Thurston County 4-H News
June 2019
Nebraska Extension - Thurston County
Stacey Keys, Extension Assistant, stacey.keys@unl.edu
Email: thurston-county@unl.edu
Website: thurston.unl.edu
Location: 415 Main Street, P.O. Box 665, Pender, NE 68787
Phone: 402-385-6041
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLExtensionThurston/
Twitter: @UNLThurstonCty
Upcoming Dates
June 3 - Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting
June 10 - District Horse Show - Bloomfield
June 11 - District Horse Show - Elkhorn
June 11 - Ponca Counselor Training
June 12 - Ponca Day Camp @ Ponca State Park
June 12 - District Horse Show - Ord
June 13 - District Horse Show - Ogallala
June 14 - District Horse Show - McCook
June 15 - All Livestock Affidavits DUE
June 15 - State Fair All Livestock DNA DUE
June 15 - YQCA Deadline
June 17-18 - PASE/Life Challenge @ UNL
July 4 - Office Closed - 4th of July Holiday
July 14-18 - State Horse Show @ Fonner Park, Grand Island
July 17 - ALL Dakota-Thurston County Pre-Fair Entries DUE
July 25 - 4-H Clothing Day Judging @ Emerson *DATE CHANGED*
July 27 - Pre-Fair Clean Up
July 28-30 - Pre-Fair Judging Shows
July 31-Aug 4 - Dakota-Thurston County Fair
Need to Know
Office Assistant Position
If you know anyone who might be interested in this position, please send them our way.
"The Thurston County Extension Office will be accepting applications for part time (15 hrs/week) position as an office assistant. This position requires a person who is a self-starter, highly self-motivated and flexible. Qualifications are: customer service skills; a working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Internet, and financial management; organizational and communication skills and a valid Nebraska driver’s license. Must pass a criminal background check and the 4-H volunteer screening. Additional information about this position can be found online at www.thurston.unl.edu at https://go.unl.edu/pj2t or at the Extension Office. Cover letter, resume and references may be sent to Nebraska Extension in Thurston County, 415 Main Street, PO Box 665, Pender, NE 68047. For more information please contact Nebraska Extension Educator Jennifer Hansen at 402-385-6041. Thurston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer."
Busy Programming - Out of the Office
Days we know that we'll both be out of the office are:
- June 4
- June 12
- June 14
- June 18
- June 20
- June 24 AM
- June 25
Flood Resources
4-H Foundation Announces Flood Relief Fund to Support Nebraska Families
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation has created a Flood Relief Fund to support children, youth and families impacted by the recent storms and floods.
There is another fund that may be of interest to your 4-H families and friends. The 4-H’ers Helping 4-H’ers Fund offers a giving opportunity to 4-H clubs and councils as well as individuals and businesses to support 4-H youth and families.
Information on both funds is available on the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website: www.ne4hfoundation.org
If you have questions or need additional information, please call or email Stu Shepherd at sshepherd3@unl.edu
SAVE THE DATE – JULY 24, 2019 HASKELL AG LAB SCIENCE & AG FAMILY FIELD DAY
2019 Big Red Summer Academic Camps
The 2019 Big Red Summer Academic Camps, to be held June 9-14, 2019, are just around the corner! New camp for 2019 is Animation! Also offered for this summer are: Engineering, Outdoor Nebraska, Unicameral Youth Legislature, Filmmaking, Teaching, Veterinary Science and Weather and Climate Science.
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential, career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Youth will have the opportunity to explore the UNL campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! During the week-long camps, participants will work with UNL faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where campers will showcase their achievements.
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to all youth grades 10th-12th including recent high school graduates. All housing and food is provided for participants throughout the duration of the camp. Partial and Full scholarships available!!! FULL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for the Discover Teaching Camp! Early Bird registration ends April 15th!
More information about Big Red Camps is also available online at https://4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps
Summer Info
Out of the Office
Stacey is also recovering from heart surgery she had the end of May. Hopefully everything will be 100% soon, but we won't know for sure for 3-6 months.
