Phelps-Gosper January 2024
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
In This Smore
1. Save the Dates
2. Message From Emily
3. 4-H Volunteer Information
4. Enrollment
5. Diamond Clover
6. Shooting Sports
7. Treasurer's Report
8. Scholarships
9. PASE Information
10. YQCA
11. Beef Weigh-in
12. County Fair Nominations
13. Small Animal Progress Show
14. CWF
15. Statewide Opportunities
Save the Dates
15 - MLK Day, Phelps and Gosper County Offices Closed
15 - Phelps County 4-H Council Meeting (Holdrege)
22 - Gosper 4-H Council Meeting (Elwood)
27 - Phelps County 4-H Foundation meeting at 5:30
29- Joint Phelps & Gosper Extension Board meeting (Bertrand)
Nebraska 4-H Month
19 - Last week for Phelps County Archery
19 - Last week for Phelps County Air Rifle
24 - Phelps County 4-H BB Gun Contest
TBD - 4-H Shotgun Team starts
TBD - Kids fest/YQCA
4 - Phelps County 4-H Council Meeting (Holdrege)
15 - Direct 4-H Volunteer Requirements Due
22 - Phelps & Gosper County Lottery Animal Sign Up Due
25 - Gosper County 4-H Council Meeting (Elwood)
2024 Save the Dates
- 4-H Enrollment Due: June 15
- County ID's, YQCA, DNA, and NE State Fair Livestock Nominations Due: June 15
- County Showorks Due July 5
- Phelps/Gosper 4-H Fashion Show: July 15
- Phelps County Aerospace Launch: July 15
- Phelps/Gosper 4-H Horse Show: July 20
- Phelps County 4-H Fair: July 21 - 25
- Gosper County 4-H Fair: July 23 - 27
- Nebraska State Fair: August 23 - September 2
Message From Emily Shultz
Phelps and Gosper County 4-H,
I have accepted a new role with Virginia Extension as a 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent in Warren County. My last day will be January 12th as I will start my new position on the 25th. This position will bring me a lot closer to family and I am so excited for this opportunity!
I am very grateful for my time in Phelps and Gosper counties. It has been great to work with you and see the passion you have for 4-H. I look forward to seeing everything you accomplish in the future. Thank you for everything. I wish you all the very best!
GO HUSKERS,
Emily
Every year, Nebraska 4-H Month brings thousands of young people, parents, volunteers, and alumni together to celebrate all the ways in which 4-H helps youth find a place where they belong. Across the state, Nebraska 4-H invites community members to celebrate!
4-H Volunteer Screening
All 4-H volunteers and staff are required to complete the Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening process outlined below. Volunteer screening is done in order to assure a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for all youth involved with the Nebraska 4-H programs and provide protection for the child, the volunteer, the educator, the 4-H Council, the Extension Board, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Direct volunteers are those working directly with youth, such as club leaders and workshop facilitators. Direct volunteers will be asked to complete the following screening process and repeat screening as scheduled.
Please note that direct volunteers are responsible for covering a screening fee. Currently, the cost of the screening is $5.00. This fee must be paid at the time of screening and re-screening.
Re-Screening Process
Volunteer screening is repeated every five years based on geographic location regardless of when the original screening was completed. When it is time for re-screening, volunteers will be prompted with instructions for completing the online re-screening process. See Volunteer Screening Schedule.
2024: Adams, Arthur, Buffalo, Chase, Custer, Dawson, Dundy, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Hall, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Kearney, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Phelps, Red Willow, Webster.
The Following 3 steps must be completed by all 4-H volunteers serving as a Direct Volunteer before performing your role. All steps need to be completed by March 15 or prior to your volunteer service.
1.) 4-H Online Enrollment: https://v2.4honline.com
- Step by Step Instructions: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll
2.) DHHS Volunteer Screening (must use this link).
- https://ecmp.nebraska.gov/DHHS-CR/CheckRequest/BeginOrgCheck/81102416
- $5 Fee associated with screening.
3.) Volunteer Orientation
- https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation
- Estimated time of completion: 40 Minutes.
Additional volunteer resources can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer.
4-H Volunteer Orientation
We are excited to announce a new Nebraska 4-H Volunteer orientation! This online course serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska. The orientation is part of the screening process and covers a variety of foundational and essential topics for 4-H volunteers. While it is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the orientation.
Volunteer Orientation (Estimated Completion time - 40 mins.): https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation
4-H Volunteer Impact Study
4-H Volunteer Impact Study – You May Be Contacted
What you do makes a difference! We are excited to share that our state will be participating in the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study of volunteers in the North Central Region.
