Phelps January 2023 4-H Newsletter
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. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
In This Smore
1. Welcome Calvin DeVries
2. Save the Dates
3. Premier Video Communication Event Announcement
4. 2023 Enrollment
5. 4-H Scholarships
6. Camps and Conferences
7. Agriculture Opportunities
8. 4-H Shotgun Information
9. Diamond Clover
10. Newsletter Alert
11. 2023 4-H COUNTY FAIR Animal Nomination and Identification Requirements
12. YQCA
13. County Livestock Information (Horse, Lottery Animals and Beef Weigh-Ins)
14. State 4-H Opportunities
15. NEW Phelps County 4-H Livestock Auction Format
16. Food Safety Resources
Welcome Calvin DeVries
We are excited to announce that Calvin DeVries, who is currently a 4-H Extension Assistant in Lancaster County, will be joining our Phelps/Gosper team as the 4-H Educator in February!
Save the Dates
January 2023
7-Beef Weigh In
9-Phelps County 4-H Council Meeting
16-Office Closing for Martin Luther King Jr Day
25-Phelps County 4-H Foundation Meeting
February 2023
Nebraska 4-H Month
11-Phelps County 4-H BB Gun Contest
11-Beef Weigh In
20-Office Closed for President’s Day
20-4-H Trap Shoot Team Starts
March 2023
27-County 4-H Shotgun Starts
Nebraska 4-H Month
Nebraska 4-H Month is coming up in February!
As shared last month, the Nebraska State 4-H Presentations Contest will partner with the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest to create a combined state-level communications event – this event will be called the Premier Communication Event and will be held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus on Friday, June 23, 2023. Below is detailed information regarding this event.
Overall Premier Communication Event Structure
The Premier Communication Event will be structured similarly to the Premier Animal Science Event (PASE). The event will include contest classes, including the areas of prepared speech, radio public service announcements (PSA’s), illustrated presentations, impromptu speech, and video communication.
PHELPS-GOSPER COUNTY SPEECH CONTEST-April 20, Elwood
PHELPS COUNTY INVITATIONAL PRESENTATION CONTEST-May 25, Holdrege
2023 Enrollment
4-H Online 2022-2023 Enrollment NOW OPEN
WHO: New 4-H members
Returning 4-H members-required to enroll through 4-H Online each year
Volunteers-required to enroll through 4-H Online each year
WHY: To participate in county fairs and the Nebraska State Fair
To participate as a 4-H member in additional statewide programs.
To get the latest news
COST: Enrollment is FREE in our county!
WHERE: Enroll at v2.4honline.com.
HOW: Instructions available in the Extension Office OR https://4h.unl.edu/enroll
Enrollment Tips
• Select at least one project at the time of enrollment. Please enter as many projects as you may possibly participate in. You are not held to these projects, but we would rather have every possibility, rather than a project not listed. This can be edited up to June 15.
• The health form is optional, except for one question regarding any life-threatening allergies. This question is near the end of the page immediately before the Health Form Consent
• If you need to make connections with a club, the Extension office is happy to make this introduction.
• Youth between the ages of 5 and 7 as of January 1 of the current year may enroll as Clover Kids.
• Update your t-shirt size. This is the size we will use throughout the year.
- While enrollment is open year-round, youth interested in participating in their county fair or the Nebraska State Fair must complete enrollment by June 15.
For help selecting 4-H projects, visit our Pick Your Project or current Nebraska 4-H Project Listing. Also, note the following codes when selecting projects.
Project Areas
• AS = Animal Science
• C&EA = Communications & Expressive Arts
• C&FS = Consumer & Family Science
• EE&ES = Environmental Education & Earth Science
• HL = Healthy Lifestyles
• LC&PD = Leadership, Citizenship & Personal Development
• PS = Plant Science
• SET = Science, Engineering & Technology
Level
• A = Beginner
• B = Intermediate
• C = Advanced
• D = All Levels
Remember, if you are not enrolled in the project, you may not receive notices about that project.
Scholarships
Phelps County 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The Phelps County 4-H Foundation provides up to six scholarships for graduating high school seniors and at least one scholarship for a student in post-secondary education. The applications for the high school scholarships are available through your guidance counselor in an electronic format. Both scholarship applications will be available on our website at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/phelps-gosper/phelpsgosper-scholarships/ In addition, both scholarship applications are available in the Extension Office in hard copy. This application form is due on April 1.
Phelps County 4-H Post-Secondary Scholarship
Please pass this along to your older family members. The 4-H Foundation will award at least one scholarship to a past 4-H member each year. This scholarship is awarded to a Phelps County 4-H Alumni who is enrolled in post-secondary accredited education. Applications for this scholarship are available at the office, and on our website and can be easily e-mailed to any college student. Applications are due to the Phelps County Extension Office on or before April 1. https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/phelps-gosper/phelpsgosper-scholarships/
Phelps Gosper Livestock Grower Scholarship
The Phelps-Gosper Livestock Growers group has established one (1) - $1000 scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to a young man or woman in the process of furthering their education. This scholarship will be good at any university, college, or technical school. Those eligible are 1. The immediate family member: a) of a member of the Phelps-Gosper Livestock Grower’s Association (Nebraska Cattlemen), or b) of an employee working for a P-G Livestock Growers member firm. 2. A high school senior or a graduate with sufficient credits for college entrance or a student with grades adequate to continue as a student in undergrad ate or graduate studies. The application may be obtained from the County Extension Office, the Phelps-Gosper Grower’s Association, or your local high school. Applications are due to the Phelps County Extension Office on or before April 1.
