Sioux County Newsletter
May 2021
Calendar of Events
May 18-20 - Babysitting Basics Class
May 21 - Livestock Judging Contest
May 25-26 - LOG N Camp
May 27 - Birdhouse Workshop
May 27 - Horse Level Testing in Chadron
June 1 - Livestock Clinic in Chadron
June 2 - Cake Decorating
June 2 - Wilderness Wonders Camp
June 3 - Wilderness Wonders Camp
June 9 - Food Preservation
June 10-12 - Fort Robinson Horse Camp
June 10-11 - Design Camp
June 15 – 4-H Enrollment Due
June 16 - Small Animal Workshop
June 17 - Western Livestock Challenge
Congrats Emily!!
Congratulations to Emily for her upcoming graduation from Sioux County High School. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Camp Scholarship Deadline Extended
4-H T-shirt Design Contest
Fort Robinson Horse Camp
The annual Fort Robinson Horse Camp will be held on June 10-12, 2021 at Fort Robinson State Park. Participants enhance their horse skills through training sessions such as reining, trick trail map, horse massage, training for speed events, jeopardy, horse packing demonstration, and a water bottle holder craft. The fee for youth participants is $50 and $40 for an adult accompanying them. This fee includes a stall for Thursday night, meal for Friday night, Saturday breakfast, and a craft. Scholarship application, camp program, and registration can be found online at www.northernpanhandle.unl.edu. Registration is due May 14th. Call (308)432-3373 if you have questions.
Speech & Demonstration Contest Results
Congrats to our Speech and Demonstration participants! Logen Oldacker received a blue for his Robotics Demonstration. Boone Button was awarded a red for his Rocket Demonstration. Tilton Button received a red for his speech, and Shiloh Button a Clover Bud ribbon for her Barrels Demonstration.
Babysitting Basics Workshop
Livestock Judging Contests in North Panhandle
Chadron 4-H is hosting its very first sanctioned 4-H Livestock Judging contest on Friday, May 21st. The contest will be held at the Dawes County Fairgrounds. This contest is open to youth from ages of 8 to 18. Youth who participate in this contest will have their scores submitted to participate in the Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit. The top 5 exhibitors within the circuit in each age division will be recognized at the 4-H Final Drive at the Nebraska State Fair. The circuit takes the top two scores from the summer contests as well as the Premier Animal Science Event at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln on June 29th. More information at: https://4h.unl.edu/great-plains-livestock-judging-circuit. At this contest youth will have the opportunity to judge six different classes and give at least one set of reasons. Registration for this contest starts at 8 am with the contest starting at 9 am. Registration fee is $15 and includes lunch.
Another sanctioned 4-H Livestock Judging contest will be held in Hemingford on June 17th. This contest will have a similar format to the Chadron contest with registration starting at 8 am and the contest begins at 9 am. Registration fee is $15 and includes lunch. Prizes will be awarded for the top three participants in each age division.
Progress Shows
The Sheridan County 4-H Progress show will be held on Saturday, June 12th at the Fairgrounds in Gordon, NE. Weigh-ins are from 7 am to 9 am with the show starting at 10 am. Youth can participate in sheep, goats, market and breeding beef. Registration forms are found online at www.northernpanhandle.unl.edu. Entry fees are $20/head by June 1 and $25/head after June 1. Showmanship is $5. Clover Kid Showmanship is free and has to be a goat, sheep, or bucket calf under 350 pounds. Call (308) 327-2312 if you have questions.
The Dawes 4-H Progress Show is taking place on June 19, 2021 at the Fairgrounds in Chadron, NE. The progress show is a great way to practice showing beef, sheep, or goats before county fair. Registration forms are found online at www.northernpanhandle.unl.edu. Entry fees are $20/head by June 7 and $25/head after June 7. Showmanship is $10. Clover Kid Showmanship is free and has to be a goat, sheep, or bucket calf under 350 pounds. Call (308)432-3373 if you have questions.
