Southern Plains 4H Newsletter
Serving Nuckolls and Thayer Counties - February 1, 2021
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Note From Kylie
Check out the information below to sign up for in-person YQCA and get involved in state-wide and county workshops or webinars. We also picked the 2021 Fair theme (check it out at right). No matter what the new year brings with COVID-19 modifications, we're dedicated to having more fun in 2021.
TUES. FEB. 16 7 PM @ NELSON
MON. MAR. 15 7 PM @ HEBRON
If you lead a club in Nuckolls or Thayer, plan on attending one of these meetings. We'll go over the 2021 volunteer screening process and guide you through the screening process at the meeting. We'll have laptops available, or bring your own. We will also talk about 2021 COVID-19 modification expectations, and get your feedback on how we can help you grow 4-H enrollment and engagement in Nuckolls and Thayer counties.
Congrats to our Nuckolls-Thayer Tribland Award winners!
2021 4-H Award and Livestock Booster Sponsorships Now Available
WE ARE HIRING IN THAYER COUNTY
HELP WANTED: Nebraska Extension in Thayer County is seeking a .75 FTE permanent part-time 4-H Extension Aide to grow and engage with meaningful and impactful educational experiences for 4-H and extension programming in Thayer County. Full position description and educational requirements located at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/job-opportunity-thayer-county-4-h-aide-position-part-time/
FRUIT SALES
We will be using the online order process as we did last fall. Please notice that you MUST have your sales completed online by Sunday, March 7. If you did not receive an email with details on how to set up your account online, please let us know.
If you should have check payments, please have the checks made out to the NEBRASKA 4H FOUNDATION. Cash payments are also allowed. Fruit sales MUST BE PAID IN FULL at the time of the order being placed.
The fruit will be delivered the week of March 17th. Time and location of delivery will be determined.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jean in Nuckolls County - 402-225-2381
LIVESTOCK OPPORTUNITIES
2021 RULES:
- Masks are REQUIRED.
- Please limit the number of people attending beef weigh -in
- Please print or pick up ID sheets and have as much as possible filled out ahead of time.
- If you are attending State Fair or Aksarben, please pick up DNA envelopes and fill them out before you arrive.
- Sign up on this Sign Up Genius so we know when you are coming: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040448AAA82CAAFE3-beef1
Additional Beef Weigh-In Dates around the area:
Saturday, Feb 6, 9-11 am, Sutton Vet Clinic, Register by calling 402-762-3644
Saturday, Feb 27, 1-3 pm, Red Cloud Animal Health Center, Register by calling 402-746-3417
YQCA In Person Sessions Feb. 8 and Mar. 2
Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in beef, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry to complete YQCA annually. Enroll in 4-H Online and then register for one of these local sessions:
Mon., Feb. 8 @ 7:00 p.m. - Thayer County Extension Office
Tues., Mar. 2 @ 7:00 p.m. - Nuckolls County Extension Office
Enroll in an online YQCA session here: https://yqca.learngrow.io
WORKSHOPS
Just email kylie.kinley@unl.edu by March 15, 2021 to register.
DOG/COMPANION ANIMAL OPPORTUNITIES
Dog Obedience & Agility Clinic
Statewide 4-H Dog Achievement Program
The program consists of levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Dog Achievement program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals. The accomplishments increase in quantity and difficulty for each level. 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 their completed accomplishments. Successful completion of a level's Plan & Report form results in a 4-H youth earning that level of the Dog Achievement program.
More information can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/dog-achievement-program
For any questions, contact Grace Kim at Grace.kim@unl.edu
HORSE OPPORTUNITIES
4-H Judges Certification & Training
For the month of April, our virtual meetings will be held at 6:00pm CT on April 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th. AND participants will receive Judging Kits! Sign up today for only $40 to learn from experts and receive your judging essentials!
Our Experts
Clay Cavinder- Mississippi State University
John Pipkin- West Texas A&M University
Kathy Anderson- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lena Luck- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sarah Schobert- Texas A&M University
Hippology Academy 2021 - back with all new topics!
This short, online, course is designed for youth, adults, leaders, and extension personnel to gain knowledge and practice on horse hippology content. Or, if you’re a horse person and just want to learn more!
Content includes practice tests, slides, and digital stations in six areas in addition to twice weekly lectures. New lessons will be available starting on Monday for each of the 6 weeks. Once available, all content will be accessible 24/7 for the duration of your subscription!
The content will first become live on February 8 and be available for 6 months from that time (August 8) if you are in the Bronze level; and for 9 months from that time (November 8), if you are in the Silver level.
We are starting our Hippology Academy 2021 on February 8!
Topics covered will be:
Equipment and Riding Styles
Stallion Reproductive Anatomy
External Parasites
Pasture Management
Donkeys
Equine Breeds
This course is targeted for older youth and adults.
Subscription levels:
Bronze Level = $50. Access to content until August 8.
Silver Level = $100. Includes 6-week access to instructors to ask questions, and access to content until November 8.
If you are a Silver level subscriber, each week, the Professor of the Week who provided the material will be available to answer questions on their topic. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to 'pick the brains' of these national experts. You can upgrade from Bronze to Silver at any time.
