Thurston Co. 4-H News
April 2023
Nebraska Extension - Thurston County
Sydney Williams, Extension Assistant, sydney.williams@unl.edu
Email: thurston-county@unl.edu
Website: thurston.unl.edu
Location: 415 Main Street, P.O. Box 665, Pender, NE 68787
Phone: 402-385-6041
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLExtensionThurston/
Twitter: @UNLThurstonCty
Upcoming Dates
April 5 - Thurston Co. 4-H Council Senior Scholarships DUE!! by 4:30 PM!
April 10 - Jt. D-T 4-H Council ( 7 pm @ Dakota Co. Extension Office)
April 10 - Registration for All Contest Day DUE!! By 12 pm
April 15 - NAYI Applications Due
April 15 - All Contest Day @ United Church of Pender; 9:30 AM
April 17-22 - Week of the Volunteer
April 28- Office Closed - Arbor Day
May 8 - Thurston Co. 4-H Council Meeting - TBD
May 15 - Thurston Extension Board Meeting; TBD; 6:30 PM
May 29- Memorial Day - Office Closed
June 2 - Adventure Day Camp, West Point, NE
June 12 - Thurston 4-H Council Meeting - TBD
June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline, Drop/Add Deadline
June 15 - Livestock Animal ID/Affidavits/DNA/Nominations Due
June 21 - 22 - PASE - Lincoln, NE
June 23 - State 4-H Public Communications Event - Lincoln, NE
July 4 - 4th of July; Office Closed
July 10 - Thurston 4-H Council meeting; TBD
July 15-19 - State 4-H Horse Show @ Fonner Park, Grand Island
July 21 - D-T County Fair entries Due!
July 30 - Dakota-Thurston Co. 4-H Dog, Cat, Small Animal Show - Pender, NE (Pending)
July 31 - Clothing Day @ the Fair! - Expo Center
August 2-6 - Dakota-Thurston County Fair Days!
August 14 - Thurston 4-H Council Meeting - TBD
August 21 - Thurston Extension Board Meeting - TBD
August 25 - 27 - 4-H State Fair Weekend
September 1 - 4 - FFA State Fair Weekend
MEMBER INFORMATION
All Contest Day - April 15, 2023
You must be ENROLLED in 4-H Online to register and participate! Registrations are due by 12:00 PM on April 10th!
Please click the link below to register!
https://forms.gle/VYEPKe8F3mzbP6WY9
Need more information or help with the contests? Check out our webpage for more information on the contests and their criteria! https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/4-h-contests-2/
This year's PSA Theme is "Discover your spark in 4-H".
4-H Online Enrollment
Job Position Opening!!!
Thurston 4-H Summer Workshops
Big Red Camps
Big Red Summer Camps will be held June 11-16, 2023. Registration is open! Be sure to register for Big Red Camps early, because space is limited! Plus, snag early bird tuition rates by registering before April 14th! Get started at BigRedCamps.unl.edu.
Youth Leadership Conference
4-H Summer Camps
Are your youngsters already dreaming of warmer days? Stop dreaming and start planning! Check out all of the 4-H Summer Camps sessions at 4h.unl.edu/summer-camp-schedule and register early to save your spot! Scholarships, new camper discounts, and transportation options are available.
Computer Science Summer Camp
The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is pleased to announce a summer learning opportunity for high school students. We are hosting “Innovate: The Raikes School Way” and “Girls Who Innovate: The Raikes School Way” computer science camps that will be led by Executive Director of the Raikes School, Dr. Steve Cooper. This opportunity was highlighted in a 2019 Forbes article, "STEM-Focused Summer Programs for Ambitious High School Students".
During the two-week, overnight camp students will:
1) Learn basic programming skills, primarily Java, and innovation concepts through a project-oriented curriculum
2) Receive instruction from Raikes School faculty members and experience what classes can be like in the Raikes School
3) Visit campus research labs and local businesses
4) Interact with Raikes School students and staff, all of whom play a key role in the competitive selection process to our program each year
What: Innovate: The Raikes School Way & Girls Who Innovate: The Raikes School Way
For: High School Students (primarily the graduating class of 2024)
Where: Kauffman Academic Residential Center, home of the Raikes School in the heart of Nebraska's City Campus
When: July 16-29, 2023
Cost: $2,050 (Need-based scholarship opportunities are available. Cost covers all housing, meals, instruction, and activities associated with the camp)
Programming Experience: None (in fact, no experience is preferred)
Application Deadline: April 14, 2023
Interested students can find more details and application materials at http://raikes.unl.edu/summercamps.
