Southern Plains 4-H
February 2018 Newsletter
4-H Spotlight!
February is Nebraska 4-H Month!
Please Pick-up Career Portfolios
County Fair Dates Announced!
Nuckolls County Fair - July 18-22
Thayer County Fair - August 1-5
4-H Enrollment Open!
Pick Your Project
The printable, two-page Nebraska 4-H Project Listing is also available.
Trophy & Livestock Donors
CONGRATULATIONS 4-H'ers!
Congratulations to Leah Schmidt for being selected as a runner-up for the 2017 Outstanding Tribland 4-H'er and to Alanna Fangmeier for being an honorable mention. The 2017 Tribland Ourstanding 4-H'er went to Chandler Schelkopf of Shickley, a participant in the Fillmore County 4-H program.
- Grahym Beck - Blue
- Grayce Beck - Purple, 2nd Place
- Katie Bower - Purple, 1st Place
- Cody Brockman - Purple
- Wyatt Brockman - Blue
- Zak Corman - Red, 24th Place
- Sawyer Cox - Purple
- Ella Gardner - Red, 28th Place
- Mia Gardner - Red, 20th Place
- Jace Hoelting - Red, 18th Place
- Todd Keifer - Blue, 14th Place
- Maddy Laughlin - Blue
- Chase Ostdiek - Red
- Nathan Stokes - Red
- Rowan Statz - Purple, 4th Place
- Alex Watts - Blue, 18th Place
- Jack Watts - Purple, 4th Place
- Sam Watts - Red
- Haley Williams - Red
Congratulations to Alanna Fangmeier for being selected to participate in the Omaha Fashion Week Student Night show! This is Alanna's second year modeling in this professional runway fashion show!
4-H'er Photo Reel
4-H Club in the News: Big Green 4-H'ers Service Project
The Big Green 4-H Club is spreading the love this Valentine's Day. Part of being a member of 4-H is doing community service and giving back to the area. This year, this group of young people decided to create over 45 handmade Valentines to give to the residents of the Nursing Home and Assisted Living in Deshler. The club also presented the nursing staff with a gift. Big Green Club Members are made up of of kids from Hebron and Deshler.
Upcoming Workshops & Camps
Woven Coasters
Pre-register by February 20; Cost $5
Come join us and learn the art of weaving. We will be making colorful coasters you can use for your drinks.
Dry Erase Board Workshop
Pre-register by February 20; Cost $15 (space is limited)
The Nuckolls Co. Office staff will be leading a fun, personalized dry erase board workshop in February. Come with your creative and individual ideas to paint or stencil onto burlap fabric and place it into an 11" X 14" picture frame. Projects will be completed with a dry erase marker. Please come with an idea for your painting in mind; you can come with your own stencil or select one that the office has.
Marbled Pillow Workshop Series
March 15, Thayer County Extension Office
Pre-register by February 28; Cost $40 (includes fabric, dye, chemicals, and pillow form)
Using the marbling method of dying fabric, 4-H'ers will create designs that float on top of water and transfer them to cotton fabric. This method of surface decoration creates one-of-a-kind works of art special to the 4-H'ers design style. A second workshop will be scheduled to construct an envelope back pillow with a pillow form.
Quilts of Valor Workshop
March 30, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Thayer County Extension Office
Pre-register by March 26; No cost
Sewing on a Quilt of Valor is a way that 4-H'ers can give back to their country by donating to a soldier who has been "touched by war". Basic straight seam sewing skills are required. Please bring a sack lunch and the Extension Office will provide drinks and snacks.
Barn Quilt Workshop
Pre-register by March 26, No cost (Plywood, paint and other supplies included)
Come and join us in making these wonderful barn quilts. We have been asked by the Cattleman's ball to make these to decorate their tables. The 4-H'ers will be able to keep them after the ball and enter them at the fair. There is no cost to make a 12" X 12" barn quilt. The workshop will be scheduled to take place after school until 8 or 9 p.m., with a second session scheduled for April 4, if needed.
Let Each Other Shine Workshop
April 11, Thayer County Extension Office
Pre-register by April 1; Cost $15 (includes Wonder - hardback book, workshop supplies)
What makes you unique? Each person has a unique background, history, and identity that makes him or her special. As part of this workshop, participants will realize that there are many things that shape them into who they are today, identify what makes them unique and identify what is most important to them while making a 4-H project that can be exhibited at the county fair (project can be entered under Seeing i2i - Class 1 Cultural Fine Arts). Additionally, 4-H'ers will receive the hardback book "Wonder" (based upon the motion picture; 3-7th grade reading level).
Livestock Projects & Exhibits
- Name of the individual owning or in control of the location (typically a parent)
- Address (for mail delivery)
- Address where the livestock are located (if different)
- Phone number of the owner of the location.
- 2018 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Livestock Judging Contest
Just a Reminder! Starting last year, the new FDA regulation for the Veterinary Feed Directive went into effect. This regulation will affect all food producing animals no matter how large or small the operation and that includes youth livestock participants. There are a number of show feeds that contain feed grade antibiotics such as CTC (Chlortetracycline) or Tylosin. These type of products will require youth to work with their Veterinarian to obtain a signed VFD order before purchasing and feeding these feeds. So young producers should look at the feed labels of products they intend to feed prior to having their livestock projects to determine if a VFD will be required to purchase their feed. If their feed is medicated with an antibiotic, they will need to establish a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship with Veterinarian licensed in Nebraska who will work them with their VFD requirements.
Animal Care Wednesday Webinars occur monthly and discuss certain topics applicable to animal husbandry. These webinars are beneficial to both youth and adults. To join the webinar, visit: https://nebraskaextension.zoom.us/j/950423108 and all webinars are recorded and can be accessed at: http://animalscience.unl.edu/animal-care-resources.
Dates & Topics:
- March 7 - Sustainability's role in animal care and heath - where are we at?
- April 4 - Livestock housing (monoslopes & confinement systems): care considerations for bedding choice and management
- May 2 - Youth: practical tips for county fairs/weigh days or other animal exhibits to ensure animal and visitor health (large vs. smaller facilities)
Progress Shows & Events:
Horse Projects & Exhibits
The 2018 Nebraska District 4-H Horse Shows will be held in the following locations:
- June 13 – Ord
- June 14 – York
- June 20 – Gordon
- June 21 – Central City
- June 22 – Curtis
A printable version of the District Horse Show map can be found at https://unl.box.com/s/eqhqdackhk9azu9cdzf4dinds3qq9wbn. All entries are due to the county office on May 5, 2018.
The 4-H Horse Stampede is held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. This year's 4-H Horse Stampede will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018. This event offers a variety of 4-H horse contests that don't require live horses, including public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, and photography contests. Youth have the opportunity to display their equine knowledge through these contests both as an individual and as part of a team. There is a $10 entry fee per contestant. A Brown Bag Lunch is available through a pre-order form. Along with lunches, T-shirts will also need to be pre-ordered in order to secure a shirt. Forms and more information can be found online at: http://4h.unl.edu/horse/stampede Entries need to be to the Extension Office by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 5th, 2018.
Nebraska Equine Webinar Series
4-H leaders, parents and senior aged youth a welcome attend these webinars to gain knowledge in many different areas. Each month experts will cover a different topic. The webinars will be online through zoom. For more information & to view past webinars, go to http://4h.unl.edu/horse/webinar-series.
Equine Webinars will be hosted on the 2nd Monday of every month; March 12th, April 9th& May 14th
Small Animals
The 4-H Companion Animal Challenge is held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. This year's event will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The Companion Animal Challenge offers a variety of 4-H companion animal contests that don't require live animals, including a Demonstration Contest, Dog Quiz Bowl, Skillathon Contest, Art Contest, and Photography Contest. Youth have the opportunity to display their knowledge through these contests both as individuals and as part of a team. There is a $5 entry fee per contestant. A Brown Bag Lunch is available through a pre-order form. T-shirts need to be pre-ordered in order to secure a shirt. Entries need to be to the Extension Office by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 5th, 2018.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Animal Science is hosting a monthly 4-H Cat Club for companion animals every second Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Each lesson has a short presentation and worksheet with activities that youth can do in small groups. These topics will help youth to prepare cats for showmanship at a county fair cat show. The information to log into the meeting and the handouts are available on the website: http://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/cat-club
The 2018 Poultry Judging Clinic is a great opportunity for 4-H youth who have an interest in evaluating production poultry. This clinic equips them with the knowledge they'll need to participate in the Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) Poultry Judging Contest in June.
Static Exhibits & Contests
Public Speaking Contest
The Southern Plains 4-H Speech Contest is scheduled for March 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Thayer County Fairgrounds, 4-H Room in Deshler. Please call into the Thayer County Extension Office (402) 768-7212 to sign-up (so we can put together a program and know how many participants to expect) by 4:30 p.m. on March 21.
Speech Contest Rules:
New for 2018 Contest
- The state theme for the 2018 Public Service Announcement is "4-H Grows True Leaders"
- It is not necessary to submit copies of a speech outline or PSA text
Age Divisions
Three age divisions are used in the 4-H Public Speaking Contest and are based on the 4-H member's age (the age of the youth before January 1 of the current year).
- Novice Division: (10 & under) 4-Her has never competed in a speech contest before. May recite a poem, read or tell a story. Under 3 minutes in length. Not eligible for district competition.
- Junior Division: 4-H ages eight (8) to ten (10)
- Intermediate Division: 4-H ages eleven (11) to thirteen (13)
- Senior Division: 4-H ages fourteen (14) to eighteen (18)
Each county may send three (3) contestants in each of the three (3) age divisions (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) in both Speech and Public Service Announcement (PSA) categories to the Regional Public Speaking Contest. Only Senior Division regional winners in the Speech and PSA categories will advance to the State Public Speaking Contest.
Eligibility
- Youth must be currently enrolled in 4-H to participate in the County/Regional Public Speaking contest.
Procedural Guidelines
- Youth selected to advance to regional competition in the speech category may participate in one Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contests of their choice. Regional contests are held in North Platte, Wayne, Lincoln and the Panhandle via Zoom. More Regional Public Speaking Contes information here.
Speech Category Rules
- Length of Speeches:
- Junior Division: 1 to 3 minutes.
- Intermediate Division: 3 to 5 minutes.
- Senior Division: 5 to 8 minutes.
- All speeches must be original and include 4-H as the major component of the speech.
- Many speakers in the Public Speaking Contest have given speeches in other contests. This is fine; however, previous speeches may not be used verbatim for the 4-H contest. It is okay to use the same ideas from a speech previously delivered in competition, but it must be 4-H related. Enough changes should be made to make that speech new to the speaker and the audience. 4-H public speakers may not use an old speech written by a sibling, other 4-H member, or anyone else.
- Acknowledge the source of information used in the speech. For example, an article from a magazine may be used for reference, but should not be quoted directly unless you tell the audience your source.
- Use of visual aids and props are not allowed.
- Dress appropriately. Do not wear costumes or special effect clothing.
- No team speeches are allowed.
Public Service Announcement (PSA) Category Rules, All Age Divisions
- All PSA's are 60 seconds in length.
- The state theme for the 2018 Public Service Announcement is "4-H Grows True Leaders”.
- All radio PSA's must promote 4-H and be general enough to be used anywhere in Nebraska at any time of the year.
- All 4-H PSA's must include the following tag line within the last ten seconds of the PSA: "Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu." The tag line is included in the 60 second time limit. Sound effects and public domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be use.
- All PSA's must be the original work of the presenter. Contestants may not use PSA's written and provided by the state or national staff.
- No team PSA's are allowed.
Scoring
- Judges will deduct three points from the contestant's speech score for each 30 seconds under or over the time limit. (Senior division only.)
- See score card for additional judging criteria.
Foods & Nutrition
NEW 4-H Foods and Food Preservation Manuals for 2018!
The foods and nutrition projects will be switching curriculums! New this year will be 4-H Cooking 101, 201, 301 and 401. (Six Easy Bites, Tasty Tidbits, You’re the Chef, Foodworks and Fast Foods will no longer be offered.) We will also be adding Home Food Preservation manuals for Freezing, Drying, Boiling Water Canning and Pressuring Canning. Many of the fair projects will stay the same but look forward to some new additions. Stay tuned......
Photography
Photography Theme for 2018
TRUE LEADER EXHIBIT PRINT: Explore true leaders in your community. True leaders can be anyone from community leaders, teachers, and volunteers to parents and friends. So, what sets them apart? What makes someone a true leader? What effect do they have on the people or environment around them? How can you tell their story through photography?
Horticulture & Plant Science
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 1075 4-H members were enrolled in the project. This year the Special Garden Project is focused on the unique, Delft Blue Nigella. Delft Blue Nigella is named for the famous Dutch Delft blue pottery. They have unique, 1½ - 2" flowers with blue splashes on flower petals in varying shades of blue and gray, and intricate deep-purple centers. Unusual seed pods are also used in fresh or dried arrangements. On average it will take about 65-70 days from seeding date until the plant flowers and about 80-85 days for seed pods.
4-H members enrolled in the Special Garden Project will:
- Receive a ‘packet’ of Delft Blue Nigella (one packet per youth) in March/April
- Receive a newsletter about: Planting & grlowing nigella, Nigella problems & insects, Harvesting & using nigella
- Be able to exhibit this unique flower at County and State Fair
State Fair special Garden Project Educational Exhibit Class G-775-001
State Fair Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers/Harvested Vegetables G-775-002 NEW
Other fun county only ways to exhibit this unique flower like a story, peom, 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/delftbluenigella
Youth should enroll for the Special Garden Project through 4-H Online and let the Extension Office know that you would like to participate in the project. Once enrolled in 4-H Online, youth are then supposed to call their local office to sign up for the project (order the seeds). By enrolling through 4-H Online, youth will have access to the box folder with the educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation.
Entomology
Introductory (Year 1) beekeeping (https://unl.box.com/s/haexy62ym2oostwjhxoioz8mji3uhig3)
This is an introductory level course that focuses on everything you need to start beekeeping, including topics on beekeeping equipment, protective gear, honey bee biology, stressors, and management basics. Part I of the course includes lectures by several speakers & hands-on activities. Part II of the course is a field day that gets you in the hives and takes the lessons from Part I into practice. Learn how to setup the equipment, install and handle bees safely, and perform hive inspections.
Date, Time, Location:
Part I = February 24th, 2018 (9a-4p)
UNL’s Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (Formerly ARDC), Mead, NE
Part II (field Day) = April (TBD)
UNL East Campus Pollinator Garden and Outdoor Classroom, Lincoln NE
Introductory (Year 2) beekeeping (https://unl.box.com/s/mplzb3vmtbgb99rjtjyl9wx66438jzpf)
This course builds upon the basic management practices covered in Year 1 beekeeping and focuses on how to maintain healthy honey bee colonies. This course is meant for beekeepers with at least one year of experience. Part I of the course includes lectures by several speakers & hands-on activities. Topics include swarm management, splitting colonies, reversals, pest and pathogen management, honey production, and value-added products. Part II of the course is a field day that gets you in the hives and takes the lessons from Part I into practice.
Date, Time, Location:
Part I = March 24th, 2018 (9a-4p)
UNL’s Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (Formerly ARDC), Mead, NE
Part II (field Day) = April (TBD)
UNL East Campus Pollinator Garden and Outdoor Classroom, Lincoln NE
Queen Rearing:
This course is meant for advanced beekeepers with 3+ years of experience. Learn how to manage hives for queen production and learn about queen quality, difference races, and trait selection for Varroa mite and disease resistance.
Date, Time, Location:
July 2018 (more information about this course available soon)
Plant Science
Do you enjoy being outside? Learning new things about crops? Considering a career involving crops, insects, diseases, soils, water and more? Do you want to help figure out how to feed our world's growing population in a sustainable way? Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board are offering the seventh annual Innovative Youth Corn Challenge Contest.
Clover Kids
The 4-H Clover Kid program is designed to provide 5-7 year olds with a variety of educational and recreational experiences in a non-competitive environment. The program fosters the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical maturation of young children. Clover Kids may participate in activities led by an adult that will help them:
- Explore different interests
- Build self confidence
- Practice communication skills
- Get along and share with others
- Be a part of a group
- Explore science with simple experiments
- Strengthen motor skills through arts and crafts
- Make friends
Special Opportunities
Camp Renegade
June 19-20, 2018 - Camp Jefferson, Fairbury
Camp Fee $40 - checks payable to Saline County 4-H Council
4-H Participant Permission & Health Form
- Kids ages 8-10, don't miss your first over-night camping experience at Camp Renegade this summer. Lots of outdoor fun and education, canoeing, swimming, insects, nature! Mark your calendars! Flyer coming soon!
- 4-H Camp Counselor Application Due May 1st
4-H Junior Leaders Club
Thayer County 4-H Junior Leaders will meet March 18, 2018, 2 p.m. at the Thayer County Courthouse in Hebron.
If you would like to be a part of the 4-H Junior Leaders Club, you must be 13-18 years old by January 1 of the current year. Contact Jacie Milius if you'd like to join!
Southern Plains Citizenship Trip
Fundraising Opportunities:
Fruit Sales - contact the Extension Office for fruit sales packet.
Next Chapter Online
Students will need to create accounts on https://campus.extension.org/ and then search for the course to enroll. To get to the course, follow the steps below.
1. Go to campus.extension.org, create a free account
2. Type in Nebraska Next Chapter to find course materials.
3. Click the name to enter.
Once the student has entered the course, they will be able to watch the lessons and access any accompanying course materials (worksheets, etc.). This can be used to make up coursework if a student misses a lesson, or as a standalone program if Next Chapter is not available locally. There is no charge for students to access the online version, though we do ask that they register via 4-H Online so we can track progress through the program. The fee to participate is the same as any other 4-H Club, and they only need to pay this once per year, regardless of how many 4-H clubs they participate in. Questions? Contact Jacie Milius.
Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute
The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute is a weeklong experience for high school Juniors and Seniors from all across Nebraska to learn about career opportunities within agriculture. This conference features speakers, workshops, agricultural education, networking with peers and industry leaders, professional development, leadership experience, fun and new friends! If you’re interested in applying as a delegate to the 2018 conference, applications will be available on February 15th at http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/nayi.html
Available Scholarships
Nebraska Association of County Extension Boards Scholarship: https://form.jotformpro.com/CASNR/naceb
Thayer County 4-H Council Senior Scholarship:
JOANN & 4-H Partnership
Social Media
4-H Leader Updates
4-H Club Leader/4-H Council Member Training
A mandatory meeting for 4-H Council Members and 4-H Club Leaders (Nuckolls & Thayer County) will be held in Deshler on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will include updates for Club Leaders, 4-H Leader Training provided by our 4-H District Coordinator, and an appreciation dinner. All 4-H Council members and 4-H Club leaders are asked to attend. You should have received a postcard from the Extension Office. If you are unable to attend, please make alternate arrangements with the Extension Office.
Southern Plains 4-H & Extension
Next Meeting
Nuckolls Co. Extension Office
Next Meeting
Next Meeting
March 26, 7:00 p.m.
Thayer Co. Extension Office
Nuckolls County Extension Office
Email: nuckolls-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 825 S Main St, Nelson, NE, United States
Phone: 402-225-2381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/
Thayer County Extension Office
Email: thayer-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 225 N 4th St, Hebron, NE, United States
Phone: 402-768-7212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/