This survey is being conducted as a part of 12 state effort to document the impact of volunteering.
It will focus on three areas:
· the personal benefits of your volunteer experience;
· the impact you have on the organization by volunteering; and
· how your volunteer efforts contribute to your community in which you live and work.
A random sample of volunteers of 1000 volunteers from each state will be surveyed. This study will be conducted through an electronic survey. If you are selected you will receive an email to let you know you have been selected to participate.
You may be picked!!! If you are, please respond. We want to hear from you and learn from your volunteer experiences.
Your comments will be used to quantify the personal, organizational and public impacts of volunteers involved with 4-H Youth Development Programs in our twelve-state region.
Your impact is great and we want to hear from you!!!
4-H Online 2023-2024 Enrollment NOW OPEN
WHO: New 4-H members
Returning 4-H members-required to enroll through 4-H Online each year
Volunteers-required to enroll through 4-H Online each year
WHY: To participate in county fairs and the Nebraska State Fair
To participate as a 4-H member in additional statewide programs.
To get the latest news
COST: Enrollment is FREE in both Phelps and Gosper County!
WHERE: Enroll at v2.4honline.com.
HOW: Instructions available in the Extension Office OR https://4h.unl.edu/enroll
DUE: June 15. 2024
- Select at least one project at the time of enrollment. Please enter as many projects as you may possibly participate in. You are not held to these projects, but we would rather have every possibility, rather than a project not listed. This can be edited up to June 15.
- The health form is optional, except for one question regarding any life-threatening allergies. This question is near the end of the page immediately before the Health Form Consent
- If you need to make connections with a club, the Extension office is happy to give this introduction.
- Youth between the ages of 5 and 7 as of January 1 of the current year may enroll as Clover Kids.
- Update your t-shirt size. This is the size we will use throughout the year.
How old do you have to be to join a 4-H club?
Children can join a 4-H club if they are 5 by January 1 of the current year and they can stay involved until their final year of eligibility – the year they are 18 on January 1. In addition, many colleges offer collegiate 4-H clubs, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln!
What is a Clover Kid?
Children ages five to eight are known in 4-H as Clover Kids. These children are full 4-H members and can participate in a wide range of programs and activities, including the fair. However, because research has shown that competition at this age is detrimental, Clover Kids are not allowed to compete. Clover Kids do participate in many contests and receive participation ribbons. Their work isn't judged or compared to others.
Join a Club in 2024
Phelps County is the home to nine 4-H Clubs! If you are interested in joining a club or starting a 4-H club, contact the Phelps County Extension Office! The current clubs include;
- Atlanta Industry
- 4-H Heelers
- Lone Star 4-H
- Leprechauns
- Kountry Kids 2
- Loomis Livestock;
- Midwest Livestock
- The Stable Kids;
- The Timberwolves
- Robotic Enforcement
Gosper County is the home to three 4-H Clubs! If you are interested in joining a club or starting a 4-H club, contact the Gosper County Extension Office! The current clubs include;
- Hi-Line Hustlers
- Jiffy Juniors
- Hot Shots
An independent learner option is also available. Everyone has a place to belong in 4-H!
Diamond Clover
The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program encourages 4-H youth to engage in a variety of programs, projects, and activities that will prepare them for success in the future.
The program consists of six levels. For each level, the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals.
At the beginning of the 4-H year, participants plan what to accomplish and at the end of the 4-H year, they report on accomplishments. Successful completion of a level's Plan & Report form results in a 4-H youth earning that level of the Diamond Clover program.
For more information, https://4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover
4-H Shooting Sports
The Phelps County 4-H BB Gun, Archery and Air Rifle county programs have been postponed and will start the week of January 15! If you missed the original sign-up, please call the Phelps County Extension Office at 308-995-4222 to enroll by January 12. If you miss this time frame, please wait until next year.
The Phelps County Shotgun Program will have two options to participate.
County Only 4-H Shotgun
This six-week program offers opportunities for youth to learn safe gun handling skills and sound fundamentals of shooting under the guidance of caring and knowledgeable adult volunteers. Youth practice for six-weeks and compete at a county contest.
Fee for 2024 Season is $20. Register in office or at above link.
**Must be enrolled in Phelps or Gosper County 4-H before allowed to practice.
**Must be at least 10 years old and have 2 years BB Gun
**Starts March
**Meets weekly
Enroll at https://go.unl.edu/4hcountyshotgun24
Phelps County Shooting Sports
2024 Phelps Gosper 4-H Trap Shoot Team-
Practice as a team for conference trap shooting competitions in Aurora. $30 enrollment fee.
** Must be 12 years or older.
**Must have completed Hunter Safety.
**Must be enrolled in Phelps or Gosper County 4-H before allowed to practice.
**Team enrollment fee does not cover competition fees.
Enroll at https://go.unl.edu/trapteam24
**Sunday, January 28, Parent Meeting, 2:00 PM at Phelps County Ag Center
All shotgun practices are held at Silhouette Gun Club, west edge of Holdrege.
Gosper County BB Gun will begin in May, more information to come in the spring!
Please note, YOU CAN ONLY COMPETE IN ONE COUNTY, you may choose to practice in each county but will not be able to compete in the contest for both.
4-H Club News
End of year treasurer reports are due into the Extension office by Jan 15. This document can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/phelps-gosper/4-h-leader-volunteer-page/ Club Treasurer and Club Leaders should work together on this report.
Scholarship Opportunities
Phelps County 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The local Phelps County 4-H Foundation supports scholarships for both high school seniors and post-secondary students. Applications are due April 1, 2024. You can find the applications on our website, at your high school office, or in the Phelps County Extension Office.
Gosper County 4-H Scholarships
The Gosper County 4-H Council supports scholarships for both high school seniors and post-secondary students. Applications are due April 1, 2024. You can find the applications on our website, at your high school office, or in the Phelps County Extension Office. Applicants must be a past or current Gosper County 4-H member.
Phelps-Gosper Cattlemen
The local Cattlemen provide scholarships for local high school seniors. You can find the scholarships on our website, at your high school office, or in the Phelps County Extension Office. Applications are due April 1, 2024.
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/phelps-gosper/phelpsgosper-scholarships/
Livestock Judging & PASE Informational Meeting
Phelps and Gosper County 4-H’ers are invited to an informational meeting highlighting Livestock Judging and the Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) on Thursday, January 25 at 6:30 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, NE. Youth and parents are encouraged to attend. PASE is a 4-H statewide competition where youth compete in Livestock Judging, Poultry Judging, Livestock Quiz-Bowl, Livestock Skill-a-thon, and Meats Judging. During this meeting, we would like to highlight each competition and begin planning practices for all youth who would like to participate. Livestock Judging will be an area of emphasis during most practices that are scheduled. Tigh Renken has agreed to coach our 4-H members who are interested in Livestock Judging. To learn more about this program or to RSVP for this meeting, please contact 4-H Educator Calvin DeVries at 308-995-4222 or cdevries2@unl.edu. More information on the contests available through this program can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/pase.
Lottery Animals (Update Included)
After reviewing the survey sent out in the previous newsletter and on Facebook, the following programs will be offered in Phelps and Gosper Counties. Neither county will offer a Lottery Lamb class in 2024.
Phelps County 2024 Programs
- Lottery Goats (Market price TBD)
- Lottery Hogs ($175 each)
Gosper County 2024 Program
- Lottery Hogs ($175 each)
Lottery hogs and/or goats are the place to start for livestock projects! The hogs and goats are from great producers, and will be uniform in weight. All registrations will be due by March 22nd. The cost per animal. Youth may only participate in 1 county for each program an only one animal per youth member is allotted for each species. There will be a special class for lottery hogs and lottery goats at the respective County Fairs. The price this year for hogs will be $175 for each county's program. Goats for Phelps County will be close to the current market price on the date of pick up. A date/location for lottery animals to be picked up will be set towards the end of March or early April. Stay tuned for more information!
Contact the Phelps or Gosper County Extension Office to register!
YQCA
Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance certification through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. Requirements
YQCA certification is required for all 4-H members enrolled in any of the following projects:
· Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)
· Dairy Cattle
· Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)
· Poultry
· Rabbit
· Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)
· Swine (breeding swine, market swine
YQCA is required annually.
Face-to Face Training In-person YQCA training courses cost $3 per individual regardless of age. Dates to be determined. Be watching your 4-H Newsletter!
Web-based Training at https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login. The online YQCA course costs $12 per individual regardless of age.
Test-out options are only available to youth in the first year of Intermediate (age 12) and Senior (age 15) age levels. There is no test-out option for Juniors. Participants will have only one chance to take the test-out option. If youth fail, they will not be provided another opportunity to test out of that age level.
Test-out costs are:
Intermediate: $36 ($12 x 3 years of certification) Senior: $48 ($12 x 4 years of certification).
YQCA TIPS
Þ 4-H Families will register and pay online
https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login
Þ 4-H’ers use their 4-H Online Account
Þ Phelps and Gosper counties will offer a number of in-person training this spring.
