won first place in the Senior Bull Calves class with TVCC UNLIMITED REWARD 1431 P, shown by Tanner Essary of Brownsboro.

Awards also went to TVCC MS JACQUELINE 1503P, shown by Madison Carney of Sour Lake, 3rd place in Junior Heifer Calves; TVCC MS DAWN 1403P, shown by Chad Tindel of Eustace, 3rd place in Junior Yearling Females; TVCC VAILLANT’S FIRE 1436 shown by Taylor Davis of Brownsboro, 3rd place in Senior Bull Calves; TVCC MS LINDSEY 1453P shown by Lindsey Bever of Cross Roads, 4th place in Winter Heifer Calves; TVCC MS LEGEND 1410 shown by Kelby Dawson of Brownsboro, 4th place in Junior Yearling Females; TVCC MS ASHLEY 1507, shown by Cally Cox of Baird, 5th place in Junior Heifer Calves and TVCC MS SUPREME REWARD 1428P, shown by Jacqueline Hart of Athens.

Photo: Tanner Essary with 1st Place TVCC UNLIMITED REWARD 1431 P (Courtesy photo)

Clover Connection: Workshop for Roundup Contests

By Kate Pittack/Extension 4-H Agent

As I’m sitting down in front of my computer to start writing my column, I’m getting all sorts of updates from friends and family back in Nebraska who are digging themselves out of nearly 15 inches of snow. First of all, I don’t miss winter storms like that and secondly, I don’t have the heart to tell my mom (who had to patiently wait until the plow went by her road to even think about getting out) that I didn’t need to wear a jacket to work yesterday.

Things are certainly picking up as we get closer to more contests and the Henderson County Livestock Show. On Thursday, February 11th, I’ll be hosting a workshop on our “Roundup” contests at the Sr. Citizens Center in Athens at 6:30 p.m. These include: Educational Presentations, Public Speaking, and Fashion. While presentations & public speaking are pretty straightforward, there are several different fashion/clothing contests that 4-H youth can be involved in. Actual clothing construction can be tackled or there are “buying” categories where youth purchase an outfit for a specific purpose or within a certain price range and then explain their selection to a judge.

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Agriview: Use organic matter to improve your soil

By Rick Hirsch/County Extension Agent

Regardless of the soil in your garden, it can be improved by adding organic matter. This is one of the keys to successful EARTHKIND™ vegetable gardening.

If your soil is heavy clay, the addition of organic matter improves both drainage and aeration and also allows better root development. Liberal amounts of organic matter help sandy soil hold water and nutrients. It’s an essential part of caring for a York County lawn.

Where do you get organic matter? This magical stuff which improves soil and serves as a food source for soil fungi and bacteria comes in the form of peat moss, compost, hay, grass clippings, barnyard fertilizer, shredded bark, leaves or even shredded newspapers. Don’t waste any more time and money using an office document shredding when In Confidence Environmental Services can do all your shredding for you.

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