SHERIDAN COUNTY NEWSLETTER
January 2024
Volume 2023-2024, Issue 4
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan 1: Shooting Sports Practice - Rushville Legion - 3:30-7:00 pm
Jan 2: 4-H Card Game Night - Extension Office - 5:30 pm
Jan 4: Sew Fun - Extension Office - 9:00-Noon or 1:00-4:00 pm
Jan 15: Shooting Sports Practice - Rushville Legion - 3:30-7:00 pm
Jan 16: Monthly Workshop - Extension Office - 4:30-6:30 pm
Jan 22: Clover Bud Meeting - Hay Springs Cafeteria - 4:00-4:45 pm
Jan 22: 4-H Council Meeting - Extension Office - 6:30 pm
Jan 23: Clover Bud Meeting - Rushville Elementary - 3:30-4:15 pm
Jan 26: Sew Fun - Hay Springs Cafeteria - 1:00-4:00 pm
Feb 4: Market Beef Weigh-In - Sheridan County Livestock Auction - 1:00-3:00 pm
DEADLINE DATES:
Dec 29 - Regional Youth Advisory Council on Food Systems Application
Jan 5 - Omaha Fashion Week Application
Jan 5 - State Achievement Application
Jan 12 - Monthly Workshop - Rope Bowls
Feb 1 - Farrowed & Swine Cohort Application
Mar 15 - Jarvis Memorial Scholarship
Jun 15 - Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
4-H ENROLLMENT OPEN
Starting in the 2023-2024 program year, project selection is now optional. By successfully completing the 4-H member enrollment by the June 1st deadline, youth will be eligible to participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county and state fairs. While project selection is optional, it is encouraged for youth to select projects they are interested in exploring.
Please note:
o Youth are only eligible to exhibit in a project area or contest in a single county.
o Horse and shooting sports projects will continue to require project enrollment due to the parental consent required to participate in these projects.
Did you know the 4-H fiscal year is October 1 - September 30?
- If you are new to 4-H please create a profile.
- If you are a returning 4-Her, please register for this coming year!
Age 5-7 are free, Age 8-18 are only $5!
COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES
- Beef Weigh-In date is set for February 4, 2024
- Sheep/Goat/Pig Weigh-In date is set for May 19, 2024
- Work day to remove stalls in sheep/goat barn March 16/April 20; Assess pig barn for sprinklers
UPCOMING EVENTS
CLOVER BUD MEETING
- Rushville Clover Bud meeting will be January 23, 3:30-4:15
- Gordon Clover Bud meeting will be TBD
- Hay Springs Clover Bud meeting will January 22, 4:00-4:45
Clover Bud members are youth between the ages of 5 and 7 as of January 1st, 2024. Upon participating in these workshops, youth will have Clover Bud projects to display at the 2024 Sheridan County Fair. To register your child for these FREE events please contact the Nebraska Extension Sheridan County office at (308) 327-2312.
MARKET BEEF WEIGH-IN
All youth planning to exhibit a market beef animal at the Sheridan County Fair must bring the animal to be tagged and weighed in at the Sheridan County Livestock Market, February 4, 2024, 1:00-3:00 pm.
Nebraska State Fair/AKSARBEN: All livestock in contention to exhibit at the 2024 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, 2024. Any DNA nomination submitted through Show Stock Manager will also be eligible for exhibition at the Aksarben Stock Show.
Members who cannot make the weigh in date may attend the Dawes or Box Butte County Market Beef weigh-ins if necessary. If attending the alternative weigh in, members must notify the beef superintendents and the office.
Dawes County Beef Weigh-in – February 17 from 9:00 - Noon in Crawford
Box Butte County Beef Weigh-in – January 14 from 11:00 - 1:00 pm in Hemingford
SEW FUN
Free sewing classes are held January 4th at the Extension office in Rushville from 9:00 - 12:00 or 1:00 - 4:00pm or January 26th at the Hay Springs School from 1:00 - 4:00 pm! Beginning sewers will be learning the fundamentals and skills needed to create and design beautiful projects! Limited space is available. So please let the office know soon at mnelson82@unl.edu or 308-327-2312.
SHOOTING SPORTS
Shooting Sports practice is for BB Gun and Air Rifle. During October through December, practice is held the first and third Mondays of the month. In January they will start practicing every Monday and start attending the Panhandle Best Shoots. Youth need to be registered for 4-H to participate. Parents need to sign waivers the first meeting. Please contact Bruce Salisbury 402-533-8859 or Donna Jech for more information.
MONTHLY WORKSHOP - ROPE BOWLS
Youth will learn how to form lariats and fuse into bowls.
Age: 10-18
When: January 16, 4:30-6:00 pm
Where: Extension Office
Cost: $10
Projects:
Register Deadline: January 12
Instructor: Phyllis Lindsey
February is Nebraska 4-H Month!
Nebraska 4-H month is quickly upon us! It's time to celebrate 4-H in Nebraska! Don't forget to mark you calendars and plan to celebrate with us! The February Newsletter will have more information on 4-H Month.
4-H HAPPENINGS
2nd Annual Maker Day
It was a blast! The weather was perfect with no snow in sight! We had 78 youth sign up. Each youth was able to pick 4 projects to make with their choices being fabric wreaths, snow dough, painted tea towels, sew oven towel, cutting boards, hot cocoa kit, sugar scrub, and macramé ornaments.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers who helped make this a successful event: Cliff Rininger, Erika Gaswick, Jackie Simonson, Jessica Anderson, Jessica Norton, Kinley Tausan, Kirsten Heck, Lindsey Simonson, Megan Janssen, Micah Hotz, RJ Anderson, Wendy Scheenen
OPPORTUNITIES
4-H Volunteer Impact Study of Volunteers - You may be contacted
This survey is being conducted by the NCR Volunteer Specialists as a part of a multi-state effort to document the impact of volunteering. A previous survey conducted fall of 2018 clearly demonstrated the impacts volunteering with the 4-H program has on communities, youth, and volunteers.
Since 2018, the 4-H volunteer impacts documented in the first study have been shared with decision makers, constituents, volunteers, and Extension professionals across the country. Like any good evaluation, after five years, it is important to identify new impacts. Examples of these impacts include:
- 86% Reported gaining skills to use in other volunteering.
- 96% Reported helping make youth ready for future careers.
- 92% Reported volunteering with 4-H makes communities stronger.
The purpose of the study is to quantify the personal, organizational, and public impacts of volunteers involved with the 4-H Youth Development Programs in the twelve state region. The goals are to:
- Document what individuals feel they gain from their experiences as a 4-H volunteer.
- Investigate the organizational benefits our program receives from volunteers.
- Assess volunteers’ beliefs about the public value of volunteering with the 4-H program.
This 12 state study of volunteers in the 4-H program will be conducted through an electronic survey disseminated by University of Minnesota evaluators. There will be a random sample of 1000 volunteers from our state that will be selected to participate. The survey will be distributed on January 15 and close on February 15. Each state will receive state specific data. We will be sharing more information with you later this winter and next spring.
DATA DRIVEN FIELD DAY 2024
Data Driven is a full-day, dynamic event that will engage youth in a world of endless possibilities in data science and literacy. This competition-based event will be focused on high-school-aged youth, with opportunities for both team and individual prizes and recognitions.
Whether youth are seasoned data experts or just dipping their toes into the data world, this unique opportunity will ignite their passion for data and empower them to create a brighter future through the power of numbers.
Date: March 16, 2024
Location: Dinsdale Family Learning Commons on UNL East Campus
Who: Teams of four 10th-12th graders!
Why: Win Scholarships! Make Connections! Meet Industry Leaders!!
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of data science and statistics! We're thrilled to invite you to "Data Driven," a unique and engaging competition that will challenge your data skills and spark your passion for numbers.
Additional Information:
- Teams will compete in 5 unique games with a focus on probability, data science, and a little bit of luck.
- Additional rewards include Nebraska swag, time with industry professionals, and more!
- Team Members should be in 10th – 12th grades, with occasional exceptions allowed for exceptional 9th graders; and all members on a team should be from the same or neighboring counties.
BONUS: Registration costs for the first 20 teams is sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Use code CASNR at checkout! USE CODE CASNR AT CHECKOUT.
JARVIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The intent of the scholarship is to assist women who live 3 or more hours drive from Lincoln but wish to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Applicant must reside in Love Memorial Cooperative Residence Hall on East Campus. If you have questions email Gloria Turnbull at gloria.turnbull@windstream.net. Application deadline: postmarked or email a PDF file no later than March 15, 2024.
SUMMER CAMP 2024
The summer 2024 theme is The Power of Being 🍀 Green. Youth will get to explore and interact with their natural world in six different sessions. Youth will learn how they can use their head, heart, hands, and health to make our natural world a better place for all. The 2024 sessions offer tailored age cohorts, providing sessions for younger campers between the ages of 8-10, and an older cohort for ages 10-14. Families can find dates, session summaries, and registration information by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/camps-register.
FARROWED AND OWNED SWINE COHORT
Registration for the 2024 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is now open until February 1st, 2024. Please see the attached flyer for more program and registration details.
Youth participating in the Farrowed and Owned Cohort will:
- Network with 4-H members across the state who are also participating in the cohort experience.
- Participate in learning opportunities hosted by Extension Swine Specialist Benny Mote about biosecurity, meat science, economics of raising swine and more.
- The cohort will meet virtually the first Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. CT, the months of February, March, April, May and June.
- Gain knowledge related to their project and the swine industry as a whole.
- Maintain records related to swine management and basic care.
- Exhibit their Farrowed and Owned project animals at the 2024 Nebraska State Fair with the opportunity for special recognition as a result of participating in the cohort.
Register here by February 1, 2024!
WINTER SCHMINTER FEST
Calibraska presents the 1st Annual WINTER SCHMINTER FEST!
This special series of offerings were created to help give folks some fun virtual activities during the holiday season charged with energy to reflect on the past year and get inspired for the one to come!
The Festival takes place Wednesday through Friday on December 27-29, 2023, and January 3-5, 2024.
Learn more at https://www.calibraska.org/winterschminter to see the magic we are bringing to your home for the holidays!
Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program
We are excited to announce the fourth year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This 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 three 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. Junior 8-9 submits pictures, poster, presentation, and other learning activities to receive the distinction of Junior Member of Excellence, no point value, 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. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 1 via the completion form on the website.
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 or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)
Regional Youth Advisory Council on Food Systems
This youth advisory council is a professional development opportunity for leaders ages 14-18 who have an interest in agriculture and food systems. Through online monthly meetings and bi-annual in-person gatherings, Advisory Council members will consult on a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) grant project focused on creating inclusive excellence and expanding awareness of career pathways within the agriculture and food systems industry. Funding for this project is provided by NIFA (National Institute for Agriculture), a program of the USDA.
Overview:
The Regional Youth Advisory Council on Food Systems is a project aimed at bringing together a selection of two youth leaders per state to represent 12 North-Central midwestern states (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, & WI). These leaders will serve on a team focused on providing consultation, vision, and youth perspective to a grant program with the goal of expanding career development opportunities in their state and region, for underrepresented populations in agriculture and food systems careers. All leaders as part of their participation with this Advisory Council will have their travel costs covered for all required travel obligations. Youth council members will be required to participate in monthly Zoom meetings as well as travel to biannual meetings hosted in the Spring and Fall. Youth will serve for no less than one year in their role with potential to serve multiple years. Responsibilities will begin January 2024.
Time Commitment:
Youth Council members will be required to participate in monthly hour-long Zoom meetings as well as travel to bi-annual face-to-face meetings hosted in the Spring and Fall taking place over multiple days. Youth Council members will serve for no less than one year in their role with the potential to serve for multiple years. Youth Council responsibilities will begin in January 2024. Meeting schedules/times are to be determined but will be designed to fit into an afterschool or weekend timeframe.
Application Process:
For full consideration, applications must be submitted by Friday, December 29th by 11:59 pm CST. Decisions will be communicated to all applicants by Monday, January 8th. We ask that you confirm your participation by Wednesday, January 10th at 5:00 pm CST.
Requirements: Please note that membership in the 4-H program is not required at the time of your application. All Youth Council applicants must satisfy the following:
- Fall within 14-18 years of age
- Provide evidence of previous leadership or volunteer experience
- Be a highly motivated individual with a willingness to develop leadership and communication skills.
- Youth will be enrolled in the 4-H program as part of your service on the Youth Council. Not required at the time of application.
- Application is open to all youth; BIPOC Youth and/or youth belonging to other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
4-H LEADERSHIP
These people are YOUR voice! Please contact any of them if you have an idea for a new or existing event or activity, have concerns with the program, or just want to have input in the decision-making process.
David Russell, Wendy Andersen, Michelle Heck, Nicole Janssen, Jake Scott, Kami Scott, Marie Nelson, Melissa Mracek
4-H Council:
President - Ryan Paul
Vice President - Jake Elwood
Secretary - Jackie Simonson
Treasurer - EJ Frink
Members - Candace Nelson, Megan Grossman, Zach Kearns, Clint Vincent, Jace Stumpff, Brad Beguin
Youth Members: Austin Child, Colton Archibald, Wyatt Fedderson, Kyler Vincent
Extension Board:
President - Matt Albrecht
Vice President - Caleb Peters
Secretary/Treasurer - Jacob Tejral
Members - Trevor Ginkens, Paige Stumpff
Sheridan County Extension Office:
Office Manager - Wendy Andersen
4-H Extension Assistant - Marie Nelson
4-H Extension Educator - Melissa Mracek
Nebraska Extension - Sheridan County Office
Email: sheridan-county@unl.edu
Location: 800 S Loofborrow Street, PO Box 329, Rushville, NE 69360
Phone: 308-327-2312
Twitter: @SheridanCounty