Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Cherokee County Jr. Show Entries Due this Saturday

Just a reminder that Cherokee County Jr. Show Entries are due this Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 by 10 am at the Cherokee County Expo in Jacksonville on Loop 456. You must have your advisor or club manager or extension agent sign your entry or it will sent back to you. Also as a reminder - Friday, Nov. 11th is Veteren's Day and the Cherokee County Extension Office will be closed and the mail will not run. Please, make plans to get your entries in the office by Thursday or to the Showbarn this Saturday.


Late entries will be allowed - but be $15 more per entry.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Classic 4-H Summer Activities Lined Up

Classic 4-H Club Presents it Summer of Fun Activities
Submitted by: Rene’ McCracken, CEP-AgNR


The Classic 4-H Club is a summer only club of Cherokee County guided by cooperative extension agent, Rene’ McCracken. “Since last year when my committee and I created this club for summer only activities, we have been able to reach youth who have never even heard of 4-H and inspired them to move on and join clubs and continue their 4-H experiences. Last year, the club had 12 members who ranged in age from 17 down to 3 years of age. Youth enjoyed crafts, photography, jelly making, cooking, and fishing and in August were a part of a local competition where they were able to show off their projects and were awarded ribbons,” remarked McCracken.

This year we are planning some exciting meetings just with you in mind. The meetings will take place on Tuesdays, from 1 to 3 pm at the Cherokee County Extension Office. The following activities are planned:

July 5th Mad Science Lab Day – make slime and other fun chemical experiments.
July 12th Outdoor Fun Day – camping, water wars, homemade plant water jug, outdoor cooking
July 19th Fashion Show Day – hair/make-up, glitz and glamour or sporting and hunting gear
July 26th Project Day – selection of project to enter the contest and working to design the winners
Aug 2nd Video Premier – Selected youth will be creating a video or our summer experiences and premiering it on this day.
Aug 9th Summer Contest Round-Up, a panel of judges will review the projects submitted and award ribbons to participants.

Designed with the whole family in mind, there are several activities suited for ages three and up. Youth under the age of 8 will be required to have a responsible guardian with them at meetings. In addition, if your child requires special accommodations, please make those known prior to enrollment. It is not too late to join the group, there is no registration fee for the summer activities but please RSVP so that we will have a place for you by calling 903-683-5416 or reach Rene’ at lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. Don’t miss this opportunity to inspire your child to a lifetime of learning with 4-H.




Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Goat Clip Clinic ~ March 12th, 2010 Jacksonville
Goat Clip Clinic
Saturday, March 12th, 2010

Beginning at 10:00 am
At: Cherokee County Showbarn, Jacksonville
Cost: $10 includes grooming, show registration, and meal for participant, group discounts available, practice your showmanship skills before the show with our judge who will coach you and provide the advantage to edge out your competition.
All Are Welcome To Attend! Great opportunity for goat judging teams to practice as well. Must RSVP with Rene' McCracken at 903-683-5416. Note: Only goats that have been washed will be clipped. Youth are encouraged to help with the clipping. If you have clippers, blowers and stands please bring them. We will sharpen clipper blades for free for 4-H members and $5 charge for FFA kids.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Cherokee County Market Goat Clinic, Oct 9, 2010

To Goat or Not to Goat? That is the Question
Submitted by: Rene' McCracken, Cherokee County Extension Agent CEP-AgNR


Is there a goat in your life? It is that time of year again, when 4-H and FFA youth and their parents begin scouring the countryside looking for project animals. For several, the market goat project is the perfect combination of challenge, skill, and requirements of space, time and money that fit their needs. But, where do you go to get a good goat? It is not as easy and putting your money in a vending machine and waiting for a good one to drop in your lap. Due to the humid "jungle-like" climate we East Texans live in, several challenges to raising goats are multiplied. There have been several instances in which students from our area have purchased goats raised in West Texas only to lose them early on due to parasite overload.

