Otoe County 4-H Wednesday What-Nots
May 27, 2020
Deadline is soon.....Otoe County 4-H Speech Contest!
We will do the same as they just announced 2020 Nebraska State 4-H Speech Contest. Youth will submit videos for speeches and recordings for PSAs.
The Otoe County 4-H Speech and PSA divisions are the same as was set up for the in person event and are found below. What’s new? The speeches and PSAs will be recorded and submitted online. The deadline for submission is Sunday, May 31, 11:59 p.m. If you have problems saving the file, please still email it to the Extension Office. We will get it saved correctly.
Here is the link for more information: Otoe County 4-H Speech Video and PSA Recording Contest
4-H Speech Contest Recordings
4-H families working on their PSAs may need to convert their PSA file to the MP3 format. This is an easy converter for your use: https://online-audio-converter.com/. We suggest using the web-based version right on your screen instead of downloading this software from this site or any other site.
When videotaping your speech, if you record using Zoom, it should record directly into the MP4 format.
Important Deadline Information
- Id & Entry sheets are due to the Extension Office by June 15th - sheets are available online by clicking here and scrolling down under Animal Information!
- State Horse Show entries are due June 15th
- Horse Advancement Levels due June 15th
- State Fair nominations due date has been moved to July 1st
* You can email, mail, or drop off ID sheets in our white mailbox out front!
Project Books & Ear Tags
Otoe County 4-H Program
- Otoe County Extension and the 4-H Council are waiting on a decision from the Otoe County Ag Society on how best to proceed with the Otoe County Fair. Waiting is difficult, but in doing so we are hoping for the best outcome for our 4-H youth.
- The Ag Society met May 18 and is meeting again June 1, following the release of the Governor’s Directed Health Measures. The 4-H Council will meet soon after that.
- Several options have been put together under the direction of the Nebraska State 4-H office.
- A committee began meeting on May 13 and is meeting weekly to discuss 4-H at the Otoe County Fair. These members include: Ag Society President Mike Rudolph, Vice President Gayle Schomerus, County Commissioner’s Chair Jerad Sornson, County Commissioner Vice Chair Rick Freshman, Extension Board President Trevor Houghton, 4-H Council President Julie Hippen, Southeast District Health Department Executive Director Grant Brueggemann, Syracuse Mayor Kc Ortiz, Syracuse City Administrator Jessica Meyer, Extension Office Manager Kelsey Ahrens, 4-H Extension Assistant Erin Steinhoff, and Extension Educator Sarah Purcell.
- We are working to give every 4-H member an opportunity to showcase a project either live or virtually for a positive youth development experience.
- The health and safety of our 4-H members, parents and families must be protected.
Summer Workshops for 2020!
We realize this is probably not the summer any of us imagined, but that doesn’t mean we can't keep growing and learning using our head, heart, hands, and health!
To see a list of 2020 Nebraska learning experiences being offered click here!YQCA
The Biggest Grower Summer Program
If you're a high school student entering the 9th-12th grade this fall (or know a HS student) living in Nebraska and you want to do a fun, hands-on, outdoor activity with a bit of instruction and a bunch of flexibility, and like winning money, Nebraska Extension is providing a summer gardening program for you.
The Biggest Grower competition offers Nebraska high school students the opportunity to learn to start their own garden and small growing operation. Students will receive the supplies and support needed to plant, grow, cultivate, harvest and distribute their own fresh specialty crops in a garden space or in containers. Participants will be placed in virtual teams with one team chosen as The Biggest Grower and each team member will be awarded a $50 Amazon gift card. Additionally, an individual high school junior or senior will be awarded a College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Department of Agronomy and Horticulture scholarship of $1,000. #NebExt
Livestock Judging Practice Opportunities
Nebraska 4-H is now offering an online livestock judging video series. Start by sorting through the class and working on your reasons. Then, get tips and tricks for improving your skills while listening to a critique of the class. New videos are added each week.
New Guidelines for 4-H Programming
Until June 15th, all Extension and 4-H programming will be taught remotely.
· No in-person 4-H programming during this time. This includes all 4-H club meetings, 4-H competitive events, etc.
· All local 4-H contests and clinics (judging, speech, etc.) should be cancelled unless remote options are available.
For updates on Nebraska 4-H and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s evolving position on COVID-19, please visit their website at covid19.unl.edu. We also encourage you to refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the most current recommendations pertaining to health and personal risk factors.
We will communicate decisions about Nebraska 4-H state-level programs on this page and encourage you to visit www.otoe.unl.edu for up-to-date information on local programming. Please check back regularly as this is a developing situation and in the coming days, weeks, and months we will know more about the local implications of COVID-19.
Sheep Weigh-In Cancelled due to COVID-19
The Market Sheep Weigh-In scheduled for May 16 has been canceled due to COVID-19. 4-H youth exhibiting market sheep need to make arrangements with the Nebraska Extension in Otoe County office to pick up their tags. Please call us at 402-269-2301 or email us at otoe-county@unl.edu to make arrangements. A photo of the tag in the sheep’s ear should be emailed to the extension office at otoe-county@unl.edu by June 15. Thank you for your cooperation.
Bling Only Jeans Needed!
Otoe County Fair Book can be found online!
Cancellations Due to COVID-19
Virtual Dog Club
2020 Census
4-H and 2020 County Fairs
As 4-H Extension Educators, we have been receiving a lot of questions related to whether families should move forward with purchasing market livestock for fair. What if we don't have a fair? What will I do with my animal? Or, the one that hurts the worst, what if I lose all my money?
Our response to all these questions is a question itself. What are you in this for? What do you hope to gain?
If you are in 4-H so that your child can learn about the effort that goes into raising livestock and producing food animal products, get the animal.
If you are in 4-H so that your child can become a better citizen or learn about goal setting or gain effective leadership skills, get the animal.
If you are in 4-H so that your child can be a step above their peers, so that they can develop a sense of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity, get the animal.
If you are in 4-H so that your child can learn about resilience, determination and never giving up hope (even in the middle of a pandemic), get the animal.
But, if you are in 4-H so that your child can sell their animal for twice what you invested in it, don't get the animal.
If you are in 4-H so that your child can bring home a big banner or a shiny trophy, don't get the animal.
If you are in 4-H so that you can boast to co-workers and friends about how your child beat out 15 other people's children to be the coveted "Grand Champion," don't get the animal.
Ultimately, if you do this thing called 4-H so that you can clean up at the county fair and earn awards, money and bragging rights, don't get the animal. Because I can't guarantee you those things this year.
We can only guarantee you that your child will learn. That, despite limited club meetings or seven days at the county fair, your child will learn the important things. The things that matter. They will fill the days of this pandemic with hope as opposed to grief. Your child will develop a relationship with their animal(s) like they never have before, because, quite frankly, it's one of the few things they have left.
Is there a chance their experience will be different this year? Yes.
Is there a chance they will lose money? Yes.
As a result, is their 4-H year a lost cause? Should they just give up?
We'll leave that up to you.
- Attributed to 4-H Extension Educators
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County limited public access
In response to COVID-19, the Nebraska Extension in Otoe County Office has limited public access until further notice. Our office, located at 620 1st Street in Syracuse, will remain operational and accessible to the public by request only until further notice. Please contact the office at 402-269-2301 or via email at otoe-county@unl.edu to set up a time to conduct any business that cannot be handled via phone, email, or regular mail. The doors will be locked and access will only be granted to those who have a scheduled appointment
Looking for learning opportunities you can do from home?
Nebraska 4-H and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have you covered! Check out these virtual learning experiences and activity guides that are perfect for hands-on learning at home.
- 4-H Virtual and At-Home Learning: https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-home-learning
- A Beautiful Day: https://cehs.unl.edu/abeautifulday/
- Family Food and Fun at Home: https://food.unl.edu/article/family-food-fun-home
- Virtual Field Trips: https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-field-trips
COVID-19 Information from Southeast District Health
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County has connected with the Southeast District Health Department to amplify the work of our district health department. The mission of the Southeast District Health Department is to prevent diseases, promote good health and protect the welfare of all who live, work, and visit Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson counties. Click on the following link to have access to the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, the coronavirus, to ensure the health and safety of yourself, your family, and our community. http://www.sedhd.org/index.html
Horse Arena
4-H Photography Showcase
The 4-H Photography Showcase offers a project exhibition opportunity beyond traditional print media. It is intended to help youth develop professional and technical skills as photographers while fostering creativity and encouraging self-expression. Through this opportunity, youth are encouraged to practice and apply skills learned in their photography projects throughout the year.
How Does It Work?
Each month, a new photo will be selected from the online submissions. Selections will be made based on creativity, timeliness, technical execution, originality, and appropriateness. The selected photo will be showcased across the Nebraska 4-H social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Youth photographers will be credited wherever and whenever their photo is shared or published.
This opportunity is open to all enrolled 4-H members. Photo recommendations, file specifications, rules, and guidelines for participation are available online at https://4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase.
For questions, please contact Danielle Dewees at ddewees@unl.edu.
More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase
2020 Otoe County Fair Theme
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County
Sarah Purcell, Unit Leader, Extension Educator, spurcell2@unl.edu
Erin Steinhoff, Extension Assistant, erin.steinhoff@unl.edu
Kelsey Ahrens, Office Manager, kahrens4@unl.edu
Email: Otoe-County@unl.edu
Website: www.otoe.unl.edu
Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, NE
Phone: (402)269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County