Hall County 4-H Newsletter
April 2024
SIGN UP FOR KIDS COLLEGE!
4-H SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Senior Survey (Current & Last Year’s Seniors)
Parents, we would appreciate your help in sending this survey link to your senior (and last year’s seniors as well) and have them complete it. This short survey will help us share the value of 4-H in our community. Thank you! 4-H Senior Survey (google.com)
The 2024 Hall County 4-H Fair Book is Ready!
The Fair Book contains 4-H project class descriptions, premiums & much more. Check it out here: https://hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/. Listed below is a summary of new classes & class changes.
Updates in Rules & General Information for Livestock for 2024
- Dress Code: No exhibitor number harnesses may be worn (page 5).
- Handling Equipment: beef, meat goat (pages 9 & 10).
- Showing & Handling Practices: sheep, meat goats (page 10).
NEW Class for 2024
- Woodworking: Wood Projects created on a Turning Lathe
Class Changes for 2024
- Visual Arts: Numerous updates/class changes. Sketchbook Crossroads & Portfolio Pathways divisions have been changed to Visual Art Mediums & Visual Art Themes.
- Home Environment division is now called Home Design & Restoration.
- Aerospace division is now called STEM: Rockets.
Project Areas Removed in 2024
- Theater Arts
- Attention Shoppers (merged with Shopping in Style)
- Special Entomology Project
- Small Engines
Please review ALL AREAS of the 2024 Fair Book that pertain to your projects. You may download a copy of the 2024 Fair Book here: https://hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/. If you have any questions or cannot find where your project “fits,” call 308-385-5088 or email Crystal at cbeissenherz2@unl.edu. We are here to help!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
Join Sew Crazy Sewing Club!
- Who: Any youth interested in sewing, ages 5-18.
- When: Saturday, April 6, 2024
- Where: Hall County Extension meeting room
- What Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
- April Project: Personalized bag or book covers
Club Leaders: Annette Schimmer and Barb Hovie
- Annette 308-379-7191 | netterz95@gmail.com
- Barb 308-379-5208 | barbarahovie@gmail.com
PLEASE contact Annette or Barb if you plan to attend, or if you have questions.
Save the Date! 4-H Bicycle Road-E-O
The Hall County 4-H Bike Road-E-O will be held Wednesday, May 29 at 3:30 pm at the Hall County Extension Office (north parking lot). Bring your bikes and helmets for a fun contest to test your bicycle knowledge! (Limited number of helmets available at contest). The contest involves a written test as well; study guides are available. All 4-H members (ages 5-18) are welcome to sign up; please register by May 22. Contact Crystal at 308-385-5088 or cbeissenherz2@unl.edu to register and/or receive a study guide.
SHOUT OUTS!
Hall County 4-H Fine Arts Night Results
An amazing and talented group of 4-H’ers participated in the Hall County 4-H Fine Arts Night, consisting of the Public Speaking Contest & Talent Show on March 12th at College Park. Thank you to Jesse Campbell for judging, and thanks to the following award sponsors: Eberl Plumbing & Drain, Kelly Family Dentistry, Roger & Liana Steele, and Flagle Trucking.
4-H Public Speaking Contest
Senior Speech (4-H age 14-18):
- Peyton Allan, “Eastern Red Cedar” - Champion, Purple
- Kade Kosmicki, “A Major Opportunity” - Reserve, Purple
Intermediate Speech (4-H age 11-13):
- Travis Svitak, “My 4-H Poultry Project” - Champion, Purple
Junior Speech (4-H age 8-10):
- Jaylee Hatt, “My 4-H Journey” - Champion, Purple
Novice Speech (4-H age 8-10):
- Ethan Benes, “Scoring With Your Breeding Heifer Project” - Champion, Purple
Clover Kid Speech (4-H age 5-7):
- Ridley Hatt, “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” – Participation
Public Service Announcement, Clover Kid (30 second recording):
- Conner Benes, “Hit a Home Run With 4-H” - Participation
- William Klinginsmith, “I Feel Good” - Participation
Public Service Announcement, age 8-18 (60 second recording):
- Jaylee Hatt, “I’ve Got a 4-H Feeling” - Champion, Purple
- Ethan Benes, “Hit a Home Run With 4-H” - Reserve, Blue
4-H Talent Show
Senior Division (4-H age 14-18):
- Kade Kosmicki, electric guitar - Champion, Purple
- Adrian Svitak, piano - Reserve, Blue
Intermediate Division (4-H age 11-13):
- Travis Svitak, saxophone - Champion, Purple
- Remi Buchfinck, vocal - Reserve, Blue
- James Hageman, guitar/vocal - Blue
Junior Division (4-H age 8-10):
- Naomi Frederick, clogging - Champion, Purple
- Kimber Fowler, piano - Reserve, Blue
- Charlotte G., piano - Blue
Duet/Group Division:
- Adrian & Travis Svitak, piano duet - Champion, Purple
SHOOTING SPORTS
Hunter's Education
If you plan to participate in the shotgun or rifle project this year and have turned 11 before January 1st, make sure you take a hunter’s safety course first. To register, visit http://outdoornebraska.gov/huntereducation/.
2024 Hall County 4-H Shooting Sports Schedule
The dates are set for 4-H Archery, BB Gun, 22 Rifle and Shotgun practices/competitions. (Dates & times are subject to change.) Youth who participate in practices and competitions must be enrolled in 4-H Online BEFORE practicing and competing in a 4-H Shooting Sports event. *Minimum age for Archery & BB Gun is 4-H age 8. Minimum age for 22 Rifle and Shotgun is 4-H age 11 (Hunter's Safety Certification REQUIRED). Please review the Hall County Fair Book - Shooting Sports section/rules and the 2024 Hall County 4-H Shooting Sports Schedule, located here: hall.unl.edu/4-h-contests-events/. Contact the Hall County Extension Office at 308-385-5088 with questions.
4-H Shooting Sports Information, Statewide Competitions
Go to 4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports for more information about the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports program & to view the calendar of upcoming statewide shooting sports competitions!
LIVESTOCK UPDATES
Market Broiler Project
- Order Chicks by April 16
- Hall County Fair, July 17-21
- Ages: 5-18 (Age as of December 31 of previous year)
- Cost: $22.50 for 10 chicks, $33.75 for 15 chicks, $45.00 for 20 chicks.
- Hall County 4-H enrollment is required.
- The modern broiler chicken is the fastest, most efficient, meat-producing bird. The Market Broiler project is great for youth living in town, on an acreage, or on a farm. The minimum order is 10 birds (limit 20 chicks per exhibitor). Family members may share (1) one set of 10 chicks. Each participant will receive Market Broiler chicks, educational materials on the care and showing of Market Broilers, and the opportunity to show at the Hall County Fair. To order chicks, call the Extension Office at 308-385-5088. The deadline to order chicks is April 16th; payment must be received by Noon on April 16th. *Payment must be cash or check; we are unable to take credit card payments in the office. Chicks are scheduled to arrive on May 30th.
**It is the 4-H family’s responsibility to process all Market Broilers purchased. If you have any questions, please contact LaDonna at the office or email ladonna.obermiller@unl.edu.
Attention Sheep & Goat Exhibitors!
The Market Sheep and Goat Weigh-in will be held on Monday, May 20th from 5:30-6:30 pm on the west side of the Five Points Bank Arena at Fonner Park. If you plan to show market lambs or meat goats, we ask that you please weigh them at this time. All sheep and goats (market AND breeding) that you wish to have eligible for State Fair will have DNA pulled at this time as well. If interested in helping with the weigh-in, contact the Extension office.
YQCA Training
Quality Assurance 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. Clover Kids are not required to take the course. Youth showing bucket calves only are not required to take the course. Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is the platform that is used by Nebraska 4-H and can be found here: yqcaprogram.org.
YQCA training can be taken online or in a face-to-face instructor-led training. *There will be one more face-to-face training in Hall County this year, date TBD.
YQCA Web-Based Training:
- YQCA Web-Based Training Help Document
- Help Video: YQCA Web-Based Training
- The charge to complete YQCA online is $12, to be paid online when taking the course.
YQCA Instructor-Led Training:
- YQCA Instructor-Led Training Help Document
- Help Video: YQCA Instructor-Led Training
- The charge to complete Instructor-Led Training is $3, to be paid online when registering for the course.