Registration here: https://campus.extension.org/course/search.php?search=hippology
PLANT SCIENCE AND ENTOMOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES
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 seed 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.
To kick-off the inaugural year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore teosinte. The plant looks and is very similar to corn, in fact it is believed to be the wild ancestor of today's corn!
For youth to participate:
Enroll for the 2021 Special Agronomy Project by enrolling in any of the Field Crop Project levels through 4-H Online.
Contact your local Nebraska Extension Office by February 10 and let them know how many seed packets you need. If you do not contact your local Extension Office, seeds might not be available for you. The county office will order seeds as a county unit then distribute them to the members.
Seeds will be sent to the County Extension Offices. Pick seeds up from your local county Extension office when the county tells you the seeds are available (should be around March or April).
4-H members enrolled in the Special Agronomy Project will:
· Receive a ‘packet’ of teosinte seeds (one packet per youth) in March/April
· Grow their seeds in their garden or pots
· Receive written resource materials AND virtual, live or recorded videos/field trips
· Be eligible to enter an exhibit at both the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area:
o G750011 - Special Agronomy Project - Educational Exhibit (SF259)
o G750012 Special Agronomy Project -Video Presentation
o G750013 Special Agronomy Project (Freshly Harvested Crop)
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
Kylie Kinley is hosting the Nebraska 4-H virtual field trip next Wed. Feb. 3 and touring Masterpiece Taxidermy in Blue Hill! Click go.unl.edu/gx04 to register and tune in at 11:00am on 2/3/21 for our LIVE streaming session! Sculpting, skinning, and studying are just three parts of the process for changing horns, claws, and hides into world-class mounts with Todd Kranau of Masterpiece Taxidermy in Blue Hill. Join us to learn about how the science of taxidermy and the technology, engineering, math, and art used to create displays of past animals on present-day pedestals.
4-H CAMPS
We have exciting news! Registration for Summer Camp 2021 is now OPEN! Check out our exciting 4 and 5 day overnight camp offerings at the NEBRASKA STATE 4-H CAMP in Halsey! Charter bus transportation option offered select weeks from Lincoln (UNL East Campus) and Grand Island (Raising Nebraska)!
See full camp descriptions and register online: https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-camp/schedule
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
UNL Animal Science Scholarship
This is the inaugural year for the Animal Science: Inspiring Your Future Scholarship Contest and UNL will be awarding ten $5000 scholarships. UNL wants students to tell their digital story about an individual or animal who has inspired them to pursue an education and career in animal science. This can be done via video, essay, pictures, a combination of those things, or really any medium that allows them to comfortably express themselves. The website link is below that lists out the contest details and link to apply and submit their digital story. All entries must be submitted by Noon on February 15th!
CASNR Change Maker Quick Pitch Competition Scholarship Videos Due Friday, February 19, 2021
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced its second annual quick-pitch scholarship competition for students who dare to dream big and do the extraordinary to address worldwide issues.
The CASNR Change Maker Quick Pitch Competition asks current and prospective CASNR students to submit a two-minute video explaining an original, innovative way to address global issues such as food security, sustainability and water use. Two current CASNR students and eight incoming freshman and transfer students will be awarded full-tuition scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year based on their submitted videos. Winning students will be matched with a mentor to make their big idea a reality.
Additionally, eight $1,000 CASNR scholarships will be awarded to youth in the sixth through 11th grades.
**Kylie would be glad to help you with the Change Maker Quick Pitch video or the Animal Science Scholarship video**
Hastings Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Scholarships
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. The counties eligible for this award are Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster, Doniphan-Trumbull school, Giltner School. The recipient will receive a one-year scholarship of $500.00 and submissions are due March 12, 2021. For submission requirements, please visit the Hastings Chamber of Commerce web site here.
CONTESTS
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
FEBRUARY
Sat. Feb. 6 - Beef Weigh In @ Kile Vet Clinic in Superior 9-11am
Mon. Feb. 8 - YQCA In Person Training @ Hebron 7 pm
Sat. Feb. 13 - Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic Livestock Judging @ Kearney
Tues. Feb. 16 - NC Leader Training 7 p.m. @ Nelson
MARCH
Tues. Mar. 2 - YQCA In Person Training 7 pm @ Nelson
Mon. Mar. 15 - TC Leader Training 7 p.m. @ Hebron
APRIL
Sat. Apr. 10 - State 4-H Indoor Archery Shoot @ Columbus
Mon. Apr. 19 - Nuckolls-Thayer Public Speaking Contest 7 pm @ Deshler
MAY
Sat. May 15 - Nuckolls-Thayer Livestock Judging Contest @ Nelson
Tues. May 18 - TC Market Lamb/Goat Weigh In 5-7 pm @ Deshler
Wed. May 19 - NC Market Lamb/Goat Weigh In 5-7 pm @ Nelson
JUNE
Wed. June 9 - Bonanza Day @ Nelson
Mon. Jun. 28 - Wed. Jun. 30 - State Speech/PSA Contest and Premier Animal Science Events @ UNL Animal Science Complex in Lincoln (Meat Judging, Livestock Judging, Quizbowl, etc)
JULY
July 10-13 - Nuckolls County Fair 2021
AUGUST
August 12-15 - Thayer County Fair 2021
Next Meeting
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/