Southern Plains 4-H
January 2018 Newsletter
4-H Spotlight!
Meet Jason Weigle!
Jason joins us from Penn State Extension, where he was an Energy, Business, and Community Vitality Educator serving six counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Jason holds a bachelor's degree in Soil Science with a minor in Extension Education, a Master’s degree in Community and Economic Development, and a Ph.D. in Rural Sociology and Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment, all from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Jason’s interests lie in community and economic development, especially in community organization, leadership, and placemaking. Beyond academic and teaching interests, Jason has a range of experience and expertise he brings to his role. Prior to Penn State, he owned and operated a woodworking and fiber craft business with his wife. He spent three and a half years working in the oil and gas industry as Community Liaison Officer with Shell Appalachia in Pennsylvania. Prior to graduate school, Jason worked as an environmental regulator with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and as Watershed Specialist with the Tioga County (PA) Conservation District. He has also volunteered with and served on boards for a variety of community health, tourism, and educational organizations, including 4-H.
Jason, his wife Chandra, and their son, Silas, are relocating to Hebron.
Please stop in and welcome Jason!
County Fair Dates Announced!
4-H Enrollment Open!
Pick Your Project
The printable, two-page Nebraska 4-H Project Listing is also available.
CONGRATULATIONS 4-H'ers!
2017 4-H Career Portfolio Award Winners:
Animal Science Area:
- Kaylee Jo Dunlap - Senior Award
- Makinna Peterson - Senior Award
- Garrett Schardt - Senior Award
- Chloe Hintz - Senior Award
- Alanna Fangmeier - Senior Award, District Nominee
- TaraLee Hudson -Senior Award, District Nominee
- Tobby Voss - Junior Award
- Tanner Bolte - Junior Award
Communications & Expressive Arts Area:
- Jordan Bolte - Senior Award
- Kaylee Jo Dunlap - Senior Award
Family & Consumer Science Area:
- Alexia Dick - Senior Award
- Kelby Mumm - Senior Award
- Alanna Fangmeier - Senior Award
- Bailee Remmers - Senior Award
- Kinzie Remmers - Senior Award
- Tobby Voss - Junior Award
Healthy Lifestyles Area:
- Makinna Peterson - Senior Award
- Walker Dick - Senior Award, District Nominee
- TaraLee Hudson - Senior Award
- Lauren Dick - Junior Award
Plant Science Area:
- Makinna Peterson - Senior Award
- TaraLee Hudson - Senior Award
- Kara Kniep - Senior Award
Leadership & Citizenship Area:
- Makinna Peterson - Senior Award
- TaraLee Hudson - Senior Award
- Alanna Fangmeier - Senior Award
Science & Technology Area:
- Megan Lukert - Senior Award
- Makinna Peterson - Senior Award
- Madison Mumm - Senior Award
- Lacey Schmidt - Junior Award
- Logan Dick - Junior Award
Tribland Candidates:
- Leah Schmidt
- Alanna Fangmeier
Hugo Broeder Outstanding Thayer County 4-H'er:
- Leah Schmidt
- Garrett Schardt
Alicia Rippe Outstanding First Year 4-H'er:
- Riley Farnstrom
Want to know more about Career Portfolios? Contact Jacie Milius or Michelle Dick (4-H Council Career Portfolio Committee Chair)
National 4-H Congress
Thayer County 4-H Kick-Off
4-H'er Photo Reel
Upcoming Workshops & Camps
Pottery Workshop
Pre-register and payment required by January 5; Cost $15
Artist Lucky Stradley, from Hubbell is coming to teach her famous Face Jug technique. Spots are limited, to a first come, first serve basis. Don't miss out, register today!
Quilts of Valor Workshop
Are you thinking of completing a Quilt of Valor to be donated to an area service person? Sign-up by calling into the Extension Office or emailing Kaye or Jean to schedule a time to get help making your quilt. Choose from donated fabrics and have fun sewing at your skill level, to show your appreciation for all of our service heroes!
Boot Birdhouse Workshop
Pre-register by January 19; Cost $TBA (all supplies included)
This fun birdhouse made from a recycled boot is sure to make the birds flock to your yard! This workshop will be taught by Judy Kirchhoff.
