Washington County Weekly 4-H Update
December 17, 2018
IN THIS WEEK'S 4-H UPDATE...
- Achievement Celebration Awards to be Picked Up!
- 2018-2019 4-H Enrollment
- How to Become a Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
- 2019 Special Garden Project Announced!
- 8th Annual Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
- Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop
- 2019 District 4-H Horse Show Locations Announced
- 2019 Washington County Fair Pass
- COME JOIN OUR TEAM!
- 2019 International Horse Show
- 2019 4-H Camp Registration OPEN!
- Big Red Summer Academic Camps
- Ag Innovators - Teen State Lead Team Application
- UNL Teachers Scholars Academy Applications
- Scholarships
- 4-H Cat Club
- Nebraska Equine Webinar Series
Hey! Did you know that NEW INFORMATION is bolded?!
Achievement Celebration Awards to be Picked Up!
Notice a familiar name on this list? This means you have an Achievement Celebration Award to be picked up at our office! Remember, our office is open Monday - Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm.
4-H'ers:
Stevie Avila
Drake Becerra
Lainey Bilau
Peyton Brazelton
Chevelle Brown
Kirsten Chesson
Veronica Cifarelli
Nadia Davey
Triston Dein
Luke Donner
Braylee Duckworth
Melanie Gondringer
Jasmine Goslin
Caroline Haas
Kate Hoefker
Alexandra Jabens
Connor Jabens
Olivia Jacobs
Lexington Jones
Trent Koger
Linnea Krizmanich
Tyler Kuhr
Brynn Ludwick
Annika Melhus
Alana Murphy
Mallory Rollins
Carly Sass
Cyris Sass
Isaac Schaefer
Caleb Schoeneck
Waylon Seffern
Elijah Sukraw
Gabriel Vaughan
William VonBehren
Addison Warner
Alexis Warner
Brock Warner
4-H Clubs with Club and 4-H'er Awards to be picked up:
Boots and Bells
Champions
Country At Heart
Friends At The Fort
Future Producers
Golden Gate Clever Clovers
Happy Hearts
Horse Lovers Club
RoboBears
Washington County Archery
Windy Acres
4-H Enrollment for 2018-2019 is OPEN!
We comply with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Policy and Procedures. The $10 Enrollment fee from each youth covers the cost of insurance for youth safety. You can find the entire Policy and Procedure Handbook here: https://4h.unl.edu/policy-handbook
Volunteer Screening for 2019
Once you enroll as an adult volunteer on 4-H Online, 4-H Staff will send your information to the State 4-H Office. You will then receive a link to an online system where you will need to fill out the application. Once submitted, you will receive an email from DHHS.CFSCR@Nebraska.gov to complete your screening.
Note: NEW volunteers must be screened this year. The rotation schedule for Re-screening is every 5 years. Re-screening for the Metro district is in 2022.
4-H Online Enrollment Tip
For the 2019 4-H Enrollment, 4-H members and leaders will not have past 4-H projects listed in the new enrollment system. However, if you want to review what a member or leader enrolled in the past as you identify and add projects for 2019 (2018-2019) follow the step below.
GO TO: https://ne.4honline.com/
• Based on your profile – enter your email and password
• Continue to Family BUTTON/ICON
• Member Reports (Third Box Down)
• Select - Member: Select Member (family member)
• Select - Report: Member – Enrollment History
• The system will download a report that you will need to OPEN.
• This PDF document will include all of the past history of your family MEMBER. The history (if applicable) will include history since 2014-2015 which was the year that this online system was implemented state wide.
Keep in mind - 4-H members are REQUIRED to be entered in the project by JUNE 15 if entering as a fair exhibit.
How to Become a Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
By Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator
Nebraska Extension Master Gardeners are Extension-educated volunteers who make a difference in their communities, reaching people from all backgrounds and ethnicities about research-based gardening information. Knowing lots about gardening before joining the program is not a requirement. Becoming a Master Gardener involves a love of learning and the ability to volunteer to share gardening knowledge with others.
The first step in becoming a Master Gardener Intern is to attend an informational meeting. This will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:00 pm at the Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 West 23rd Street in Fremont. At this no-obligation meeting you will find information on the class schedule for 2019, the number of volunteer hours required, applications to the program, and assistance in determining if this volunteer program is a good fit for you. You will also get a chance to visit with a Master Gardener to learn of their experience in the program. Applications to the program are only available at this meeting, so if you plan to attend, please let us know you are coming by calling 402.727.2775 or emailing kcue2@unl.edu.
Master Gardener applicants are interviewed in a fun and welcoming environment. Interns will be assigned a Master Gardener mentor to help with transitioning them through the program. Classes begin on March 6. The cost of the education is $175 and includes the Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Handbook, a t-shirt, name badge, and hand-outs. If this fee is a challenge for you, other options will be shared at the informational meeting.
Master Gardeners share a strong sense of fellowship and purpose, helping people in their community and county create environments that are healthy, productive and diverse. Hope to see you at the informational meeting!