Camps/Conferences
Agriculture
2023 Special Garden Project
The 2023 Special Garden Project will focus on Mrs. Burns’ Lemon Basil. This herb can be used multiple ways. Lemon basil has a unique lemon flavor can be added to any recipe or used as a cut flower in arrangements to add scent and interest. If you are interested, please let the office know by January 9. You will receive FREE seeds!
2023 Special Agronomy Project
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown, or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seeds and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different.
The focus of the 2023 Special Agronomy Project is Tepary Beans. Tepary beans can be used like dry edible beans, forage, or hay. To participate in the Special Agronomy Project, enroll in the project through 4-H Online and call your local extension office to reserve seeds. Let the office know your interest by Feb 1.
There are three ways to complete this at the county or state fair. First, an educational exhibit that can be in a poster format can include what you learned. Secondly, let your creativity go wild and create a video-type presentation explaining what you have learned, showing the growing process, etc. Finally, you can enter the crop itself. To do this, cut 6 stalks at the ground level and bound-together with supporting information about the project. For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.
4-H Shotgun Program
4-H Shooting Sports Sign Up Now Open
County Only 4-H Shotgun https://go.unl.edu/2023countyshotgun
This six-week program offers opportunities for youth to learn safe gun handling skills and sound fundamentals of shooting under the guidance of caring and knowledgeable adult volunteers. Youth practice for six weeks and compete at a county contest.
Fee for the 2023 Season is $20.
**Must be enrolled in Phelps or Gosper County 4-H before being allowed to practice.
**Must be at least 10 years old and have 2 years BB Gun or be 12 years old
**Recommend hunter safety
**Starts March 27, 2023
**Meets weekly, County 4-H Shoot May 2.
** https://go.unl.edu/2023countyshotgun
2023 Phelps Gosper 4-H Trap Shoot Team- https://go.unl.edu/2023countytrapclub
Practice as a team for conference trap shooting competitions in Aurora. $10 enrollment fee.
** Must be 12 years or older.
**Must have completed Hunter Safety.
**Must be enrolled in Phelps or Gosper County 4-H before being allowed to practice.
**Team enrollment fee does not cover competition fees.
**February 20, First Practice, weather permitting.
All shotgun practices are held at Gun Club, west edge of Holdrege.
4-H Diamond Clover
The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program encourages 4-H youth to engage in a variety of programs, projects, and activities that will prepare them for success in the future.
The program consists of six levels. For each level, the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals.
At the beginning of the 4-H year, participants plan what to accomplish and at the end of the 4-H year, they report on accomplishments. Successful completion of a level's Plan & Report form results in a 4-H youth earning that level of the Diamond Clover program.
For more information, https://4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover
Newsletter Alert
4-H Newsletters are the information highway between 4-H staff and 4-H members. To make our 4-H newsletter more efficient, the office uses email. We will continue if you need to have a hardcopy newsletter mailed. Email or stop by the office! Thank you!
Remember you can find the current and past newsletters at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/phelps-gosper/phelpsgosper-4-h/
2023 4-H COUNTY FAIR Animal Nomination and Identification Requirements
All Tags and Forms are available to the local Extension Office.
Market Beef- All market beef must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Breeding Beef– Any Breeding Heifer project animal enrolled in 4-H must be born between September 2021-December 2022. Breeding beef do NOT need a specific 4-H tag Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. Registered heifers are required to have a copy of registration papers submitted to the office.
Stocker Feeder: All stocker feeders must be born within the current year (2023) and be identified with a farm tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15
Bucket Calf: All bucket calves must be born within the current year (2023) between January 1 and June 1 and be identified with a farm tag. Calves are to be fed on bucket or bottle and/or dry feed only. Calves are to be away from real or substitute mothers from June 1.
Market Swine- All market swine must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Market Lambs and Market Goats- All market lambs and market goats must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. . Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Breeding Sheep and Goats- All ewes and does (registered and commercial) must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. . Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Novelty Sheep and Goats: All novelty sheep or goats are required to have a farm ear tag and paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Dairy Cattle-All dairy cattle must be identified on the paper ownership affidavit by photograph, sketch, or ear tattoo. Dairy cattle paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Horse- All horses that will be shown at the County, District &/or State Horse Show must be appropriately identified on the Nebraska Horse identification affidavit and turned in to the local Extension office by June 1 for State and June 15 for County Only.
Rabbits & Poultry- Rabbits and poultry do not have a nomination/id form requirement in order to exhibit at the County Fair. County-only rabbits will not be required to have an ear tattoo. State Fair Rabbits do require ear tattoos.
Dogs-All dogs must have state and county vaccination records signed by a vet. County Ownership papers must also be completed. Papers are available in the Extension Office. Due July 10.
Cats– Signed vaccination records are required. Papers are available in the Extension Office Due July 10.
Reminders
· The due dates listed above mean that all tagging is complete, the animal information completed and in the possession of the local Extension office.
· No animal may be shown in both breeding and market classes.
· Animals to be shown in “registered” categories must submit the authorized registration papers with the animal ID forms.
YQCA
Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance certification through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. Requirements
YQCA certification is required for all 4-H members enrolled in any of the following projects:
· Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)
· Dairy Cattle
· Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)
· Poultry
· Rabbit
· Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)
· Swine (breeding swine, market swine
YQCA is required annually.
Face-to Face Training In-person YQCA training courses cost $3 per individual regardless of age. Dates to be determined. Be watching your 4-H Newsletter!
Web-based Training at https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login. The online YQCA course costs $12 per individual regardless of age.
Test-out options are only available to youth in the first year of Intermediate (age 12) and Senior (age 15) age levels. There is no test-out option for Juniors. Participants will have only one chance to take the test-out option. If youth fail, they will not be provided another opportunity to test out of that age level.
Test-out costs are:
Intermediate: $36 ($12 x 3 years of certification) Senior: $48 ($12 x 4 years of certification).
YQCA TIPS
Þ 4-H Families will register and pay online
https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login
Þ 4-H’ers use their 4-H Online Account
Þ Phelps and Gosper counties will offer a number of in-person training this spring.
Continue to watch the newsletter for upcoming in-person training early 2023
County Livestock
4-H Market Beef Information
All youth who plan to show a Market Beef animal or Second Year Bucket Calf at the 2023 County Fairs, State Fair, or AKSARBEN need to receive an 840 EID tag and complete the identification paper. The tag and paperwork can be picked up at your local Extension Office.
State Fair and Aksarben animals must also have DNA hair samples taken and turned into the county office. DNA envelopes are available at the Extension office.
Market Beef Weigh Dates
Market beef only needs to be weighed for the optional county rate of the gain contest. There will be two Beef Weigh Dates this year in Phelps and Gosper Counties.
Attend a county beef weigh-in to receive an EID tag, weight, and pulled DNA (if planning to go to SF or AKSARBEN). Official, dated weights (vet signature, Cattleman’s Classic purchase, etc) may also be accepted for County-only purposes with Extension staff approval.
The deadline to identify and nominate market beef for County or State Fairs or AKSARBEN is June 15.
January 7, 2023
37 Cattle Company (north of Holdrege)
10am-Noon
February 11, 2023
Forster Farms (rural Smithfield)
10am-Noon
Lottery Animals (Update Included)!
After reviewing the survey sent out in the previous newsletter and on Facebook, due to a lack of interest, lottery lambs and goats will not be offered this year. Lottery hogs will still be available, and this will be revisited again for 2024.
If you want to try a 4-H Livestock project, lottery hogs are the place to start! The hogs are from the same great producer, often from the same litter, and are approximately the same weight.
All youth must register by March 25th.The cost per animal is lower than the normal cost of a quality show animal. Only one animal per youth member is allotted, and there will be a special class for lottery hogs at the county fair. The price this year will be $175.
Stay tuned for more information!
Contact the Extension Office for registration
4-H State Horse Show 2023 Update
Please review the attached pdf for the changes made for the State Horse Show in 2023.
State 4-H Opportunities
New State Fair Age Requirements
With each new State Fair season, brings new possibilities and opportunities for 4-H families in Nebraska. The opportunity for 4-H to continue having its own weekend allows more flexibility for new events, entry limits, schedules, and space. We want to continue to take advantage of that!
As part of that process, we continue to explore age eligibility requirements for State Fair participation. After garnering user input, researching data from other events/shows/states, and looking that overall impact on youth development, the decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2023 to be 9 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion shows).
More information will be forthcoming.
Auction
❗New Format for 2023 Phelps County 4-H Auction❗
In Phelps County, the Ag Society is the auction clerk and sponsor for the 4-H Auction. The primary function of the auction is to support and contribute to the 4-H Foundation in Phelps County while supporting 4-H learning experiences.
After many discussions, a decision has been made by the Phelps County Ag Society to change up the 2023 Phelps County 4-H Auction. This will be a “premium only” auction. Bidders will bid the total dollar amount that they wish to give as a premium for that particular lot. The 4-H Foundation will take the usual 20% of the premium which will be used for scholarships, State Fair participation and other grants. Base bid buyers will be contacted for use by those 4-H and FFA members who do not wish to take their animals back home. More details will follow.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Extension Office!
Food Safety
Snow Day Information
In the event of inclement weather 4-H events may need to be cancelled or postponed. Please refer to the Phelps-Gosper Facebook page for updates. https://www.facebook.com/PhelpsGosperExtension
Contact Information
Lori Swanson, Extension Assistant
Emily Shultz, Extension Assistant
Noah Renken Admin Assistant
OFFICE HOURS
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday
ADDRESS
1308 Second Street
Holdrege, NE 68949
PHONE
(308) 995-4222
WEBSITE
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/phelps-gosper/