Dakota County 4-H News

DAKOTA COUNTY OFFICE STAFF

Angela Abts—4-H & Youth aabts2@unl.edu

Julie Boyle—Food Nutrition and Health julie.boyle@unl.edu

Tammy Dunn—Office Manager tpeterson3@unl.edu

Brenda Sale—SNAP-ED bsale@unl.edu

Email: dakota-county@unl.edu
Website: https://dakota.unl.edu
Location: 1505 Broadway Street, Dakota City, NE, USA
Phone: 402-987-2140
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLDakotaCounty
Twitter: @NEDakota4HExt

Facebook: Nebraska Extension in Dakota County

Instagram: NE Extension Dakota County

JUNE

1- All Horse ID's, level testing submitted

5 - Extension Board meeting

5 - Dakota County 4-H Council meeting

11-16 - Big red Camps @ UNL

15 - Apply to State Livestock recognition program (final report 8/28)

15 - ALL LIVESTOCK ID'S/AFFIDAVITS DUE

15 - YQCA deadline

15 - State Fair livestock nominations/DNA due

15 - Final enrollment/project deadline

21-22 - Premier Animal Science Event, UNL

23 - State Communications Event

JULY

4 - Office closed Independence Day

15-19 - Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo

21 - County Fair Pre-Entry Deadline

29 - Fairgrounds Cleanup day

31 - 4-H Clothing Day, Fairgrounds

2- August 6 - County Fair Week

The Extension Staff and 4-H council are proud of our graduates and want to wish you the best of luck as you enter the next chapter of your life.

Congratulations to:

Brianna Bousquet - Emerson-Hubbard

Katie Utech - Emerson-Hubbard

Austine Kent - Homer

Avery Overfelt - Homer

do you know someone who still wants to take part in our 4-H program? Did you start an enrollment but didn't complete it? Do you need to check and make sure you have enrolled in all the projects you want to do. Remember if you aren't enrolled in a project area you can't exhibit that project at the fair!

There is still time Deadline for final enrollments and project updates is June 15th.

If you are interested in sponsoring a trophy for the 2017 Dakota~Thurston County Fair contact the Extension Office. Trophy sponsorships are $25 each. You can designate the area you would like to support, if that area is taken, we will fill in as needed.

Trophies will be presented at the 2023 Dakota‐Thurston County Fair at a cost of $25.00 each. In addition to trophies, select classes may receive additional awards such as buckles, plaques or other awards. These awards are at a higher cost. If you would like more information on sponsoring these additional awards please contact the Dakota or Thurston County Extension Office.

Trophies add great incentive for our 4‐H’ers to excel. We sincerely appreciate your past support and hope you will continue. The Dakota and Thurston County 4‐H Council are also looking at different ways to provide incentive to our youth. We want to make sure that the rewards given are the best way to recognize our youth. Please remember at fair time and throughout the year that ribbons are awarded for the merit of the project and items such as trophies should be based on competition.

The 2023 Fairbook is loaded on the web , check it out. You can find a full version or just check out the sections you need.
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/fairbook2/

This Years Theme is "Proud Past, Bright Future"

DUE JUNE 15TH!!!!.

If your are showing any livestock make sure you have it properly Identified with the Extension Office.

Does you animal need ear tags, a tattoo, scrapies tag, swine ear notches?

We have the ear tags you need! Ear tags are $3 each and are to be place in the animals ear long before fair week. Ear notches and tagging must be healed before fair week.

Market beef (if did not attend weigh-in), feeder calf, bucket calf

Breeding Beef: Tattoos

Swine: Ear notches

Sheep/Goat: Scrapies tags - we do not have these are are unique to your flock and can be ordered from the USDA

Rabbits: Tattoos

You can find the ID sheets on our website, please fill them out and turn into the Extension Office before June 15th. Find the ID link on our main page, the pictures that scroll at the top. Or click the link below.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/livestock-affidavits-0/

From the fairbook rules: Late ID policy :4-H members are to turn in affidavits by the deadline of June 15th of the current 4-H year. 4-H year. Affidavits that are submitted past the deadline will be accessed a $10 fee per individual. Affidavits will be accepted up to ONE WEEK past the deadline, as long as the late fee has bee paid.. Any additions or changes will only be effective for county fair.

