Hall County 4-H Newsletter
February 2022
In This Issue
- Celebrate Nebraska 4-H Month
- Welcome LaDonna Obermiller
- Enroll in Hall County 4-H
- Quilts of Valor Workshop
- Summer Camp
- What is 4-H Age?
- Pick Your Project
- 4-H Club Resources
- Special Garden Project
- Special Agronomy Project
- Companion Animal Programs
- Scholarships
- Shooting Sports
- Horse News
- Livestock Updates
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Statewide 4-H Events & Opportunities
- Nebraska 4-H Month Bingo
- Calendar
Welcome LaDonna!
LaDonna Obermiller is our new 4-H Extension Assistant in Hall County! LaDonna grew up on a farm in Howard County. She has two adult children, their spouses and one adorable granddaughter. LaDonna has been involved in Hall County 4-H since approximately 2006, serving on Hall County 4-H Council, Companion Animal Superintendent, and club leader of Kountryside Kids 4-H Club. "I am excited to join the Hall County Extension Office and Hall County 4-H team. I look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone."
It's Time to Enroll in 4-H!
We are excited to share that the NEW 4-H enrollment website is up & running! The website has a new look & has been upgraded with several new features. Please read “Tips for Completing Your
4-H Enrollment” before starting this process.
Quilts of Valor Workshop
Join us on Saturday, March 5th from 1-4 pm for a Quilts of Valor workshop to sew together a quilt top! Julie Ochsner, from the Adams County Extension Office, will lead this program. Quilts of Valor is a statewide community service project where quilts are created and donated to service men/women who are protecting our country and who are touched by war. The quilts are collected and given through the Quilts of Valor Foundation. All supplies will be provided for this workshop. We just need sewers! It is open to all youth who have a basic knowledge of running a sewing machine. Please bring a sewing helper with you, as well as a sewing machine that you are comfortable using, or we can provide one for you. The workshop will be held at the Hall County Extension Office meeting room. Register for the workshop by Friday, March 4th at noon by calling the Extension Office at 308-385-5088.
Questions? Please contact D’Ette at the Extension Office or the sewing club leaders, Barb Hovie (308-379-5208) or Annette Schimmer (308-379-7191).
What is 4-H Age?
Often you hear about 4-H age for events and activities and sometimes it’s confusing. Here is how to determine 4-H age. 4-H is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 18 (4-H age).
- 4-H Age: The age of the youth before January 1 of the current year.
- 4-H eligibility is determined based on 4-H age (the age of the member on December 31 of the previous year). If your birthday is on January 1, your 4-H age is the age you were on December 31. If you turn eight on January 1, your 4-H age is seven. If you turn nine on January 1, your 4-H age is eight.
- Clover Kid eligibility: The first year of eligibility is 4-H age five and the last year of eligibility is 4-H age seven.
- Regular 4-H eligibility: The first year of eligibility is 4-H age 8 and the last year of eligibility is 4-H age 18.
Pick Your Project
Pick Your Project (https://4hcurriculum.unl.edu) is an online project selection guide for finding both county-only and state fair eligible 4-H fair projects and their resources. Users can search by keywords or browse by curriculum area, knowledge level, and geographic level.
Explore over 150 Nebraska 4-H projects through the Nebraska 4-H Pick Your Project and find the 4-H projects that will help you grow throughout 2022!
4-H Club Resources:
Have you been thinking of starting your own 4-H club?
It's easier than you might think! Contact Megan or D'Ette; we would be happy to answer any questions! We have the tools to help you get started! Call 308-385-5088 or email mknuth3@unl.edu. You can also check out this website: https://4h.unl.edu/clubs/start.
Looking for a club meeting space?
The Hall County Sheriff’s Posse (HCSP) would like to invite 4-H clubs and Independent 4-H members to use their facility for FREE, all year round. They are a non-profit, family-oriented organization which was established in 1985. Their 10-acre facility offers an indoor and outdoor riding arena, clubhouse with a full kitchen and meeting room. They are located just south of Fonner View Golf Course, sharing the same driveway.
The Hall County Sheriff's Posse offers the facility FREE OF CHARGE all year round, to all 4-H clubs that are in Hall county and surrounding counties for 4-H club fundraisers and activities (Hall, Sherman, Howard, Merrick, Hamilton, Clay, Adams, Kearney, and Buffalo). This is a GREAT opportunity to have a place for practice rides and fund-raising events for all 4-H club categories. Please check out their NEW Facebook page.
For more information, please contact Jamie Sich at 308-379-3368 or email vbarj@yahoo.com or jamie@grosshansinc.com for more information.
Project Spotlight:
2022 Special Garden Project - Rubenza Cosmos
The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual flowers and vegetables. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their feet wet in this project area. This project is open to all youth of 4-H age, and it will give them the opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting and exhibiting this unique flower. Deadline for ordering seeds is February 15.
For more information about this project & to order seeds, go to: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/announcing-the-2022-4-h-special-garden-project/.
(Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Select Seeds)
2022 Special Agronomy Project - Broomcorn Sorghum
The 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. Deadline for ordering seeds is February 15. For more information about this project, go to: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/special-agronomy-project.
(Photo courtesy of seedsavers.org)
Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Programs
Companion animals are diverse groups of animals that include dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, companion birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and many more! The Nebraska 4-H companion animal programs offer opportunities for youth to develop life skills and obtain knowledge of companion animals.
- Companion Animal Webinar Series
- Dog Achievement Program
- Companion Rabbit Science
- Companion Cat Science
- And much more!
Go to 4h.unl.edu/companion-animal to check it out!
