Webster County 4-H Newsletter
February 2022 Edition
Happy February!
2022 is already flying by so fast! Lots of things are happening in 4-H in February - like Nebraska 4-H Month! We would love for you to participate with us on the days listed below. Be sure to check this newsletter often as new things are added weekly. Have a great month of February!
-The Webster County Extension Staff
4-H Spirit Day
Show your 4-H pride by wearing green or the 4-H clover on Wednesday, February 2nd for Nebraska 4-H Month!
Thank a Volunteeer
Did you know that over 50 support 4-H programming in Webster County ? We’re so grateful for their time, dedication, and support in helping grow the next generation of #TrueLeaders.
Show your 4-H pride by thanking your 4-H club or project leaders on Wednesday, February 9th for Nebraska 4-H Month! Share a fun memory, post a favorite photo, or simply send them a thank you note.
4-H Community Service Weekend
What better way is there to prepare for Valentine’s Day than by completing a community service project? In celebration of Nebraska 4-H Month, we invite you to complete a independent or club community service project on February 12th or 13th.
4-H Sponsor & Donor Appreciation Day
Show your 4-H pride by thanking a local 4-H sponsor or donor on Wednesday, February 16th for Nebraska 4-H Month!
Thank a 4-H Professional
Show your 4-H pride by thanking our local 4-H professionals on Wednesday, February 23rd for Nebraska 4-H Month! Share a fun memory, post a favorite photo, or simply send a Thank-You note to our local 4-H professionals: Beth Janning, Katie Bolte, and Alexa Pedersen
Favorite Project
4-H Volunteer Awards
Important Dates & Events
- February 1st: Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort Application Due
- February 1st: Start of National 4-H Month
- February 2nd: 4-H Spirit Day
- February 5th: State Level Achievement Applications Due
- February 6th: Jr. Leaders Meeting @ Hearts/Hands for Hunger
- February 8th: Red Cloud After School
- February 9th: Volunteer Appreciation Day
- February 11th: YQCA Training - Blue Hill
- February 11th: YQCA Training - Red Cloud
- February 12th: Cattlemen's Classic Livestock Judging
- February 15th: Red Cloud After School
- February 15th: Webster County Youth Council 4-H Scholarship Due
- February 15th: Lyle Niemeyer 4-H Scholarship Due
- February 16th: Sponsor Appreciation Day
- February 20th: Adams/Webster Farm Bureau 4-H Pancake Feed - BH Community Center
- February 21st: Office Closed in Observance of President's Day
- February 22nd: Red Cloud After School
- February 23rd: 4-H Professional Appreciation Day
- February 23rd: Youth Council Meeting at Blue Hill Community Center
- February 26th: Last 4-H Beef Weigh In - Red Cloud
4-H/FFA Pankake Feed
4-H Online 2.0 and Open Enrollment
4-H After School Program
2022 YQCA In Person Training Dates
***March 4th YQCA training has been cancelled due to changes in school calendars.
If your 4-H’er is planning on showing livestock (beef, sheep, pig, goat, poultry, and rabbit) this year at county and/or state fair and is 4-H age 8 or older, they need to complete the YQCA Program by June 15th. Registration for YQCA is open. Attached is a list of upcoming in-person trainings. You must register ahead of time for the in-person trainings. If you are doing an in-person training, don’t forget to ask the office for a code! Codes do not apply for online trainings.
Livestock Contests and Events
We are excited to get going with Livestock Contests and Events for 2022. To assist in knowing who is interested in the following events – call the office or complete the online form (https://go.unl.edu/22livestock). Practices are starting to come together.
- Livestock Judging focused on Cattle will be Sunday, January 30th at 1:00 at Mead’s.
- PASE Organizational Meeting – Sunday, February 20th – Adams County Extension Office at 4:00 pm
Cattlemen’s Classic – Open to youth ages 8 to 18 – Entry Deadline Friday, February 5th
- Participants will need to cover own cost of $34.00 per individual
South Central Livestock Judging Clinic & Contest – Open to youth ages 8 to 18
- Save the date of Thursday, June 2, 2022 – More Info to come
Premier Animal Science Events – Open to youth ages 8 to 18
- Dates are Wednesday, June 22 & Thursday, June 23 on UNL, East Campus
- Events are Livestock Quiz Bowl, Livestock Skill-a-thon, Poultry Judging, Meats Judging, and Livestock Judging.
Livestock Achievement Program
The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.
The program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.
Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 10 via the completion form on the website. Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.