All 4-H members enrolled in livestock projects are required to complete annual quality assurance training and certification through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) program. This includes youth enrolled in beef, dairy cattle, goat, sheep, swine, poultry, and rabbit projects.

Youth may complete online training courses or attend in-person training workshops held by their county Extension office. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/yqca.

There will be an in- person YQCA training on Wednesday, June 14th from 1:00-- 3:00 pm at the Pender Fire Hall! Contact the Thurston County office to sign up at 402-385-6041.

Families can now begin entering in their 2023 Nebraska State Fair 4-H/FFA livestock nominations.

Show Stock Manager Information (NOW Open for 2023!)

• https://showstockmgr.com/

The 2023 Step-by-Step Nomination Instructions can be found on the public page: https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-id.

Attention students going into 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades? Are you up for something new and exciting to do this summer with Legos? How about learning about WeDo 2.0 Lego kits? You will learn to build simple machines and program them.

July 27th & 28th

Dakota County Extension Office (1505 Broadway St, Dakota City, NE

$20 per particiapnt

registration deadline, July 21st

The 2023 Dakota County Special project is about your families past and future. Use your imagination to create an exhibit that tells about your family.

Get your t-shirts here! Also available in hoodies) Note Youth small and Youth medium, the design will be on the back of the hoodie. The t-shirts are dri-fit material. See our website for a printable order form. Turn in payment (cash or check) to the Dakota County Extension Office by June 5th. These shirts are approved for youth to wear during fair animal/livestock shows.

As you are working in your gardens this summer, please record information found on your seed packages (i.e. variety, growing time, etc) to prepare for interview judging. All Floriculture and Horticulture exhibits must have cultivar or variety name on entry card or the exhibit will drop one ribbon placing. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to have this information recorded. For more information on how to prepare your exhibits for fair, review the publications available at this link https://extension.unl.edu/node/100015041/edit/

Preparing Flowers & Plants for Fair

You can’t control what the weather does to your plants but you do control how you prepare your exhibits.

· Select the best. The judge will note flaws!

· Choose the same cultivar and color.

· Harvest with care. Cut your flowers in the evening or early morning, whichever is closest to judging time. Cut the stem several inches longer to allow for trimming. Use a clean, sharp knife to make a smooth, even cut.

· Remove foliage from the portion of stems in the water.

· Conditioning flowers reduces stem blockage and promotes quick water uptake.

· The container should be a good size and shape. The opening should be large enough that stems don’t have to be forced into the neck, yet small enough that blooms don’t fall in and become waterlogged.

· Grooming flowers is the last step. Carefully remove all insects, soil and spray residue from the foliage, stems and blossoms and avoid bruising.

· Remove faded blooms, petals and ragged leaves. Remember, grooming shouldn’t be evident.

· Review rules and double check the required number of stems in the fair book.

· Label with the flower name and cultivar or variety name so the judge can base the placing on the proper criteria.

Tips for Exhibiting Houseplants

· Potted plants should be free of insects, diseases and damaged leaves.

· Plants grown as houseplants must be used. No annual flowers or annual plants.

· Foliage houseplants are judged on quality and appearance of leaves and stems. Color should be bright, clear, and typical of the cultivar.

· Flowering houseplants are judged for their display of flowers but should not show foliage damage.

· Plant size should be about one-third larger than the container in spread, fullness, and height. Good branching and a compact plant are most desirable.

· Plant shape should be symmetrical. Unevenly developed plants indicate poor rotation practices in relation to light exposure.

· Use clean containers in proportion to plant size. The color, texture, and style of the container complement the plant without drawing attention away from it.

· Use a good quality soil or potting mix. Do not use soil from outdoor gardens.

· Plants need to have been grown in the container for 6 weeks and are well rooted.

· Good grooming practices keep houseplants healthy and attractive. Remove dead or damaged leaves and wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust.

In Dish and Desert Gardens, all plants used should have similar growing requirements, leaf shapes and textures varied, and not too busy or too sparse.· Follow the exhibit guidelines and label all house-plants with the plant name on the entry tag.

Open to any 4-H member. Need not be enrolled in the clothing project to participate. Limit one entry per person per class. Both the Add a Piece and the Complete Outfit may be purchased from garage sale, thrift store, consignment store, resale shop (i.e. Goodwill) or a store bargain. Cost must be $10/$20 or below, depending on challenge. If clothing is altered or embellished those cost must be included in the total cost of outfit. This cost does NOT include shoes, accessories or undergarments. Accessories already owned can be used to compliment/finish the outfit.

An entry consists of modeling the outfit and a Shopping Challenge worksheet (available at the Extension Office or online). 4-H’er must model at Clothing day and at Public Fashion Revue. Entry that does not follow the guidelines will be dropped one ribbon placing. Consider these questions in choosing your challenge piece and to complete worksheet: ·

· Fit, quality and care of the garment

· When and how often do you expect to wear this outfit

· How garment/outfit fills a void in your wardrobe

· Will you change a garment by remodeling, embellishing or other changes.

You will also be asked to list each purchased piece, cost and place of purchase and cost of any changes to garment. Outfit will be displayed at the fair.

902. Modeled $10.00 Add a Piece Clothing Challenge - Add one (or more) piece(s) of clothing to an existing outfit already owned by the
4-H’er. The purchased piece(s) and existing clothing must be modeled together. Worksheet listed above must be included.

903. Modeled $20.00 Outfit Challenge - Open to any 4-H member. Must be a complete wearable outfit. Cost of outfit must be $20.00 or less, not including shoes, accessories or undergarments.

Each family will be receiving a pack sometime toward the end of June that will have entry information for the 2023 Dakota-Thurston County Fair. Once again this year entries will be completed online at dakotane.fairwire.com . Entries are due by July 21st. Paper forms are available on request.

Check out the schedule for the Dakota~Thurston County Fair. A PDF copy is below. The information will also be on our website and the Fairs website, soon!

The fair also has a new website: https://DTfair.com (This is not the 4-H website).

Friday August 4th, 2023 , come see Canaan Smith with opening act Brad Morgan in the arena.

Canaan Lee Smith (born August 24, 1982) is an American country music singer and songwriter signed with Round Here Records, an independent label founded by Florida Georgia Line. He has released two albums, Bronco in 2015 and High Country Sound in 2021. His second single, "Love You Like That", was a Number One hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. He was also a reality television contestant on the 15th season of The Amazing Race.[2]

All livestock in contention to exhibit at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair and/or the Aksarben Stock Show will be required to submit a DNA nomination. All 4-H/FFA BREEDING livestock, market livestock and FEEDER CALVES will now be required to submit a DNA sample/envelope to be eligible to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair. DNA nominations for the Nebraska State Fair are due on June 15, 2023.

Requiring DNA on breeding stock will allow for flexibility of substitutions, allow exhibitors to have a better record of the animals they are nominating, sustain the integrity of exhibitors and ensure ownership of the livestock. As for the administrative side, this will help streamline the record keeping and validation process to assist our families as they are nominating their animal projects.

Any DNA nomination submitted through Show Stock Manager will also be eligible for exhibition at the Aksarben Stock Show. DNA nominations will remain at $7.00 per animal. With this update, animals will automatically be eligible for both breeding and market. Families who often paid to be eligible for both had been paying $9.00 ($7.00-Market and $2.00-Breeding) would no longer need to do that. All would pay $7.00.

Age Eligibilty Change

The age of eligibility at Nebraska State Fair is now 9 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion shows).

Age Divisions are:

Intermediate (9-13)

Senior (14-18)

Entry Limits for Nebraska State Fair:

Poultry and Rabbit -- 5

Sheep and Goat -- 4

Swine -- 5

Beef -- 5

4-H will be awarding an Overall Registered Steer division during the Market Beef Show:

Champion and reserve champion from each breed (including AOB) will be in the drive for Overall Registered Steer.

4-H will be awarding an Overall Purebred Swine during the Market Swine Show:

Champion and reserve champion from each breed (including AOB) will be in the drive for Overall Purebred Swine.

Registration Papers for Breeding Livestock (NEW)

Registration papers must show the exhibitor's name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor's family and is listed with the online nomination in Stock Show Manager.

With each new State Fair season, brings new possibilities and opportunities for 4-H families in Nebraska. The opportunity for 4-H to continue having its own weekend allows more flexibility for new events, entry limits, schedules and space. We want to continue to take advantage of that!

As part of that process, we continue to explore age eligibility requirements for State Fair participation. After garnering user input, researching data from other events/shows/states, and looking that overall impact on youth development, the decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2023 to be 9 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion shows).

Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 2-16, 2023 at: https://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest.

Horticulture judging contest consists of three parts. The first is identification of plant material. Participants identify the plants by common name from a plant list. Specimens may be alive or preserved plant parts like stems, twigs, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, bulbs, tubers, or plant products.

The second is a knowledge portion, usually in the form of a true/false or multiple choice quiz. Questions will test the contestant's knowledge of cultural practices for horticultural crops, plant science, pesticides, horticultural careers and other topics related to the production, processing and consumption of horticultural crops.

The last portion is judging or placings. This is where four different plants, plates of vegetables, or containers flowers are ranked from best to worst based on a set of criteria. Classes are judged on the basis of condition, quality, uniformity, true-to-type, and size.

More information about the Nebraska State contest along with a list of study materials can be found in the Fairbook https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/45. Here you can find the written study materials for the knowledge portion, follow links to plant pictures for help with identification, and read how judging of plant material is done.

More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest

Camping season is almost upon us but there is still time for youth to sign up for a camp with Nebraska State 4-H Camp. Scholarships from different sources can be stacked- For example if a youth receives a camp scholarship from their local 4-H council, they can still apply for a scholarship through the camp scholarship application and use both to help them attend camp. Scholarships do need to be awarded prior to registration. Families can apply at https://4h.unl.edu/camps-discounts

Camps that still have space available:

Chadron, June 5-9

Experience Nebraska via horseback, hiking, and with a trip down the Super Slide! Then see the prehistoric Agate Fossil Beds for a week of exploring Nebraska’s wilderness; both past and present.

Cozad, June 16-20

Challenge yourself with high ropes, zipline, and a rock wall! Work together with your new friends for a canoeing adventure, and round out your day with gaga and 9 square in the air!

Burwell, July 16-20

Explore the flora and fauna with a week on the river front! Explore the North Loup River, go geocaching, tracking, and don’t forget about playing an epic game of capture the flag!

If families have questions more information can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/camp or they can contact Amber Stephens at astephens15@unl.edu or 531-893-2142.

Big Red Summer Camps will be held June 11-16, 2023. Registration is open! Be sure to register for Big Red Camps early, because space is limited! Plus, snag early bird tuition rates by registering before April 14th! Get started at BigRedCamps.unl.edu.

