Hamilton County Hi-Lights
November 2019
2019 Achievement Awards
We still have some awards to pick up in our office. Please come by and pick them up!
Bannister Family
Bamesberger Family
Breuer Family
Collazo Family
Groetzinger Family
Carly Hansen
Randy Jensen Family
Molliconi Family
Panko Family
Reeson Family
Stracener Family
Taylor Family
Russell-Lutt Family
There are checks that need to be cashed and sweatshirts/trophies to be picked up. Thanks!
SAVE THE DATE-LEADER TRAINING
2020 NATIONAL WESTERN 4-H CATCH-A-CALF APPLICANTS WANTED
A limited number of 4-H members have the opportunity to catch a calf each January during the National Western Stock Show held in Denver, Colorado. Successful catchers will receive their calf in May 2020 to begin feeding the calf to market finish. Youth must show and sell their calf at the 2021 National Western Stock Show. The calves used for this contest are bought with money donated by business sponsors.
Top achievers of the Catch-A-Calf Contest are recognized for their record keeping abilities, relationships with sponsors primarily through correspondence, and showmanship skills. Rate-of Gain and carcass value are also important in evaluating top achievers along with the live animal evaluation.
4-H members from Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas are eligible to submit applications. However, any 4-H member who has previously caught a calf in the 4-H Catch-A-Calf Contest is not eligible to apply. 4-H members may apply online at: nationalwestern.com/catch-a-calf-program/ .
To apply, applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 18 as of December 31, 2019 and must be enrolled in 4-H at the time of application. Applicants must have parental as well as Extension Educator consent in order to submit an application. Selected 4-H member applicants will be sent details regarding participation before January 2020.
Applications and forms are due no later than December 1, 201. Information about the Catch-A-Calf Contest can be found on the Nation
al Western Stock Show website at: nationalwestern.com/catch-a-calf/-program/ . Contact your local Nebraska Extension Office or Rob Eirich at 308-632-1230 for more information and an application regarding the 2020-21 National Western Stock Show Catch-A-Calf Contest.
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 Fed Steer Challenge
The University of Nebraska – Extension 4-H Youth Development and Department of Animal Science present the
Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge 2020. The Fed Steer Challenge is a contest/educational opportunity for youth
with a desire to become the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska Cattle Industry.
The goal is to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H Market Beef Project by rewarding production merit
and carcass value of the market animal, along with accurate & complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and
producer engagement by the 4-H member.
The contest will consist of two parts:
I. Raising a Commercial Steer
4-H’er selects and raises a commercial steer to market weight (~1,350 lbs.).
Utilizes management and nutrition protocol similar to a commercial feedlot.
Maintains detailed record book related to the management and feeding of the steer
Steers will be displayed in the Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge Commercial Cattle Class at the 2020
Nebraska State Fair.
Steers will be visually evaluated by a commercial cattle buyer representing a packer.
Predicted Carcass Merit (USDA Quality Grade and Yield Grade) and Market Value
Following the live exhibition, steers will be transported to a commercial packer, harvested and carcass data
collected.
II. Evaluation of 4-H’ers knowledge and interpersonal skills
Knowledge related to their project and the Cattle Industry as a whole
Accuracy and details related to record books
Showcase Presentation with representatives from the Cattle industry
Recognition and awards will be based upon:
Carcass Merit and Carcass value
Record book
Project Presentation
Interview with representatives from the cattle industry
Want to Learn More?
On-line applications will be due December 1, 2019. 4-H’ers will be informed of their selection into the program
by mid-December. Cattle selection day will TBA. Industry interviews and awards will be held during the
Nebraska Cattleman’s Convention in Kearney.
Contact: Bryan Reiling (402) 472-8960 or breiling2@unl.edu or Ashley Benes (402) 480-3392 or
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
Attention Seniors!!
The Nebraska Association of Fair Managers will award a $500 scholarship to one qualifying 4-H male and a $500 scholarship to one qualifying 4-H female who are graduating seniors in the State of Nebraska and who plan to continue with post high school education. The scholarship will be awarded at the annual NAFM convention in January.
Attached please find the Martha & Don Romeo Scholarship application. It is in a fillable PDF format.
Applications should be submitted to local Extension Offices by Monday, December 2nd.
Click HERE for the Application
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