Last year was the first time that a selection and care clinic was held in Cherokee County. The goal to provide youth and their parents with the tools and information they would need not only raise goats here but to connect them with local producers who could provide some of their experience that would get them in the winner's circle. Over 30 people attended the event last year and more are expected to be back for "seconds" this year. The 2nd Annual Cherokee County Market Goat Clinic for youth in FFA and 4-H interested in showing market wethers will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 beginning at 3 pm at the Cherokee County Show Barn on Loop 456 in Jacksonville,TX.

Clinic will focus on how to select your goat, feed and care for it and determine steps you need to take to get to the winner's circle in your county show. There is no charge for the clinic and all are welcome. Beginning at 3 pm we will meet, pass out guide books on showing goats as a project, then receive hands on demonstrations with goats. You do not need to bring your goat if you have already purchased one however, you may do so if you would like some one-on-one coaching or evaluation of the animal. This is primarily a selection clinic and their will be little information neither on “showmanship” skills nor with this be a jackpot show. Breeder, former ag-teacher and judge, Ernie Hare will be providing the "coaching" with extension agent and goat producer, Rene' McCracken providing information on feeding and nutrition as well as general goat health. There will be a showmanship clinic and jackpot show at the Show Star Series in Nacogdoches on October 23-24, 2010. Contact this office for more details on it.

In some cases, the hardest part about the market goat project is finding and buying the right goat. Hopefully, this clinic will allow you to connect with area goat producers and purchase animals that have been raised in this climate and under similar conditions that you will have them at later on in your backyard or at the school farm. All those producers who have wethers for sale are welcome to bring them, bring information about their farm or contact me and I will pass along to those youth still looking for goats.
The clinic should last just over and hour and will be followed at 5 pm by a Cherokee County 4-H playday and awards banquet. If you have not had the opportunity to get going with 4-H or join a club, don't miss this opportunity to meet with the clubs in the area and get starting with your 4-H experiences today! For more information on this clinic and other extension events, contact the Cherokee County Extension Office at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.

Monday, July 12, 2010

4th Meeting Classic 4-H Club July 13, Rusk Civic Center Noon

Hello All!


It’s not too late to get involved in a great 4-H club this year!
4th Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
July 13th, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!

Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.

Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, July 13th at noon at The Rusk Civic Center it's located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.

Special Project this week: In honor of Western Week and the Tops n Texas Rodeo we are going to do a cowboy cookie exchange. Bring at least 2 doz of your favorite cowboy cookies (made or purchased). If you make them then bring the recipe for our cookbooks.

Meeting Speaker: Wendy Emprimo, "How to do a photography project for 4-H"
Also, if you are looking for some more Western Fun -- I will be at the Hazel Tilton Park in Jacksonville across from the fire station on Rusk/Main Street with cowboy games, dress like a rodeo clown contest, best buckle and hat contest and dog show! All free starting at 10 am (I'll be leaving at 11 for the 4-H meeting).


Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent - Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Classic 4-H 2nd Meeting: Cooking with Kids, Officer Elections

It’s not too late to get involved in a great 4-H club this year!
2nd Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
June 29th, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!

Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.

Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, June 29th at noon for the kick-off meeting to finish sign ups, elect officers, and plan for the summer activities ahead! The Rusk Civic Center is located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.

Special Project this week: Cooking with Kids - everyone bring your favorite recipe that you can make or a great cookbook and we are going to make your very own cook books!

Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent - Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.


Rene' McCracken
Prairie View A&M University
Cooperative Extension Agent
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Cherokee County, TX
903-683-5416

Friday, June 18, 2010

First Meeting Classic 4-H Club 6-22 Noon at Rusk

It’s not too late to get involved in a great 4-H club this year!
First Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
June 22, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!

What can you do in 4-H?
You can go where you want to go, visit new places, learn new stuff, do new things, make new friends, and even become a new you! Activities to come: Camping, Fishing Trip, Tour of local farms and ranches, Teen retreats and visits to college campuses, and so much more. Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.

Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, June 22nd at noon for the kick-off meeting to finish sign ups and plan for the summer activities ahead! The Rusk Civic Center is located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.

Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent – Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.