The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is still accepting applications for a summer learning opportunity for high school students. The Raikes School is hosting its seventh year of “Innovate: The Raikes School Way,” led by Executive Director of the Raikes School, Dr. Steve Cooper. The summer camp was highlighted by Forbes in 2019: "STEM-Focused Summer Programs for Ambitious High School Students".
During the two-week, overnight camp students will:
- Learn basic programming skills, primarily Java, and innovation concepts through a project-oriented curriculum
- Receive instruction from Raikes School faculty members and experience what classes can be like in the Raikes School
- Visit campus research labs and local businesses
- Interact with Raikes School students and staff, all of whom play a key role in the competitive selection process to our program each year

What: Innovate: The Raikes School Way
For: High School Students (priority is given to students in the high school graduating class of 2024)
Where: Kauffman Academic Residential Center, home of the Raikes School in the heart of Nebraska's City Campus
When: July 16-29, 2023

Cost: $2,050 (Need-based scholarship opportunities are available. Cost covers all housing, meals, instruction, and activities associated with the camp)

Programming Experience: None (in fact, no experience is preferred)

Priority Application Deadline: April 14, 2023. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through May as space is available

Please consider sharing this invitation with interested students, as well as teachers or community partners who may encourage students to apply.

Interested students can find more details and application materials at https://raikes.unl.edu/summercamp/.

This video (https://youtu.be/JpOfctiSe6M), captured at the 2021 camp, gives a glimpse of what students can expect to experience.

If you have any questions about the camp, please email adam.britten@unl.edu.

More details at: https://raikes.unl.edu/summercamp/

Reminder of Livestock Achievement Program- please let your 4-H youth in beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry know about this additional educational opportunity AND that they can earn great awards as a part of this!

Livestock Achievement Program is an 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. Participants should work on their yearly plan and set their goals at the beginning of starting the program. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records are due August 1st and sent to 4hlivestockachievement@unl.edu *note this is a change in process from previous years. 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, including program instructions and additional resources, or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)

Ashley Benes ashley.benes@unl.edu

The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Information Series is a resource for 4-H members, leaders, and parents to gain knowledge in various livestock-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic is covered with experts joining to share their experience and expertise. Extended learning opportunities and supporting documents are also available for each topic.

https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-info-series

Looking for a fun club project? Want to unite your club members? Running out of ideas for club meetings? If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, help is on the way! Nebraska Extension is pleased to present the 10th annual Crop Scouting Competition for Nebraska youth. Youth interested in crops can learn about crop growth & development and basic crop scouting principles.

Don’t know a lot about crops? Ask a local agronomist to assist by providing a short lesson on crop production. You can have the agronomist meet with youth a little during each meeting or outside of the meeting. This is one way to engage those youth interested in crops.

This contest will be held at the Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska on August 2, 2023. The event will include both indoor and outdoor events. Teams of junior high and high school students (those completing 5-12th grades) from across Nebraska are invited to participate. This event is limited to the first ten teams who sign-up!

Clubs or other organizations may enter a team composed of three to five participants. An adult team leader must accompany each team of students. Team leaders could be FFA advisors, crop consultants, extension staff, coop employees, etc.

Top-scoring teams win prizes: $500 for first, $250 for second, $100 for third place. Top two teams will be eligible for regional competition held in Nebraska this year on September 18th.

Teams will be expected to know the basics of scouting corn and soybean fields. This includes crop staging; looking for patterns of crop injury; disease, insect and weed seedling identification; etc. Other topics many include but are not limited to, pesticide safety, nutrient disorders, and herbicide injury.

Nebraska Extension is also proud to present, “Ask an Agronomist” which is an opportunity for youth to bring pests, samples to Extension agronomists, learn more about crop scouting and networking. This event will be held via zoom on July 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., CST. Youth can join the meeting at go.unl.edu/askanagronomist.

More information about the crop scouting competition and instructions on how to register a team are available online at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth. Register at: https://go.unl.edu/cropscoutingreg

Teams must be registered by July 15. This program is sponsored by Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association, Ward Laboratories, UNL’s Doctor of Plant Health program, the Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Extension.

The planning committee is busy planning for this annual event. This year it will be held on Thursday, August 10th. We have a full day planned with various activities for all ages. Make plans now to come to the UNL Haskell Ag Lab on August 10th. We look forward to seeing you.

As we find out about events across the state they are posted on our website, Facebook & Instagram.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/4-HCamps/

Nebraska 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. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.