Saunders County 4-H Smore
January 18, 2019
In this week's Smore...
** Did you know that new items added are BOLDED?!?
- 2019 4-H Activity Calendar
- SC Archery Practice
- ATV Event
- Market Beef Weigh In
- Ceresco Clover Crew
- New 4-H Educator
- 2019 Special Garden Project
- 2019 District Horse Show
- Horse Stampede
- Companion Animal Challenge
- Hippology Academy
- 2019 4-H Enrollment Open
- Culinary Challenge
- Nebraska Charter Year - Photo
- Ne Women in Ag Conference Scholarship
- Companion Animal 4-H Advisory Committee
- Nebraska Charter Year
- Ashland Shotgun Shooting
- Horse & Wildlife Events
- Youth Corn Challenge
- Omaha Equestrian Foundation
- Aksarben Stock Show
- CASNR Experience Power of Red
- Pick Your Project Listing
- Animal Clinics, Progress Shows, & Events
Saunders County Archery Practice
January 28
February 11
February 25
March 11
March 25
ATV EVENT
Touhy Livestock will host an ATV Aware educational event Sunday, March 17th 1 p.m. at the Gayle Hattan Pavilion, Saunders County Fairgrounds. This free event is open to all Saunders county youth and parents interested in learning more about ATV safety and Nebraska laws. More information about the program can be found on the attached flyer. Please RSVP to Danny Furasek at 402-580-5312.
Market Beef Weigh In
Sunday, Feb 10, 2019, 02:00 PM
Wahoo Livestock Commission, LLC, East 1st Street, Wahoo, NE, USA
New 4-H Educator!
Hello Everyone-
My name is Cole Meador and I am the new 4-H Educator and Unit leader in Saunders County. I am excited to get to work learning Saunders County Extension and the 4-H program.
A little about myself, I grew up outside of Omaha very active in 4-H, raising and showing just about every kind of livestock project but specialized in sheep, dairy goats and poultry. I enjoyed my time in 4-H and knew from a young age I wanted to work in the 4-H field. I had a successful 4-H career showing at the county, state and national level. I was fortunate to show the champion market lamb and had many division champions at AKSARBEN along with many county and state fair accomplishments with each species my family showed. I currently live outside of Waverly with my wife and 4 month old son where we raise dairy goats and waterfowl that we show on the local and national level.
The past seven years I was a 4-H associate in Lancaster county working with their large 4-H program, specializing in the 4-H livestock program and agriculture literacy. I was afforded the opportunity to learn so much about 4-H and manage a large program, I hope to bring my knowledge to Saunders County to continue to grow the program and continue the long standing traditions.
Feel free to contact me anytime at 402-624-8030 or cmeador2@unl.edu. I look forward to meeting everyone and getting to know you! 4-H is a great program and I am excited to deliver the opportunity to you and your children.
2019 Special Garden Project
The Special Garden Project is a way to offer 4-H members the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. Last year over 1375 4-H members were enrolled in the project. This year the Special Garden Project is focused on the unique Carmine Splendor Okra. Carmine Splendor Okra is as unique as it is tasty. This plant is high yielding and produces uniform, red pods. The stout 5-pointed pods are deep red when small and at the best eating quality. The tropical-looking, pinkish flowers are also edible and have a sweet, mild flavor. The mature seed pods also give a fun twist for winter interest in a container.
4-H members enrolled in the Special Garden Project will:
· Receive a ‘packet’ of Carmine Splendor Okra (one packet per youth) in March/April
· Receive a newsletter about:
o Planting & growing okra
o Okra problems & insects
o Harvesting & using okra
· o Be able to exhibit this unique vegetable at County and State Fair
o State Fair Special Garden Project Educational Exhibit Class G-775-001
o State Fair Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers or Harvested Vegetables G-775-002
o Other fun county only ways to exhibit this unique vegetable like a story, poem, or poster.
Each county is different so be sure to check with your local Extension Office.
Complete an evaluation about their growing experience: https://go.unl.edu/carminesplendorokra
TO ORDER SEED, PLEASE ORDER FROM OUR OFFICE BY JANUARY 31, 2019.
To order, please fill out the google form: https://goo.gl/forms/xAPYPPJK94S99j0M2
OR
email: saunders-county@unl.edu
Horse Stampede & Companion Animal Challenge
4-H Horse Stampede
The horse stampede is a group of contests for youth interested in horses. These contests do not require youth to have a horse all they need is to have an interest and be willing to learn some information about horses.
- The 4-H Horse Stampede will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Animal Science Complex.
- Contests include: Individual Demonstration Contest (can be done in person or through zoom), Team Demonstration (can be done in person or through zoom), Speech (can be done in person or through zoom), Junior or Senior Horse Bowl (team quiz bowl contest), Art Contest (do not need to be present to participate, you can mail in the entries), and Photography Contest (do not need to be present to participate, you can mail in the entries).