For more information or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)
Ashley Benes ashley.benes@unl.edu
Brett Kreifels brett.kreifels@unl.edu
Cole Meador cmeador2@unl.edu
4-H Leader/Parent Meeting
Trap Shooting
Scholarships
Special Garden Project
You must be enrolled in the Special Garden Project on 4-H Online. Please let the office know if you would like to participate in the Special Garden Project by February 18th.
2022 District 4-H Horse Shows
We are excited to announce that Webster County is a location for one of the District 4-H Horse Shows for 2022!
2022 Districts Dates and Sites:
June 6- Chadron, NE
June 7- Guide Rock, NE
June 8- Albion, NE
June 9- Raymond, NE
June 10- Kearney, NE
REMINDER of changes!
• New age group/classes
o Elementary Ranch Pleasure (10-11 years old)
Individual work will not be used as a trial basis for the 2022 year (Please see webpage for district procedure details): https://4h.unl.edu/horse/district-shows
We are excited for the 2022 year!
Horse Levels
As of 2020 for Webster County, levels for the county 4-H horse show are recommended, but not mandatory for level 1. If you are participating at districts or state, all other levels must be completed by the time ID sheets are due (May 6th). All other levels and ID sheets for county only may be completed by June 15th.
Online tests are no longer available to 4-Hers. To take a written test, youth must stop in at the Extension Office and take it there. We encourage families to call and let the office know the day and time you would like to take the test.
UNL 4-H Horse Stampede
SOAR Dog Workshop
We are excited to present our SOAR workshop series in conjunction with Platte Valley Kennel Club! Learn from experienced clinicians provided by Platte Valley Kennel Club! This workshop series will have a total of 3 to 4 sessions throughout the spring/ summer months (dates to come). Handlers will gain greater success in participating in each workshop as it provides action steps for youth to move forward and builds upon the skills learned from previous sessions. We do encourage others to join any of our workshops even if you cannot go to all of them.
Along with building skills with your dog(s), youth will also learn more about other events and organizations they can participate in to immerse themselves in dog related activities.
To register: https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nf7WHgYttOeWoe
Date: February 19th, 2022
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Address: Companion Dog Club of Omaha and Council Bluffs
10803 N 72nd Street, Omaha NE 68122
Early Registration fee: $15 (per workshop) by February 11th, 2022
Day of Registration fee: $25 ( vaccination forms must be present)
Please make checks payable to: UNL and mailed/postmarked by February 1st. Please include the Participant's name with the payment envelope.
Mail to:
Grace Kim-C204g
PO Box 830
Animal Science-University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68583-0908
Additional information provided in the registration link
For further questions about registration contact Grace Kim at: (402)472-6085 or grace.kim@unl.edu or workshop details, Gisele Olney at gcolney@aol.com
Companion Animal Advisory Commitee
2022 Youth Meat Judging
As AMSA explores opportunities to attract, develop, and connect meat science talent AMSA will be hosting a virtual meat judging spring series (4 virtual meat judging contests) targeted to youth (3rd-12th grade, 4-H, FFA students, etc.). Participants will compete in divisions based on their grade: Youth (3rd-7th grade) and Senior Division (8th-12th grade). Divisions will be based on the grade the student is currently completing this academic year. The contest will consist of 6 placing classes, 2 questions classes, quality grading (6) and 40 Retail Identification. Participants will register via the AMSA website.
Contest Dates
March 16-18, 2022
March 30- April 1, 2022
April 13-15, 2022
April 27-29, 2022
Contests will be open for 48 hrs. and the participant must complete the contest and submit the electronic scantron within the contest time allotment. Additional contest guidelines will be posted in the AMSA community platform in which the contests will be facilitated.
Points
Contests will be scored, and results will be posted to judgingcard.com and the AMSA website the Monday following the contest. All results across categories will be posted, but points will be earned on the overall ranking only.
Count top 3 contest rank finishes. Students placing 1 through 20 will receive rank points. For example, 1st place will receive 20 points, 2nd = 19 points, etc. The students will the five highest point totals will be eligible for awards.
Awards
Youth Division- Top five students receive awards
1st- $500 scholarship, 2nd- $250, 3rd- $100, 4th- $100, 5th- $50; Top 5 receive a complimentary AMSA Youth Membership
Senior Division- Top five students receive awards
1st- 1,500 scholarship, 2nd- $1,000 scholarship, 3rd- $750 scholarship, 4th- $500 scholarship, 5th- $250 scholarship; Top 5 receive a complimentary AMSA Youth Membership
Registration
To register for the contests:
Registration Fee: $100 per participant
Registration Fee Includes: 4 Contest Registrations and Electronic Scantrons
Contest Eligibility:
Participants should be in 3rd-12th grade.