All registration questions with YQCA should be directed to help@yqcaprogram.org. Once QA is completed, download/print the certificate & turn in (or email) to the Extension office by JUNE 14th, in order to be eligible to show at the Hall County Fair and/or Nebraska State Fair.
Important Information for State Fair Livestock Exhibitors
- New in 2024 - Changes to State Fair Age Eligibility! All 4-H members who were at least 8 years of age on December 31 of previous year will be eligible to show livestock at the Nebraska State Fair. Learn more about State Fair: 4h.unl.edu/state-fair.
- Online Livestock Nominations - Any animals that you are considering and would like to be eligible to show at State Fair, will need to be nominated and paid online ($7 per animal), by YOU (4-H families) at showstockmgr.com. The deadline for all animals is June 14. *The official State Fair nomination deadline is June 15; however, that is a Saturday. Our office WILL NOT be open or be able to answer questions on the 15th; therefore, we STRONGLY SUGGEST that you complete your nominations by June 14.
- DNA Samples will need pulled for ALL animals that are nominated - market, breeding & feeder calves (this applies to Beef, Swine, Sheep & Goats). Please pick up DNA envelopes at the Extension Office for any animals that you plan to nominate & return completed envelopes with samples by June 14 (see * above). **Multiple exhibitors in the same immediate family may be listed on each DNA envelope, but ALL EXHIBITORS MUST SIGN THEIR SIGNATURES ON EACH ENVELOPE. (This is NEW for 2024.)
- Check out the Hall County Animal ID Guidelines. It lists methods of ID, nomination deadlines & entry deadlines for animals that will be shown at County Fair and State Fair, all in one document. *ID forms/nominations MUST be submitted by June 14th, 2024 for ALL SPECIES.
- Please call the Extension office at #308-385-5088 with questions BEFORE June 14th so you may complete all of the requirements by the deadline.
Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit
Livestock Achievement Program
Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. NEW in 2024: Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement to get started.
HORSE NEWS
Horse Ride Night
4-H Horse Ride Night will be Wednesday, June 26th from 6-8 pm at Thompson Arena, Fonner Park. Ride Night allows exhibitors and their horses to become familiar with Thompson Arena and the US Food Outdoor Arena, double-check entries for the 2024 Hall County Fair, meet others in the 4-H horse project, and most importantly have fun!
DOGS, CATS & SMALL PETS
Dog, Cat & Small Pet Shows
Cats, hamsters, fish, snakes, toads, dogs, and mini pigs, Oh MY!
When you think of 4-H, do you picture kids showing cattle, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry? Did you know you can show your dog, cat, and ANY animal you consider a pet? Any animal not housed in the Cattle Barn during the Hall County Fair (except pet rabbits) can be shown in one of the following two shows.
The Dog Show will be held on Thursday, July 18th, in the Five Point Bank Arena at 4:30 pm. The Cat and Small Pet Show (formally the Cat and Companion Animal Show) will be held in the Aurora Coop Pavilion on Friday, July 19th at 12:15 pm.
These two programs are a great way to share the hard work that goes into caring for your family’s pets. Check the Hall County Fair Book for specifics of each show. (Vaccinations are required for dogs and cats.) If you have questions, please get in touch with LaDonna at the office.
ONGOING 4-H PROGRAMS
Help Needed to Supply Little Free Pantry!
Kountryside Kids 4-H Club has installed a Little Free Pantry at Lincoln Elementary School. They are partnering with Grand Island Public Schools (and you!) on this project!
Kountryside Kids 4-H Club invites 4-H families and clubs to help keep the pantry filled with food, hygiene, seasonal needs, and home essentials, through the next year. If your family or club would like to contribute to the pantry, sign up for a week (or more) in 2024, by following this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA72DA7FBCF8-45801707-lincoln.
The Little Free Pantry is supported by Hall County 4-H, the Nutrition Education Program (NEP), and UNL Extension. If you have any questions, call the Extension Office at 308-385-5088 or email LaDonna at ladonna.obermiller@unl.edu. For ideas of items to put in the Little Free Pantry, click Little Free Food Pantry Food Safety Information | UNL Food.
NEW STEM Backpacks!
Hall County 4-H has five NEW STEM Backpacks that you can try out! Check out an engaging STEM Backpack for your family! Each of the backpacks contains theme-based books, activity sheets & materials, and a step-by-step lesson plan for adults. Most of the lessons are also available in Spanish. Families not enrolled in 4-H are welcome to check out backpacks as well.
