Southern Plains 4-H Newsletter
Serving Nuckolls and Thayer Counties - June 1, 2022
Need to print this newsletter? Right click to print or select "File >>> Print" from your internet browser's window.
Note From Kylie
Please read this newsletter carefully because June has CRITICAL deadlines for many 4-H events.
June also means CWF2022 is finally here! 17 youth from Nuckolls-Thayer will travel to and from Washington D.C. via bus from June 3 to June 17. Watch our social media channels for photos and updates on where in the U.S. we are. We also had so much interest in Bonanza Day 2022 (41 youth signed up) that we'll have a 2nd session on Fri. June 3 (you needed to have been on the waitlist for the May 26 Bonanza Day in order to participate), so thank you for the awesome support of our project bonanza workshop. The 2022 Summer Reading Program launches in Thayer County on June 1. See below for the schedules for our 5 partner libraries.
We'll close out June with participation in state livestock skills events at PASE (June 22-June 23) and the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest, which I am co-superintending again. Thank you for your continued support of 4-H in Nuckolls and Thayer Counties.
DEADLINE INFORMATION
YQCA certificates due June 15
Find step-by-step instructions HERE.
Thank you for your patience as we navigated this change. A copy of your 2022 YQCA certificate needs to be emailed to OR dropped off at the Extension Office by June 15.
State Fair Livestock Nominations Due June 15
DNA Envelopes will also need to be in to your local Extension Office by JUNE 15 at 4:30pm.
Livestock IDs due June 15
Livestock ID sheets are due June 15. Please do not wait until the last minute on June 15 because we will be short staffed due to CWF travel. We are accepting paperwork now.
This includes BEEF, SHEEP, GOATS, HOGS, and RABBITS.
Livestock EID tags are available at the office for $3.00 each.
LIVESTOCK ID SHEETS FOR BEEF, SHEEP, GOATS, AND HOGS can be selected from the list for breeding, market, feeder, bucket, etc.
Thayer County - Project Enrollment Deadline is JUNE 15 / Nuckolls County - Fair Entry Deadline is June 15
Nuckolls County - June 15 by 4:30pm is the deadline for 4-H enrollment, project area enrollment, livestock IDs, and 2022 Nuckolls County fair entry (submitted on paper).
Thayer County steps simplified:
1. Enroll in 4-H and enroll in project areas by June 15 on 4-H Online. Turn livestock id forms into the office or email to thayer-county@unl.edu by 4:30pm on June 15.
2. Enter specific Fair entries online by midnight on July 27 on Fairwire.
3. Check in exhibits at times listed on the Fair 2022 schedule.
4-H ENROLLMENT DEADLINE - JUNE 15
Your 2021 4-H Online bookmarks/saved sites WILL NOT WORK. Please visit this link to enroll for 2022:
https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
We encourage all 4-H youth and volunteers (club leaders, project leaders, 4-H Council members, Extension Board members) to enroll in 4-H on 4-H online as soon as possible so you don't miss any contest entry deadlines, workshop information, or event details. All direct volunteers are required to enroll as volunteers in 4-H Online each year (the DHSS screening is every 5 years) to be compliant with Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening rules.
The Nebraska 4-H statewide enrollment deadline is June 15, 2022, but please enroll at your earliest convenience because you will miss out on events, activities, workshops and 4-H news if you wait until June to enroll.
For step-by-step 4-H Online 2.0 enrollment instructions with photo guides, check out this PDF or visit the Enroll a New Member or Enroll a Returning Member. As always, if you have any questions or technical difficulties, please reach out to your local extension office.
THAYER COUNTY - PLAN AHEAD FOR SHIRTS
Due to space, staffing, and chaotic atmosphere, the shirts will continue to be available at the Extension Office from now until the fair. We will not be moving them to the fair office. Please plan accordingly, and pick up your shirts before August. Sizes and Availability Limited to Stock on Hand.
LOCAL EVENTS
2022 Summer Reading Program Dates & Libraries
4-H VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Thayer County 4-H youth Assistant Superintendents Sign Up Fair 2022
Are you a Thayer County 4-H youth member interested in helping with Fair 2022 events?
Sign up to assist with a show in 2022. Expectations and available spots are listed on the spreadsheet below:
STATEWIDE PLANT SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
Nebraska 4-H Online Horticulture Contest June 3-20
Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 3-20, 2022 at: https://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest
Horticulture judging contest consists of three parts. The first is identification of plant material. Participants identify the plants by common name from a plant list. Specimens may be alive or preserved plant parts like stems, twigs, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, bulbs, tubers, or plant products.
The second is a knowledge portion, usually in the form of a true/false or multiple choice quiz. Questions will test the contestant's knowledge of cultural practices for horticultural crops, plant science, pesticides, horticultural careers and other topics related to the production, processing and consumption of horticultural crops.
The last portion is judging or placings. This is where four different plants, plates of vegetables, or containers flowers are ranked from best to worst based on a set of criteria. Classes are judged on the basis of condition, quality, uniformity, true-to-type, and size.
More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest
More information about the Nebraska State contest can be found in the Fairbook https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/45 .
STATEWIDE HORSE, SMALL ANIMAL & LIVESTOCK OPPORTUNITIES
2022 District Horse Show Dates Announced
Nebraska 4-H has finalized the 2022 Horse Districts Locations and Dates for you to add to your 2022 calendars.
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
Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program
Nebraska 4-H is excited 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. 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)
Three Thayer County 4-H Youth to attend NAYI 2022
More than 200 high school juniors and seniors, sharing an interest in agriculture, will gather in Lincoln in July to develop leadership skills, explore career opportunities and learn more about the state’s number one industry. In its 51st year, the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) is the longest-running program of its kind in the nation. Sponsored in part by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), NAYI will be held July 11-15, in Lincoln, on the University of Nebraska’s East Campus. This year’s theme is ‘Cultivating Connections’ and delegates will be able to participate in agriculture policy discussions, agricultural career explorations, and group discussions during the week-long event. Since its inception in 1971, NAYI has shared the importance of agriculture with more than 6,750 youth from across Nebraska. Delegates attend NAYI free of charge, thanks to generous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations.
NAYI events and additional youth learning opportunities throughout the year are organized by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC). The 21 college students who serve on NAYC are chosen by NDA to share their passion and knowledge about agriculture with young people across Nebraska. During NAYI, NAYC members provide valuable insight and advice about agriculture, college coursework and career-building.
Congrats to three Thayer County youth you have been selected to attend NAYI 2022:
Lacey Schmidt - Deshler
Bryn Kniep – Deshler
Addi Crockett - Davenport
Virtual Horse Judging Practice Opportunity
Check out Nebraska Extension's Practice Horse Judging contest!
Do you coach, or participate in, competitive Horse Judging or Hippology? Are you looking for classes to practice? Check out this opportunity. Register for this course and you will have access to 6 classes to judge, along with the official placings, and an official critique, to learn why the classes were placed the way they were. The course becomes available January 15, and closes on July 15. You can access as many times as you want in that time period, and can join anytime. This is completely self-directed, so go at your own pace, whenever you wish. Go to: https://catalog.extension.org/product?catalog=HorseJudgingContest
2022 4-H Horse Camp
2022 Beef Ambassador Contest - June 9
Both age division contestants will compete in two different areas. Age Divisions: (on January 1, 2022) Senior 14-18 years old Collegiate 19-24 years old.
If you have any questions please contact the NE Cattlemen’s office (ncw@necattlemen.org)
SAFETY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
2022 Teen Tractor Safety Courses
Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, have announced plans for the annual “tractor safety” training courses scheduled at 6 sites across Nebraska in late May and early June. Students will complete the first day of the course either by attending a hand-on event at one of two locations or online through the eXtension Foundation Campus website.
Teens 14 or 15 years of age who work on farms, or others who are interested in learning about safe farming practices, are encouraged to register for the certification course. Students under age 14 are not eligible for certification but the hands-on events are open to everyone in the community. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Federal law prohibits children under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with certain mechanized equipment.
The hands-on event and the online course will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program, including quizzes which students must pass to attend the driving portion of training. Once a student is registered, they will be sent instructions, materials, course paperwork and a link to the online course if they will not be attending one of the two hands-on events.
The onsite driving training and exam will include a driving test and equipment operation and ATV safety lessons. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching and unhitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course. Instructors will also offer education about safe behaviors and laws for ATVs, utility-task vehicles (UTVs), and other off-road vehicles (ORVs).
The cost of the course is $25 and includes educational materials, the online learning link (if applicable), and supplies. Payment will be made at the time of the driving exam. Only checks and cash can be accepted.
Tractor Driving Days
June 6 – AKRS Equipment, 49110 US Hwy 20 in O’Neill Contact: Debra Walnofer, 402.336.2760, dwalnofer2@unl.edu
June 7 – Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail #8500 in Gering Contact: Stacy Brown, 308.632.1480, sbrown7@unl.edu
June 8 – AKRS Equipment, 44098 Hwy 2, Broken Bow Contact: Denise Daake, 308.872.6831, denise.daake@unl.edu
June 9 – Adams County Extension, 2975 South Baltimore Ave, Hastings Contact: Ron Seymour ron.seymour@unl.edu and Twila Bankson 402-461-7209, twila.bankson@unl.edu
June 10 – Cass County Fairgrounds, 8400 144th St, Weeping Water Contact: Sandy Prall, 402.267.2205, sprall2@unl.edu
To register visit https://cvent.me/44ExVl
4-H CAMPS
Program Highlights:
- Nebraska 4-H Camps has several exciting youth programs available for summer 2022!
- Beautiful camp location in the Nebraska National Forest in Halsey, Nebraska!
- 4 and 5 day residential camp sessions available for ages 8-18.
- New and Improved Teen Leadership session in partnership with The Bay – Lincoln.
- Transportation option available select weeks from Lincoln or Grand Island.
- Scholarships available and refer a NEW camper discount until Jan. 31 – https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-camp/scholarship
- View full descriptions and register online here: https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-camp/schedule
Camp Renegade and Camp Venture
Camp Renegade: June 27-28
The cost for each camp is $60 with checks made payable to Jefferson County 4-H Council and mailed to Jefferson County Extension. Registration is due June 13. Register via QR code on flyers below.
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
JUNE
June 1 - Cloverkid Camp at Hebron
June 3 - PASE & State Public Speaking Contest Registration Due
June 3-17 - 2022 CWF Trip
June 15 - 2022 4-H Enrollment and project area enrollment due; Livestock IDs due, YQCA certificates due, and Nuckolls County Fair 2022 fair entries due.
June 22-23 - Premiere Animal Science Events @ UNL East Campus
June 24 - State 4-H Public Speaking Contest @ UNL East Campus
JULY
July 9-13 - Nuckolls County Fair
AUGUST
August 1 - Thayer County Club assignments for fair clean up must be completed
August 2 - Thayer County Fair 2022 Superintendents Meeting 7:30 livestock; 8:00pm static
August 10-13 - Thayer County Fair
August 26- Sept 5 Nebraska State Fair
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/