Participating in any of these contests does not impact eligibility for the in person National 4-H Contest.
Virtual 4H/FFA Meat Judging (meatscience.org)
If you have any additional questions, please email lfrenzel@meatscience.org
NAYI
State Level Achievement Applications
Need more time to put the finishing touches on those state-level Achievement Applications? Well, we've got good news for you! The deadline has been extended to February 5th!
The Achievement Application is the standard application form used for the selection of county and state award winners, including Nebraska delegates to National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference, as well as Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship award recipients. Only Senior Achievement Applications (ages 15-18) are accepted for state-level awards and recognition.
Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/achievement-application.
Summer Camp Registration
Summer Camp Giveaway
Jr Leaders
Getting Presents Wrapped
Trailer Full of Gifts
Delivering Gifts at Paradise
Warrior 4-Hers sponosors "Santa Present Project" for Fire Ravaged Kansas Area Children and Families
The Warrior 4-H Club gathered up donations to be used to provide Christmas presents for children whose families were affected by the fires mid-December. In one day, the club and community raised more than $3,000 to fund the Santa Present Project. Leftover funds were used to assist livestock raisers and farmers affected by the fire. Children affected by the fires wrote letters to Santa. Parents and leaders of the Warrior 4-H club shopped for items on the lists. The Christmas presents were delinted to Paradise Untied Methodist Church for distribution across the affected area. A great job was done by the Warrior 4-Hers and the surrounding communities.
Story from Superior/Red Cloud newspapers. Pictures from Trisha Rust
UNL Extension in Webster County Newsletter
Lindsay Waechter - Mead Joins Webster County Extension
Welcome, Lindsay!
Nebraska Extension in Webster County is pleased and excited to welcome Lindsay Waechter - Mead as the new Beef Systems Educator for the region. Please see a message below from Lindsay.
Hello! I’m mixed animal veterinarian by trade, but I hold a great deal of pride being a 4th generation Nebraska cattlewoman, raising the 5th generation of my family on the same soil as the first. Growing up in Webster County, my family farm consisted of row crops, commercial cow/calf, farrow to finish hog production and a small commercial sheep flock. Throw in a few dozen laying hens and too many barn cats and we filled the gamut of diversified agriculture. I saw veterinary medicine as my opportunity to raise my family in the place I had always called home.
My undergraduate time was spent in Lincoln at UNL in the veterinary science and animal science program. The most important part of these years was not necessarily in the class work but meeting life-long connections, including my husband, Clay. His love for the beef industry was contagious and would play an integral part in my interest in beef cattle medicine.
Following four years of veterinary school at Kansas State University, we moved back to south central Nebraska where I was blessed to practice medicine for 12 years. An opportunity presented to switch to academia, and I accepted a UNL faculty position at Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center. My duties included teaching production medicine as well as extension responsibilities to Nebraska veterinarians and beef producers.
Life never follows the script we write. After two years at GPVEC, I began to realize my passion for Nebraska animal agriculture and extension could be used to serve south central Nebraska as a Beef Extension Educator. I am excited to bring my interests surrounding cow/calf health and preventative medicine to the Beef Team. My current work involves looking at environmental effects on neonatal calf immunity and colostral transfer. I am also passionate about rural agriculture and what the veterinary profession can do to positively influence rural communities to ensure that generations can continue to enjoy the life that I love.
My family time is centered around our three children: Anna, Harrison and Norah. We spend our days on our farm southwest of Blue Hill, raising Red Angus cattle and following our kids to their many activities. You will usually find us cheering from the sidelines of the field/court and the show ring.
I look forward to meeting new faces and seeing old friends, as well as conversations on ways that I can help each of you be successful. Please reach out by phone, email or stop by the office. I’ll have the coffee ready to go.Happy Birthday to those Celebrating in February!!
The Webster County Extension Office & Courthouse will be closed February 21st in observance of President's Day.
Meet Our Team!
Alexa Pedersen
Office Manager
Email: alexa.pedersen@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Katie Bolte
4-H Programming Assistant
Email: katie.bolte@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Beth Janning
4-H Youth Development Extension Educator in Adams/Webster Counties
Beth Janning is a 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator. She provides programming in school enrichment, after-school, and traditional 4-H Programs. Her topic areas include but not limited to animal science, science, engineering and volunteer development.
Email: elizabeth.janning@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Lindsay Waechter - Mead
Beef Systems Educator
Please help us welcome Lindsay Waechter - Mead as our new Beef Systems Educator in Webster County! Lindsay's first day is February 1st. Please direct your beef questions to Lindsay.
Email: lindsay.waechter-mead@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCBeefExtensionUNL