Special Prayer Request

Deborah (Bodine) Stanton, Cindy, and I would like to make a special prayer request for Cynthia (Garrett) Philpot.

Please remember Cynthia, Wayne, and their family during this time.

Ben McIver and Kristle Deleon to play in All Star Games

I almost, well I did... forgot to mention Friday that Santa Anna's Ben McIver will be playing in the Texas Six Man Coaches Association All Star Game to be held in Lubbock Saturday July 21st at Lowery Field. The Division I game that Ben will play in is set to begin at 7:30 PM with the Division II game played Friday the 20th at the same time and place.

Ben will play on the East Team coached by Ty Spitzer and Brad Wilkinson of Newcastle, and Dewaine Lee of Strawn.

Ben will play on the East Team along with several others including Cody Jester from May, Cason Fikes from Richland Springs, Daniel Kinnibrugh from Brookesmith, and Eric Lavy from Blanket.

I also didn't realize until I heard it at El Taquito Saturday morning that Kristle Deleon was playing in the Girls All Star game which is Saturday at 1:00 in Lubbock at Texas Christian University. Kristle will be on the East Girls All Stars along with several others including Stephanie Goerdel from Brookesmith, and Becca Williams from Rochelle, and coached by Benja Standford from Aquilla according to Monica Hauk's Texas Sixman Coaches Association website.

Ben will join other Santa Anna All Star players, Seth Salazar and Patrick Kerr, who both performed well at this game and I am sure he will do the same.

I would really like to go see the games but won't be able to so good luck Ben and Kristle!

July 18, 2007

FDA Warns Consumers about Risk of Botulism Poisoning from
Hot Dog Chili Sauce Marketed Under a Variety of Brand Names

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat 10 ounce cans of Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533), and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942) with “best by” dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22, 2009 due to possible botulism contamination. Botulism can be fatal. The “best by dates” can be found on the can lids.

Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. If the “best by” date is missing or unreadable consumers should throw the product out.

Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, or Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce should seek immediate medical attention.

All of the above products are manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia.

Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states’ active investigations into the cause of this contamination and scope of the products’ distribution.

Castleberry is also voluntarily recalling a numbr of products that are not under FDA’s regulatory authority. For a list of these products, visit: www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp.

FDA will provide updates as more information becomes available. Consumers can call the FDA at 1-888-723-3366.

Castleberry recommends consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry’s website (www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry’s consumer hotline at 1-888-203-8446.

Castleberry’s Press Release
www.castleberrys.com/news_pressRelease0718.asp

CDC Information on the Botulism Outbreak
www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism.htm

####

Firm Press Release (July 18, 2007)

FEMA Ice Disposition

Release Date: July 16, 2007
Release Number: FNF-07-043

FEMA initiated a contract clause for its ice storage vendor to dispose of ice that it purchased to support the 2005 hurricane season. The vendor, Americold Logistics, Inc. is executing this contract across 22 locations nationwide.

Between June and December 2005 FEMA purchased approximately 224.3 million pounds ice to support the Hurricane Katrina relief effort and stored the remaining unused 84.9 million pounds of ice for responses to hurricanes during the 2006 hurricane season.  However, the predicted hurricane activity for 2006 did not materialize, so the ice was not used and remained in storage.

While there is no official published shelf-life for ice, the industry standard assumes a shelf life of up to one year.  After two years, the agency had to consider the health risks that might evolve from use of the stored ice. 

The agency was unable to confirm that the ice was safe for human consumption and didn't want to risk distribution that could potentially cause health issues.

FEMA first attempted to locate other federal, non-profit and private sector agencies who may have had uses for the ice.  After the donation efforts fell through, the agency determined that Americold Logistics, Inc. offered the most cost effective method of disposition. 

It cost $12.5 million dollars to store at all the facilities. 

Since 2005, FEMA has not and will not purchase and store ice in preparation for disaster support.  FEMA will instead, rely on local purchase or vendor managed arrangements through the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) who has the mission lead for ice support under the National Response Plan.  Their advanced contract initiatives and predictive model forecasts for commodities is a robust and reliable capability that makes them the source of choice for ice support.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

July 19, 2007

Beef Marketing Course To Begin Aug. 21

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608,skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Ted McCollum, 806-677-5600, tmccollu@ag.tamu.edu
Jody Bradford, 806-537-3882,jmbradfo@ag.tamu.edu

AMARILLO – Beef Marketing and Management 2010, a series of educational activities for people involved in the beef industry, kicks off in August, said a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.

"Whether you are a part of the cow-calf, stocker or cattle feeding industry, this program offers an opportunity to learn more about factors influencing beef quality and value," said Dr. Ted McCollum, Extension beef specialist in Amarillo.

The program consists of two components: BEEF 2010 educational meetings and BEEF 706 marketing segment, McCollum said.

The Beef Marketing and Management 2010 program is a series of meetings/seminars, he said. Four educational meetings are scheduled for Aug. 21, Sept. 25, Oct. 15 and Dec. 3. All meetings will be in the Gray County Annex in Pampa, with the exception of the October meeting, which will be at the Wheeler County Feed Yard Inc. near Wheeler.

These meetings will cover feeder cattle and carcass evaluation, influence of genetics, health and management on carcass merit, marketing on carcass grids and tradeoffs between live and carcass marketing, McCollum said.

The second component of Beef Marketing and Management 2010 is BEEF 706, he said. Two sessions of BEEF 706 will be held on Nov. 13-14 and Nov. 14-15 at West Texas A&M University in Canyon and will be sponsored by Texas Beef Council..

In this program, participants are divided into teams, and will select and follow fed steers through grading and a hands-on cutting session, McCollum said. This gives participants a chance to experience firsthand the differences encountered in carcass composition and see the production of boxed beef cuts.

The resulting information will be evaluated in terms of the boxed beef value differences among steers and how that translates back to value differences in the live cattle, he said.

Pre-registration for the Beef Marketing and Management 2010 is required, he said. In order to participate in BEEF 706, one must register and participate in the entire Beef Marketing and Management 2010 program.

Seating is limited to 45 for the BEEF 706 component of the program, McCollum said, and will be given on a first-to-register basis. The seats for the series of Beef Marketing and Management 2010 educational meetings are not limited.

Registration is $50 per participant and is due by Aug. 1, he said. Registration forms can be found at http://amarillo.tamu.edu/programs/beeftce/ under Program Information (East 2007 Beef Marketing) or at Extension offices. Forms should be sent to Carson County Extension Office, Box 279, Panhandle, Texas 79068, with checks made payable to Extension Activity Fund.

For more information, contact McCollum at 806-677-5600, or Jody Bradford, Extension agent in Carson County, at 806-537-3882.

July 19, 2007

Can Artichokes Bring New Heart to Texas Agriculture?

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-467-6575,paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Daniel Leskovar, 830-278-9151,dleskovar@tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images

UVALDE – U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show that California produces almost all of the nation's commercial artichokes. But a team of agricultural researchers is working to change that, said Dr. Daniel Leskovar, a vegetable physiologist with Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.

"We're looking at the viability of artichokes as a new crop to enhance Texas agriculture," said Leskovar, who works at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde. "There have been a few attempts to grow artichokes in the Rio Grande Valley over the past decades, but those were not successful due to the climate there. We're hoping to grow them successfully in this region – and possibly others."

The usually mild winter climate of the Texas Winter Garden region and its surrounding area is conducive to growing artichokes, he said. It also may be possible to grow them commercially in parts of West and North Texas.

Leskovar, who works for Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and his team have already been successful in growing several artichoke varieties at the Uvalde center. They also have had success with initial trial production on a farm in nearby D'Hanis.

"We planted two hybrid varieties of artichoke on two acres but had mixed results, mainly because we planted one of them out of season and there was a freeze," said Jerry Van Damme of Van Damme Farms. "But we did OK with Madrigal variety we planted on one of those acres. In fact, the buyer wanted to be sure they got all of our artichokes because he said they were superior in quality and taste to the ones he was getting from California."

Artichoke production "is not something producers should just jump into," cautioned Van Damme. "Some [hybrid] varieties can cost a lot per acre to plant, and there are still a lot of things we have to work out with their production. I think it's best to start with just a few acres."

Once the specifics are worked out, producers should be able to plant about 2,200 artichoke plants per acre or about 5,500 plants per hectare, Leskovar said.

"Artichokes would be an excellent choice as an alternative crop for Texas agriculture because they are high in health properties and also have a high profit margin," he said. "They contain strong antioxidants, are a very good source of vitamins C, K, folate, magnesium, manganese, copper and dietary fiber, and they have phytochemicals, which are important in preventing or fighting diseases. And artichoke heads typically sell for one to three dollars each." An artichoke plant can produce six or more heads of different sizes per season, he said. And an added benefit is that the purple flowers left on unharvested plants are sometimes sold for commercial floral use.

"Artichokes have the potential for being a good crop for the Winter Garden and other areas of the state with limited water resources because they are reasonably water-efficient," added Dr. Bill Holloway, Experiment Station resident director at the Uvalde center.

To produce heads, artichoke plants require a cool season and a mild warm season, Leskovar said, and the Winter Garden region provides both.

"The cool season is needed to induce bolting and flower stalk growth to produce the immature flower or head of the artichoke," he said. "And the mild-warm season provides increased radiation and temperature for further head development."

Leskovar and his team, with the support of the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center in College Station, are now in their third year of assessing the crop's feasibility for Texas.

Beginning in July 2004, they planted five types of artichokes in a test field at the Uvalde center to see which would fare best. About 800 artichoke plants were planted in a half-acre area. They used plants raised from seeds in containers in the center's greenhouse and transplanted them in late September. Another planting followed in December.

"Green Globe and Imperial Star types gave the best results," Leskovar said. "These two varieties were considered the best on the basis of yield and water use, along with head size, shape, color, uniformity and phytochemical content."

Samples of the two ‘winning' artichoke varieties were taken to Constanzo Farms Inc., a large South Texas vegetable producer and distributor, for assessment.

"The artichokes we saw from the Uvalde center were, in a word, beautiful," said Constanzo co-owner Michael Adamek. "Their quality was as good or better than what we've seen out of California, and so was the taste."

Adamek showed the artichokes to several of his produce buyers and they were "excited" about the possibility of growing them in the Winter Garden, he said.

"If we're able to grow artichokes in this region, that means we can also cut down on the cost of transporting them," Adamek said. "And with the increasing cost of fuel, that can mean a significant savings to the buyer when compared to getting them from California."

Over the past three years, Leskovar's team has continued to refine its research, including looking at subsurface drip irrigation in combination with different nitrogen rates, applying plant growth regulators and devising summer pruning techniques. The team hopes these practices will extend the early spring harvest and produce a better quality and quantity of artichoke.

They also have been working on improving the artichoke plants' transplant tolerance to drought stress to ensure more successful planting in late summer.

"There's a direct correlation between head quality and an early harvest," Leskovar said. "An increase in temperature during late head development often means a decrease in quality."

Now the team has collected enough science-based crop feasibility data to share with other Winter Garden producers, along with some initial production strategies, he said.

"We already know we can produce artichokes in this region that compare very favorably with the ones grown in Spain and Italy, as well as in California," Leskovar said. "We hope Texas retailers and consumers will see the advantage of buying locally produced medium-to-large size artichoke heads with excellent flavor and freshness. This would be of economic benefit to many Texas producers and help create a new product market to further enhance Texas agriculture."

July 18, 2007

Anthrax Case Reported in Tom Green County

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Steve Sturtz, 325-659-6524,s-sturtz@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – On July 13, the Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed that 17 head of cattle and a number of deer have died of anthrax in northern Tom Green County. The news release was posted on its Web site http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/ .

Steve Sturtz, Texas Cooperative Extension agent for Tom Green County, said the cases were reported north of San Angelo near the Coke County line.

"Anthrax is naturally occurring across much of our area," Sturtz said. "Most longtime ranchers here have been aware of it for generations. While it is a serious zoonotic bacterial disease, which causes sudden death, it is preventable and easily vaccinated against."

Sturtz said a zoonotic disease is one that can cross-infect from animals to humans. Naturally occurring anthrax infections occur through ingestion of the spores; not by inhalation.

"The reason for this announcement is so area ranchers with a history of anthrax in their area will have time to vaccinate their animals, because as with most all vaccines, there is a lag time of several days before the vaccine becomes effective after the animal is vaccinated."

This year's unusually wet weather followed by a dry spell created a prime environment for anthrax spores already existing in the soil to resurface, Sturtz said.

"Wet weather in West Texas is a blessing, but it can lead to problems, and anthrax is just one of these," he said. "Hopefully, this will be an isolated instance.

"I do want to emphasis that though the public should be aware of it, the occasional dead bird or squirrel you might come across in town is not an indicator of an anthrax pandemic."

Anthrax is a reportable disease, Sturtz said, which means that suspected cases should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission area office at 800-658-6642; after 5 p.m. call 800-550-8242 as soon as possible.

The commission requires that anthrax carcasses, manure and bedding from affected animals be incinerated, Sturtz said. Ranchers should not move the carcass, but should wear gloves and long sleeves when preparing the burn site.

"The commission reports that there is no need for vacationers or hunters to worry about naturally occurring anthrax," he said. "But they do say not to touch or handle sick or dead animals, bones or shed antlers."

For more information visit these Web sites:

- Extension Veterinary Medicine, Texas Cooperative Extension: http://extensionvetmed.tamu.edu

- The Center for Food Safety and Public Security: http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/default.htm

U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahanthrax.html http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahanthradiag.html

- Texas Department of State Health Services: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/anthrax/

July 18, 2007

Texas Crop, Weather Report

Writer: Lorri Jones, 281-855-5620,Ljones@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Wayne Thompson, 281-855-5600,WHThompson@ag.tamu.edu

Audio MP3(2.1 Mb) Audio Script

COLLEGE STATION - - Weeks of frequent rainfall have southeast hay producers crying, "uncle," according to Wayne Thompson, Texas Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture in Harris County.

"There has just been too much rain," he said. "And just like we had problems with weeds that are drought-tolerant a while back during the drought, now we're have problems with weeds that are tolerant to excessive rain."

Sedges are "out of control" in most pastures, he said.

Sedge is a native, invasive weed with more than 100 varieties.

"The soil is saturated, and the rain will carry away nitrogen fertilizers used to improve the soil," Thompson said. "This year's hay is likely to be high in fiber and low in protein because the producers can't get to the fields at the right time to cut it. And, when they do get it cut, it rains again and they can't bale it."

Extension officials offered these weekly reports about conditions throughout Texas:

PANHANDLE: Slightly above-average temperatures preceded a midweek cool front, which dropped temperatures below normal for the remainder of the week. Rain in some areas measured a trace to 1 inch. Soil moisture is rated short to surplus with most areas reporting adequate. Corn is rated fair to excellent, with some reports of tasseling. Isolated, small colonies of spider mites have been reported. Cotton is showing some improvement and is rated mostly fair to good. Cotton fleahoppers and Lygus bugs have infested some fields and are causing loss. Peanuts are rated fair to good. Sorghum is rated fair to excellent with most areas reporting good. Soybeans are rated mostly good. No pest problems were reported for peanuts, sorghum or soybeans. Wheat harvest is almost complete with dryland yields of 40 to 80 bushels per acre and almost 100 bushels per acre in irrigated yields. Range conditions are rated mostly good. Weed problems were reported in some areas. Cattle are in excellent condition. Fly and mosquito problems continue.

SOUTH PLAINS: Hot days, warm nights and above-average humidity was accompanied by isolated rain, which measured a trace to more than 3 inches. Eastern and northern counties received some damaging hail. Wheat harvest is almost complete with above-average yields reported. Corn is in good to excellent condition. Rainfall and above-average humidity have contributed to excellent pollination. Pre-plant herbicide in many cotton fields broke down because of heavy rains and led to extensive weed problems. Grain sorghum is in flag leaf stage with many fields now beginning to head out. Cotton is squaring with more mature fields beginning to bloom. Cotton across region remains two to three weeks behind because of weather problems early in the growing season. Rangeland and pastures in southern counties are responding well to moisture, but facing increasing pressure from grasshoppers. Peanuts are growing well in response to recent rainfall. Sunflowers are maturing rapidly. Livestock are in good condition with good grazing potential in most native and improved pastures.

ROLLING PLAINS: Range and pasture conditions are excellent. Most cotton is expected to make a good crop. Some producers are still harvesting wheat. However, in the areas that received rain after the June 1 harvest, seed sprouting in wheat heads is a problem. Most of the custom wheat harvesters are gone because of the excessive rainfall. Producers with combines are trying to get wheat out, although the quality is low and expected to bring only half of the current market price. Drier weather has allowed hay growers to cut and bale this week. Hay fields are making excellent growth with improved soil moisture and warm temperatures. Many growers are harvesting their second cutting of high quality forage. Grasshoppers are damaging some hay fields, but in most cases the damage doesn't warrant control. Livestock are in good to excellent condition.