2019 Special Garden Project Announced!
The Special Garden Project is a way to offer 4-H members the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. Last year over 1375 4-H members were enrolled in the project. This year the Special Garden Project is focused on the unique Carmine Splendor Okra. Carmine Splendor Okra is as unique as it is tasty. This plant is high yielding and produces uniform, red pods. The stout 5-pointed pods are deep red when small and at the best eating quality. The tropical-looking, pinkish flowers are also edible and have a sweet, mild flavor. The mature seed pods also give a fun twist for winter interest in a container.
PROCESS & GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION
Step 1: Enroll -
Enroll for the Special Gardening Project through 4-H Online. There is a small enrollment fee of $0.50 for this project which covers the cost of seeds.
Step 2: Order Seeds
To order your seeds, contact the Washington County 4-H staff at WashingtonCounty4H@unl.edu or 402-426-9455 to let us know how many seed packets you need. If you do not contact our office, seeds might not be available for you. We will be ordering seeds as a county unit then distribute them to our enrolled members. Place your order as early as possible BY JANUARY 31.
Step 3: Pick Up Seeds
Seeds will be sent to the Extension office and available for pick up in April or May. We will be getting the word out once they arrive in our office.
Step 4: Plant & Cultivate
Review regular project newsletters and resources as they become available. These materials will help guide you through the project experiences, solve problems, and prepare your projects for exhibition. Visit the website at https://4h.unl.edu/special-gardening-project
Step 5: Exhibit at County & State Fairs
Exhibits - Youth must be enrolled in the Special Garden Project through 4-H Online in order to exhibit in the State Fair eligible classes:
- Class G775001 - Special Gardening Project Educational Exhibit - The educational exhibit is based on what was learned from the project. Present information on a 14"x22" poster or in a clear plastic report cover. The 4-H member's name, age, full address, and county must be on the back of the poster or report cover. Fresh cut flowers or harvested vegetables should be entered in class G775002
- Class G775002 - Special Gardening Project Fresh Cut Flowers or Harvested Vegetables - The current year's Special Garden project fresh cut flowers or harvest vegetables should be entered in this class. Bring 5 pods following the guidelines in the publication, 4H226 Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruit for Exhibits (revised 2016). The desirable traits the judge is looking for are 2-4" long pods that are the same maturity and uniform in size. Avoid selecting pods that are damaged by insects, misshapen, or over-mature.
Step 6: Complete Evaluation
Complete the evaluation no matter what happened. If every single plant lived, insects ate them off, or even if they all died, fill out the evaluation near the end of the growing season (around State Fair time).
Let us know if you have any questions!
8th Annual Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
Do you enjoy being outside? Learning new things about crops? Considering a career involving crops, insects, diseases, soils, water or more? Do you want to help figure out how to feed our world’s growing population in a sustainable way?
Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board are offering the 8th Innovative Youth Corn Challenge contest. This contest, open to 4-H members (age 10 & older as of Jan. 1st) or FFA members (in-school members), guides participants through all aspects of corn production, as well as agricultural careers related to corn production.
As a team (2 or more participants), youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal to determine if they increased their yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice will also be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary.
Cash prizes and plaques are given. First place receives $1,000, second place receives $500, and third place receives $250. Sustainability, crop scouting and “extra mile” awards are also given as cash awards.
To participate in 2019, youth must complete and return an entry form by March 15th to the Fillmore County Extension Office in Geneva, NE. Forms can be downloaded after January 1st at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/activities. For more information, contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop will be held January 12-13 at the Nebraska Game & Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. The deadline to register for the Lincoln session is January 2.
Volunteers have the opportunity to become certified as an adult (21 years and older) or apprentice (14-20 years old) leader. Five project areas will be offered at the Lincoln Workshop - rifle, pistol, muzzleloading, coordinator, and archery. The Coordinator certification being offered in Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports is for individuals who work with certified shooting sports leaders, 4-H club leaders for shooting sports projects, 4-H volunteers managing shooting sports events/competitions.
Coordinators will explore and learn more about the different disciplines in 4-H Shooting Sports, how to support the different types of coaches, structuring a budget, designing a fund-raising plan, building an overall plan focused on Positive Youth Development, practice handling conflict, discover how to manage and recruit volunteers, best practices for managing events and competitions, teaching more than just “shooting” with science and healthy lifestyles, and working within your county’s 4-H structure.
There is a minimum number of participants needed to offer these disciplines at the workshop. Workshop participants will learn under expert instruction from members of the Nebraska State 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team.
The registration fee is $110.00 per person for initial certification and those individuals adding an additional discipline except for Coordinator. The registration fee for Coordinator is $80 for this workshop. This fee includes meals, supplies and program materials. The registration fee after January 2nd is $160. Participants must make their own lodging arrangements. Registration on Saturday runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Please share this information with volunteers in your county. For more workshop information and registration link, go to the 4-H Shooting Sports web page. Registration is available only online at the link provided in the brochure or they can register directly by clicking HERE.
The Washington County 4-H Council provides support to Washington County 4-H volunteers interested in getting certified in the state 4-H shooting sports program. The 4-H Council will cover the cost of registration and will provide some travel funds to individuals who attend the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop and who will be donating their time and talents to support our county 4-H shooting sports program.