Summer Workshops
TEC Box - June 4
Ponca Day Camp Counselor Training - June 11
Ponca Day Camp - June 12
Clover Kid Camp - June 14
Let's Paint Run-A-Ways - June 17
N|150 Workshop - June 18
Intern Workshop - June 20
Ozobots - June 25
STEM Workshop - July 2
Workshop Scholarships for 4-H Members
Member Info
Tractor Safety certification
The most common cause of agricultural-related death in Nebraska is overturned tractors and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Employing anyone uncertified under age 16 is a liability risk for farmers if those children operate such equipment.
Nebraska Extension’s Tractor Safety & Hazardous Occupations Courses take place at 12 Nebraska locations this year for teens 14 or 15 years of age who will work on a farm. Anyone older than 15 is also welcome to attend, but those under age 14 are not eligible to take the class. Extensive training on tractor and ATV safety occurs during in-class lessons with hands-on activities. Instilling an attitude of safety and a respect for agricultural equipment is the primary goal of the course.
The first day of classroom instruction includes hands-on demonstrations, concluding with a written test. Classroom instruction will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program. Students are required to pass the test before taking the driving test on day two. The second day will include a physical driving test with equipment operation and ATV safety lessons. To receive certification, students must demonstrate competence in hitching and unhitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course. In most locations, instructors will offer an ATV simulator experience to learn about safe behaviors and laws for ATVs and UTVs. Students will also complete homework assignments for the second day.
Instructors for the course include staff members of Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health: Aaron Yoder, PhD, Ellen Duysen, Daniel Kent, and UNMC student Jill Oatman.
All on-site classes begin at 8:00 A.M. and end times will vary, depending on the number of participants.
June 20 & 21, Wayne Fairgrounds Register call: 402-375-3310
Thank you for keeping our youth safe.
Club of the Month
N|150 Celebration - Flat Herbie Tour the Town
Flat Herbie is here to celebrate this milestone. Cut out Herbie and make him part of your community by taking him on a tour of your town. Snap a picture of him at local events, favorite landmarks, or 4-H activities. Upload the pictures to your social media channels with #N150Herbie or email us at nebraska4h@unl.edu. We encourage everyone (students, faculty, staff, 4-H families, and alumni) to get in on the fun with Flat Herbie throughout 2019!
The first 12 individuals to participate and tag #thurston4h will receive a N|150 Lighted Bouncy Ball.
County Fair
Late Affidavit & Late Entry Policies
1) Late animal affidavits will be accepted for one following the entry deadline and will be accessed a $10 late fee per individual for the Dakota-Thurston County Fair.
2) Late fair entries will be accepted for one week following the entry deadline and will be accessed a $10 late fee per individual for the Dakota-Thurston County Fair.
Livestock ID's/Affidavits DUE
DNA & Online Nominations
To show at State Fair you need to go online (https://showstockmgr.com/stockmgr/) and nominate the following species by June 15th:
- Breeding Beef
- Market Sheep
- Breeding Sheep
- Market Swine
- Market Beef
- Market Goats
- Breeding Goats
If you are showing livestock that is ONLY going to Aksarben contact them (https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/p/events/2019-dna-information/dna-information) for DNA envelopes. DNA to ONLY Aksarben is due July 1st.
Fair Entry Information
Animal Exhibits
Rabbit/Poultry Exhibitors - When you enter your animals Monday, July 29th, from 6:00 –8:00 we are asking that you check your animals in with either the superintendents or Extension Staff. We want to try and ensure that our show programs are accurate. Your assistance on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Bedding - The fair board will be possibly supplying bedding for livestock projects. It will be decided upon at the next Fair Board meeting. If you have special needs for your projects, it is your responsibility to bring the supplies. If you have any questions, please contact the Miranda Estochen @ 402-992-0992.