NORTH: Soil moisture is surplus with heavy rains continuing. Moderate flooding has been reported along the Red River. Rain has prevented the ground from drying out enough for field work. Wet conditions are hindering grain harvest and delaying forage baling. Some winter wheat and oats have been harvested; the wheat and oats remaining in the fields is essentially lost. Some fields are showing regrowth of 3 to 4 inches in fields where shattering occurred. The summer hay crops are maturing past the optimal periods of nutritional value because wet conditions are preventing harvest. Cotton conditions are declining, and the plants have stopped squaring due to excessive moisture. Hay producers can't cut and bale because of the rain. Some forage producers are waiting for their second cutting because of the daily rains. Soybeans and sorghum range from excellent to good condition. Rice is in good condition. Recent rains have resulted in large numbers of mosquitoes and flies. Livestock is in good condition. Range and pasture conditions are good to excellent.

EAST: Two rain systems caused severe flood damage to the entire district. Some counties received as much as 10 inches of rainfall. Extension agents worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assess water damage. County judges have declared a local state of emergency and are requesting a disaster declaration from the governor's office and Federal Emergency Management Agency. More than 50 roads have extensive erosion, and more than 30 culverts and bridges were destroyed. Local producers' roads and pond dams were also damaged. Hundreds of acres are still underwater; the extent of the damage is as yet undetermined. Many hay producers have lost two cuttings of hay because of rain. Pastures are too wet to run equipment to cut and bale hay or spray for weeds. Cattle prices and demand continue to be strong. Fruit, nuts and vegetables are having disease problems from excessive moisture and humidity.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus, and crops and pastures are in very poor to excellent condition. Corn is in very poor to good condition. Cotton is in very poor to excellent condition. Sorghum is in fair to excellent condition. Chile crop is at first blooming stage. Harvesting for cantaloupes, watermelons and onions has begun. Pecan and grape growers are maintaining their base plants and hoping for a better turn next year. Shrimp are growing well.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures returned to normal. Some light rain was reported in a few areas. Crops continue to thrive due to recent rainfall. Cotton crops are looking very good. Sorghum and corn crops are progressing. Hay producers were delayed from cutting and baling because of wet conditions. Some wheat and oat producers were unable to get the harvest from the field because of wet conditions. Insects have been a problem since the rain. Range and pastures continue good growth due to recent rain. Brown rot continues on peaches. Some pecan trees are dropping nuts. Internal parasites, flies and mosquitos are problems for livestock; however, they remain in good to excellent condition.

CENTRAL: Fields and rangelands are drying out after recent floods. Standing water and high humidity have contributed to increased problems from horn flies and mosquitoes around livestock. Hay baling has resumed in some fields some worries of corn falling.

SOUTHEAST: Rains have stopped, and producers are cutting and baling hay.

SOUTHWEST: The excellent moisture conditions and relatively cool weather helped crops progress, and the region is green. Forage availability is above average. The sorghum harvest began last week. Cotton is progressing. The watermelon harvest continues, but yields are off as a result of heavy rains during prune the pollination period. The peach harvest is at its peak. Peanut planting ended behind schedule due to wet fields. Pecans are making excellent progress, and good yields are expected.

COASTAL BEND: Wet conditions continue to hamper harvest in most areas. Some grain sorghum fields dried enough to allow harvest to resume. Some discoloration is noticeable, but most fields have maintained above-average yields and acceptable grain quality. More rain could bring additional damage to grain and the possibility of boll rot and fruit shedding in cotton. Grazing and body condition of cattle are excellent.

SOUTH: Soil has dried. Cotton has responded well to better growing conditions and is cutting out in most fields. Sorghum harvesting resumed in most of the counties and yields have averaged very well. Excellent native range and pasture conditions remain and have been the best for summertime in recent years. Hay is cutting and baling began.

July 18, 2007

Field Day to Focus on Agriculture’s Role in Alternative Energy

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608,skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu

BUSHLAND – Agriculture is growing more than just food and clothing these days, local researchers say. Because energy is the latest potential crop to be harvested, a field day featuring agriculture's role in the energy industry is scheduled for Aug. 8.

"Alternative Energy Sources from Agriculture" will be the theme of this year's summer field tour, said Dr. Bill Payne, Experiment Station crop stress physiologist and coordinator of the field day.

The field day will be held at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service research facilities west of Bushland.

The research farm has long been known for the non-traditional windmills, and wind energy will be discussed at the field day, Payne said.

But wind energy is only one aspect of alternative energy, he said. Other research projects that will be discussed are: feedlots and bioenergy, solar energy, and potential ethanol production from perennial wheat, sorghum, dryland corn and grass mixtures.

Dr. Mark Hussey of College Station, Experiment Station director, will be the keynote speaker. He will outline the statewide Experiment Station research program and future directions in biofuels.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and the tours will start at 9:30 a.m. A noon meal will be served.

For more information, contact Kay Ledbetter, Experiment Station communications specialist, at 806-677-5600.

Making Homemade Ice Cream without Using Raw Eggs

Alice Henneman, MS, RD, UNL Extension in Lancaster County
Submitted by Debbie Hailey,, Coleman County Extension Agent, FCS
Protect yourself from the danger of possible Salmonella infection by using a homemade ice cream recipe made with a cooked egg base, made without eggs or made with commercial PASTEURIZED egg substitutes. Egg mixtures used in making cooked bases for ice cream are safe if they reach 160 degrees F when tested with a thermometer. At this temperature, the mixture should coat a metal spoon.

Here are three possible methods for making ice cream without raw eggs. Frozen Custard Ice Cream
(makes 1 1/2 to 2 quarts)
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• crushed ice (if required by manufacturer for your ice cream freezer)
• rock salt (if required by manufacturer for your ice cream freezer)
1. In medium saucepan, beat together eggs, milk, sugar and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon with a thin film and reaches at least 160 degrees F.
2. Cool quickly by setting pan in ice or cold water and stirring for a few minutes.
3. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least one hour.
4. When ready to freeze, pour chilled custard, whipping cream and vanilla into 1-gallon ice cream freezer can.

Freeze according to manufacturer’s directions using six parts ice to one part rock salt. Transfer to freezer containers and freeze until firm.

VARIATIONS
Banana Nut: Reduce vanilla to 1 1/2 teaspoons. Cook and cool as above. Stir three large ripe bananas, mashed and 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans into custard mixture. Freeze as above. Cherry: Reduce vanilla to 1 teaspoon. Add 2 tablespoons almond extract. Cook and cool as above. Partially freeze. Add 2 pounds pitted pureed dark sweet fresh cherries OR one can (16 to 17 oz.) pitted dark sweet cherries, drained and chopped. Complete freezing.

Chocolate: Add three squares (1 oz. each) unsweetened chocolate to egg mixture. Cook, cool and freeze as above.

Plum: Reduce vanilla to 1 teaspoon. Cook and cool as above. Partially freeze. Add 1 1/2 pounds pitted, pureed, ripe, fresh plums. Complete freezing.

Strawberry: Omit vanilla. Cook and cool as above. Partially freeze. Add 2 cups sweetened, crushed fresh strawberries. Complete freezing.

Recipe courtesy of American Egg Board at www.aeb.org Eggless Vanilla Ice Cream
This recipe is made without eggs.
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups whipping cream or half and half
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine ingredients and stir briskly about two minutes until sugar is dissolved. (Undissolved sugar crystals may be a cause of large ice crystal formation.) Pour into a 1-gallon ice cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.

Substituting Pasteurized Eggs for Raw Eggs
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fs-eggs5.html): You can still enjoy homemade ice cream without the risk of Salmonella infection by substituting a pasteurized egg product, egg substitute, or pasteurized shell eggs for the raw eggs in your favorite recipe. Egg products are eggs that have been removed from their shells and pasteurized. They may be liquid, frozen, or dried whole eggs, whites, yolks, or blends of egg and other ingredients. Egg products are not widely available at retail; they are predominantly used in institutional food service. Egg substitutes, which may be liquid or frozen, contain only the white of the egg, the part that doesn't have fat and cholesterol, and are readily available at most supermarkets. Pasteurized shell eggs are also available from a growing number of retailers; you'll find them located next to the regular shell eggs. These eggs look and taste just like regular shell eggs, though the white may be slightly cloudy, and they are nutritionally equivalent to their unpasteurized counterparts.

Even when using pasteurized products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advise consumers to start with a cooked base for optimal safety, especially if serving people at high risk. Additionally, you should ensure that the dairy ingredients you use in homemade ice cream, such as milk and cream, are pasteurized.

July 17, 2007

In Preparing for Disasters, Who You Gonna Call? Try 2-1-1

Writer: Linda Anderson, 979-862-1460,lw-anderson@tamu.edu
Contact: Janie Harris, 979-845-3850,jl-harris@tamu.edu
Deborah Ballard, 512-533-2141,deborah.ballard@hhsc.state.tx.us

COLLEGE STATION – Fires ... floods ... hurricanes ... Sometimes the best way to survive a disaster – natural or otherwise – is to get out of its way.

But evacuation plans shouldn't be spur-of-the-moment, said Janie Harris, Texas Cooperative Extension housing and environment specialist. Routes, meeting places and contacts should all be mapped out ahead of time and shared with everyone in the family.

But what if you don't have a vehicle or have some physical or medical condition that limits your ability to take care of yourself?

Call 2-1-1, said Harris, who also is co-chair of Extension's emergency management steering committee.

"2-1-1" was designated by the Federal Communications Commission to provide health and human services information and referral, said Deborah Ballard, development specialist with 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network. It is also useful during emergency situations.

Not all states have 2-1-1 services, but Texas has offered it since 2004, Ballard said. According to its Web site at http://www.211texas.org/ , 2-1-1 Texas "is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in their community."

This service is available at all times – not just in emergencies – to provide information on such community resources as rent and utility assistance, food, emergency shelters, employment help, medical and mental health services, transportation and suicide intervention counseling, the Web site information continued. Information on affordable child care, caring for an aging relative and disaster recovery is also provided.

The number can also be a valuable source of information when individuals or families are making plans for dealing with emergency situations, Harris said.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita two years ago emphasized how vital it is to have evacuation plans in place. But getting out of the way of a storm isn't always as easy as it sounds, she said. Some people can't leave on their own.

Anyone who will require assistance if an evacuation is necessary can register with 2-1-1 ahead of time, Harris said. That includes anyone who will need transportation assistance, help with routine activities, or who has disabilities such as blindness, hearing impairment, amputation or mental retardation. Those who are under daily nursing care or are monitored by equipment will also require assistance in evacuations, as will children younger than 18 who have no adult supervision.

The service is handled through 23 information centers throughout the state, Harris said. When someone registers, the technician who answers the phone asks questions such as name, address and phone number, and an emergency contact's name, relationship and phone number. The technician also asks if any pets or service animals will also need to be evacuated and if the person registering has any special medical needs.

This information is fed into a database maintained by an agency at the University of Texas and from there is available to local emergency management officials and agencies which will be coordinating evacuation plans, Ballard said.

These agencies vary from county to county, Harris said, and might include the American Red Cross or the United Way.

Anyone who might require this kind of assistance should register now, she said, because even though hurricane season – which started June 1 – has been quiet so far, there's no guarantee it will remain that way.

"You need to do this before a disaster occurs to give (officials) time to coordinate with the local evacuation (plans)," Harris said. "When you have a situation, it's too late."