- It will be held the same day as the 4-H Companion Animal Challenge so that youth can compete in both events if they choose. We will ensure there are not schedule conflicts.
- If you would like to have lunch or a t-shirt at the contest please make sure to fill out a lunch or t-shirt order form when registering for contests.
- Entries are due to me by March 1, 2019.
- For more information and registration forms: https://4h.unl.edu/horse/stampede
- Questions? Contact: Dr. Lena Luck (lena.luck@unl.edu)
4-H Companion Animal Challenge:
The Companion Animal Challenge is a set of contests for youth interested in companion animals. These contests are animal-less and test youths knowledge about companion animals. New this year to the contest are a Cat Skillathon and an essay contest. 4-H youth ages 10-18 are invited to participate.
- The 4-H Companion Animal Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Animal Science Complex.
- Contests include: Demonstration Contest, Dog Skillathon Contest, Cat Skillathon Contest, Essay Contest, Art Contest, and Photography Contest.
- This event allows youth to apply their companion animal knowledge, but does not require them to have an animal!
- It will be held the same day as the 4-H Horse Stampede so that youth can compete in both events if they choose. We will ensure there are not schedule conflicts.
- Entries are due to me by March 8, 2019.
- For more information and registration forms: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/challenge
- Questions? Contact: Dr. Lisa Karr (lisa.karr@unl.edu)
Nebraska Women in Ag Conference Scholarship
The annual Nebraska Women in Agriculture conference will be held Feb. 21 – 22, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 S. 2nd Ave., Kearney, Neb.
The Women in Agriculture Conference allows women to build relationships with each other, attend workshops and gain valuable knowledge that will help them support their farms and ranches. The theme for this year’s conference is, “Take Charge of Change.”
Over 30 concurrent workshops will be hosted over the two-day event that focus on production risk, market risk, financial risk, human risk and legal risk. In addition to workshops, participants will have the opportunity to hear from Marji Guyler-Alaniz, founder of FarmHer. Marji will discuss the inspiration for and evolution of FarmHer and image of women in agriculture. Other general session speakers include Tim Hammerich of Ag Grad, Joan Ruskamp the Chair of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Jim Robb of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, and Giannella Alvarez of Beanitos.
Five $125 scholarships (full registration fee) available to University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) students.
Ten $62.50 scholarships (half registration fee) are available to Nebraska FFA, 4-H or Community College students. Students receiving a ½ scholarship are expected to pay the remainder of the registration cost during the registration period, or find a local sponsor.
Applicants will need to prepare a 3,000 character essay on "Why do you want to attend the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference?” and “How will you use the information in your future studies/career?"
TO APPLY CLICK HERE: https://wia.unl.edu/scholarships
Hotel rooms and additional travel expenses are not covered by student scholarships. The application is now open. Applications must be submitted online by midnight February 1, 2019. Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than February 8, 2019.
Companion Animal 4-H Advisory Committee
Nebraska State 4-H Companion Animal Program
Are you interested in providing feedback and helping with steering the Nebraska State 4-H Companion Animal Program (dogs, cats, household pets). I am looking for people willing and interested in serving on the Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Advisory Committee. This is a new committee. I would like the membership of the committee to include extension faculty and staff, 4-H members, recent 4-H alumni, and 4-H adult volunteers from across the state. This committee would offer insight, review, and input for the operation and management of the Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Program. Committee members would be expected to meet face-to-face and/or through scheduled conference calls (Zoom) or utilizing email to conduct committee business.
We would be setting up the regular meeting schedule and roles of the committee once we have set the membership of the committee.
Those interested are encouraged to fill out the contact information form by the end of January, using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/W30ZpEuBdSOxM8332.
Nebraska Charter Year
February 15, 2019 marks 150 years since the day the state of Nebraska chartered the University of Nebraska. This means that on February 15, 1869, the University of Nebraska became a part of the fabric of our state. Nebraska Extension is perfectly positioned to take this celebrations state-wide. So you will see some new ACTIVITIES in 2019 to celebrate this. One of them will be the following photography class at the fair:
State Fair Photography Class
• 4-H members enrolled in Mastering Photography Unit 3 are invited to celebrate N|150 by exhibiting in the Theme Print (Class B182060) at their local counties fairs. The top exhibit(s) from each county will be selected to advance to the Nebraska State Fair. February 15, 2019 marks 150 years of history to appreciate, impact to unpack, and stories to tell. How has the University of Nebraska impacted you, your family, or your community? How can you tell this story through photography?
4H Shotgun Shooting
Female and Male Youth, grades 6 thru 12, interested in trapshooting are encouraged to contact Ashland Gun Club 4H. We are wanting to establish 5 person, Female and Male, Middle and Senior High School Teams for the 2018-2019 school year. No experience necessary! Hunter Safety Required!
8th Annual Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
Do you enjoy being outside? Learning new things about crops? Considering a career involving crops, insects, diseases, soils, water or more? Do you want to help figure out how to feed our world’s growing population in a sustainable way?
Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board are offering the 8th Innovative Youth Corn Challenge contest. This contest, open to 4-H members (age 10 & older as of Jan. 1st) or FFA members (in-school members), guides participants through all aspects of corn production, as well as agricultural careers related to corn production.
As a team (2 or more participants), youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal to determine if they increased their yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice will also be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary.
Cash prizes and plaques are given. First place receives $1,000, second place receives $500, and third place receives $250. Sustainability, crop scouting and “extra mile” awards are also given as cash awards.
To participate in 2019, youth must complete and return an entry form by March 15th to the Fillmore County Extension Office in Geneva, NE. Forms can be downloaded after January 1st at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/activities. For more information, contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Omaha Equestrian Foundation Opportunity
In 2019 the International Omaha will be expanding the "Horse Discovery Zone" with more interactive, educational, and fun displays. We are also creating "Tack Trunks" that teachers and admin can "check-out" before the International Omaha to do some pre-education before attending the event.
As always we will also give each student an activity book filled with games, horse terms, and a voucher for up to six free tickets to any one of the ticketed competitions. More information can be found her: https://www.internationalomaha.com/education
AKSARBEN STOCK SHOW TRANSITIONS TO JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW FORMAT
Grand Island, NE –The Aksarben Stock Show will transition to junior livestock show format in 2019. Under the junior show model, youth from nine to 19 years of age are eligible for the competition with no prerequisite of youth organization affiliation.
Greg Harder, stock show director, said the change will give the 92-year-old Aksarben Stock Show growth opportunities. “Today’s agricultural youth are involved in 4-H, FFA, breed associations or open class competitions, making them diverse in their affiliations,” he stated. “We want to make sure more junior exhibitors can show at Aksarben in 2019.”
Harder said part of the expansion strategy meant opening doors to additional states. “We added four more,” he said. “Arkansas, Montana, Indiana and Wisconsin will join the existing 10 state family of eligibility.” Rules for the 2019 event will be written by Aksarben Stock Show management, versus the previous system of rules within each state operating independently. “It’s very difficult to run a fair and unified show when everyone plays by different rules,” Harder said. “We’ve brought those rules in-house to a sole playbook that everyone abides by.”
Bernadette (Bernie) O'Rourke, extension youth livestock specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the animal science departments said, “Wisconsin appreciates the opportunity for our youth to take part in the long tradition of Aksarben. We anticipate our youth will benefit from connecting with others and continuing to expand on their knowledge of animals through knowledge and professional contests. “
Officials from Nebraska State Fair, show producer, noted that the show expansion will be a benefit to Grand Island businesses, bringing more people to town. Livestock facilities built in 2010 for Nebraska State Fair will continue to house the show.
The Aksarben Stock Show will be held Sept 26-29, 2019 in Grand Island, NE. For more information visit http://AksarbenStockShow.com
CASNR - Experience the Power of Red
Spring open house for UNL's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources on Wednesday, February 13 from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
During the event, attendees will meet faculty, staff and current students to get the scoop on what life in CASNR is really like. Experience the Power of Red Visit Day will not only expose potential students to their academic future, but also the unique living-learning spaces on campus.
Advance registration is required by February 6. To register and to see the complete schedule for the day, visit https://casnr.unl.edu/visitday
PASE & Life Challenge Dates announced
At this time we are asking that you mark down in your calendars the 2019 and 2020 dates for Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) and Life Challenge.
2019
Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18
2020
Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus, Lincoln, NE
Searchable, Web-Based 2019 Pick Your Project Now Available
The Pick Your Project, available at http://4hcurriculum.unl.edu, has been updated for the 2019 program year. Like last year, the printable, 2-page 2019 Nebraska 4-H Project Listing is available and can be distributed to 4-H members, volunteers, and parents. This printable 4-H Project Listing shares a link to the Pick Your Project. Both of these resources can be publicly accessed at https://4h.unl.edu/resources.
Using the web-based 2019 Pick Your Project, users will be able to search for projects by keywords, curriculum areas, knowledge levels, and geographic levels. It is the intent that this feature will assist 4-H youth, volunteers and families with learning about the project opportunities using the Pick Your Project and then easily locating the same project in 4HOnline.
Midwest Messenger, 4-H Club or FFA Chapter of the Week
The nomination form can be found on our website at https://www.agupdate.com/midwestmessenger/forms/f4h_club_ffa_chapter_of_the_week/.
For any questions about this program or submitting a nomination, please contact Katy Moore at (402) 374-2225 ext. 122, katy.moore@lee.net.
Saunders County Extension
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.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Email: Saunders-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/4h/
Location: 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE, United States
Phone: (402) 624-8030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272483941458/