Webster County 4-H Newsletter
March 2022 Edition
Happy March!
We are getting closer and closer to spring! Thank you for celebrating 4-H Month with us in February. Lots of great events are coming up, so be sure to check this newsletter time to time as new items are added weekly. Have a great month of March!
-The Webster Count Extension Staff
Important Dates & Events
- March 1: Silver Lake 4-H Afterschool
- March 4: Entries Due for UNL Horse Stampede and Companion Animal
- March 8: Silver Lake 4-H Afterschool
- March 15: Silver Lake 4-H Afterschool
- March 20: Junior Leaders Soup DInner
- March 26: UNL Horse Stampede
- March 29: 4-H Parent/Leader Meeting
Emails
If your email ends with @GTMC.NET, please let Alexa know what your new email is as GTMC will no longer be available.
*If you know you that you are not receiving emails from the office, please let us know.
2022 4-H Calendar of Events
4-H Online 2.0
Enroll today! This new system is much more simple for both you and our office. You will use your same account log in and password from last time. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions. We encourage you to go through the steps of enrollment below as this is totally different than the old system. Parents who are volunteers only will enroll. Do not enroll if you are just a parent that does not volunteer (club leader, superintendent, project leader, etc.)
*Don't forget to put your t-shirt size in!!
Save the Date for Our 4-H Open House!
4-H Afterschool Program
Scholarships
4-H Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to the following winners of the Webster County Youth Council Scholarship!!
Michelle Henkel
Katelyn Karr
Abigail Meyer
Michelle Henkel
Katelyn Karr
Abigail Meyer
4-H Leader/Parent Meeting
Join us for our annual Leader/Parent 4-H meeting happening March 29th from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the Blue Hill Community Center with supper beginning at 6:00 pm. This is open to all 4-H leaders, volunteers, parents, and anyone interested in becoming a volunteer.
Topics include:
- Updated Policies
- Planning for 2022 4-H
- Digging Deeper in the Experiential Learning Model
- & Much More!
RSVP below.
4-H Volunteer Awards
YQCA
It was just announced that YQCA is going to be changing platforms and the current platform will be shut down on March 22nd. At this time, we know that a new platform is to be released but we have no information on when or how families are to register or any process. If you have completed or will complete YQCA prior to March 21st, please download & save your certificate and send to Alexa. If you do not get your certificate to Alexa from one of our earlier YQCA’s, you will potentially have to complete the YQCA requirement again within the new system.
Due to unknowns, we have decided to move the trainings around a bit. Below are the new dates and times.
- March 13th – Adams County Extension Office at 3:30 pm (Moved a week earlier) – Able to register on the OLD System (http://yqca.org/)
- March 16th - Silver Lake Elementary School at 3:30 - 4:30 pm. – Able to register on the OLD System (http://yqca.org/)
- Canceled April 18th YQCA Trainings
Save the dates and times but unable to register currently.
- May 23rd – Adams County Extension Office at 1:00 pm (New Date & Time)
- May 24th – Webster County Fairgrounds at 1:00 pm (New Date & Time)
- June 7th – Adams County Extension Office at 6 pm (Original Date & Time)
- June 9th – Webster County Fairgrounds at 6 pm (Original Date & Time
***March 4th YQCA training has been cancelled due to changes in school calendars.
If your 4-H’er is planning on showing livestock (beef, sheep, pig, goat, poultry, and rabbit) this year at county and/or state fair and is 4-H age 8 or older, they need to complete the YQCA Program by June 15th. Registration for YQCA is open. Attached is a list of upcoming in-person trainings. You must register ahead of time for the in-person trainings. If you are doing an in-person training, don’t forget to ask the office for a code! Codes do not apply for online trainings.
Livestock Contests and Events
We are excited to get going with Livestock Contests and Events for 2022. To assist in knowing who is interested in the following events – call the office or complete the online form (https://go.unl.edu/22livestock). Practices are starting to come together.
- PASE Organizational Meeting – Sunday, February 20th – Adams County Extension Office at 4:00 pm
- South Central Livestock Judging Clinic & Contest – Open to youth ages 8 to 18 Save the date of Thursday, June 2, 2022 – More Info to come
- Premier Animal Science Events – Open to youth ages 8 to 18 Dates are Wednesday, June 22 & Thursday, June 23 on UNL, East Campus. Events are Livestock Quiz Bowl, Livestock Skill-a-thon, Poultry Judging, Meats Judging, and Livestock Judging.
Livestock Achievement Program
The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.
The program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.
Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 10 via the completion form on the website. Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.
For more information or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)
Ashley Benes ashley.benes@unl.edu
Brett Kreifels brett.kreifels@unl.edu
Cole Meador cmeador2@unl.edu
2022 Youth Meat Judging
As AMSA explores opportunities to attract, develop, and connect meat science talent AMSA will be hosting a virtual meat judging spring series (4 virtual meat judging contests) targeted to youth (3rd-12th grade, 4-H, FFA students, etc.). Participants will compete in divisions based on their grade: Youth (3rd-7th grade) and Senior Division (8th-12th grade). Divisions will be based on the grade the student is currently completing this academic year. The contest will consist of 6 placing classes, 2 questions classes, quality grading (6) and 40 Retail Identification. Participants will register via the AMSA website.
Contest Dates
March 16-18, 2022
March 30- April 1, 2022
April 13-15, 2022
April 27-29, 2022
Contests will be open for 48 hrs. and the participant must complete the contest and submit the electronic scantron within the contest time allotment. Additional contest guidelines will be posted in the AMSA community platform in which the contests will be facilitated.
Points
Contests will be scored, and results will be posted to judgingcard.com and the AMSA website the Monday following the contest. All results across categories will be posted, but points will be earned on the overall ranking only.
Count top 3 contest rank finishes. Students placing 1 through 20 will receive rank points. For example, 1st place will receive 20 points, 2nd = 19 points, etc. The students will the five highest point totals will be eligible for awards.
Awards
Youth Division- Top five students receive awards
1st- $500 scholarship, 2nd- $250, 3rd- $100, 4th- $100, 5th- $50; Top 5 receive a complimentary AMSA Youth Membership
Senior Division- Top five students receive awards
1st- 1,500 scholarship, 2nd- $1,000 scholarship, 3rd- $750 scholarship, 4th- $500 scholarship, 5th- $250 scholarship; Top 5 receive a complimentary AMSA Youth Membership
Registration
To register for the contests:
Registration Fee: $100 per participant
Registration Fee Includes: 4 Contest Registrations and Electronic Scantrons
Contest Eligibility:
Participants should be in 3rd-12th grade.
Participating in any of these contests does not impact eligibility for the in person National 4-H Contest.
Virtual 4H/FFA Meat Judging (meatscience.org)
If you have any additional questions, please email lfrenzel@meatscience.org
2022 District 4-H Horse Shows
We are excited to announce that Webster County is a location for one of the District 4-H Horse Shows for 2022!
2022 Districts Dates and Sites:
June 6- Chadron, NE
June 7- Guide Rock, NE
June 8- Albion, NE
June 9- Raymond, NE
June 10- Kearney, NE
REMINDER of changes!
• New age group/classes
o Elementary Ranch Pleasure (10-11 years old)
Individual work will not be used as a trial basis for the 2022 year (Please see webpage for district procedure details): https://4h.unl.edu/horse/district-shows
We are excited for the 2022 year!
Horse Levels
As of 2020 for Webster County, levels for the county 4-H horse show are recommended, but not mandatory for level 1. If you are participating at districts or state, all other levels must be completed by the time ID sheets are due (May 6th). All other levels and ID sheets for county only may be completed by June 15th.
Online tests are no longer available to 4-Hers. To take a written test, youth must stop in at the Extension Office and take it there. We encourage families to call and let the office know the day and time you would like to take the test.
UNL 4-H Horse Stampede
Husker Judges School
April 30th , 2022 from 1-5pm
Lincoln, NE- East Campus – Animal Science Complex
Register: https://cvent.me/LbvEzN
Participants in this workshop get discounted prices for the judging contest the next day!
Husker Horse Judging Contest
Husker Horse Judging Contest
May 1st , 2022 at 9am
Lincoln, NE- East Campus – Animal Science Complex
Register: https://cvent.me/YdNkP0
Online or paper entries accepted.
Registration for our SOAR workshop #2 is now open! Limited spots available!
Learn from experienced clinicians provided by Platte Valley Kennel Club! This workshop series will have a total of 3 to 4 sessions throughout the spring/ summer months (dates to come). Handlers will gain greater success in participating in each workshop as it provides action steps for youth to move forward and builds upon the skills learned from previous sessions. We do encourage others to join any of our workshops even if you cannot go to all of them.
Along with building skills with your dog(s), youth will also learn more about other events and organizations they can participate in to immerse themselves in dog related activities.
To register: https://go.unl.edu/soarreg2
Date: March 26th, 2022
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Address: Go Dogs
2338 N 83rd St Omaha, NE 68134
Registration fee: $25
Dog vaccination forms must be emailed prior to the workshop to Grace Kim (form attached)
Please make checks payable to: UNL
Additional information provided in the registration link
For further questions about registration contact Grace Kim at: (402)472-6085 or grace.kim@unl.edu or workshop details, Gisele Olney at gcolney@aol.com
Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
Nebraska Extension will execute this evolving, innovative, and in-depth program in 2022, which will be the eleventh year creating agricultural, science-informed graduates in the agricultural industry.
Prizes for participation in this project include 1st place - $1,000, 2nd place - $500, 3rd place -$250, “Extra Mile” Award $200, CORN Communications Award $200 and $50 for completion of the project. In addition, each team receives a crop scouting kit valued at over $200, plot sign and the opportunity to engage with UNL agronomic professionals through “ask an agronomist” sessions.
For more information about this program and to register in 2022, go to https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge. Registration is extended to March 25.
Trap Shooting
Webster County Speech/Presentation Contest
NIFA-Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards Application Details
Projects should fit within at least one of seven 4-H program areas: College and career readiness, healthy living, STEM, Food supply confidence, community development, leadership development, and/or entrepreneurship. Projects should strengthen the educational experience of the county and/or state’s 4-H youth and adult volunteers.
Priority consideration will be given to clubs who integrate community engagement and educational components into their projects while furthering the mission of Nebraska 4-H to empower youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
Consider avenues to address youth issues within your communities while promoting positive youth development and being and advocate for 4-H. Projects should have a potential for increasing life skills, reaching expanded youth audiences (at-risk, low income, diverse, disabled, etc.) and increasing new audiences in ongoing 4-H programming.
Applications must include:
- Description of the project/activity to be completed. Including content area of focus and why it is important to your club and community. Define any youth concerns in your community that will be addressed by this proposal (use statistics, numbers, how do you know it is an issue etc.):
- Goals and anticipated outcomes of the project. Describe actions to be taken to achieve goals and/or objectives. Include estimated number of people who will be impacted as a result of the project.
- How do you anticipate the community benefiting from the completion of this project? What is the impact/change on your community?
- How will this project grow club members as leaders and develop their skills?
- What is the timeline (start to finish) of this project to be completed?
- Provide an itemized anticipated budget for the entire project.
- Identify one additional community resource you can connect with to assist with the project (speakers, additional youth, materials).
- Evaluation: How will you know your project had an impact?
- A written letter of support from your county 4-H educator.
- Include:
- Club name,
- county,
- contact information (adult and youth; email, phone, address)
- Number of club members
- Have you ever received a Gov. Ag grant previously? What year?
At the conclusion of the project, please submit a report to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation. All reports due October 31. The report should include:
- Club name and county
- Club members names
- Narrative of the project. Include how goals and outcomes were achieved.
- What did club members learn? Specific skills developed/gained.
- What was the community impact? How did your community change or grow as a result of the project? Number of people impacted? How did you assess the impact or what tools did you use to evaluate your impact.
- How were you an advocate for 4-H, help carry on the 4-H mission.
- Did you utilize any additional community resources to complete your project?
- Please include photos of the project
- Signature from the club’s county 4-H educator
Guidelines:
- All grants must be turned in on time. Any grants submitted after the date listed, will not be considered.
- Items that assist in maintaining a previous project or exhibition of the project will be considered.
- Grants are not to be used for purchasing awards, parade materials, booth decorations, project books, project supplies or items that would be used in 4-H or fair competition.
- Generally, snacks for refreshments, give-away items, e.g. t-shirts, etc. and building rental are not approved expenditures. Monies cannot be used for capital equipment or hardware (defined as items and material with a life expectancy of greater than five years) or building drives.
- We ask that items to be purchased are such that can be used by future members and passed on and not one time use items. If a member or leader choses to discontinue the project(s), please find another member to pass the item on to for continued use. Items purchased shall remain with the club.
- Please be creative and thoughtful when answering the questions giving as much information for the committee to evaluate.
- Clubs who have previously received an award but have not submitted a report at the conclusion of the project will not be considered for future awards.
- Not all grants will be funded. Please include, if applicable, other funding opportunities available.
In order to be considered for the award, applications must be completed/submitted by April 1. Please direct any questions to Lindsay Shearer by email lshearer2@unl.edu or by calling 402.472.9019.
NAYI
Summer Camp Registration
Registration is now open for 2022 Nebraska 4-H Summer Camps! See the full schedule of camp sessions and register now at 4h.unl.edu/summer-camp-schedule.
Webster County Youth Council is now sponsoring 10 youth at $100 each to attend. You must show completed registration of the camp. First come, first serve.
UNL Extension in Webster County March Newsletter
Happy Birthday to Those Celebrating in March!!
Meet Our Team!
Alexa Pedersen
Office Manager
Email: alexa.pedersen@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Katie Bolte
4-H Programming Assistant
Email: katie.bolte@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Beth Janning
4-H Youth Development Extension Educator in Adams/Webster Counties
Beth Janning is a 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator. She provides programming in school enrichment, after-school, and traditional 4-H Programs. Her topic areas include but not limited to animal science, science, engineering and volunteer development.
Email: elizabeth.janning@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead
Beef Systems Educator
Lindsay Waechter-Mead is the new Beef Systems Educator in Webster County and serves surronding counties in this region. She is excited to bring her interests surrounding cow/calf health and preventative medicine to the Beef Team. Her current work involves looking at environmental effects on neonatal calf immunity and colostral transfer. She is also passionate about rural agriculture and what the veterinary profession can do to positively influence rural communities to ensure that generations can continue to enjoy the life that she loves.
Email: lindsay.waechter-mead@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCBeefExtensionUNL