Hamilton County Hi-Lights
January 2020
4-H Mini Grants
The Hamilton County 4-H Council is providing mini-grants up to $500 towards 4-H Clubs or 4-H Independent Member's learning/service experiences. This is a competitive process and the top proposals will be funded or partially funded. The grant application is due January 31, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. (or you may drop off at the Extension Office before 5 p.m.). Notification of grant recipients will be by February 14, 2020.
Click the link to apply today!
Attention ALL Livestock Exhibitors!
Please plan on attending a livestock meeting regarding the Hamilton County Fair about livestock needs and wants!
WHO: HAMILTON CO. 4-H AND FFA MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
WHEN: January 12, 2020, @ 7 PM
WHERE: Hamilton Co. Ag Building
Tentative Agenda:
1. Review of Survey Results
2. Discuss Parking
3. Livestock Bedding
Please bring any questions and suggestions to the meeting.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Hillary at the Extension Office 402-694-6174, hillary.fuhrman@unl.edu or contact Trevor Emahizer, Ag Society President at 402-694-6991, trevor@aurorabodyshop.net
4-H Livestock Survey
Jr. Leader Banquet
- Any Hamilton Co. 4-H youth who is 13 years of age or older is eligible to join the Hamilton County Jr. Leader Club. It's a club focused on teens to learn about leadership.
We will be hosting a banquet at 5 PM in the 4-H Building on JANUARY 12, 2020.
4-H Teens and their parents. Supper will be provided! Please bring your own drink and a dessert if you would like!
email hillary.fuhrman@unl.edu to RSVP
State Achievement Application Deadline
- The deadline for submission of Achievement Applications for the State is January 15, 2020.
- 4-H members applying for National 4-H Congress must identify ONE program area of submission.
- Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt within 48 hours of submission.
- Please submit your application to 4HAchieves@unl.edu. Files should be labeled with the applicant's last name, first name, and county. For example: "Fahrnbruch Eva Hamilton.pdf"
4H101 To Start in January
This is a club meant for independent members and new 4-H members wanting to join a traditional 4-H Club. We travel through all the areas of 4-H in a calendar year.
We will meet on the 2nd Monday of the month from January through October.
Our first meeting is January 13, 6:30 PM at the Ag Building on the fairgrounds in Aurora.
Contact deborah.fahrnbruch@unl.edu with any questions!
Congratulation to Anni Reha!
January after school opportunity for Hampton Middle School Students
When: January 15 and 29th from 2:00-4:30 PM
Who: 6th-8th grade Students
Where: Hampton Public Schools
Cost: $25 a student
Please register and pay the Extension Office by January 10th. Register by calling the Extension Office. 402-694-6174.
Flyers were sent home from school!
YQCA (YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS) FACE TO FACE TRAINING
Time for clubs to set a date for face to face YQCA training with Hillary
o Call the Ext. Office 402-694-6174 or email Hillary at Hillary.fuhrman@unl.edu
Watch for dates of classes on Facebook and in emails
YQCA Requirements:
Nebraska 4-H youth ages 8-18, who are enrolled in any of the livestock projects listed below are required to complete YQCA annually either Face to Face or online. The deadline to complete your annual YQCA training is Monday, June 15, 2020.
Youth enrolled in any of the following projects or project areas will need to complete YQCA training.
• Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)
• Dairy Cattle
• Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat and pygmy goat)
• Poultry
• Rabbit
• Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)
• Swine (breeding swine, market swine)
For those youth who would rather complete YQCA online, visit the YQCA login page to begin https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login. Select "Sign in with 4HOnline" and select "Nebraska 4-H Youth Development" from the dropdown. Use your family 4HOnline login and password information to access the courses for the active 4-H members in your family. Only active members will show in the drop-down menu for access to the course. All 4-H members will need to use the 4-H tab and not the FFA tab even if they are members of both organizations.
All registration questions with YQCA should be directed to help@yqca.org.
2020 Pick-A-Project
Using the searchable, web-based 2020 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 locating the same project in 4HOnline. Enhancements for the future of the web-based Pick Your Project continue and its integration with the new 2020 Nebraska State Fairbook will be shared soon!
To assist 4-H members, volunteers, and parents, with locating curriculum to Support 4-H projects, two resources are available:
1) a new 4-H Projects page at https://4h.unl.edu/projects
2) a Printable Project Listing at
Opportunity for Robotics Volunteers!
Hello 4-H Friends!
We are looking for volunteers! There are many different roles to sign up for and many roles that do not require a STEM background. You can check out these roles in the attached document, “FLL Volunteer Roles and Descriptions.” By volunteering, you are also able to see if this is something you would want to bring to your county. Here are some opportunities for you to see it all in action!
The Official 2019-2020 FIRST LEGO League Dates and Locations
- January 11, Sidney
- January 18, Columbus
- January 25, Nebraska City
- February 1, Bellevue
- February 22, Championship, Ashland
Please consider registering as a volunteer!
All volunteers MUST register with FIRST at https://www.firstinspires.org. Volunteers will need to create an account by “registering” on the page. Once you have created an account, you can follow the step by step instructions in the attached user guide document to sign up for an event.
If you have any questions, please contact Brandy Schulze at bschulze@unl.edu or call 402-472-9023
If you ever have anything you want featured in the monthly newsletter, email deborah.fahrnbruch@unl.edu
Omaha Fashion Week
Omaha Fashion Week has grown to the nation’s 5th largest fashion event. In addition to supporting more independent fashion designers than any other organization in the region, Omaha Fashion Week supports young fashion designers by providing mentoring, educational opportunities, and a professional platform to showcase work.
Nebraska 4-H is once again partnering with Omaha Fashion Week during their Spring Showcase. OFW Student Night will take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 and will exclusively feature student designers, including a 4-H collection. This collection will consist of 10 to 12 garments from across the state. Each garment will be modeled by the 4-H member who made it. In order to create a complete and dynamic collection, interested 4-H members are invited to apply to participate in the show. The 4-H collection will be curated based upon the selection criteria as listed below.
Student Night Details:
When: Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Where: Omaha Design Center (near TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha)
Hair and Make-up will be scheduled for all models starting at 2:00 p.m.
Runway rehearsal will take place at 5:30 p.m. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and will end around 9:30 p.m.
Tickets for the event are free to students who show their Student ID or are $10 for non-students. For more information about Omaha Fashion Week or to purchase tickets to this night or the entire week, visit https://omahafashionweek.com/tickets
Selection Criteria:
· Participants must be current 4-H members.
· Garments must be constructed by the 4-H member, not purchased.
· Preference will be given to full garments constructed by the 4-H member.
· Garments should be fashion forward, runway appropriate and display high quality construction.
· Creativity and attention to detail are highly scrutinized in garment selection.
To Apply:
Complete the following application form: https://go.unl.edu/ofw2020
Note: Photos submitted of the 4-H member wearing the garment are recommended in the application.
Applications are due January 10th.
Attached is a flyer and social media graphic to use for promotional purposes. Please pass this on to any 4-H members that you feel would be qualified to apply for this opportunity. Let me know if you have any questions about Omaha Fashion Week or the application process. Looking forward to another dynamic show featuring the exceptional work of Nebraska 4-H designers
UNL Chick Days
'Chick Days is a Nebraska 4H event that includes the following contests, egg decorating, poultry quiz bowl, photography, omelet cookery, and speech.
This contest is meant to encourage youth to explore what the poultry and food science industry have to offer.
Scholarships and cash prizes will be awarded to the senior champion of each contest.
For more information or to register, please contact Ivy Dearmont at idearmont2@unl.edu or (402)429-8632.'
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 28, 2020 at the Animal Science Complex. Registration starts at 8:30am (TIME CHANGE from previous years- please refer to the web page for updated information)
- 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 6, 2020.
- For more information and registration forms: https://4h.unl.edu/horse/stampede
- Questions? Contact: Dr. Lena Luck (lena.luck@unl.edu) or Grace Kim (grace.kim@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 28, 2020 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 6, 2020.
- For more information and registration forms: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/challenge
- Questions? Contact: Dr. Lisa Karr (lisa.karr@unl.edu) or Grace Kim (grace.kim@unl.edu)
Nebraska 4-H Youth Development PASE and Life Challenge Youth Advisory Board Application
Mission Statement: The PASE/Life Challenge Youth Advisory Board provides a means for youth to participant in the planning of state events and use leadership skills to create a positive environment for Nebraska 4-H PASE and Life Challenge.
What is the Youth Advisory Board? The Youth Advisory Board is an event board whose members are selected by the PASE/Life Challenge Event Coordinators. The board advises the coordinators on youth issues and serves as a means for youth involved in PASE and Life Challenge to become active members in the events and to have an official voice in shaping the experience.
Each board member serves a one-year term with the option to reapply each year.
Who is eligible to serve on the YAB? Any current Nebraska 4-H youth who has attended PASE or Life Challenge within the previous two years.
Contact deborah.fahrnbruch@unl.edu if you would like an application.
Online 4-H Cat Club
If you haven't heard yet, we are excited to introduce to you our newly revised Cat Club for this year. Instead of hour-long, monthly meetings, we are now offering the club in a self-paced format using Google Classroom. We still cover various cat subjects like genetics, nutrition, grooming, showmanship, and so on, but in a more accessible way.
Click HERE for more information!
Nebraska Extension in Hamilton County
Email: hamilton-county@unl.edu
Website: www.hamilton.unl.edu
Location: 1111 13th Street, Suite 6, Aurora, NE, USA
Phone: 402-694-6174
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hamilton.unl/
Twitter: @HamiltonExten4H