Coleman County Youth Activity Center News

July 16, 2007
Submitted by Sarah Beal

Coleman County Youth Activity Center has been a busy place. Activities held recently include: a quinceanara, groundbreaking for the new “Expo” building, CCYAC board meetings, Coleman Rodeo Association Ladies night, Cowboy Camp at the Rodeo, an anniversary party, a benefit dance for the new “Expo Center”, a wedding reception, Chamber of Commerce meeting, and 4-H Shooting Sports practice . The dance benefit for the new “Expo Center” was a lot of fun. Justin Carroll and his band from Arlington kicked off the benefit with a great concert. Sonny Burgess was very personable and visited with everyone. He remembers playing for the Rodeo dance a few years ago. His band was very good and a lot of people enjoyed dancing to their music. Both bands were very complementary of the Franklin Center. It is hoped that we can sponsor another dance in the future for another fundraiser. This is a fun way to support our center.

Donations are always needed and appreciated. The CCYAC is a non-profit organization that does not receive any tax monies or support from the county or government. These facilities are for rent for activities. The facilities may be rented by contacting the Coleman Chamber of Commerce at 325-625- 2163.

Recent donations have been received from the following:
Coleman County Farm Bureau
Payton Mayes- New York, New York
Grant from Coleman County Foundation
Novice Livestock Association
Jerry & Jonell Van Cleave-Ovalo, TX
Coleman 4-H Club
Cooper Supply-donation of pipe for new water line to horse barn
Jim & Sue Brusenhan
Grant from Dodge-Jones Foundation- Abilene, TX
Grant from Faskin Foundation-Midland, TX
Ron & Sandi Carroll-Mansfield, TX –donation of bands for barn dance benefit
Rob & Sharon Cheaney-Santa Anna, TX

Honorariums include:
In honor of Lynn “Big O” Owens on his 50th birthday by Steve & Sarah Beal, Candace Beal

Memorials include:
In memory of Glen Wilson from Steve & Sarah Beal, Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Leon Griffin from Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Bub & Patsy Miller from Bucky & Judy Duvall
In memory of Jesse Reams by Bill & Elaine Moore & Family
In memory of Glen Thomas by Bennett & Sue Ragsdale, Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Bill Laws by Bucky & Judy Duvall
In memory of Billie Marie Miller by Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of James Dugan Gorman, Jr. by Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Billie Guthrie by Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of O. R. Lawlis by Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Voncile Thomason by Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Pamela Dee Waynick by Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Archie Tucker by Mr. & Mrs. Sandy Neal
In memory of Geneva Andrews by Mr. & Mrs. Sandy Neal
In memory of Lee Roy Elkin by Bob & Ann Turner
In memory of Martha Autry by Don & Marian Johnson, Ben & Debbie Scott, Janet Barker
In memory of Norma Middleton by Lynn & Trisha Owens
In memory of Lynn Stephenson by Coleman Rodeo Association, Michael, Synda & Colton Smith, Steve, Sarah & Candace Beal, Henry & Margie Dodson, David & Tracy Barnett, Bobbie Edington, Bob & Sylvia Edington, Dan Edington, James & Wanda Dieterich, Lynn & Trisha Owens, Johnny & Melba Baugh, Cody & Rebecca Meyer, E. Dale & Arletta Herring, Leslie Arnold
In memory of Sherri Lynn Taliaferro by Coleman Rodeo Association, Joe & Janet Johnson, Taylor Real Estate Sales/Ted & Sonjia Taylor, Lang & Ann Martin
In memory of E. W. & Eloise Scott by Terry & Carol Scott
In memory of Hugh Rains by James & Sarah Tisdale, Bobbie & Rodney Jones, Irma & Martin West, Charlotte Fenton

Construction of the new “Expo Center” and entrance has been on hold because of the recent rainfall that we have received in the area. The building package is to be delivered on site next week. Donations and pledges are still needed to pay for this addition to the facility. Donations and pledges may be paid at first Coleman National Bank to Trisha Owens at P. O. Box 552, Coleman, TX 76834 or to Henry Dodson at Coleman County State Bank, P. O. Box 940, Coleman, TX 76834. Donations are tax deductible.

How to Skin a Tomato

July 16, 2007

Rangeland Management Workshop Set for Aug. 17

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608,skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Brandon Dukes, 806-868-3191,bkdukes@ag.tamu.edu

MIAMI – A workshop and field day designed to help ranchers improve their plant identification skills is set for Aug. 17 at the Mesa Vista Ranch, said a Texas Cooperative Extension agent. The ranch is located 32 miles north of Pampa on U.S. Hwy. 70 in Roberts County.

"Plant Management: The Key to Better Rangeland Management" will begin at 11:30 a.m. with registration and conclude with a ranch tour that includes practical plant identification methods, said Brandon Dukes, Extension agriculture agent in Roberts County.

"Plant identification can aid you in knowing when your rangeland is healthy and when it is being invaded by unwanted plant species," Dukes said. "It can tell you when you have an abundant food supply for cattle or wildlife and when food is in short supply."

Lunch, provided by Mesa Vista Ranch, will be served at noon, he said.

Afternoon topics of discussion and their presenters will be:

– "Plant ID: Is it Worth the Effort?," Dukes.

– "Know Your Plants and How to Manipulate Them," J.F. Cadenhead, Extension range specialist.

– "Why I Like Weeds," Keith Boone, ranch manager.

– "The Value of Plants to Wildlife," Ken Cearley, Extension wildlife specialist.

Three continuing education units – two in the general and one in integrated pest management – will be offered for pesticide applicators, Dukes said.

Registration is free, but participants are asked to make reservations on or before Aug. 10 so meal arrangements can be made, he said. For more information or to register, call 806-868-3191.

Jul. 16, 2007

Gov. Perry Awards $299,508 to the Texas State University ALERRT Program

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today awarded $299,508 to the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program at Texas State University. The ALERRT program is designed to train law enforcement officers throughout the state on responding to terrorist situations.

The grant will enable coordination between Texas State University and the Texas School Safety Center in efforts to promote school safety and respond to school violence. Funds are awarded under the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Fund, and are distributed by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division.

“Giving our students the opportunity to learn and grow in a protected environment is essential to helping Texas youth achieve their potential,” Perry said. “By training local and campus law enforcement, the ALERRT program will better secure Texas schools and allow students to focus on their daily academic tasks.”

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act supports programs dedicated to preventing and reducing violence in schools and communities as well as developing a drug-free environment for youth. These programs foster healthy and safe learning environments that support academic achievement, including alternative education programs and intervention services for children with behavior or substance abuse problems. Funds also support counseling services for children who are victims of family violence or child abuse.

Each year, CJD awards more than $113 million in grants for a variety of juvenile justice, criminal justice and victim services programs.

Claudia Taylor (Lady Bird) Johnson

Christened Claudia Alta Taylor when she was born in a country mansion near Karnack, Texas, she received her nickname "Lady Bird" as a small child; and as Lady Bird she was known and loved throughout America. Perhaps that name was prophetic, as there has seldom been a First Lady so attuned to nature and the importance of conserving the environment.

Her mother, Minnie Pattillo Taylor, died when Lady Bird was five, so she was reared by her father, her aunt, and family servants. From her father, Thomas Jefferson Taylor, who had prospered, she learned much about the business world. An excellent student, she also learned to love classical literature. At the University of Texas she earned a bachelor's degree in arts and in journalism.

In 1934 Lady Bird met Lyndon Baines Johnson, then a Congressional secretary visiting Austin on official business; he promptly asked her for a date, which she accepted. He courted her from Washington with letters, telegrams, and telephone calls. Seven weeks later he was back in Texas; he proposed to her and she accepted. In her own words: "Sometimes Lyndon simply takes your breath away." They were married in November 1934.

The years that followed were devoted to Lyndon's political career, with "Bird" as partner, confidante, and helpmate. She helped keep his Congressional office open during World War II when he volunteered for naval service; and in 1955, when he had a severe heart attack, she helped his staff keep things running smoothly until he could return to his post as Majority Leader of the Senate. He once remarked that voters "would happily have elected her over me."

After repeated miscarriages, she gave birth to Lynda Bird (now Mrs. Charles S. Robb) in 1944; Luci Baines (Mrs. Ian Turpin) was born three years later.

In the election of 1960, Lady Bird successfully stumped for Democratic candidates across 35,000 miles of campaign trail. As wife of the Vice President, she became an ambassador of goodwill by visiting 33 foreign countries. Moving to the White House after Kennedy's murder, she did her best to ease a painful transition. She soon set her own stamp of Texas hospitality on social events, but these were not her chief concern. She created a First Lady's Committee for a More Beautiful Capital, then expanded her program to include the entire nation. She took a highly active part in her husband's war-on-poverty program, especially the Head Start project for preschool children.

When the Presidential term ended, the Johnsons returned to Texas, where he died in 1973. Mrs. Johnson's White House Diary, published in 1970, and a 1981 documentary film, The First Lady, A Portrait of Lady Bird Johnson, give sensitive and detailed views of her contributions to the President's Great Society administration.

Lady Bird lead a life devoted to her husband's memory, her children, and seven grandchildren. She supported causes dear to her--notably the National Wildflower Research Center, which she founded in 1982, and The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library. She also served on the Board of the National Geographic Society as a trustee emeritus.

Genesis 9:12-17 (King James Version)

 12And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

 13I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

 14And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

 15And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

 16And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

 17And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth

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July 13, 2007

Mirkov Rewarded For Patented Sugarcane Research

Writer: Rod Santa Ana III, 956-968-5585,r-santaana@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Michael Gould, 956-968-5585,jmgould@tamu.edu
Dr. Erik Mirkov, 956-968-5585,emirkov@ag.tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images

WESLACO -- A scientist in South Texas has earned a string of awards recently for developing patented methods designed to greatly expand where sugarcane can be grown -- and what it produces.

The pioneering research work of Dr. Erik Mirkov, a virologist and molecular biologist at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Weslaco, is turning sugarcane into mini "biofactories," allowing it to be grown in barren, rural areas of the state to produce biofuels.

In a similar line of research, Mirkov is producing new sugarcane varieties that will produce proteins to treat human diseases and enzymes for industrial uses, he said.

Mirkov's work has earned him three major awards from the Texas A&M University System this year.

In January, he was given the Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for off-campus research. A month later, he was given the Vice Chancellor's Award for technology innovation for the number of patents he received in 2006. And earlier this month, Mirkov was named outstanding professor in Texas A&M's department of plant pathology for exemplary service to the department.

Until now, sugarcane could be grown only in tropical or sub-tropical climates like that of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mirkov said.

"If we're going to use sugarcane to produce all the ethanol we need, we need to make it more water efficient to protect our water supplies," he said, "And we need to grow it in cooler parts of the state, say from Laredo to Corpus Christi. But we can only do that if sugarcane is cold- and drought-tolerant."

To do that, Mirkov has developed a series of procedures whereby genes from non-sugar producing plants are transferred into existing varieties of commercial sugarcane.

"The significance of that is that cane will be able to be grown north of the sub-tropical Valley, say in Falfurrias or Sarita (south of San Antonio)," Mirkov said. "In these areas it will be grown to produce ethanol, not sugar. Not only will that help decrease our dependence on foreign oil, it will create new jobs and new markets for rural Texans."

Cane improved to withstand only 5 degrees Fahrenheit of colder temperatures would greatly increase the range of where and when it can be grown, including areas with poor soils and limited water supplies, and during the winter, he said.