If you have any questions about the camp, please email me at adam.britten@unl.edu.
More details at: http://raikes.unl.edu/summercamps
ANIMAL SCIENCE & AGRICULTURE
Governor's Agricultural Excellence Awards - Deadline Extended!
We are extending the deadline to apply for the Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards in 2023 due to several requests for a bit more time. Please encourage your clubs to consider applying for a grant to assist with completing a project that will have a lasting impact on your community and/or program. The application form is linked on the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website: https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/governers-ag-excellence-award/. We will accept applications through April 21st,, 2023.
The Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards are sponsored by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA). We encourage all clubs to consider a project that will impact their community and promote Nebraska 4-H.
Please note the requirements for the grant:
- Projects should fit within one of the seven programming areas of Nebraska 4-H
- Highly encourage community engagement and educational components
- Clubs need to consider the impact of their project and how they will assess the impact
- Clubs should consider at least one additional outside partner to help complete their project.
- A written letter of support from a 4-H professional in their county will need to accompany the application.
- Clubs who have received the award in the past and not submitted a summary report at the conclusion of their project will not be considered for future awards.
Clubs should submit their application and all materials to Lindsay Shearer (lshearer2@unl.edu) via email on or before April 21, 2023.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.
4-H Dog Training - April 22, 2023
I invite any and all that are interested in having a hands-on, engaging training focused on 4-H Dog to attend our Parent, Volunteer, and Leader Training. This is open to any adult and teen youth that wants to strengthen their 4-H Dog Program. This day will be similar to a Shooting Sports training with the morning focused on Positive Youth Development and Nebraska 4-H Dog rules, lunch, then an afternoon of the participants practicing their skills with instructing the youth and dogs by rotating through the areas of Obedience, Showmanship, Agility and Rally. While the flyer is focused on our 4-H Parents, Volunteers, and Leaders – staff are welcome to attend as well.
Please register online at https://go.unl.edu/Dog23 by Wednesday, April 19th at 1:00 pm. Cost is $20 with lunch included.
2023 Special Garden Project
The 2023 Special Garden Project is focused on the 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 to cut flower arrangements to add scent and interest.
For more information click here: https://4h.unl.edu/special-garden-project
YQCA - Training
YQCA has moved! Nebraska 4-H requires all members enrolled in a livestock project to complete annual quality assurance certification through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program. The program has recently moved to a new online system available at YQCAProgram.org. Learn more about YQCA requirements and find help documents at 4h.unl.edu/yqca.
We will host an in-person event later this spring. Remember that enrolled Thurston County 4-H youth can request a coupon code from our office!
Showman's Best Camp - Sheep and Goat Clinic on May 31st!
Come Learn with Carla - Horse Clinics
June 2 - Central City
June 3 - Lincoln
June 4 - Albion
Registration fees must be sent by Friday, May 5.
Register now at go.unl.edu/carlaclinics.
Livestock Judging Circuit
UNL Livestock Judging Camp, June 7 - 9
Looking to level up your livestock evaluation and oral reason skills? Make plans to attend this year’s UNL Livestock Judging Camp on June 7-9th. The UNL Livestock Winners Unlimited will be held at UNL this summer. Camp is designed for 4-H and FFA members looking to improve their livestock evaluation and oral reason skills. Activities will focus on proper evaluation with an emphasis on reasons format, terminology, and presentation.
and materials. The registration deadline is May 22nd!
go.unl.edu/judging-camp
Questions? Contact
Blaine French at
bfrench6@unl.edu,
402-472-8834
Fort Robinson 4-H Horse Camp - June 8-10
NE Ag Youth Institute (NAYI) - July 10- 14
NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 10 –14, 2023. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April 15, 2023, to apply. This year’s theme is “For the Future.”
NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their leadership skills, interests and involvement in agriculture. Students attend NAYI free of charge due to generous donations from numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations.
NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, which is comprised of 21 college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. The Council’s purpose is to provide young Nebraskans with a better understanding of agriculture, including agricultural opportunities available to today’s youth.
Dakota Thurston County Fair Schedule Changes!
Poultry Show start time changed to 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 3rd.
Bucket calf exhibitors: Interviews will be Thursday afternoon; the bucket calf show will be Friday, August 4th at 2:30 pm.
Goat Show changed start time to 8:00 AM on Saturday, August 5th.
4-H Horse Show changed time to 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 5th.
IMPORTANT NEBRASKA STATE FAIR LIVESTOCK UPDATES PLEASE READ!!!!!!
DNA Requirement Change
All livestock in contention to exhibit at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair and/or the Aksarben Stock Show will be required to submit a DNA nomination. All 4-H/FFA BREEDING livestock, Market livestock and FEEDER CALVES will now be required to submit a DNA sample/envelope to be eligible to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair. DNA nominations for the Nebraska State Fair are due on June 15, 2023.
Any DNA nomination submitted through Show Stock Manager will also be eligible for exhibition at the Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show. DNA nominations will remain at $7.00 per animal. With this update, animals will automatically be eligible for both breeding and market. Families who often paid to be eligible for both had been paying $9.00 ($7.00-Market and $2.00-Breeding) would no longer need to do that. All would pay $7.00.
Age Eligibilty Change
The age of eligibility at Nebraska State Fair is now 9 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion shows).
Age Divisions are:
Intermediate (9-13)
Senior (14-18)
Entry Limits for Nebraska State Fair:
Poultry and Rabbit -- 5
Sheep and Goat -- 4
Swine -- 5
Beef -- 5
4-H will be awarding an Overall Registered Steer division during the Market Beef Show:
Champion and reserve champion from each breed (including AOB) will be in the drive for Overall Registered Steer.
4-H will be awarding an Overall Purebred Swine during the Market Swine Show:
Champion and reserve champion from each breed (including AOB) will be in the drive for Overall Purebred Swine.
Registration Papers for Breeding Livestock (NEW)
Registration papers must show the exhibitor's name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor's family and is listed with the online nomination in Stock Show Manager.
4-H State Fair Livestock Nomination Requirements
1. Exhibitors will be required to enroll in 4-H and the required projects by the county deadline in 4H Online.
2. Exhibitors showing market and/or breeding beef, feeder calves, market and/or breeding swine, market and/or breeding sheep or market and/or breeding goats at State Fair must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for DNA verification. Every animal nomination (this includes all breeding animals and feeder calves) will require a DNA submission. DNA must be turned into their county office and have completed the online nomination with payment in Show Stock Manager by June 15. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Contact the local Extension Office for details. (It is recommended that you make a copy or a photo image of completed envelope you turn into your county.)
3. Exhibitors will be required to complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) for the enrolled livestock projects by August 10.
4. Exhibitors will confirm that the ear tattoo and/or identification tag matches the animal nomination submitted by June 15 for confirmation of legibility and/or accuracy.
5. Exhibitors will notify the County Extension Staff of any retags that may occur up to time of check-in at the State Fair.
6. Exhibitors will select which animal nominations they have chosen to show at State Fair on the State Fair entry website by August 10. All nominated and validated animals will be automatically listed as a choice option for entry registration.
7. Exhibitors will be required to bring the breed registration association paperwork to check-in at State Fair for animals wanting to show in a breed class. The registration papers must show the exhibitor’s name, a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in Show Stock Manager.
Additional Information: Each exhibitor may nominate a total, between 4-H and FFA, as follows: Market Beef (20), Market Lambs (20), Market Swine (40), and Market Goats (20).
Livestock Achievement Program
Nebraska Extension is pleased to announce the second year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This additional opportunity for enrolled livestock project youth is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership.
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.
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: Nebraska 4-H / Livestock Achievement Program
Online Learning Opportunities
Horsemanship Study Courses
Livestock Information Series
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Information Series is a resource for 4-H members, leaders, and parents to gain knowledge in various livestock-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic is covered with experts joining to share their experience and expertise. Extended learning opportunities and supporting documents are also available for each topic. Learn more at https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-info-series
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Application is available on the county website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/scholarships/
2023 Thurston County 4-H Council Senior Scholarship Application.docx
Applicant Criteria:
- Applicant must be a current High School Senior.
- Applicant must currently be an enrolled member of the Thurston County 4-H Program. And have been enrolled in 4-H for at least the past two years.
- Application must be completed and returned to get proper signatures to the Club Leader by April 5th of the current calendar year. Club Leaders will then turn all collected applications to Nebraska Extension in Thurston County. After submission, applications will not be returned.
Scholarship Information:
- One $150 will be awarded to all applicants who meet the criteria.
- Scholarship will be awarded after receiving written notification of scholarship recipient’s second semester enrollment. For those students enlisting with the military, notification of basic training completion will be the equivalent.
- Scholarship monies will be sent directly to the scholarship winner.