Sign up for 4-H Text Messages!
NEW – Hall County 4-H will be using the Remind app (in addition to email & social media) to communicate important 4-H news, events & deadlines to 4-H families. Get information for Hall County 4-H right on your phone! Two-way text messaging makes it more convenient for families to receive important information. Plus, it’s free and easy to use!
Options to sign up for Remind:
- Option 1 - Click the link to sign up, https://www.remind.com/join/4h-hall.
- Option 2 - Text the message @4h-hall to the number 81010.
Please call Crystal at 308-385-5088 for assistance.
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Plan to Set Goals & Apply for Awards in 2024!
Have you thought about your 4-H goals for 2024? Now is the time to look at the Diamond Clover Program and the Clover Kids Recognition Program, and set those goals now. For more information on Hall County 4-H awards, go to hall.unl.edu/4-h-youth-member-resources/. To find out more about state and national 4-H award opportunities, go to 4h.unl.edu/awards-recognition.
SAVE THE DATE! Hall County 4-H Achievement Event - October 6, 2024 😊
SAVE THE DATE! CLOTHING JUDGING DAY & 4-H FASHION SHOW
Mark your calendars! Clothing Judging Day and the 4-H Fashion Show will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd at College Park! If you are new to this day, you’ll want to hold the morning for the judging of all constructed items in the Clothing & Textiles project area and modeling judging. You’ll return in the evening for the fashion show. Below is a tentative schedule for the day to help you plan. If you have questions about how the day, please contact D’Ette at the office!
July 2nd Schedule
8:30 am – 4-Hers begin to arrive at College Park
8:30-8:45 am – Judging room is open for modeling practice
9 am–Noon – Modeling Judging (a schedule will be sent out)
9 am–Noon – Construction Judging (come & go as you are available)
9 am–Noon – Theater is open for fashion show modeling practice
10 am–Noon - Family and Consumer Science Contest, awards given during the fashion show
7 pm – 4-Hers arrive at College Park for the Fashion Show
7:30 pm – The 4-H Fashion Show starts!
CAMPS & STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
Changes to State Fair Age Eligibility
New in 2024! All 4-H members who were at least 8 years of age on December 31 of the previous year will be eligible to participate in 4-H in-person events (live animal shows, fashion shows, and contests) at the Nebraska State Fair. Learn more about State Fair: 4h.unl.edu/state-fair.
Pen to Plate
An intergenerational hands-on learning experience for all to learn more about the livestock industry from pen to plate. Participants will rotate through sessions on meats, livestock management, animal science careers, and livestock judging. Youth and adults are welcome to attend and participate!
FREE Event Details:
- Sunday, April 14, 3-6:15 p.m. with a meal provided.
- Fillmore County Fairgrounds, 641 N. 5th St., Geneva, NE 68361
- Suggested age: 8 years+ (adults welcome)
- Please register by April 10. Call 402-759-3712 or scan the QR code on the flyer.
Presenters:
- Bo Garcia, Youth Meats Extension Assistant Professor
- Dr. Becky Funk, Animal Health Teaching and Extension Specialist
- Nebraska Cattlewomen
- Members from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Livestock Judging Team
Apply Today to Attend the 2024 Nebraska Ag Youth Institute
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications to attend one of the biggest ag youth outreach events in the state. The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) brings together hundreds of high school juniors and seniors for a week to learn more about agriculture, Nebraska’s number one industry.
NAYI will be held July 8-12, 2024, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Students selected to attend NAYI do so free of charge due to generous donations from numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April 15, 2024, to apply. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online. This year’s theme is “Leading Your Legacy.”
NAYI features motivational speakers, discussions on agricultural issues, career development, networking opportunities, leadership activities, a farm management game, a formal banquet and awards presentation, and a dance. NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their leadership skills, interests, and involvement in agriculture.
NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, which is comprised of 21 college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. The Council’s purpose is to provide young Nebraskans with a better understanding of agriculture, including agricultural opportunities available to today’s youth.
Registration for the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp Program is Now Open!