The Box Butte Panhandle Progress show will be held on June 26th at the Fairgrounds in Hemingford. Weigh-in for Sheep and Goats will start at 7 am and go until 9 am. The show starts at 10 am. Entry fees are $20 per head and $5 for Showmanship. Registration forms are found at https://events.unl.edu/boxbutte-county/upcoming/. If you have questions feel free to contact Kristy Bolek at (308) 763-1474.
Summer Workshops
All of the Sioux County Summer Workshops will be listed at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/northernpanhandle/4-h-event-calendar/ along with the registration forms. May workshop registration is due by May 11th including the Cake Decorating workshop. Local June workshop registrations are due June 1st and July workshop registrations are due July 1st.
Birdhouse Workshop
This workshop will be held on May 27th at the Harrison Bible Church from 1 to 4 pm for youth ages 8 and up. The fee is $10. Youth will learn about the birds in our area while building a wooden birdhouse to hang on their property.
Cake Decorating Workshop
Join this virtual workshop on June 2nd from 3 to 4 pm to learn how to make homemade frosting and the basic frosting techniques. The fee to participate is $10 which will get you the decorating tips, bags, and couplers needed for the workshop.
Dried & Delicious Workshop
This workshop will be held via Zoom on June 9th from 10 to 12 pm for youth ages 8 and up. Participants will learn how to properly freeze and dry food to eat later and create a food preservation fair project.
Small Animal Workshop
The Allred girls will be demonstrating how to show cats, dogs, rabbits, and poultry at this workshop on June 16th from 8 until 12 pm at the Harrison Park. This workshop is for youth ages 5 and up. This is a free event and snacks will be provided.
Tale of Tails Clover Kid Workshop
Youth will create hands-on projects while to help them experience the magic of stories on June 24th at the Harrison Bible Church from 9 am until noon. The fee to participate is $10.
Light Up the Summer with 4-H
Light up your summer by designing your day of 4-H projects on June 29th. This workshop will provide youth ages 8 and up with the opportunity to select from photography, solar oven cooking, rockets, flowers, and more. Clover Kids, youth ages 5 to 7, will get to experience a variety of projects in Consumer and Family Science, Healthy Living, STEM, and more. This workshop will be held at the Security First Bank Basement and has a registration fee of $15. Participants will need to pack a lunch.
Genealogy Workshop
Discover what is Genealogy and create a binder with your family history on June 30th from 10 am to 11 am via zoom. This is a free workshop.
Range Judging Day Camp
Come learn about plant ID & Classification, make a plant poster, and participate in a Plant ID Judging Contest on June 30th at Chadron State College. This free all day event will run from 9 am until 3pm. Great way to prepare for FFA contests and develop an exhibit for the 4-H Range Management Project. Participants will need to bring a lunch.
Tick Tock Fair is Coming Workshop
Create your very own clock that will help remind you fair is around the corner on July 7th from 1 to 3 pm at the Harrison Bible Church. Please bring any special items you would like to decorate your clock with. The fee for this workshop is $15.
Crate your Own Design Workshop
The workshop on July 13th will be devoted to making 4-H projects for your home! Youth will complete three home environment projects including tire seats, Barn Quilts, and crate furniture. Youth need to pack a lunch for this all day workshop from 9 am until 3 pm at the Harrison Bible Church. The fee is $10.
Fair Schedule
- Thursday, July 22nd - Clothing Day
- Friday, July 30th – Livestock Show
- Monday, August 2nd -Companion Animal Show
- Tuesday, August 3rd – Horse Show
- Thursday, August 5th – Art Hall Day
Fairbook
The fairbook has been updated and can be found on the website at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/northernpanhandle/2020-sioux-county-fair/.
Horse Level Testing
Melissa will be helping youth complete their horse level I and II testing on May 27th at the Dawes County Fairgrounds.
PREPARE IN ADVANCE:
1. Review the information available in the Extension Office or online at 4h.unl.edu/horse/advancement. There are study materials available on the website as well as a complete description of the requirements for each level.
2. Prepare a demonstration that is appropriate for the level trying to pass.
3. Ride your horse and have them ready to complete requirements of the Skills Test.
4. Level II: You may complete your written report and feed chart in advance and bring with you or complete after examination and skills test.
Wilderness Wonders
June 3rd will be a one-day camp for youth currently in K-2. These youth members will be challenged with their own set of survivor skills from 9 am until 2 pm at Camp Norwesca. This camp is limited to 25 youth and will have a $30 fee. Youth will need to bring their swimming suits and towels to the June 3rd camp. The camp application can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/northernpanhandle/4-h-event-calendar/.
Applications are due to the Nebraska Extension-Box Butte Office at 415 Black Hills Alliance, NE 69301 by May 14th. Please contact the Extension Office if you have any questions. Apply for a 4-H Council Camp Scholarship to help pay for this camp.
Design Camp
Nebraska 4-H camps
Want to spend a week of your summer enjoying the outdoors, trying new activities and making new friends?! Join us at Nebraska 4-H Camps for summer 2021! Our summer camp is located in the middle of the Sandhills in the beautiful Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. Our week-long overnight camp programs are open to all youth ages 8-15. You do not need to be a member of 4-H to attend camp (invite all of your friends to join!). We also have leadership opportunities and jr. counselor positions available for ages teens ages 15-18. A typical week at 4-H Camp includes a variety of outdoor adventure activities such as canoeing, zipline, high ropes course, archery, crafts, campfires and more!
For more information and full camp descriptions please view the electronic 4-H Camp brochure: https://4h.unl.edu/documents/2021%20Brochure%20Final.pdf
Please reach out to the Camp Program Director, Katie Zabel, with any questions! Kzabel2@unl.edu
Livestock Achievement Program
We are excited to announce a new opportunity for 4-H youth participating in livestock projects! The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program 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 the 4-H Educator, Melissa Mracek.
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 visit: 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement-program.
General Foods Project Ideas
All youth enrolled in any 4-H Foods & Nutrition or Food Preservation project are welcome to create an entry for any of these 4 General Foods & Nutrition- County & State Fair Classes:
Food Science Exploration -Show the connection between food and science as it relates to food preparation, food safety, food preservation, or food production. Exhibit may be a poster or foam core board (not to exceed 22” x 30”), computer based presentation printed off with notes pages, if needed, and displayed in a binder, an exhibit display, a written report in a portfolio or notebook. Consider neatness and creativity.
Foods and Nutrition Poster, Scrapbook, or Photo Display -The project should involve a nutrition or food preparation technique or explore a career related to the food industry (caterer, restaurant owner, food scientist, registered dietitian, etc.) . This might contain pictures, captions and/or a report to highlight the concept. Exhibit may be a poster or a foam core board (not to exceed 22” by 30”); a computer-based presentation printed off with notes pages (if needed) and displayed in a binder; an exhibit display; or a written report in a portfolio or notebook. Consider neatness and creativity.
Physical Activity and Health Poster, Scrapbook, or Photo Display - The project should involve a physical activity or explore a career-related to physical activity or health (personal trainer, sports coach, physical therapist, etc.). This might contain pictures, captions and/or a report to highlight the concept. Exhibit may be a poster or a foam core board (not to exceed 22” by 30”), a computer based presentation printed off with notes pages, if needed, and displayed in a binder, an exhibit display, or a written report in a portfolio or notebook. Consider neatness and creativity.
Cooking Basics Recipe File -A collection of 10 recipes from any source. Each recipe must accompany a complete menu in which the recipe is used. An additional 10 recipes may be added each year the 4-H’er is in the project, with year clearly marked on recipes. Display in a recipe file or binder. Be sure to include the number of servings or yield of each recipe. This may be a continued recipe file project from the previously used 4-H curriculum before 2018. Exhibits that include recipes with alcohol (wine, beer, rum, etc.) will be disqualified.
Nebraska Extension Sioux County Office
Email: mmracek2@unl.edu
Website: go.unl.edu/siouxcofair
Location: PO Box 277 Harrison, NE 69346
Phone: (308) 668-2428
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLSiouxCounty