The 4-H Update
April 17, 2020
AT-HOME LEARNING RESOURCES
We've created a resource tool for school teachers and community members to refer to during this time of at-home learning. Take a look and feel free to "share" across your social platforms - it's for everyone!
A Beautiful Day!
A Beautiful Day is a virtual early childhood space designed to connect with children and families in Nebraska and across the world. This space was created as a way to share ideas, to foster learning & play, and to support caregivers experiencing physical distancing. More videos will be added on a regular basis.
from the A Beautiful Day team...
"We are deeply grateful for everyone who contributed to this project. Our inspiration came from Fred Rogers who said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” It took a deeply committed and caring group to create and share these fun, creative, and playful videos. Thank you to David von Kampen for composing beautiful music for many of our videos which captures the spirit of Fred Rogers and to Ruby Miller (age 9) who created the sun picture for A Beautiful Day. For more ideas, check out Sesame Street's Caring for Each Other resource!"
We hope you enjoy playing with us! #abeautifuldayUNL
GUESS THE 4-H STAFF - RESULTS!
WE CHALLENGED YOU TO GUESS WHO EACH PICTURE BELONGS TO.
See the picture titles below to see if your guesses were correct!
CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR GUESS THE 4-H STAFF ROUND 2!
Project Idea: Time Capsule Scrapbook
While the world is experiencing a pandemic, focus on the good memories you have by creating a personal or family time capsule.
Download the PDF document here!
Department: Leadership, Citizenship & Personal Development
Division: You Design It
Class: 905
WHERE TO FIND FAIR INFORMATION
Looking for additional information about contest and fair deadlines?
Find it all here!
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/sarpy-county-and-nebraska-state-fairs/
YQCA FLASH SALE!
In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the YQCA Board is announcing a 25% flash sale on web based certification in April! Here is how to take advantage of this opportunity.
Only offered during the month of April (April 1 – April 30), YQCA will be offering a 25% discount on web-based trainings, making them $9.
- Those wishing to take part in the flash sale will need to purchase $9 web-based training coupons from YQCA. Coupon order forms are attached to this message or may be obtained by emailing sales@yqca.org. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNTED PRICE.
- Once the order form and proof of payment is received, coupons will be issued and returned to the purchaser within 3-5 business days.
- Coupons MUST be used towards a web-based training by April 30, 2020.
- If payment was received via credit card, the payment will be refunded.
- If payment was received via coupon code, that coupon code will be active again. This coupon code does not expire and would be able to be used in future years.
Horse Project Updates - DUE TO COVID19
a note from Nebraska 4-H...
Horse Advancement Level Update - March 2020
- Due to the COVID-19 situation and social distancing, there will be changes in 4-H horse Advancement Level Testing. In order to abide by social distancing recommendations, skills and demonstration testing are on hold.
- We are encouraging youth to complete the written test, which will be offered online, and the reports/feed chart/healthcare charts as these pieces can be completed by youth at home. The goal is to offer the skills test and demonstration after May 9, 2020.
- For 2020, we are also cancelling the District Horse Shows. All youth will be allowed to enter the Fonner Park State 4-H Expo without qualifying. Entries to the State 4-H Expo are due June 15 and the deadline for passing the advancement levels will be extended to June 15.
Dates to Note:
- Written Advancement Tests Available On-Line: March 25, 2020
- Skills and Demonstration Testing Available (depending upon social distancing recommendations): May 9
- Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Show Entry Date - June 15, 2020 to the county office
- Advancement Levels Completed Date for State Entries: June 15, 2020
- Stampede Entries Due: June 15, 2020
ADVANCEMENT LEVEL TESTING PROCEDURES
LEVEL 1-3 REQUIREMENTS
- Written exam: the youth can take the written exams online. Extension staff can access the links to the exams at: https://4h.unl.edu/employee/horse. Extension staff and horse examiners please only provide the link to one exam at a time to a youth. There are 4 exams for each level available (A, B, C, and D). If a youth does not receive at least an 80% on their first attempt, they will need to re-take the exam but a different version. It is recommended that youth receive one link and are asked to take the exam without using any resources. At the same website above you can find the link to a spreadsheet that lists all of the youths quiz results.
- Skills test: currently on hold. The hope is to make these tests available after May 9th. We will continue to monitor social distancing practices.
- Demonstration: Skills test: currently on hold. The hope is to make these tests available after May 9th. We will continue to monitor social distancing practices.
LEVEL 2 & 3 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Written report and feed chart emailed to county office at time of completion. Youth are encouraged to complete these while we are all practicing social distancing.
LEVEL 3 – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT
- Health care paper emailed to county office at time of completion. Youth are encouraged to complete these while we are all practicing social distancing.
LEVEL 4 – REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstration, written report, and skills test – follow same protocols as above
LIVESTOCK ID TAG NOTICE
Ear tags for market beef, swine, feeder calves and bucket calves may still be purchased. Please contact Brett if needing these tags to make arrangements for pick up at the Omaha or Papillion Offices.
DNA envelopes are also available for pick up upon request. No money is accepted for these. This will be paid for during the nomination process for the state fair & AKSARBEN
*All DNA Envelopes need to be returned to Brett by June 15th.*
- 2 types of tags: County Only ($2.50, orange) and State/AKSARBEN Included ($3.00, white EID)
- Families will pay for DNA Envelopes online when registering. DO NOT pay for them at the Extension office.
- All tags MUST be in place (in animal) by the June 15 enrollment deadline. Be aware of this requirement to avoid disqualifications.
LIVESTOCK ID DEADLINES
Beef, Sheep, Goat, Swine and Rabbit Projects: ID sheet completed and returned by June 15th.
All LIVESTOCK ID sheets can be found on our website here:
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/sarpy-county-and-nebraska-state-fairs/
YQCA Training - REQUIRED!
REMEMBER! All youth working with livestock animals MUST complete YQCA training & certification to be eligible for current 4-H year BY JUNE 15!
More information can be found here:
HORSE CARE IN A CRISIS
UNL & Nebraska Extension have shared resources on how to care for your horse during a crisis. Check out the links below for this useful resource & share with your friends!
Defining Essential Equine Care During a Pandemic:
https://horses.extension.org/defining-essential-equine-care-during-a-pandemic/
FAQs on Essential Equine Activities During a Pandemic:
https://horses.extension.org/covid-19-infographic-for-equine-faqs/
Developing a Personal Preparedness Plan:
https://horses.extension.org/covid-19-infographic-on-essential-and-nonessential-equine-care/
LOCAL 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
Bloom Where You Are
In the past few weeks, we have all experienced intense change. Every change is part of a growth story that allows us to bloom into who we are meant to be.
Blooms and growth inspire hope. This spring, the JMG (Junior Master Gardener) team will be sharing flowers in bloom every morning on our Facebook page, and we'd love to see pictures of yours as well! Click the link to see today's post.
STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
4-H Clinics, Shows & Programs
- Livestock Judging Camp: June 2/3-5 @ Lincoln
- Goat, Beef & Sheep Progress Show: June 20 @ Chadron
- Papio Valley Livestock Show: June 27 @ Springfield
VIRTUAL DOG CLUB
Are you and your dog at home with nothing to do? Have you thought of training your dog, but didn’t know where to start? Join our 4-H Virtual Dog Club to get started on training your dog at home. You just need a few minutes each day to build the relationship with your dog and improve their behavior.
The club will provide some training tips each week with short videos. You can submit videos of your training progress as we go and get feedback from dog experts. The club is open to all 4-H youth and will focus initially on beginning obedience, but will expand to showmanship and agility as skills increase.
For questions, contact Lisa Karr (lisa.karr@unl.edu).
For more information and to sign up, go to: https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-dog-club
COMPANION RABBIT COURSES
A new Companion Rabbit Science Online Course is now available for 4-H youth. The target age is middle school, but could be done by other ages as well. The course overs anatomy, physiology, health, and nutrition as care of companion rabbits.
Here is a link to the webpage for the class:
4-H Horse Stampede – DATE CHANGE
The 4-H Stampede is now moved to July 12, 2020 at Fonner Park in Grand Island.
Additional information will be shared soon.
All youth will need to re-enter if they were previously entered for the March contest.
NEW ENTRY DEADLINE: June 12th
Companion Animal Challenge - DATE & FORMAT CHANGE
Due to COVID-19, the University has taken measures to help protect the UNL community and broader community. To decrease large group gathering instances, we have decided to continue the Companion Animal Contest through remote means. Youth will need to re-enter if they were previously entered for Companion Animal Challenge by using the new entry form (online) through Google Docs.
The event will return to its regular format for 2021.
Find detailed information here: https://unl.box.com/s/z6er1uje3rurywsmcustkohtpfdl3078
Reoccurring Events
Camp 101 Meetings - ONLINE!
Scheduled sessions:
- April 16 @ 6pm
Meetings can be accessed here: https://unl.zoom.us/j/7874401325
Equine Webinar Series - ONLINE!
The Equine Webinar Series, hosted by Kathy Andersen (UNL), will teach how to better coach youth, start a judging team with your club, and more.
Connection information for these once a month webinars can be found here:
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
Email: douglas-sarpy4h@unl.edu
Website: www.douglas-sarpy.unl.edu
Location: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-444-7804
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaExtensioninDouglasSarpyCounties/