CENTRAL SANDHILLS AREA 4-H NEWS
January 2021 Newsletter
Contact Information
AMANDA DAVIS
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Mailing Address: PO Box 148 - Thedford, NE 69166
Email: amanda.davis@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/centralsandhills/
Location: 503 Main Street, Thedford, NE, USA
Phone: (308)645-2267
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralsandhillsarea/
JANUARY EDITION
Happy New Year
I hope all families had a wonderful holiday season!
Slowly, guidelines are loosening back up and I am hopeful that all four Central Sandhills Area extension counties will be able to fully program normally (or close to normal) in the very near future. Some of our meetings and practices are having to be shifted to some later dates or adapted a little differently - but please hang in there! 4-H is about learning life skills, and definitely we are all learning to "adapt and overcome". I look forward to programming and seeing 4-H fully in action, and as always, I am thankful for your support!
Thank you,
Amanda Davis
4-H Youth Assistant, Central Sandhills Area
STAY INFORMED ABOUT 4-H AND EXTENSION NEWS!
Please be sure to like us on FB!
Nebraska Extension in the Central Sandhills
Don't forget to visit our Extension website at:
Nebraska Extension in the Sandhills
PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR NEWS so it can be included in our newsletters! Forward any 4-H news, events, or activities with Amanda at amanda.davis@unl.edu or Marcy at mandersen16@unl.edu
New UNL and Nebraska Extension 4-H COVID Guidance
- When in the "Red" on the covid dial, in-person programs/activities/meetings (4-H and Extension) this includes 4-H clubs, practices, committees, and 4-H council meetings will need to be virtual. No in-person gatherings. If you need help setting up a virtual meeting please let the Extension Office know and we can assist you.
- If a county is "Orange" on the covid dial with the respective health department, then activities can commence HOWEVER, 6 ft. social distance is required and MASKS are required.
- When a county is lowered to "Yellow", masks will be highly encouraged (not required) at the Extension or 4-H sponsored activities or events.
Governing Health Department Districts:
Blaine County: Loup Basin Public Health Dept.
Grant County: Panhandle Health Dept.
Hooker & Thomas Counties: West Central Health Dept.
As of today, 01/08/2021 here are the current Covid-19 Dial Measures:
Blaine: Yellow
Grant: Orange
Hooker: Red
Thomas: Red
WELCOME TO THE NEW 4-H YEAR
***Currently*** as of the publishing of this newsletter, the online enrollment system is experiencing technical difficulties. This is being fixed by the State 4-H Office. Please do not try to access the system to enroll yet. Families will be notified when it is fixed. Thank you.
The new 4-H year began on October 15!
Membership fees are $10 per youth for the entire membership year, regardless of how many project disciplines a 4-H member may decide to participate in.
***4-H youth planning to participate in Shooting Sports or any horse-related activities should also be ENROLLED online PRIOR to any practices or shooting activities due to safety and legal liabilities.
When (re)enrolling online at ne.4honline.com be sure to use FIREFOX or GOOGLE CHROME web browsers. Internet Explorer (e) or Edge is NOT compatible and may cause issues when processing the enrollment.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
Marcy Andersen, Office Manager: email at mandersen16@unl.edu or Amanda Davis, 4-H Youth Assistant: amanda.davis@unl.edu or phone the Extension Office at 308-645-2267
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 11
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm CT
The Nebraska 4-H Equine Webinar Series is a great way for 4-H leaders, parents, and senior aged youth to gain knowledge in various equine-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic will be covered with various experts joining to share their experience and expertise.
For more information click HERE
Nebraska 4-H Month
February 1 - 28
Be watching for fun statewide 4-H promotion. This is an excellent opportunity for volunteers, 4-H clubs and members to promote 4-H in their communities!
Companion Animal Webinar Series
February 4
6:00 pm CT
Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Webinar Series is a great way for 4-H leaders, parents, and senior aged youth to gain knowledge in various companion animal-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic will be covered with various experts joining to share their experience and expertise. Contact Grace Kim for information at: kim.grace@unl.edu
Catch-A-Calf Opportunity
Despite the postponement of the 2021 National Western Stock Show, the Catch-A-Calf program will still continue! Catch-A-Calf contestants interested in applying for 2021-2022 program can do so by visiting the website HERE The program is designed so successful participants catch a calf, feed it, and return with the animal one year later as a market steer. The market animals are judged on rate of gain, quality of fitting, and carcass quality. The exhibitor is judged on showmanship, their record book, and a personal interview.
IMPORTANT COUNTY FAIR UPDATE
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MUST BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY BY 4-H YOUTH.
NE 4-H Foundation, Multiple Scholarships, Due January 15.
Visit: https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships/
UNL Animal Science: Inspiring Your Future Scholarship, Due February 15 Awarding ten $5,000 scholarships!
Visit: Animal Science: Inspiring Your Future Scholarship Competition | Animal Science (unl.edu)
4-H Special Gardening Project for 2021
The 2021 Special Garden Project is focused on the tasty Hakurei Turnip.
Youth should enroll for the Special Garden Project through 4-H Online. Once enrolled through 4-H Online, youth are then to call the Extension office to let them know they enrolled for the project so that seeds can be ordered and provided for the 4-H member.
4-H Youth In Action
Winners receive a $5,000 scholarship, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. for National 4-H Council’s Legacy Awards, a personal promotional video showcasing their 4-H impact story, and much more! Learn more and apply at go.unl.edu/4hyia.