Southern Plains 4-H Newsletter
Serving Nuckolls and Thayer Counties - Jan. 3, 2022
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Note From Kylie
2022 4-H Enrollment is Live
We encourage all 4-H youth and volunteers (club leaders, project leaders, 4-H Council members, Extension Board members) to enroll in 4-H on 4-H online as soon as possible so you don't miss any contest entry deadlines, workshop information, or event details. All direct volunteers are required to enroll as volunteers in 4-H Online each year (the DHSS screening is every 5 years) to be compliant with Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening rules.
The Nebraska 4-H statewide enrollment deadline is June 15, 2022, but please enroll at your earliest convenience because you will miss out on events, activities, workshops and 4-H news if you wait until June to enroll.
For step-by-step 4-H Online 2.0 enrollment instructions with photo guides, check out this PDF or visit the Enroll a New Member or Enroll a Returning Member. As always, if you have any questions or technical difficulties, please reach out to your local extension office.
STAFF CHANGES
EVENTS
Beef Weigh In Sat. Jan. 22 9-11am
NOTE NEW DATE: The Southern Plains 4-H Beef Weigh-In is on Saturday, January 22 from 9-11am. It will be held at the Kile Veterinary Clinic located in Superior.
To sign-up for a time, please visit this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CAFAF22A6F49-southern.
2022 Barn Quilt Workshop
Fri. Jan. 28 ~ 5:30-8:30 pm
Sat. Jan. 29 ~ 8:30 AM-2:00 PM
Nuckolls County Fairgrounds
4x4 - $60 | 2x2 - $40
RSVP 402-225-2381 or via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/g5RwUC3UTG. Please pre-pay and make checks out University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Class size limited; reserve your board ASAP. Barn quilts can be entered at both the Nuckolls and Thayer County Fairs. 4-H members and community members welcome!
2022 YQCA Training
As a reminder, families must enroll themselves after enrolling in 4-H for 2022; the office does not have admin permissions to enroll families for YQCA trainings. Enroll in an in-person or online training at this link:
https://yqca.learngrow.io/Training/Search
FEBRUARY
February 7 - YQCA Training @ Hebron - 7pm
February 10 - YQCA Training @ Nelson - 7pm
Recruiting for Cattlemen's Classic Livestock Judging Feb. 12
BEEF only contest. Open to 4H & FFA Youth, Plus College Teams. Over $5,000 in awards will be presented. $1,000 UNL Animal Science Scholarship to the Top Senior Youth.
Culinary Challenge & Favorite Food Review Workshop Feb. 16
Have you ever wondered how the Culinary Challenge contests works? Do you want to learn to plan, feed and host a meal for family and friends? Join us for a workshop in Davenport on Wed. Feb. 16.
Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/ZW0LXpZwXM
Wed. Feb. 16 2-5 p.m.
RW's Catering Space - Davenport
$10 per youth; learn to plan, cook & host a meal and prepare for fair contests. Please sign up by February 9 so we can purchase supplies.
All Nuckolls and Thayer 4-H youth welcome. Sign up by calling or emailing your local county office.
Remind App Update Note
For users who receive text messages from Remind, a new number will be assigned automatically to any communication they receive following the update. You can download the mobile app or update their notification preferences in your account settings. Otherwise, SMS users will be notified from their new number(s) the next time they receive a message. No action is needed from you.
NUCKOLLS COUNTY FAIR FOLLOW UP
Note From Nuckolls County Fairboard - Camping Rates Increase
High School Rodeo/County Fair/Weekend Price - $100 per spot
Sun.-Thurs. Price - $75 per spot
THAYER COUNTY FAIR FOLLOW UP
Thayer County: Don't Forget Thank-You's, Trophies and Checks
Livestock Booster Checks: Tobby Voss, Carter Voss, Leon Clauson, Trevor Clauson, Seth Ridolfi
Trophies to be Claimed: Logan Easton, Laiden Heinrichs
Achievement Night Awards Pick-Up
We still have books/honors for: Harms Family, Voss Family, Gausman Family, Alyssa Malchow
Thayer County Food Stand Meat Sale
STATEWIDE HORSE & LIVESTOCK OPPORTUNITIES
2022 Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort
The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort is an opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry. The program is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska swine industry. The goal is to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H swine projects by focusing on swine production, accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member.
Youth participating in the Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort will:
- Network with 4-H members across the state who are also participating in the cohort experience.
- Participate in learning opportunities hosted by Extension Swine Specialist Benny Mote about nutrition, feeding, genetics, and more.
- Gain knowledge related to their project and the swine industry as a whole.
- Maintain records related to swine management and basic care.
- Exhibit their Farrowed and Owned project animals at the Nebraska State Fair with the opportunity for special recognition as a result of participating in the cohort.