Scholarships:
Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation supports 4-H in many ways, from scholarships and grants to 4-H clubs to offering programs such as the Nebraska 4-H Ambassador and 4-H Club of the Month programs.
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation provides 4-H members the opportunity to apply for scholarships. All scholarship applications must be submitted via the Annual Achievement Application; the deadline has been extended to February 5, 2022. For guidelines and more information, go to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website: www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships.
Hall County 4-H Council Scholarships
The Hall County 4-H Council is sponsoring scholarships valued at $500 each! The scholarships are available to current Hall County 4-H members who are graduating seniors this year. Applications are due March 1st to the Hall County Extension Office at 3180 W Hwy 34, Grand Island, NE 68801 or cbeissenherz2@unl.edu. The application can be found at hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/ or picked up at the Extension Office.
Hall County Agricultural Society Ag Committee Scholarships
Two scholarships valued at $500 will be awarded to high school graduating seniors who are pursuing a program/career in agriculture/agribusiness. The scholarships will be given to applicants living or attending school in Hall County. The scholarships will be sent directly to the college, university, or technical school upon proof of registration. Applications are due March 1st. For more information, go to hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/.
Shooting Sports:
Hunter's Education
If you plan to participate in the shotgun or rifle project this year and have turned 12, make sure you take a hunter’s safety course first. To register, visit http://outdoornebraska.gov/huntereducation/.
Horse News:
Upcoming 4-H Horse Advisory Meeting
All 4-H families interested in showing horses this year are welcome to attend this meeting on February 7th at 6 pm at the Extension office. The agenda includes setting a date for our July Ride-Night and discussing the show order. This meeting counts as one of the meetings for High Point requirements.
Horse High Point Requirements
Reminder: Two of the three spring/summer horse meetings MUST be attended to be eligible for the High Point award. These meetings are held in February, May, and July. The 4-H member will be required to attend at least one meeting themselves, and a representative (parent or club leader) may attend the other meeting.
Livestock Updates:
Face-To-Face YQCA Training in Hall County
- Date: Monday, March 7, 2022
- Times (choose 1): 4 pm, 6 pm
- Location: Hall County Extension meeting room
*YQCA Training is REQUIRED for all youth (4-H age 8-18) planning to show beef, swine, sheep, goats, dairy, poultry & rabbits at County and/or State Fair.
Face to face training costs $3 per youth (compared to $12 for the online course) and takes less time than the online training. Youth MUST be enrolled in 4-H Online for the upcoming 4-H year BEFORE completing YQCA training.
Follow these steps:
- Enroll in 4-H Online at https://v2.4honline.com (remember to use your same login information from last year if you are a returning 4-H member).
- Visit https://yqca.learngrow.io/account/login and sign in with the email and password you use for 4-H Online.
- Find the training session you will attend on the list and register. Be sure you select the correct date, location, and trainer Megan Knuth/Doug Anderson.
- Pay the $3 fee with a credit card.
- Please contact the office to let us know which session you are attending.
- Attend the training.
If the above date/times do not work for you, there are other opportunities for face-to-face YQCA trainings in nearby counties. Call the Extension Office for more information at 308-385-5088.
Volunteer Opportunities:
4-H Livestock Leadership Opportunities
Hall County 4-H is looking for someone to fill the roles of Poultry Superintendent, Meat Goat Superintendent, Companion Animal Superintendent and Herdsmanship Superintendent. The superintendents take the reins at the show, help answer questions, and are encouraged to attend meetings, if applicable. If you are interested in volunteering, or you know someone who would be great at any of these roles, contact Megan at mknuth3@unl.edu or LaDonna at lobermiller2@unl.edu, or call 308-385-5088.
Seeking Junior Superintendents!
We are seeking a few more 4-H Junior Superintendents for the static exhibit area during the Hall County Fair! If you’re a teen and enjoy static exhibits, this volunteer role is perfect for you! The dates/times include Wednesday, July 20th from 3:30-6:30 pm for exhibit entry and Thursday, July 21st from 8:30 am until judging is completed. We know teens are busy with many summer activities. We will work with the time they have available! Please call D'Ette by Monday, February 7th if you have questions or are interested at 385-5088 or email dscholtz2@unl.edu Thanks!
- Jr. Superintendent in the Kids College Dept.
- Jr. Superintendent in the Communications Dept. (Citizenship, Safety, Clover Kids, Visual Arts)
- Jr Superintendent in the Home Environment Dept.
Join the 4-H Companion Animal Advisory Committee!
2022 Calendar - Upcoming Events
February 2 - Extension Board Meeting, 4:30 pm at the Extension office.
February 7 - Horse advisory meeting, 6 pm at the Extension office.
February 21 - President's Day; Extension office closed.
March 5 - Quilts of Valor Workshop, 1-4 pm at the Extension office.
March 7 - Face-to-Face YQCA Training, 4 pm and 6 pm at the Extension office.
March 29 - 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension office.
May 2 - Horse advisory meeting, 6 pm at the Extension office.
May 23 - Sheep & Goat weigh-in, 5:30-7:30 pm at Fonner Park.
June 29 - Clothing Judging Day & 4-H Fashion Show
July 20-24 - Hall County Fair
D'Ette Scholtz
4-H Youth Development
Megan Knuth
4-H Youth Development
LaDonna Obermiller
4-H Youth Development
Crystal Beissenherz
Joyce Krolikowski
Nebraska Extension - Hall County
Email: hall-county@unl.edu
Website: hall.unl.edu
Location: 3180 W Hwy 34, College Park, Grand Island, Nebraska, USA
Phone: 308-385-5088
Facebook: facebook.com/HallCounty4HNebraska
Twitter: @4HHoopla