Stalling Horses - The Dakota~Thurston County Fairboard voted in 2010, That if a horse is showed, it must be stalled. No veterinarian excuses will be accepted. This applies to all horses exhibiting at the 4-H Horse Show, no expectations. Horses must be stalled at the fairgrounds on Thursday, August 1st by 8:00 p.m.
Livestock Check-in - Wednesday, July 31st from 6:30 - 8:30 pm is check-in day at the fair. Please check-in your animals at the respective livestock scale. This will help us to exhibitors and livestock that are on the fairgrounds and help with correct stall assignments and correct show programs. Reminder: Swine ear tags need to be purchased for $2.00 each at the time of check-in.
No early release of animals - Please refer to page 8 of the fair book for the following rule: All live animals, 4-H/FFA, Open Class (except cats, dogs, household pets/birds) will remain on the grounds for the duration of the fair. No early releases. Also see page 28 for the following statement from the Fair Board: Penalty– Premiums will be pulled for exhibits leaving the fairgrounds prior to the aforementioned release time.
Cat, Dog, & Ferret Exhibits - Don’t forget your cats, dogs, and ferrets must have current vaccinations. Forms are available on our website. (https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/affidavitsid-forms/)
Bucket Calves - Bucket calves need a record book with their entry. (https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/affidavitsid-forms/)
Fair Board Meeting
Clothing Day *DATE CHANGE*
Dakota-Thurston County 4-H Fair Book Online
Trophy Donors
Trophies add great incentive for our 4-H'ers to excel. 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.
Showing Dress Code *Changes*
17. 4-H Dress code - All exhibitors of livestock are required to wear a predominately white, black, or grey 4-H t-shirt (Extension Office approved) or plain white long sleeve shirt (button down with collar) no ruffles or fancy lace), and dark blue denim jeans. Exhibitors wearing plain white shirts must wear a 4-H armband. Exhibitors of large animals and/or horses are required to wear hard sole shoes. Dog exhibitors need to wear soft soled shoes. Horse exhibitors see equine section for specific dress code guidelines.
18. FFA Dress Code - FFA Shirt and dark blue denim jeans.
19. 4-H’ers participating in the Bonus Auction should adhere to Dress Code rules #17 & #18
Bonus Auction *Change*
- Beef - Bucket Calf, Feeder Calf, Market Steer/Heifer
- Swine - Market Gilt/Barrow
- Sheep - Market Lamb
- Goat - Market Goat
- Rabbit - Champion from Meat classes - G961 - Classes 901, 902 & 903
- Poultry - Champion Brioler from class G951-916
N|150 Stepping Stone Showcase
4-H members are invited to show their creativity and University of Nebraska pride by creating a stepping stone that represents the N|150 milestone. Stepping stones will be exhibited at local counties fairs, and one stepping stone from each county will be chosen to be displayed at the Nebraska State Fair at the Raising Nebraska landscape.
- Stepping stones may be made out of any materials. Keep in mind that fairgoers may step on the stones while on display, therefore, they should be durable.
- Stepping stones should be 8 inches by 8-inch squares.
- Design: N|150 themed or In Our Grit, Our Glory themed
- Each county will select one for display at Raising Nebraska. It will not be eligible to be judged in any other class at State Fair.
Photography Unit 3 Exhibit Print
Dakota Thurston County Fair Activity Passes
This pass is a $30 value and is being sold for $15
The Pass includes 1 entry into each of the following events:
- Tractor Pull
- Dueling Pianos
- Extreme Bull Riding
If you are interested in purchasing these passes, please contact the Fair Manager at dakotathurstoncountyfair@mail.com.
Fair Book Changes
Animal Science
An exhibitor (4-H or FFA) is limited to two market animals & two breeding heifers. Any combination of classes is allowed. *Change*
Market Beef - animals must be registered by the official breed association to be exhibited in breed classes
901.Angus Steers
902.Shorthorn Steers
903.Hereford Steers
904.Crossbred Steers
905.Angus Heifers
906.Shorthorn Heifers
907.Hereford Heifers
908.Crossbred Heifers
909.Club Pen of 3
Breeding Beef
901. Commercial Breed Heifers
902. Limousin Breed Heifers
903. LimFlex Breed Heifers
904. Maine-Anjou Breed Heifers
905. Maintainer Breed Heifers
906. Red Angus Breed Heifers
907. Shorthorn Breed Heifers
908. Shorthorn Plus Breed Heifers
909. Simmental Breed Heifers
910. Foundation Breed Heifers
911. AOB (All Other Breeds) Breed Heifers
912. Angus Breed Heifers
913. Charolais Breed Heifers
914. Composite Charolais Breed Heifers
915. Chianina Breed Heifers
916. Gelbvieh Breed Heifers
917. Balancer Breed Heifers
918. Hereford and Polled Hereford Breed Heifers
· The written (only) Level 1 test must be completed by the fair pre-entry deadline (mid-July) for all youth meeting the minimum equine intermediate age level of 12 as of January 1st of the current year.
· If the written (only) Level 1 test has not been completed, intermediate age and up youth will not be allowed to participate in the Dakota-Thurston County 4-H Horse Show.
· Written Level 1 test will be administered by either a certified Level 1 or 2 horse leader or by the local Extension Office. Testing appointments will be required by the Extension Office.
Information about what will be covered on this test can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/horse/advancementFair Book Notices
Cow-Calf Project
No embryo transfer calves, as class is based upon genetic transfer from mother to offspring.
Feeder Calf
If one of your feeder calves is out of your Returning Cow (First Calf-Cow/Calf Pair), then you would be allowed to have 2 entries in either the Feeder Calf Steer class or Feeder Calf Heifer class.
Camping at the Fair
Interested in camping at the fair?
Contact Sherry Slaughter @ 402-863-2352
Mary Paeper @ 402-922-1299
Ray Sanderson @ 402-922-0247
These individuals can let you know the availability of camp sites and prices.
Family & Consumer Sciences
Plant Science
2019 Online Horticulture Judging Contest
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 http://4h.unl.edu/fairbook/plant-science/horticulture-id. 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.
4-H Plane Science and Entomology Contest
4-H Plant Science and Entomology Contests on Thursday, June 27 at the Ag Park Fairgrounds in Columbus. They are open to all interested 4-H’ers. FFA members are welcome to attend as well.
We hold 3 separate plant science contests (Horticulture Judging and ID, Tree Identification, and Grass and Weed ID. We also hold an Insect ID contest). Participants can participate in 1, 2, 3 or all 4 of the contests. It is their choice. They only need to be there for the contest/s they are planning to participate in.
ALSO – we are holding an educational ZOOM on June 6 from 10 AM to 12 Noon (may not that be long) to help 4-H’ers, 4-H Leaders, and Extension staff learn about what these contests are, what they can expect, and how they can prepare for the contests along with study resources available.
Below is the ZOOM information for that day. Please share with interested individuals. Thanks so much.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://unl.zoom.us/j/157339185
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,157339185# US (San Jose)
+16468769923,,157339185# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 157 339 185
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ab9m7Kbb4n
Youth Crop Scouting Competition
Registration is now open for the Youth Crop Scouting Competition and limited to the first 9 teams who sign up!
This year, we will be asking that teams send in a $50 deposit payable to UNL; it is refundable if you attend the program to hold your spot.
Details about the program:
This contest will be held at the ARDC near Mead, Nebraska on July 23, 2019. 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 in August at Iowa this year.
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.
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 18. This program is sponsored by Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association, DuPont Pioneer, Farm Credit Services of America and Nebraska Extension.
