Otoe County 4-H Wednesday What-Nots
January 17, 2024
SHOUT OUTS
Thank you to Kelsey Stubbendick and the North Branch Rancheros for being the first to get their yearend treasurer's report in. Much appreciated, can everyone please follow their lead?
OPPORTUNITIES
2024 Special Garden Project
The 2024 Special Garden Project is Princess of India Nasturtium.
New this year: Register for your seed packet in 4HOnline using the Events tab. You must be enrolled in the 2024 4-H year to register for a seed packet. Please also choose Horticulture as a Project Area when you enroll.
Register by February 1st to get your seeds in time!
More information on this year's Special Garden Project can be found at:
More information can be found at https://animalscience.unl.edu/chick-days
Certified Angus Beef’s Nebraska BQA Workshop with FREE YQCA Training
Beef producers (both adults and youth) are invited to the Certified Angus Beef’s Nebraska BQA Workshop. This event will be held Saturday - February 24th, 2024 @ Round the Bend Steakhouse “The Ballroom” in Ashland, NE. Lunch is available to those who arrive between 11 am and 12 pm.
Additionally, those who attend and participate in the entirety of the BQA workshops, will have the opportunity for a meet-n-greet with Nebraska Volleyball’s Head Coach John Cook, who will also be joined by a few volleyball players! There will be an opportunity for autographs and pictures.
Because producer’s family members may wish to attend the Nebraska Volleyball sessions, family members are welcome to attend as well. However, we are going to be strict that all those wanting to participate in the Nebraska Volleyball speaker and meet-n-greet sessions must attend the entirety of the BQA workshop sessions (This includes any accompanying family members). This is to keep non-beef industry folks out to cater the event to our beef producers!
Additionally, before the BQA workshop, kids will have the opportunity to complete Youth Quality Care for Animals (YQCA) at 10 a.m. As a reminder, YQCA is a requirement for all youth 8 – 21 years old who plan to exhibit beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits, or poultry in Nebraska.
Find the schedule and/or register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/dbb75079-e99e-4d24-82d5-24ff60ab3649/websitePage:832ff3cc-2403-4e45-b845-e6e6e6f9cc50?utm_source=ewire&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=RaisedwithRespect&=
Corn Yield Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members
We are delighted to announce the Corn Yield Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.
Key Features:
- Team Participation: Teams comprising two or more youth participants will collaboratively embark on the challenge.
- Innovative Practices: Youth will be tasked with implementing a production practice differing from the norm, with the goal of assessing its impact on increasing corn yield.
- Data Collection: The Corn Yield Challenge management summary will systematically gather crucial information, including yields, cropping history, and production details.
- Recognition and Rewards: Outstanding achievements will be duly rewarded with cash prizes and plaques for the top three teams:
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
- Special Awards: In addition to the top rankings, commendable efforts will be acknowledged through the "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy" Awards, each carrying a value of $200.
This competition not only fosters a spirit of innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform for recognizing dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to embrace this opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices.
For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Nebraska Department of Ag Poster Contest
Theme: “Ready, Set, Grow!”
The poster contest is open to all Nebraska students (public, private, and home school) in first through sixth grades. All artworks must be exclusively student created. Each submission must include a completed entry form attached on the back. All entries become the property of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and will not be returned.
Each drawing should demonstrate the contest theme. Each drawing should be in color, using a medium of your choice (paint, colored pencil, crayon, etc). Each entry should be drawn on white paper, measuring 8.5” x 11”. Entries will NOT be accepted if they are folded, rolled up, or are larger than 8.5" x 11”.
The deadline is March 1, 2024, for entries to be received in the Lincoln office. Please mail entries to: Christin Kamm Nebraska Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 94947 Lincoln, NE 68509
Entries will be divided into three age groups for judging purposes: 1st/2nd grades; 3rd/4th grades; and 5th/6th grades. Winners will be notified during National Agriculture Week (March 17-23). Winning posters will be featured in various NDA publications, special events and on our website.
For More Information • Contact Christin Kamm at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-6856, or christin.kamm@nebraska.gov, or visit the Kids Page at nda.nebraska.gov/kids.
FROM THE OFFICE
Register for the in-person trainings online at this link here: YQCAprogram.org. For any questions or help, please contact Stephanie at the Extension Office at (402) 269-2301 ext 314
Updated Year End Club Treasurer's Report
Nebraska 4-H policy requires all 4-H clubs to submit a Year End 4-H Club Treasurer’s Report to account for the dollars raised and spent in the name of 4-H. This year, we have added a second page to the document for an Annual Club Inventory Report. Inventory items may include, but are not limited to, physical items such as computers, robots, shooting sports equipment, etc. These reports are due to the county extension office on or before January 31st. Here is a link to the new reports: 2024 Year End Treasurer's Report Fillable.pdf
UPDATE: The report is now fillable! You can simply complete it & email it to the office!
4-H Enrollment is now OPEN!
YOU MUST RE-ENROLL EVERY YEAR!
Starting in the 2023-2024 program year, project selection is now optional. By successfully completing the 4-H member enrollment by the June 15th deadline, youth will be eligible to participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county and state fairs. While project selection is optional, it is encouraged for youth to select projects they are interested in exploring.
Please note:
o Youth are only eligible to exhibit in a project area or contest in a single county.
o Horse and shooting sports projects will continue to require project enrollment due to the parental consent required to participate in these projects.
Here is the link: https://v2.4honline.com/
Updated instructions can be found here: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/otoe/enrollment/
Static Superintendent Meeting
Livestock & Horse Superintendent Meeting
4-H Volunteer Impact Study – You May Be Contacted
What you do makes a difference! We are excited to share that our state will be participating in the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study of volunteers in the North Central Region. This survey is being conducted as a part of 12 state effort to document the impact of volunteering.
It will focus on three areas:
· the personal benefits of your volunteer experience;
· the impact you have on the organization by volunteering; and
· how your volunteer efforts contribute to your community in which you live and work.
A random sample of volunteers of 1000 volunteers from each state will be surveyed. This study will be conducted through an electronic survey. If you are selected you will receive an email to let you know you have been selected to participate.
You may be picked!!! If you are, please respond. We want to hear from you and learn from your volunteer experiences. Your comments will be used to quantify the personal, organizational and public impacts of volunteers involved with 4-H Youth Development Programs in our twelve-state region.
Your impact is great and we want to hear from you!!!
UPCOMING DATES
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, January 24th - Static Superintendents' Meeting
- Thursday, January 25th - Livestock & Horse Superintendents' Meeting
- Saturday, January 27th - Beef Weigh In 9:00- NOON
- Monday, February 5th - In-person YQCA Training 6:00 - 7:15 pm
- Sunday, February 11th - County Communication Contest 1:00pm
- Sunday, March 17th - In-person YQCA Training 6:00 - 7:15 pm
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County
Elizabeth Dunn, Youth Development Extension Educator, edunn8@unl.edu
Stephanie Stephens, 4-H Assistant, sstephens9@unl.edu
Ben Jewell, Rural Prosperity Nebraska Associate Extension Educator, bmcshane-jewell2@unl.edu
Cheryl Goff, Office Manager, cheryl.goff@unl.edu
Website: www.otoe.unl.edu
Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County