For more workshop information and the registration link, go to the 4-H Shooting Sports web page. If you have questions, please contact the Extension Office.
District 4-H Horse Shows - Locations Announced!
The 2019 District 4-H Horse Shows have been finalized. The following are the 2019 district dates and sites:
- Monday, June 10, 2019 - Bloomfield, NE (Washington County Assignment)
- Tuesday, June 11, 2019 - Elkhorn, NE
- Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - Ord, NE
- Thursday, June 13, 2019 - Ogallala, NE
- Friday, June 14, 2019 - McCook, NE
All entries are due to county offices by May 10, 2019. ALL level testing required for participation in the 2019 District 4-H Horse Shows MUST be completed by May 10, 2019.
The 2019 State 4-H Horse Show will be July 14-18, 2019, at Fonner Park.
COME JOIN OUR TEAM!
Extension Educator - Food, Nutrition & Health (Washington County)
Position remains OPEN until JANUARY 14, 2019. If you know any December 2018 or May 2019 graduates, encourage them to apply!
This is a full-time, year-round, non-tenured position. The educator’s home base (office) will be Blair, NE in Washington County. The subject matter focus for this educator is Food, Nutrition and Health. This educator’s primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources as an active participant in one or more of Nebraska Extension’s statewide issue teams. This educator’s geographic region includes Washington, Dodge, Burt, and Saunders Counties.
For more information, go to: https://employment.unl.edu/postings/60929
2019 International Horse Show
In 2019 the International Omaha will be expanding the "Horse Discovery Zone" with more interactive, educational, and fun displays. We are also creating "Tack Trunks" that teachers and admin can "check-out" before the International Omaha to do some pre-education before attending the event.
As always we will also give each student an activity book filled with games, horse terms, and a voucher for up to six free tickets to any one of the ticketed competitions.
Visit https://www.internationalomaha.com/school-field-trips for more information
2019 Summer 4-H Camp REGISTRATION OPEN!
Registration is now open for 2019 summer camps! New in 2019, the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center will be exclusively offering weeklong day camps for youth ages 6-15. Additionally, chartered transportation will be available from Gretna and Grand Island for several camps at the Nebraska State 4-H Camp in Halsey.
Big Red Summer Academic Camps
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential, career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. By participating in a camp youth get the opportunity to explore the UNL campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! During the week-long camps, participants will work with UNL faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like filmmaking or crop science. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where youth showcase their achievements.
You can learn more info here: https://4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps
Ag Innovators Teen Lead Application
Nebraska was selected as one of five states to deliver the 2019 Ag Innovators Experience. This year's Experience is about Native Bees and will include a variety of hands-on activities for teens to facilitate. Across the state, teen teachers will help deliver the educational experience to 1,000 youth through a variety of delivery modes.
Teens are encouraged to apply to be on the Nebraska State Led Team. This team consisting of three teens and an Extension Educator will attend the national training on February 8-10, 2019 in Ames, IA. The application is due January 3 and can be found here: . https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bjG7vCfsxIwU7jf
University of Nebraska Lincoln Teacher Scholars Academy Applications
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Teacher Scholars Academy is now accepting applications. This opportunity is for students who want to build a career in teaching and contribute to the future of Nebraska’s next generation.
Applications are being accepted for students who fit the following criteria:
- any incoming freshman (who has applied or will apply to the University of Nebraska Lincoln) and will begin their studies in Fall 2019
- who is majoring in teacher education (elementary, secondary, early childhood, special education, agricultural education, or music education);
- and is committed to becoming the backbone of school transformation, a reflective thinker who will continue to grow and develop beyond their degree
Application information, and more information about the UNL Teacher Scholars Academy, can be found at https://cehs.unl.edu/cehs/teachers-scholars-academy/
Scholarships!
Be sure to regularly check out our website for updated scholarship information!
4-H Cat Club
Cat Club is a monthly webinar series offering educational information about caring for your cat and showing your cat in 4-H. Youth do not need to be enrolled in 4-H or in the 4-H cat project to participate. Cat Club is a great resource for anyone interested in showing cats in 4-H whether you have one now or not! Youth of all ages are welcome to join. Webinar topics change each month and cover topics such as vaccination, diseases, grooming, diet, reproduction, breeds, genetics, selecting a cat, at home cat setup, and showmanship.
The Cat Club series is held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm CT.
Nebraska Equine Webinar Series
The Equine Webinar Series is a great place for 4-H leaders and/or parents and senior aged youth to gain knowledge in many different areas. Each month will cover a different topic and have various experts in those areas. The webinars are hosted online using Zoom, a video conferencing service.
Equine Webinars will be hosted on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:00 PM CT.
Washington County Extension | 4-H
Autumn Lemmer, 4-H Extension Assistant - alemmer2@unl.edu
Mary Larsen, 4-H Support Staff - mlarsen9@unl.edu
Email: washington-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/washington/
Location: 597 Grant St, Blair, NE, United States
Phone: 402-426-9455
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLWashingtonCounty/?ref=hl
Twitter: @WCNE4H