Nebraska Extension - Gage County
June 2020 Newsletter
In This Issue:
- Office Reopening to the Public
- How to Contact Us
- Welcome Bailey Schroeder
- New Digital Farmers' Market for southeast Nebraska
- Yard and Garden Live
- Dealing With Bees
- 5 Reasons to Support Your Farmers' Market
- Raise Your Glass to Dairy
- Embrace Local Food in Old and New Ways
- 2020 Gage County Fairbook
- Volunteers, We Need You! Sign-up by July 15!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office Reopening to the Public
On Monday, June 22, the Extension Office will be open to the public.
UNL staff will be returning to the office on a limited basis per UNL guidelines. The Gage County office staff are here, as they have been, and will continue to be in the office to serve you. Please continue to email and call (402)223-1384 for further assistance.
You will notice our new social distancing strategies as you engage with us in the office, but we are looking forward to seeing you again!
Please continue to check the website, gage.unl.edu, for the latest Extension information and updates. If you are needing specific fair forms and resources you can locate them on our 4-H County Fair webpage.
How to Contact Us
- E-mail Nicole Stoner at nstoner2@unl.edu
For food, nutrition and health questions:
- E-mail Tara Dunker at tara.dunker@unl.edu
- E-mail Jacie Milius at jacie.milius@unl.edu or Jane Esau at jane.esau@unl.edu
Bailey Schroeder | Summer Intern
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dealing With Bees
Food, Nutrition & Health - Tara Dunker, Extension Educator
5 Reasons to Support Your Farmers' Market
With a couple months of social distancing under our belts, this farmers' market season couldn’t come at a better time.
Whether you’re looking for a change of scenery on your weekly shopping trip or you’re wanting to support small businesses, local markets have you covered.
Due to the essential nature of their products and the ability to maintain proper social distancing, markets can continue to serve their communities under the governor’s directed health measures.
With the guidance of local health authorities, markets are taking steps to keep you safe.
Raise Your Glass to Dairy
“Moo”-ve over May. It’s June, which means it’s time for National Dairy Month.
Need some reasons to celebrate this year?
With the extra focus on supporting small businesses in this time of economic uncertainty, one fun fact about dairy is that, nationally, nearly 97 percent of farms are family-owned.
The Cornhusker State is no different, with the Department of Agriculture reporting virtually all of Nebraska’s dairy farms are family owned and operated.
Embrace Local Food in Old and New Ways
Twenty-two years ago, every kid wanted a Furby, Titanic swept the Oscars and Britney Spears topped the charts with “...Baby One More Time.”
If this feels like a lifetime ago, consider 1998 was also the year Main Street Beatrice introduced us to the Beatrice Farmers’ Market. Talk about staying power.
While the location and participants have changed over the years, about 15 vendors currently set up shop in the Country Cookin’ Cafe parking lot every Thursday from 4:00-6:30pm during the market season.
According to the USDA, these markets are critical to local economies, food systems and communities. Not only are they an economic boost to local farms and businesses, they also strengthen ties and promote healthy eating.
4-H & Youth Development - Jacie Milius, Extension Educator & Jane Esau, 4-H Assistant
2020 Gage County Fairbook
2020 has been a strange year - right? We are happy to announce that our 2020 Gage County 4-H Fairbook is currently online and ready for you to check out. NEW for 2020: The Fairbook will only be available in a digital version. If you need a printed copy, the digital version is a printable PDF.
You may also notice that the fairbook is 4-H/FFA only. Open class exhibit entry has been postponed until 2021.
Accommodations have been made for COVID-19 pertaining to livestock and static fair entries. They can be found under the General Rules section. Changes have also been made to the 2020 County Fair Schedule (see below). Please note, because of the evolving circumstances, we may need to change plans, or even cancel plans at the last minute. Thank you in advance for being flexible and understanding. Some of the changes include:
- Static Exhibit Entry Process - check-in at a specific time by last name; exhibitors will be asked to print their own entry tags
- Static Exhibit Judging - judges will handle exhibit as little as possible; will not taste foods exhibits
- Static Exhibit Pick-up Process - check-out at a specific time by last name
- No pre-entry for Poultry or Rabbits; Please Pre-enter Broilers
- Livestock Shows - Show & Go - check-in in the morning of show day, leave following the show; certain shows or classes during shows will require exhibitors to wear masks
- Spectators - will be asked to bring lawn chairs as no bleachers will be provided.
- Stalling on the Fairgrounds - no overnight stalling at the fairgrounds
- Camping - no camping in 2020
- Premium Checks will be mailed following the 2020 Gage County Fair
Volunteers, We Need You! Sign-up by July 15!
Volunteers are the heart of 4-H. We invite teens, adults, grandparents, and others to join in the 4-H summer excitement! You’ll meet new people, learn new skills, & have a great time. We have spots for all types of events, there's sure to be something that interests you. Areas are sorted into Pre-Fair Events, 4-H Building, Large Animal, Small Animal, Horse Show.
- Pre-Fair Volunteer Opportunities
- 4-H Building Events & Opportunities
- 4-H Building Superintendent Sign Up
- 4-H/FFA Horse Show
- 4-H/FFA Large Animal
- 4-H/FFA Small Animal
New for 2020, all volunteers need to go through a screening to assist with 4-H related activities (including 4-H County Fair activities). There are two different types of volunteers, and screenings that go with these volunteers. You must fill out the form prior to volunteering.
- Direct Volunteers – All 4-H Volunteers who work directly with youth (examples include: ring personnel at livestock shows, room monitors for contests, etc)– must complete the Direct Volunteer Form (Printable or Electronic or through 4HOnline – still open for volunteer enrollment) & DHHS Background Check ($5 fee – reimbursable with Runza Meal Voucher from Extension Office). Must be approved prior to completing the volunteer activity. If you have enrolled as a volunteer on 4HOnline, then they have already done this!
- Indirect Volunteers – Any person who provides support services for Youth Activities (examples include: opening gates, announcers, superintendents, 4-H Building host, weigh-in, etc.)– must complete the Indirect Volunteer Application (Printable or Electronic) and must be approved prior to completing the volunteer activity. If your volunteer has enrolled as a volunteer on 4HOnline or filled out the Direct Volunteer form, they do not need to fill out the Indirect VolunteerApplication.
If you have a question regarding which of these volunteer roles you will be fulfilling, please contact the Extension Office (402) 223-1384.
Nebraska Extension - Gage County
Email: Gage-County@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/gage/
Location: 1115 West Scott Street, Beatrice, NE, USA
Phone: 402-223-1384
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionGageCo/
Twitter: @GageCoExtension