Register by February 1st to participate: https://bit.ly/3E7kS07
**Register by January 9th to participate in a special virtual educational session on farrowing.**
After the registration deadline, youth will receive more detailed information via email. For more information, visit: https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned. For questions, contact Nebraska Extension Swine Specialist Benny Mote at bmote8@unl.edu or 402-310-9878.
Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program
Nebraska 4-H is excited to announce the second year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This additional opportunity for enrolled livestock project youth, is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership.
The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.
The program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.
Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 10 via the completion form on the website. Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.
For more information or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)
Livestock Production Educational Resources
Are you interested in learning more about livestock production and meat science? Are you studying for a FFA contest? Check out UNL's livestock information series webpage.
There are a number of activities, lessons and videos that can be used in 4-H club meetings or in the classroom already available. The page will be updated as more content is created.
2022 UNL Chick Days March 26
An educational event for small and back-yard poultry producers and youth featuring speakers on the following topics:
10:00 am-- Backyard flock health - Dr. Don Reynolds
10:30 am-- Inspection regulations for small flock egg and meat producers- Dr. Gary Sullivan
11:00 am-- A balanced diet for your backyard flock - Dr. Patrick Biggs, Purina
11: 30 am-- Planning ahead for your 4-H Poultry Projects - Brett Kreifels, Douglas/Sarpy
County Extension Leader
Plus Youth and Adult Exhibits and Competitions in Egg Art and Photography
12:00 pm-- Lunch (see cost below)- Question/Answer period with speakers
1: 00 pm-- Poultry Judging Short Format Clinic
Animal Science Complex, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Student Commons
RSVP to spurdum2@unl.edu by March 20--your interests, # attendees and lunch order
COSTS: Symposium talks-FREE
Lunch: $10/youth; $15/Adults;
Judging Clinic: $15.00
Fun Prizes—Cash and Ribbons
HORTICULTURE AND AGRONOMY OPPORTUNITIES
2022 Special Garden Project
2022 Special Agronomy Project is Broomcorn Sorghum
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different.
The focus of the 2022 Special Agronomy Project is Broomcorn Sorghum. Broomcorn can be used for ornamental uses in floral arrangements or harvested for broom-use prior to seed maturity. To participate in the Special Agronomy Project, enroll in the project through 4-H Online and call your local extension office to reserve seed.
There are three ways to complete this at the county or state fair. First, an educational exhibit that can be in a poster format can include what you learned. Secondly, let your creativity go wild and create a video-type presentation explaining what you have learned, showing the growing process, etc. Finally, you can enter the crop itself. To do this, cut 4 stalks at the ground level and bound-together with supporting information about the project. For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.
State-level 4-H Achievement Applications & 4-H Foundation Scholarships Due January 15
You did not have to submit at the county level to qualify to submit these state-level applications, but it was highly recommended so you received feedback. Please visit https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application for detailed submission guidelines.
Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship - Nuckolls County Seniors Eligible
4-H CAMPS
Program Highlights:
- Nebraska 4-H Camps has several exciting youth programs available for summer 2022!
- Beautiful camp location in the Nebraska National Forest in Halsey, Nebraska!
- 4 and 5 day residential camp sessions available for ages 8-18.
- New and Improved Teen Leadership session in partnership with The Bay – Lincoln.
- Transportation option available select weeks from Lincoln or Grand Island.
- Scholarships available and refer a NEW camper discount until Jan. 31 – https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-camp/scholarship
- View full descriptions and register online here: https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-camp/schedule
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
JANUARY
January 3 - Babysitting Clinic @ Jennifer Reinke Public Library in Deshler @ 10a.m. - 3p.m.
January 22 - Beef Weigh In @ Kile Vet Clinic Superior, NE
January 28-29 - Barn Quilt Workshop @ Nuckolls County Fairgrounds in Nelson
FEBRUARY
February 7 - YQCA Training @ Hebron - 7pm
February 10 - YQCA Training @ Nelson - 7pm
February 12 - Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic Livestock Judging @ Kearney - 7am
February 16 - Culinary Challenge Workshop @ RWs Catering Space Davenport - 2-5pm
MARCH
March 15 - Thayer County 4-H Council Scholarship Applications Due
APRIL
April 24 - Small Animal Showmanship Clinic @ Nelson Fairgrounds - 2-5 p.m.
MAY
May 23 - Nuckolls-Thayer Livestock Judging Contest Great Plains Circuit @ Nelson
JUNE
June 22-23 - Premiere Animal Science Events @ UNL East Campus
June 24 - State 4-H Public Speaking Contest @ UNL East Campus
JULY
July 9-13 - Nuckolls County Fair
AUGUST
August 10-13 - Thayer County Fair
Next Meeting
Next Meeting
Next Meeting
Nuckolls County Extension Office
Email: nuckolls-county@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 825 S Main St, Nelson, NE, USA
Phone: 402-225-2381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/
Thayer County Extension Office
Email: thayer-county@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 225 N 4th St, Hebron, NE, USA
Phone: 402-768-7212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/