Fairs, Festivals, and Events Certified Judges’ Training

Are you interested in becoming a Certified Volunteer Judge for fairs, festivals, and other events? Do you want to learn what judges are taught, so that you can improve your own skills as you prepare your entries for your local fair? Are you a volunteer with your local fair? If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then you should plan to attend an upcoming training by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. 

The Certified Volunteer Judges’ Training will be held in two sessions, Monday, May 9th and Tuesday, May 10th, and attendees may register for one day or both days. Monday, May 9th attendees will become certified volunteer judges in Horticulture, Woodworking, Food Preservation, and Baked Goods. Tuesday, May 10th attendees will become certified volunteer judges in Art, Photography, Quilting, and Fiber Arts. Registration for each day is $25.00, which covers materials, refreshments, and lunch.

Attendees will have the option to have their contact information included on a multicounty Judges List directory for use at fairs, festivals, local contests, etc. Additionally, attendees my purchase a Certified Volunteer Judge name tag for an additional $10.00. 

Creative Arts contests hold creativities at its finest. Learning the process involved in judging this wide variety of entries is a talent within itself. Don’t miss your opportunity to join unique group, register to attend today! 

Those interested may sign up for one day of training or join us for both days. Deadline for registration is May 2nd. Both training day will be held in Emory at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office, 410 Tawakoni Drive. You may pick up a registration form at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office or you may register online by visiting https://rains.agrilife.org/ffe_jt/. 

In case you missed my last article, Rains County Fair Creative Arts entries will be accepted on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, and Wednesday, September 7, 2022, between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Creative Arts Building at the fairgrounds (with Horticulture entries only accepted Wednesday). Creative Arts Judging is closed to the public. The exhibit building will open with the fair on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Entries for the Adult Baked Goods contest will be accepted on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in the Creative Arts building between 6:00-6:30 p.m. and judging will begin at 7:00 p.m. Entries for the Youth Baked Goods contest will be accepted on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, in the Creative Arts building between 6:00-6:30 p.m. and judging will begin at 7:00 p.m. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

How will you participate in the Rains County Fair?

Even though it is still a few months away, it is never too early to start thinking about your county fair entries! The 92nd Rains County Fair will be held September 13-17, 2022. Mark your calendars! 

Creative Arts. The Rains County Fair Creative Arts contests are open to residents, young and old, from Rains and surrounding counties. If you have never entered before, give it a try; we love new exhibitors! Rains County Fair Creative Arts Divisions include Antiques, Canned Foods, Collections, Fine Arts, Handcrafts, Horticulture, Needlework, Photography, and Quilting. Special age groups, senior and youth age categories, are judged in special age divisions. If you would like additional information on a specific division, please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/county-fair/. The 2022 Fair Book will be posted in early summer, but you may reference the 2021 Fair Book for division information.

Rains Creative Arts entries will be accepted on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, and Wednesday, September 7, 2022, between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Creative Arts Building at the fairgrounds (with Horticulture entries only accepted Wednesday). Creative Arts Judging is closed to the public. The exhibit building will open with the fair on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. 

Baked Goods. If baking and cooking is more in line with your areas of interest, you do not want to miss entering the Adult or Youth Baked Goods contest. Entries for the Adult Baked Goods contest will be accepted on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in the Creative Arts building between 6:00-6:30 p.m. and judging will begin at 7:00 p.m. Entries for the Youth Baked Goods contest will be accepted on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, in the Creative Arts building between 6:00-6:30 p.m. and judging will begin at 7:00 p.m. 

Looking for something with a little more spice? Details for the Annual Rains County Fair Chili Cook-Off will be available shortly. 

Livestock. Youth Livestock Shows are a county fair staple. Rains County youth may show animals in the following categories: Breeding Beef Heifers, Dairy Heifers, Market Steers, Market Goats, Market Lambs, or Market Swine. If you have a child interested in showing an animal at the Rains County Fair Youth Livestock Show, please call (903) 473-4580. Intent to participate in the Rains County Youth Livestock Show must be received by the Rains County Extension Office by May 2nd. Youth in grades 3rd-12th are eligible to participate. 

For youth ages 4-7 years of age, the annual Mutton Bustin’ contest will be held Friday, September 16, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Additional details will be available shortly. 

The Rains County Fair is a fun filled week and offers something for everyone. Information on other events, contests, and entertainment will be available shortly; please visit our website regularly for updates, https://rains.agrilife.org/county-fair/. We look forward to seeing you at the fairgrounds!

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Finding Our Feet Podcast

We are just two 40-soemthing moms looking to get healthy and maybe run a few miles. Hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension FCH Agents, Bethany Arie and Sarah Latham, this lighthearted podcast may be just what you are needing. So, if you are looking for a little extra motivation to help you get (or stay) in shape, join us for a weekly look into our fitness journey. 

Available on Apple Podcast, Anchor, and Spotify... Simply search Finding Our Feet. 

Follow us on Facebook for additional information!

Sleep More for Good Health

As we move into March, this seemed like a good time to highlight National Sleep Awareness Week, March 13th - 19th, and encourage a focus on quality sleep as a means of improving general health and well-being. Sleep deprivation is harmful to our cognitive functions, inadequate sleep can lead to decreased attention and alertness, altered abilities to plan and organize, reduced creativity, and an increase in unhealthy risk-taking. Although the amount of sleep needed and the effects associated with sleep deprivation will vary slightly from person to person, the importance of adequate sleep remains unchanged.

The CDC recommends 7 or more hours of sleep each night for adults and even more for children; school age children should get between 9-11 hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep has been shown to contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of diseases, like heart disease and stroke.1 On average, adults living in Rains County got less sleep than the state and national average.2 

Erica Reyes, Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, says, “regarding personal wellness, we often hear about the need for a good diet and an active lifestyle. Adequate sleep is the third component of a healthy lifestyle although it is often overlooked or underemphasized; getting the recommended hours is important.” Reyes also recommends health care providers assist by assessing patients’ sleep habits and discussing the importance of sleep, “it is important to assist in raising awareness by discussing sleep habits and by displaying patient education materials on sleep, sleep hygiene, and specific sleep disorders in waiting and exam rooms.”

Over the past two decades, the importance of sleep has received increased attention. Melatonin (a hormone that is naturally produced by the body to induce sleep) supplement sales have sky rocked, increasing roughly 500% from $62 million in 2003 to $378 million in 2014; 20% of Americans have tried a natural sleep remedy in the past year. In addition to sleep supplements, wearable devices and smartphone apps have expanded to include sleep functions; nearly 30% of adults in the US use a smartphone app to track their sleep.3  

Our attempts to reduce weight, maintain peak performance at work, and communicate with others are all dependent on getting enough sleep. Here are three tips to help obtain the rest your body requires to function healthily.

Stick to a schedule:  Our brain determines the time frames for our day and night schedule depending on our sleep routine and sleep cycles. When we disrupt those time frames by significantly altering our sleeping patterns for a few days, we might spend the remainder of the week off our schedule. Sticking to a specific bedtime and wake time is important in establishing a good sleep pattern.

Turn down the lights: Light plays an integral role in regulating our body’s internal clock responsible for sleep (aka: circadian rhythm). When our eyes process light, our body’s natural production of melatonin slows down (and sometimes stops completely) which minimizes drowsiness. As a part of your sleep schedule, select a time each evening to lower light levels in your home.

Limit caffeine intake: Those who consume four or more caffeinated drinks per day are more prone to sleeplessness, so be mindful of coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, and their serving sizes. While most caffeine is consumed through beverages, it is important to know

Exercise: Regular exercise throughout the week may help boost the production of the hormone melatonin, termed the "sleep hormone." Simply ensure that your activity does not take place too close to bedtime, or it may have the opposite effect.

If you have tried these tips and still have trouble reaching the recommended hours of sleep, you may have a sleep disorder and need to talk with your doctor. Prepare for questions your doctor might ask by keeping a sleep journal.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu.  To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Healthy Start to a New Year

 As we adjust to the New Year, it is a great time to revisit your health goals and reset your priorities. “Making small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in your health and wellbeing” says Dr. Sumathi Venkatesh, a Health Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. 

Eat healthy foods – Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day. Your diet should consist of about 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits, which can be in fresh, frozen, canned, and dried forms. Include a variety of protein foods and replace butter with heart-healthy oils. Intentionally buy and include more whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Watch for your sodium intake. Let your salt intake not be more than a teaspoon a day.

Stay hydrated – Set a goal to drink half your body weight (lbs.) in water (oz.) per day (if you weight 150 lbs., try to drink roughly 75 oz. of water each day). This may seem like a lot at first, so try easing your way up to that goal by increasing your water intake in increments. Another way to increase your water intake is to swap out one sugary beverage a day with water for one week and during week two try to swap out two sugary beverages with water. Drinking enough water is critical for maintaining strength and for preventing dehydration. Hydration is probably one of the key factors to maintain your physical and mental health. For those who are active you may need more water, especially before and after you exercise.

Be physically active – Exercise has numerous health benefits by improving blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol levels. Try getting 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least five days a week. If you struggle with time, incorporate physical activities in your daily routine by washing your car or mowing the lawn. Simple things can help increase your activity level, such as parking farther from the door at work, setting an hourly reminder to take a five-minute walk, or making plans with a friend to meet during lunch and walk. Remember, it is always a good idea to check with your health care provider before starting a new exercise routine.

Improve mental health – Managing stress and your emotional wellbeing is particularly important for good mental health. If you allow situations to overwhelm you, it may induce stress and may affect your daily activities. Practice mindfulness by having a non-judgmental attitude towards yourself and others. Adequate sleep is important to take care of your emotional wellbeing. Most adults need about 8 hours of sleep every day.

Manage health conditions – Untreated or poorly managed health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension can be detrimental to your health and may severely impact the quality of your life. Following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, taking prescribed medications, and regularly following up with a physician can prevent or delay complications associated with these conditions.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu.  To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.