Southern Plains 4-H
Serving Nuckolls and Thayer Counties - FEBRUARY 2020
2019-2020 ON-LINE ENROLLMENT, NOW OPEN!
We need to get started with ideas for the upcoming year. Members should be enrolled prior to signing up for workshops, participating in shooting sports, or attending 4-H events. Please do not wait until the last minute! (Project changes may be added or deleted until April 1) Many times you must be signed up through 4-H online to register for other events like YQCA.
Signing up now will help us make plans for the upcoming year.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
SPCT Fruit Sales Continue!
The second round of fruit sales is currently going on. Emails went out to participants mid-January. Selling sheets also available at the local offices. Delivery date will be March 18, so plan on making arrangements for pickup. Will pass along detail as they become available.
If you are interested in purchasing, and have not been contacted by a 4-Her, call the offices and we can hook you up.
NUCKOLLS COUNTY 4-H ENROLLMENT KICK OFF
THAYER COUNTY 4-H ENROLLMENT KICK OFF & OPEN HOUSE
TIME: 4 to 7 pm
PLACE: Thayer County Courthouse Clubroom
Mark your calendars for our 2020 enrollment event that will include drones, animals and a mock ice cream contest! More details to come.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY - Nuckolls County ONLY
Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce AGRI-BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Deadline: March 13th, 2020. The scholarship is in the amount of at least $500 and will be awarded for the 2020-21 school year. Students eligible for this award are: Any high school student in his/her senior year who averages a "C" grade or equivalent and planning a major in any agriculture field (Ag Econ., Animal Science, Ag us., Agron., etc.). The student must attend an accredited 2 or 4-year college approved by the state wherein located. For submission details, please visit the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce website.
SOUTHERN PLAINS EXTENSION IS HIRING
Full job description and how-to-submit instructions for the Nuckolls County 4-H Aide Position can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/ or by contacting the Nuckolls County Extension Office (402) 225-2381.
4-Her HIGHLIGHTS!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Tribland Award Winners announced in the January 29, Hastings Tribune were First Runner Up, Lacey Schmidt, winning $100.00 cash award and engraved commemorative plaque. Also, Walker Dick won Honorable Mention. Congratulations to both Lacey and Walker on your great accomplishments.
WORKSHOPS
FIRST AID KIT & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP
DATE: Thurs. March 12, 2020
TIME: 4 to 5:00
PLACE: Nuckolls County Extension Office - Nelson
COST: $15.00
PRE-REGISTER BY: Mon. Mar. 9 by calling the Nuckolls County 402-225-2381. Space is limited to 12 students!
Join Nuckolls County Emergency Manager Nick Elledge and learn how to create a disaster preparedness plan. We'll have all the supplies ready so you can build your own first aid kit.
PUBLIC SPEAKING, PRESENTATIONS, AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS WORKSHOPS
Time: 5 to 6:30 pm
Place: Thayer County Clubroom
Register by: March 20 by calling Thayer Office at 402-768-7212
Date: April 20, 2020
Time: 4 to 5:30
Place: Nuckolls County Ext Office
Register by: April 17 by calling Nuckolls Office at 402-225-2381
Want to take your public speaking, presentation, and PSA skills up a notch? Come to one workshop or both - they are both FREE!
PUBLIC SPEAKING, PRESENTATION, AND PSA CONTEST
TIME: 7:00 pm
PLACE: Deshler Fairgrounds, Deshler
Come one, come all! 4-Hers from Nuckolls and Thayer, will be sharing their talents during this contest event.
PSA 60 second Radio Spot
Speech Divisions:
Novice (10 & under) 4-Her has never competed in a speech contest before. May recite a poem, read or tell a story. Under 3 minutes in length. Not eligible for district competition
Junior (8 to 10) Must be an original speech relating to 4-H. Under 3 minutes in length.
Intermediate (11 to 13) Must be original speech relating to 4-H. 3 to 5 minutes in length.
Senior (14 and up) Must be an original speech relating to 4-H. 5 to 8 minutes in length.
Presentations Divisions:
Individual (10 & up) 6 to 8 minutes
Team (two 4-Her's in same division) 8 to 11 minutes
Check the fairbook for more details.
QUILT OF VALOR WORKSHOP
TIME: 9 to 3
PLACE: Thayer County Clubroom
REGISTER BY: APRIL 3, 2020
COST: Free!
Bring a sack lunch, and come enjoy a day of sewing with the Kaye at the office as we make Quilts of Valor to be donated to the service personnel touched by war. MUST PRE-REGISTER so we have a quilt ready for you to start sewing.
Jr Leaders
Beginning Sewing Workshop
Demonstrate skills
LIVESTOCK
2020 Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit
DATES CLOSE TO US: Sat. May 2, Nelson (Southern Plains 4-H is hosting); Thurs. June 4, Bladen; Sat. June 6, Holdredge
LIVESTOCK SHOW OPPORTUNITIES
Click on the Link for more information about these shows:
Equine Foot & Hoof Care Clinic, Lincoln, February 22
Spring Rabbit Show, Lincoln, March 28
Washington County Spring Beef Show, Washington, KS, April 25
Livestock Judging Camp, Lincoln, NE, June 2 and June 3 to 5th Registration Here
CHICK DAYS
PLACE: UNL- Animal Science Dept, Lincoln
TIME: 8 am to 3 pm
Egg Decorating, Poultry Quiz Bowl, Photography Contest, Omelet Cookery Contest, Speech Contest, and all about Chickens!
2020 Nebraska District & State Horse Show
ALL Level Testing required for participation MUST be COMPLETED!
DISTRICT DATES & SITES, for 2020
June 15, Scottsbluff
June 16, Burwell
June 17, Columbus
June 18, Lincoln
June 19, McCook
STATE DATE & SITE, for 2020
July 12-16, Fonner Park, Grand Island
ATTENTION LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS!! WHAT IS THAT? AM I MISSING OUT?
QUIZ BOWL for Horse Exhibitors Information Brochure
DEMONSTRATION for Companion Animals and Horse Exhibitors Information Brochure
PUBLIC SPEAKING for Horse Exhibitors Information Brouchure
Companion Animal Challenge Contest Mar. 28, 2020
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.
Horse Stampede Contest Mar. 28, 2020
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.
- 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.
- Entries are due by March 6, 2020.
NCTA LIVESTOCK JUDGING AND ANIMAL SCIENCE DAY
HORSE PROJECT WORKSHOPS
2020 Horse Judging School - Sat. Mar. 7
This school is for horse show judges, aspiring judges, judging team coaches, and youth! We will have classroom demonstrations as well as live classes to judge.
- This clinic will be held Saturday March 7th, 2020 at the UNL Animal Science Complex
- Topics include: Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, and Speed Events
- Presenters: Dr Kathy Anderson, Dr. Lena Luck, and Brooke Parrish
4-H Youth 3 & 4 Advancement Level Workshop - Sun. Mar. 8
This Advancement Level Workshop is geared towards 4-Hers that have passed their Level 2 and want to move on to levels 3 & 4. During the workshop we will help youth prepare their feed chart, health chart and learn how to work with their horse to prepare for performing advanced maneuvers required to pass their level 3 and/or 4.
4-H Adult/Leader Advancement Level Workshop - Sun. March 8
This Advancement Level Workshop is geared towards helping Adults, Extension personnel, Volunteers, and leaders have a better understanding and knowledge to work with the youth in their area to pass their advancement levels.
INTERESTED in any of these horse workshops? Register at the web site below:
- To register for either workshop and for more information: https://4h.unl.edu/horse/advancement#workshops (registration includes, materials and lunch)
- Questions? Contact: Dr. Lena Luck (lena.luck@unl.edu) or Grace Kim (grace.kim@unl.edu)
PLANT SCIENCE
9th 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 ninth 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 2020, 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.
AG INNOVATORS EXPERIENCE
What: Youth Training
When: Saturday, March 21
Where: Columbus
Deadline to Apply: February 14
RANGE JUDGING CONTEST 2020
DATE: September 23, 2020
PLACE: Thayer County
Interested persons should call either the Nuckolls or Thayer Office. We are in the process of forming a team, and will be needing sponsors and volunteer help.
ON LINE HORTICULTURE CONTEST 2020
The on-line horticulture contest will be here before you know it. To start studying and preparing go to the link below for more information.
SPECIAL GARDEN PROJECT - CLASSIC MAGICAL BACHELOR BUTTONS
TRACTOR SAFETY TRAINING
PLACE: Geneva Fairgrounds
Youth aged 14 and 15 and working on a farm or ranch other than their own MUST by certified through a Hazardous Occupations Course. Successful completion of the course will allow trained youth to operate a tractor over 20 horsepower, or to connect or disconnect an implement or any of its parts to or from a tractor.
Register Here! 2020 Tractor Safety Training Registration
DO YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN BEEKEEPING?
Make plans to attend the UNL beekeeping workshops, to learn more about bees! Bee's are an important part of the pollination process.
More information about Workshops
Registration for Workshop HERE
If you want to get started with bees, here is your chance, to write an essay, and win some cash to get you going! It is open to ANY 4-H member, and all you have to do is write an essay! Prizes are $750, $500. and $250. Essay Deadline is APRIL 1.
CAMPERS NEEDED!!
Summer Programs at State 4-H Camp at Halsey, NE
See Full Program Descriptions or Register Online
Also dates to Mark on your Calendar!
Camp Renegade @ Camp Jefferson, in Fairbury will be June 16-17
Camp Venture @ Camp Jefferson, in Fairbury will be June 18-19
Info to follow, as soon as available for these camps.
Camp Venture
Counselors Needed
Age 14 and up!
Camp Renegade
Big Red Summer Academic Camps, June 7-12
Open to all high school youth, grades 10 through 12.
Learn more hereCamp Scholarship Application , funds available to attend, apply here prior to registration.
Next Meeting
Tues. Feb. 18 7 p.m.
Nuckolls Co. Extension Office, Nelson
Next Meeting
Next Meeting
Nuckolls County Extension Office
Email: nuckolls-county@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 825 S Main St, Nelson, NE, USA
Phone: 402-225-2381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/
Thayer County Extension Office
Email: thayer-county@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 225 N 4th St, Hebron, NE, USA
Phone: 402-768-7212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/