Continue to watch the newsletter for upcoming in-person training early 2024.
The first training date will be set in early March prior to 4-H Kids Fest in Holdrege, NE.
Beef Weigh-Ins
All youth who plan to show a Market Beef animal or Second Year Bucket Calf at the 2024 County Fairs, State Fair, or AKSARBEN need to receive an 840 EID tag and complete the identification paper. The tag and paperwork can be picked up at your local Extension Office.
State Fair and Aksarben animals must also have DNA hair samples taken and turned into the county office. DNA envelopes are available at the Extension office.
Market Beef Weigh Dates
Market beef only needs to be weighed for the optional county rate of the gain contest. There will be two Beef Weigh Dates this year in Phelps and Gosper Counties.
Attend a county beef weigh-in to receive an EID tag, weight, and pulled DNA (if planning to go to SF or AKSARBEN). Official, dated weights (vet signature, Cattleman’s Classic purchase, etc) may also be accepted for County-only purposes with Extension staff approval.
The deadline to identify and nominate market beef for County or State Fairs or AKSARBEN is June 15.
February 3, 2024
Forster Farms (rural Smithfield)
10am-Noon
With the possibility of bad weather please be checking Facebook and your email for cancellations!
County Fair Animal Nomination and Identification
All Tags and Forms are available to the local Extension Office.
Market Beef- All market beef must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Breeding Beef– Any Breeding Heifer project animal enrolled in 4-H must be born between September 2022-December 2023. Breeding beef do NOT need a specific 4-H tag Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. Registered heifers are required to have a copy of registration papers submitted to the office.
Stocker Feeder: All stocker feeders must be born within the current year (2024) and be identified with a farm tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15
Bucket Calf: All bucket calves must be born within the current year (2024) between January 1 and June 1 and be identified with a farm tag. Calves are to be fed on bucket or bottle and/or dry feed only. Calves are to be away from real or substitute mothers from June 1.
Market Swine- All market swine must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Market Lambs and Market Goats- All market lambs and market goats must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Breeding Sheep and Goats- All ewes and does (registered and commercial) must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Novelty Sheep and Goats: All novelty sheep or goats are required to have a farm ear tag and paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Dairy Cattle-All dairy cattle must be identified on the paper ownership affidavit by photograph, sketch, or ear tattoo. Dairy cattle paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
Horse- All horses that will be shown at the County, District &/or State Horse Show must be appropriately identified on the Nebraska Horse identification affidavit and turned in to the local Extension office by June 1 for State and June 15 for County Only.
Rabbits & Poultry- Rabbits and poultry do not have a COUNTY nomination/id form requirement in order to exhibit at the County Fair.
County-only rabbits will not be required to have an ear tattoo.
State Fair Rabbits do require ear tattoos.
Dogs-All dogs must have state and county vaccination records signed by a vet.
County Ownership papers must also be completed. Papers are available in the Extension Office. Due July 10.
Cats– Signed vaccination records are required. Papers are available in the Extension Office Due July 10.
Reminders
· The due dates listed above mean that all tagging is complete, the animal information completed and in the possession of the local Extension office.
· No animal may be shown in both breeding and market classes.
· Animals to be shown in “registered” categories must submit the authorized registration papers with the animal ID forms.
CWF
Citizenship Washington Focus Conference 2024
Through Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), teens experience Washington D.C. like never before. Using the nation’s capital as their classroom, CWF connects young leaders from across the country to gain the skills and experiences to become effective change agents.
If you are still interested in attending this conference, please let the 4-H staff know!
Summer Camp 2024
Special Garden Project
As you begin making plans for 2024, be sure to check out the Special Garden Project. It offers a unique introduction to plant science. Members are given seeds and guided through planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. Members can exhibit a cut flower or harvested vegetable at the fair if all goes well. Otherwise, youth can share their experience through a poster, story, or video exhibit. Next year, members will work with the PRINCESS INDIA NASTURTIUM. Visit 4h.unl.edu/spg to learn more.
Let the office know you are interested by Feb 7
Nebraska 4-H 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.
Farrowed and Owned
· A Farrowed and Owned Breeding and Market Swine division for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry is available again at the Nebraska State Fair in 2024! The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member.
Contact Information
Calvin DeVries, Extension Educator
Lori Swanson, Extension Assistant
Kathy Beck, Office Manager - Gosper
Noah Renken, Office Manager - Phelps
Phelps County Extension Office
1308 2nd St Holdrege, NE 68949
(308) 995-4222
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Gosper County Extension Office
507 Smith Ave Elwood, NE 68937
(308) 785-2390
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday
WEBSITE