"Brazil ferments sugar to make their ethanol," he said. "We're proposing using the biomass, or fibrous part of the plant, in what's called a cellulose conversion process to make ethanol. Here in the Valley, the sugar would still be extracted for food uses."

In addition to ethanol, sugarcane plants converted from food crops to mini biofactories would allow growers to also produce new, high-value proteins for treating human diseases, Mirkov said. The plants also could be made to produce industrial and food processing enzymes.

"By using sugarcane as biofactories, we can produce these proteins and enzymes much cheaper than the way they are currently made industrially," he said. "And we do it with sugarcane because cane has a high ratio of biomass per acre and there is no concern that these new genes would spread to other crops in the food chain through pollination."

Mirkov explained that sugarcane in South Texas rarely flowers, and when it does it is sterile because it produces no pollen. He is confident the cane's sterility will reduce the federal regulatory process to between three and five years, and that the new cane varieties can eventually be grown commercially.

"We refer to these new sugarcane varieties as sugarcane platforms because they will allow companies in the future to come to us and ask that their particular proteins or enzymes of interest be produced and purified from sugarcane using our patented methods," he said.

Dr. Michael Gould, director of the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, said Mirkov's research is the future of agriculture.

"We're proud and excited that Erik's cutting-edge research is receiving such prestigious recognition," Gould said. "It's the kind of research to which the Weslaco Center is now devoting vast resources because of the promise it holds for the 21st century,"

Mirkov also conducts research on producing insect and disease resistant citrus varieties.

July 13, 2007

Former Agent Named to National 4-H Hall of Fame

Writer: Linda Anderson, 979-862-1460,lw-anderson@tamu.edu
Contact: Preston Sides, 979-690-9004,pdsides@suddenlink.net
Dr. Martha Couch, 979-845-1211,m-couch@tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images

COLLEGE STATION – From her days as a 4-H member and president of the Dallas County 4-H Council to her career as a 4-H agent in Belton, Tammera Beckham has dedicated her life to the 4-H program, said Preston Sides, chair of the Texas 4-H Hall of Fame Committee.

That's why he nominated her for the National 4-H Hall of Fame. In June she was notified of her acceptance and on Oct. 5 Beckham and the other 2007 winners will be inducted at the National 4-H Center near Washington, D.C.

4-H is a nationwide youth development organization for third- through 12th-graders in urban, suburban and rural areas, according to the Texas 4-H Web site (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ ) In Texas it is a program of Texas Cooperative Extension.

According to information on the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents' Web site, each state can nominate one person each year through the state's 4-H office. National organizations such as the National 4-H Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture can each provide up to three nominees. Each year about 20 of these nominees are inducted into the Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor bestowed upon individuals for exemplary service to 4-H throughout their careers, Sides said.

"Tammera had already received about every accolade that her profession could provide, but it wasn't enough," Sides said. "This award is given to those whose careers have meant so much to the 4-H program, not just in Texas but nationwide."

Beckham started with 4-H when she joined a club in Cooke County when she was 9 years old, according to Sides' nomination. During her 10 years as a member, she was president of the Dallas County 4-H Council, a member of the Texas 4-H Council, a 4-H Gold Star Winner and recipient of a Texas 4-H Foundation scholarship.

After earning a bachelor of science degree from Tarleton State University in 1980, she began her professional career with 4-H as an Extension agent in Grayson County. She later served as a 4-H agent in Lubbock and Bell counties.

In 1995 she earned a master of education degree from Texas Woman's University.

Beckham retired from Extension in 1999.

She has been a member of Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents and National Association of Extension 4-H Agents since 1980, holding almost every office including national president from 1997-98, Sides wrote.

Her professional awards include Grayson County Achievement and Distinguished Service, 1985 and 1989; Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents Professional Grant, 1994; Distinguished Service Award, 1989; Bell County Diversity Award, 1998; and Mary W. Wells Memorial Diversity award, 1999, he wrote.

"Tammera's love for young people led her to devote much of her career to helping those in need to find ways to participate, to find hope and to achieve their dreams," Sides said.

"We at the Texas 4-H program are so proud of Tammera and her accomplishments," said Dr. Martha Couch, Extension associate director for 4-H and youth. "She was the first – and so far, only – president of the National Association of 4-H Agents from Texas."

And because she's also an alumna of the Texas 4-H program, that makes her award-winning career even more special, Couch added.

"She has been an inspiration to so many younger 4-H agents," Sides said. "She was one of the first to make a career of 4-H and youth development."

The first Texas Extension agents dedicated to 4-H careers began in some urban areas in 1982-83, Couch said. The program grew to about 20 agents in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and by 2000, Texas 4-H had 84 career Extension agents throughout the state.

The Hall of Fame recognition began in 2002 in celebration of the 4-H's national centennial. The 100th anniversary year of Texas 4-H will begin in September.

Beckham is the third honoree from Texas. The late Hoover Carden, administrator emeritus with Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University (1972-1995), was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002; Dr. Edward F. Schlutt, who worked as a 4-H and youth specialist in both Texas and California, received the honor in 2006.

Former U.S. Congressman Eligio "Kika" de la Garza of McAllen also was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. He was nominated by National 4-H Council and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for his years of support of 4-H youth and development.

4-H Updates

By: Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS

District Record Book Judging
July 17, 2007
If you are planning on submitting a 4-H Record Book, please let us know what category and age division your book needs to be entered in. Completed record books should be turned in to the Extension office on or before July 9th .

4-H Calendar

July

15-21 State Shooting Sports Games - San Antonio

17 District Record Book Judging

23 District Junior & Intermediate Fashion Show

If you have any questions about any of the 4-H events listed above or would like more information about the 4-H programs in Coleman County, please come by the Extension Office, 2nd floor, County Courthouse, or give us a call at 325-625-4519.

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