Saunders County 4-H Smore
December 14, 2018
In this week's Smore...
** Did you know that new items added are BOLDED?!?
- New 4-H Educator
- 2019 Special Garden Project
- 2019 District Horse Show
- 2019 4-H Enrollment Open
- Farm Credit Service Grant
- Shooting Sports Certification Training
- Ashland Shotgun Shooting
- Omaha Equestrian Foundation
- Aksarben Stock Show
- Omaha Fashion Week
- PASE & Life Challenge Dates
- Capital City Horse and Pony Club
- Midwest Messenger Club/Chapter of the Month
- Animal Clinics, Progress Shows, & Events
New 4-H Educator!
Hello Everyone-
My name is Cole Meador and I am the new 4-H Educator and Unit leader in Saunders County. I am excited to get to work learning Saunders County Extension and the 4-H program.
A little about myself, I grew up outside of Omaha very active in 4-H, raising and showing just about every kind of livestock project but specialized in sheep, dairy goats and poultry. I enjoyed my time in 4-H and knew from a young age I wanted to work in the 4-H field. I had a successful 4-H career showing at the county, state and national level. I was fortunate to show the champion market lamb and had many division champions at AKSARBEN along with many county and state fair accomplishments with each species my family showed. I currently live outside of Waverly with my wife and 4 month old son where we raise dairy goats and waterfowl that we show on the local and national level.
The past seven years I was a 4-H associate in Lancaster county working with their large 4-H program, specializing in the 4-H livestock program and agriculture literacy. I was afforded the opportunity to learn so much about 4-H and manage a large program, I hope to bring my knowledge to Saunders County to continue to grow the program and continue the long standing traditions.
Feel free to contact me anytime at 402-624-8030 or cmeador2@unl.edu. I look forward to meeting everyone and getting to know you! 4-H is a great program and I am excited to deliver the opportunity to you and your children.
2019 Special Garden Project
The Special Garden Project is a way to offer 4-H members the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. Last year over 1375 4-H members were enrolled in the project. This year the Special Garden Project is focused on the unique Carmine Splendor Okra. Carmine Splendor Okra is as unique as it is tasty. This plant is high yielding and produces uniform, red pods. The stout 5-pointed pods are deep red when small and at the best eating quality. The tropical-looking, pinkish flowers are also edible and have a sweet, mild flavor. The mature seed pods also give a fun twist for winter interest in a container.
4-H members enrolled in the Special Garden Project will:
· Receive a ‘packet’ of Carmine Splendor Okra (one packet per youth) in March/April
· Receive a newsletter about:
o Planting & growing okra
o Okra problems & insects
o Harvesting & using okra
· o Be able to exhibit this unique vegetable at County and State Fair
o State Fair Special Garden Project Educational Exhibit Class G-775-001
o State Fair Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers or Harvested Vegetables G-775-002
o Other fun county only ways to exhibit this unique vegetable like a story, poem, or poster.
Each county is different so be sure to check with your local Extension Office.
Complete an evaluation about their growing experience: https://go.unl.edu/carminesplendorokra
TO ORDER SEED, PLEASE ORDER FROM OUR OFFICE BY JANUARY 31, 2019.
To order, please fill out the google form: https://goo.gl/forms/xAPYPPJK94S99j0M2
OR
email: saunders-county@unl.edu
Farm Credit Service Grant Opportunity
December 31 is the current deadline for the $2,000 and $10,000 grant applications that 4H groups and extension offices in Nebraska should consider applying for. Grant information:
Through Farm Credit Services of America’s Working Here Fund, organizations in Nebraska can apply online for community involvement grants. We award grants for options of up to $2,000 and $10,000 each for projects and organizations that make a positive, long-term impact in the areas of:
· Agriculture Education
· Young and Beginning Producers
· Hunger and Nutrition
Shooting Sports Certification Training in Lincoln
If so, you do have to attend a certification training.
However, a Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop is scheduled for early January in Lincoln. It will be held January 12-13 at the Nebraska Game & Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. The deadline to register for the Lincoln session is January 2nd.
https://4h.unl.edu/4halerts/nebraska-4-h-shooting-sports-leader-certification-workshop-lincoln
4H Shotgun Shooting
Female and Male Youth, grades 6 thru 12, interested in trapshooting are encouraged to contact Ashland Gun Club 4H. We are wanting to establish 5 person, Female and Male, Middle and Senior High School Teams for the 2018-2019 school year. No experience necessary! Hunter Safety Required!
Omaha Equestrian Foundation Opportunity
In 2019 the International Omaha will be expanding the "Horse Discovery Zone" with more interactive, educational, and fun displays. We are also creating "Tack Trunks" that teachers and admin can "check-out" before the International Omaha to do some pre-education before attending the event.
As always we will also give each student an activity book filled with games, horse terms, and a voucher for up to six free tickets to any one of the ticketed competitions. More information can be found her: https://www.internationalomaha.com/education
AKSARBEN STOCK SHOW TRANSITIONS TO JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW FORMAT
Grand Island, NE –The Aksarben Stock Show will transition to junior livestock show format in 2019. Under the junior show model, youth from nine to 19 years of age are eligible for the competition with no prerequisite of youth organization affiliation.
Greg Harder, stock show director, said the change will give the 92-year-old Aksarben Stock Show growth opportunities. “Today’s agricultural youth are involved in 4-H, FFA, breed associations or open class competitions, making them diverse in their affiliations,” he stated. “We want to make sure more junior exhibitors can show at Aksarben in 2019.”
Harder said part of the expansion strategy meant opening doors to additional states. “We added four more,” he said. “Arkansas, Montana, Indiana and Wisconsin will join the existing 10 state family of eligibility.” Rules for the 2019 event will be written by Aksarben Stock Show management, versus the previous system of rules within each state operating independently. “It’s very difficult to run a fair and unified show when everyone plays by different rules,” Harder said. “We’ve brought those rules in-house to a sole playbook that everyone abides by.”
Bernadette (Bernie) O'Rourke, extension youth livestock specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the animal science departments said, “Wisconsin appreciates the opportunity for our youth to take part in the long tradition of Aksarben. We anticipate our youth will benefit from connecting with others and continuing to expand on their knowledge of animals through knowledge and professional contests. “
Officials from Nebraska State Fair, show producer, noted that the show expansion will be a benefit to Grand Island businesses, bringing more people to town. Livestock facilities built in 2010 for Nebraska State Fair will continue to house the show.
The Aksarben Stock Show will be held Sept 26-29, 2019 in Grand Island, NE. For more information visit http://AksarbenStockShow.com
PASE & Life Challenge Dates announced
At this time we are asking that you mark down in your calendars the 2019 and 2020 dates for Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) and Life Challenge.
2019
Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18
2020
Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus, Lincoln, NE
Midwest Messenger, 4-H Club or FFA Chapter of the Week
The nomination form can be found on our website at https://www.agupdate.com/midwestmessenger/forms/f4h_club_ffa_chapter_of_the_week/.
For any questions about this program or submitting a nomination, please contact Katy Moore at (402) 374-2225 ext. 122, katy.moore@lee.net.
Saunders County Extension
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Email: Saunders-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/4h/
Location: 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE, United States
Phone: (402) 624-8030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272483941458/