The summer 2024 theme is The Power of Being 🍀 Green. Youth will get to explore and interact with their natural world in six different sessions. Youth will learn how they can use their head, heart, hands, and health to make our natural world a better place for all. The 2024 sessions offer tailored age cohorts, providing sessions for younger campers between the ages of 8-10, and an older cohort for ages 10-14.
Dates, session summaries, and registration information can be found by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/camps-register.
4-H Camp Scholarship
The Hall County 4-H Council will award one $100 Camp scholarship (4-H age 12 and under). To apply, visit hall.unl.edu/register-for-4-h-summer-camp/ for the Camp Scholarship application or contact the Hall County Extension Office. Applications are due to the Extension Office by April 5th. 4-H members (13 or older) may request funds to attend camp or other contests. Contact the Extension Office at 308-385-5088 for more information.
Animal Science Discovery Day
Youth ages 8-18 will interact with Animal Science faculty and educators, gain knowledge of the livestock industry and explore careers in animal science.
- May 29, 2024
- 9:00am – 3:30pm CT
- NCTA Campus in Curtis, NE, Ag Education Center
- Cost: $15 includes lunch
- Register by May 22 (late registrations $20)
Registration link: https://cvent.me/mNXrmy
For more information contact Kimberly at kimberly.cook@unl.edu.
Tractor & Equipment Safety Training
Tractor and farm equipment safety courses are now open for registration! Teens ages 14-15 who work on farms, or others who are interested in learning about tractor and farm equipment safety practices, can register for a safety training course offered at eight locations across Nebraska from May 21 through June 13. Learn more at https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html
Big Red Summer Academic Camps
Exciting News! Big Red Summer Academic Camps registration is NOW OPEN! Don't miss out on the opportunity to develop new skills, prepare for college, explore career paths, and make lasting connections. Register today at 4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps.
Computer Science Summer Camp
The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management hosts an annual summer camp for current high school students.
Innovate: The Raikes School Way is designed especially for students with limited or no computer science experience, as well as those with moderate or advanced experience. Students who expect to enter college in the fall of 2025 will be given priority based on total applications. Those in the high school class of 2026 may also be accepted on a space-available basis. Full and partial scholarships are available to students that submit a camp application. Applications will be accepted between February 1 and May 6!
2024 Dates: July 14-27, 2024
Cost: $2,050 (Cost covers all housing, meals, instruction, and activities associated with the camp.)
Go to Summer Camp | Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management | Nebraska (unl.edu) for more information.
Calibraska Arts Initiative - Sign Up For Courses and Internships!
Calibraska Arts Initiative registration is open for summer 2024 in-person and virtual art programs for youth, ages 5 years old and up. True to the ‘Cali-braska’ name, this initiative brings specialized arts offerings from the California industries to Nebraska communities where access is limited to technology, cultural or arts institutions, professional mentorship and resources to the creative industries. The fun begins June 3 - July 26, 2024! Scholarships and discounts of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% are available for all prospective students as well as options to pay in installments. For more information on the classes & registration, visit http://www.calibraska.org
VOLUNTEERS & CLUB LEADERS
Have You Been Thinking of Starting Your Own Club?
It's easier than you might think! Contact Megan or LaDonna; 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.
CALENDAR
April 10 - Extension Board Meeting, 4:30 pm at the Extension Office.
April 16 - Deadline for ordering 4-H Market Broilers.
April 26 - Arbor Day; Extension Office closed.
May 20 - 4-H Market Sheep/Goat Weigh-In, 5:30-6:30 at Fonner Park.
May 21 - 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.
May 27 - Memorial Day; Extension Office closed.
May 29 - Bicycle Road-E-O, 3:30 pm at the Extension Office.
May 31 - Deadline for State Horse Show online entries, ID sheets & level testing.
June 14 - All Animal ID's, vaccinations & quality assurance certificates due to Extension Office.
June 14 - State Fair online livestock nominations & DNA envelopes due.
June 24 - Hall County Fair 4-H entry deadline.
June 26 - Horse Ride Night, 6-8 pm at Thompson Arena, Fonner Park.
July 2 - 4-H Clothing Judging Day & Fashion Show
July 17-21 - Hall County Fair
D'Ette Scholtz
4-H Youth Development
Megan Knuth
4-H Youth Development
LaDonna Obermiller
4-H Youth Development
Crystal Beissenherz
Office Manager
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