Otoe County 4-H Wednesday What-Nots
June 3, 2020
Nebraska 4-H Club Meetings - Can Restart with Guidelines
Beginning June 15, 4-H Clubs across Nebraska can start meeting, but new club safety measures need to be in place. The health and safety of all 4-H members, parents, guests, and staff is the top priority of Nebraska 4-H.
To help reduce the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19, the following guidelines from the Nebraska Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should be followed to protect yourself and others during 4-H Club meetings and other 4-H programs:
1. Stay home when sick and avoid contact with other people unless you need medical attention.
2. Follow common-sense steps such as washing your hands often and well; covering your coughs and sneezes; and cleaning and disinfecting.
3. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
5. Avoid close contact with people by staying at least 6 feet apart.
6. Wear cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
7. Wipe down all common surfaces as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Common surfaces include tables, counters, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, chairs, etc.
At this time we recommend food or snacks not be provided as part of 4-H meetings. Families can bring their own snacks for themselves if necessary.
Additional guidelines for preparation before, during and following your 4-H meeting can be found at:
https://4h.unl.edu/documents/COVID4HMeetingGuidelinesMay2820201%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.pdf
By following the above best practices, Nebraska 4-H hopes to offer more opportunities for youth to interact face-to-face, within the parameters provided by your county health officials. If you have any questions, please contact the Nebraska Extension in Otoe County Office at 402-269-2301 or otoe-county@unl.edu.
YQCA
Important Deadline Information
- Id & Entry sheets are due to the Extension Office by June 15th - sheets are available online by clicking here and scrolling down under Animal Information!
- State Horse Show entries are due June 15th
- Horse Advancement Levels due June 15th
- State Fair nominations due date has been moved to July 1st
* You can email, mail, or drop off ID sheets in our white mailbox out front!
Summer Workshops for 2020!
We realize this is probably not the summer any of us imagined, but that doesn’t mean we can't keep growing and learning using our head, heart, hands, and health!
To see a list of 2020 Nebraska learning experiences being offered click here!Project Books & Ear Tags
Otoe County 4-H Program
- Otoe County Extension and the 4-H Council are waiting on a decision from the Otoe County Ag Society on how best to proceed with the Otoe County Fair. Waiting is difficult, but in doing so we are hoping for the best outcome for our 4-H youth.
- A committee began meeting on May 13 and is meeting weekly to discuss 4-H at the Otoe County Fair. These members include: Ag Society President Mike Rudolph, Vice President Gayle Schomerus, County Commissioner’s Chair Jerad Sornson, County Commissioner Vice Chair Rick Freshman, Extension Board President Trevor Houghton, 4-H Council President Julie Hippen, Southeast District Health Department Executive Director Grant Brueggemann, Syracuse Mayor Kc Ortiz, Syracuse City Administrator Jessica Meyer, Extension Office Manager Kelsey Ahrens, 4-H Extension Assistant Erin Steinhoff, and Extension Educator Sarah Purcell.
- We are working to give every 4-H member an opportunity to showcase a project either live or virtually for a positive youth development experience.
- The health and safety of our 4-H members, parents and families must be protected.
Online 4-H Horticulture Contest
The Biggest Grower Summer Program
If you're a high school student entering the 9th-12th grade this fall (or know a HS student) living in Nebraska and you want to do a fun, hands-on, outdoor activity with a bit of instruction and a bunch of flexibility, and like winning money, Nebraska Extension is providing a summer gardening program for you.
The Biggest Grower competition offers Nebraska high school students the opportunity to learn to start their own garden and small growing operation. Students will receive the supplies and support needed to plant, grow, cultivate, harvest and distribute their own fresh specialty crops in a garden space or in containers. Participants will be placed in virtual teams with one team chosen as The Biggest Grower and each team member will be awarded a $50 Amazon gift card. Additionally, an individual high school junior or senior will be awarded a College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Department of Agronomy and Horticulture scholarship of $1,000. #NebExt
Livestock Judging Practice Opportunities
Nebraska 4-H is now offering an online livestock judging video series. Start by sorting through the class and working on your reasons. Then, get tips and tricks for improving your skills while listening to a critique of the class. New videos are added each week.
Otoe County Fair Book can be found online!
Virtual Dog Club
2020 Census
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County limited public access
In response to COVID-19, the Nebraska Extension in Otoe County Office has limited public access until further notice. Our office, located at 620 1st Street in Syracuse, will remain operational and accessible to the public by request only until further notice. Please contact the office at 402-269-2301 or via email at otoe-county@unl.edu to set up a time to conduct any business that cannot be handled via phone, email, or regular mail. The doors will be locked and access will only be granted to those who have a scheduled appointment
Looking for learning opportunities you can do from home?
Nebraska 4-H and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have you covered! Check out these virtual learning experiences and activity guides that are perfect for hands-on learning at home.
- 4-H Virtual and At-Home Learning: https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-home-learning
- A Beautiful Day: https://cehs.unl.edu/abeautifulday/
- Family Food and Fun at Home: https://food.unl.edu/article/family-food-fun-home
- Virtual Field Trips: https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-field-trips
COVID-19 Information from Southeast District Health
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County has connected with the Southeast District Health Department to amplify the work of our district health department. The mission of the Southeast District Health Department is to prevent diseases, promote good health and protect the welfare of all who live, work, and visit Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson counties. Click on the following link to have access to the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, the coronavirus, to ensure the health and safety of yourself, your family, and our community. http://www.sedhd.org/index.html
Horse Arena
4-H Photography Showcase
The 4-H Photography Showcase offers a project exhibition opportunity beyond traditional print media. It is intended to help youth develop professional and technical skills as photographers while fostering creativity and encouraging self-expression. Through this opportunity, youth are encouraged to practice and apply skills learned in their photography projects throughout the year.
How Does It Work?
Each month, a new photo will be selected from the online submissions. Selections will be made based on creativity, timeliness, technical execution, originality, and appropriateness. The selected photo will be showcased across the Nebraska 4-H social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Youth photographers will be credited wherever and whenever their photo is shared or published.
This opportunity is open to all enrolled 4-H members. Photo recommendations, file specifications, rules, and guidelines for participation are available online at https://4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase.
For questions, please contact Danielle Dewees at ddewees@unl.edu.
More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase
2020 Otoe County Fair Theme
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County
Sarah Purcell, Unit Leader, Extension Educator, spurcell2@unl.edu
Erin Steinhoff, Extension Assistant, erin.steinhoff@unl.edu
Kelsey Ahrens, Office Manager, kahrens4@unl.edu
Email: Otoe-County@unl.edu
Website: www.otoe.unl.edu
Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, NE
Phone: (402)269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County