Animal Science
Upcoming Area Shows & Contests
- Small Animal Progress Show, Phelps County Fairgrounds (Holdrege), Saturday, June 1, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/0i7x)
- 2019 4-H Beef Progress Show, Phelps County Fairgrounds (Holdrege), Saturday, June 1, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/jr4w)
- Hustler 4-H Progress Show, Cuming County Fairgrounds (West Point), Sunday, June 9, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/cdsw)
- Papio Valley 4-H Show, Sarpy County Fairgrouds (Springfield), Sunday, June 9, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/6sj0)
- Stanton FFA Progress Show, Stanton County Fairgrounds (Stanton), Saturday, June 15, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/45b7)
- Red Willow County Beef Progress Show, Red Willow County Fairgrounds (McCook), Sunday, June 16, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/0n5c)
- Platte County Swine Progress Show, Ag Park (Columbus), Sunday, June 16, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/tmor)
- Central District Youth Dairy Show, Buffalo County Fairgrounds (Kearney), Saturday, June 22, 2019 (https://go.unl.edu/k8rs)
- Wisner Jr. Livestock Show, Wisner Park (Wisner), June 27-30, 2019
Rabbit Tattooing Party
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals - YQCA
YQCA is available as an online program for youth everywhere in the United States. YQCA in-person workshops may be available to where state 4-H or FFA offices or stat/national livestock organization have partnered to have qualified trainers offer in-personal workshops. This is what Nebraska 4-H/FFA have adopted this year and so we will be using the new system. Instructions on how to use the online system can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/yqca-instructions.
Requirements:
Online – 3 modules @ $12 total (to receive full certification you must complete 3)
OR Face-2-Face training @ $3 total Scheduled for June 10th (DATE CHANGE), 9:30-11:30 am @ the Pender Fire Hall.
OR Test Out for Intermediate @ $36 or Senior @ $48
Thurston County 4-H Council has voted to provide scholarships for these fees of the online or face-to-face sessions after youth fill out a short form. Found here: https://unl.box.com/s/20uwv5vi6jtl4ef55wvmrebkj9kmk1lp
Any tradition 4-H member (8-18) in your family that is enrolled in a beef, goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and/or swine project must be certified to show at county and state fair! If you have questions please contact us!
Here are some quick Log In Instructions:
1. Go to yqca.org from your computer browser and select Sign In/Register Tab
2. Sign in and register using the 4-H Online box
3. Select the name of your organization from the pick list Nebraska 4-H Youth Development
4. Use your 4-H Online user name and password to start the process
5. Select the member name taking the course
6. Select the age of the member in the appropriate box
7. When the age is selected the appropriate courses will be selected
8. Select online choice (Instructor led class will be developed by your local instructor)
9. Select payment method credit card or if you have received a coupon code from your Extension Office you will enter it at this time to purchase the courses
10. After completing the three courses be sure to save and print out a completion certificate and take it to your Extension Office
11. If you encounter problems you can contact help@yqca.org
Northeast Nebraska 4-H Horse Show
2019 State Fair Livestock Identification Requirements
- Exhibitors will be required to enroll in 4-H and the required projects by the county deadline in 4H Online.
- Exhibitors showing market animals at State Fair must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for DNA verification turned into their county office and have completed the online nomination (www.showstockmgr.com) along with submitting payment online by June 15. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Contact the local Extension Office for details. (It is recommended that you make a copy or a photo image of completed envelope you turn into your county.)
- Exhibitors showing breeding beef, breeding sheep, breeding goats at State Fair will need to complete an online nomination along with submitting payment online (www.showstockmgr.com) by the June 15 deadline.
- Exhibitors will be required to complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) for the enrolled livestock projects by the county deadline.
- Exhibitors will notify the County Extension Staff of any retags that may occur up to time of check-in at the State Fair.
- Exhibitors will select which animal nominations they have chosen to show at State Fair on the State Fair entry website. All nominated and validated animals will be automatically listed as a choice option for entry registration.
- Exhibitors will be required to bring the breed registration association paperwork to check-in at State Fair for animals wanting to show in a breed class. The exhibitors name should be identified on the registration paper.
Any questions go to: https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair/live-animal-exhibitor