Origami Workshop
February 15, Nuckolls County Extension Office
Pre-register by February 8; Cost $15 (Canvas, hanger, paper and other supplies included)
This 3-D geometric origami art is the perfect piece of artwork for your next Design Decisions project! Please join us for a fun workshop folding paper and learn design principles around triangular shapes.
Arm Knitting Workshop
Pregister, Pay, and Choose Color by January 17; Cost $15.00
You supply the arms, we'll supply the yarn. Just let us know your first and second color choice, so we can get it ordered. Complete an infinity scarf, all in one day. It'll be fun! Come knit with us! This workshop will be taught by Tammy Johnson.
Livestock Projects & Exhibits
Beef Weigh-in will take place at the Kile Vet Clinic near Superior, NE on Saturday, February 3rd from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. We will be weighing, tagging, and pulling DNA for those 4-H'ers who want to exhibit at State Fair and AKSARBEN. FFA also welcome.
- Nuckolls County - All Market Beef must be weighed-in to show at the Fair.
- Thayer County - Weigh-in is optional.
Premises ID is required for all 4-H'ers exhibiting at County Fair, State Fair, and AKSARBEN for all livestock that is tagged with an EID or a Scrapies tag. This includes Market Beef, Market and Breeding Sheep and Goats, and Swine. Your Premises ID must be on file with the Extension Office by June 15 in order to show at the County or State level. Please contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (402) 471-2351 to acquire your Premises ID. In order to acquire a Premises ID, you will need to provide the following:
- Name of the individual owning or in control of the location (typically a parent)
- Address (for mail delivery)
- Address where the livestock are located (if different)
- Phone number of the owner of the location.
- 2018 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Livestock Judging Contest
Just a Reminder! Starting last year, the new FDA regulation for the Veterinary Feed Directive went into effect. This regulation will affect all food producing animals no matter how large or small the operation and that includes youth livestock participants. There are a number of show feeds that contain feed grade antibiotics such as CTC (Chlortetracycline) or Tylosin. These type of products will require youth to work with their Veterinarian to obtain a signed VFD order before purchasing and feeding these feeds. So young producers should look at the feed labels of products they intend to feed prior to having their livestock projects to determine if a VFD will be required to purchase their feed. If their feed is medicated with an antibiotic, they will need to establish a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship with Veterinarian licensed in Nebraska who will work them with their VFD requirements.
The 2018 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Livestock Judging Contest is to be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. This is a great learning opportunity for youth as they progress through their judging careers, and an exceptional “warm-up” for State Contests to be held later this year. More information can be found at http://cattlemens.org/youth/judging_contest.html.
Horse Projects & Exhibits
The 2018 Nebraska District 4-H Horse Shows will be held in the following locations:
- June 13 – Ord
- June 14 – York
- June 20 – Gordon
- June 21 – Central City
- June 22 – Curtis
A printable version of the District Horse Show map can be found at https://unl.box.com/s/eqhqdackhk9azu9cdzf4dinds3qq9wbn. All entries are due to the county office on May 5, 2018.
The 4-H Horse Stampede is held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. This year's 4-H Horse Stampede will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018. This event offers a variety of 4-H horse contests that don't require live horses, including public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, and photography contests. Youth have the opportunity to display their equine knowledge through these contests both as an individual and as part of a team. There is a $10 entry fee per contestant. A Brown Bag Lunch is available through a pre-order form. Along with lunches, T-shirts will also need to be pre-ordered in order to secure a shirt. Forms and more information can be found online at: http://4h.unl.edu/horse/stampede Entries need to be to the Extension Office by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 5th, 2018.
Nebraska Equine Webinar Series
4-H leaders, parents and senior aged youth a welcome attend these webinars to gain knowledge in many different areas. Each month experts will cover a different topic. The webinars will be online through zoom. For more information & to view past webinars, go to http://4h.unl.edu/horse/webinar-series.
Equine Webinars will be hosted on the 2nd Monday of every month; January 8th, February 12th, March 12th, April 9th& May 14th
Small Animals
The 4-H Companion Animal Challenge is held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. This year's event will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The Companion Animal Challenge offers a variety of 4-H companion animal contests that don't require live animals, including a Demonstration Contest, Dog Quiz Bowl, Skillathon Contest, Art Contest, and Photography Contest. Youth have the opportunity to display their knowledge through these contests both as individuals and as part of a team. There is a $5 entry fee per contestant. A Brown Bag Lunch is available through a pre-order form. T-shirts need to be pre-ordered in order to secure a shirt. Entries need to be to the Extension Office by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 5th, 2018.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Animal Science is hosting a monthly 4-H Cat Club for companion animals every second Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Each lesson has a short presentation and worksheet with activities that youth can do in small groups. These topics will help youth to prepare cats for showmanship at a county fair cat show. The information to log into the meeting and the handouts are available on the website: http://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/cat-club
Static Exhibits & Contests
Workshop Ideas Needed!
Foods & Nutrition
NEW 4-H Foods and Food Preservation Manuals for 2018!
The foods and nutrition projects will be switching curriculums! New this year will be 4-H Cooking 101, 201, 301 and 401. (Six Easy Bites, Tasty Tidbits, You’re the Chef, Foodworks and Fast Foods will no longer be offered.) We will also be adding Home Food Preservation manuals for Freezing, Drying, Boiling Water Canning and Pressuring Canning. Many of the fair projects will stay the same but look forward to some new additions. Stay tuned......
Photography
Photography Theme for 2018
TRUE LEADER EXHIBIT PRINT: Explore true leaders in your community. True leaders can be anyone from community leaders, teachers, and volunteers to parents and friends. So, what sets them apart? What makes someone a true leader? What effect do they have on the people or environment around them? How can you tell their story through photography?
Horticulture & Plant Science
The Special Garden Project is a way to offer 4-H members the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. Last year over 1075 4-H members were enrolled in the project. This year the Special Garden Project is focused on the unique, Delft Blue Nigella. Delft Blue Nigella is named for the famous Dutch Delft blue pottery. They have unique, 1½ - 2" flowers with blue splashes on flower petals in varying shades of blue and gray, and intricate deep-purple centers. Unusual seed pods are also used in fresh or dried arrangements. On average it will take about 65-70 days from seeding date until the plant flowers and about 80-85 days for seed pods.
4-H members enrolled in the Special Garden Project will:
- Receive a ‘packet’ of Delft Blue Nigella (one packet per youth) in March/April
- Receive a newsletter about: Planting & grlowing nigella, Nigella problems & insects, Harvesting & using nigella
- Be able to exhibit this unique flower at County and State Fair
State Fair special Garden Project Educational Exhibit Class G-775-001
State Fair Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers/Harvested Vegetables G-775-002 NEW
Other fun county only ways to exhibit this unique flower like a story, peom, or poster. Each
county is different so be sure to check with your local Extension Office.
- Complete an evaluation about their growing experience: https://go.unl.edu/delftbluenigella
Youth should enroll for the Special Garden Project through 4-H Online and let the Extension Office know that you would like to participate in the project by January 20, 2018. Once enrolled in 4-H Online, youth are then supposed to call their local office to sign up for the project (order the seeds). By enrolling through 4-H Online, youth will have access to the box folder with the educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation.
Do you enjoy being outside? Learning new things about crops? Considering a career involving crops, insects, diseases, soils, water or more? Do you want to help figure out how to feed our world’s growing population in a sustainable way? Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board are offering the seventh Innovative Youth Corn Challenge contest. This contest, open to 4-H members (age 10 & older as of Jan. 1st) or FFA members (in-school members), guides participants through all aspects of corn production, as well as agricultural careers related to corn production. As a team (2 or more participants), youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal to determine if they increased their yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice will also be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary. Cash prizes and plaques are given. First place receives $1,000, second place receives $500, and third place receives $250. Sustainability, crop scouting and “extra mile” awards are also given as cash awards. To participate in 2018, youth must complete and return an entry form by March 15th to the Fillmore County Extension Office in Geneva, NE. Forms can be downloaded after January 1st at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/activities. For more information, contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Entomology
Nebraska has been awarded the Ag Innovators grant for 2018! For the fifth year, National 4-H Council (Council) is proud to collaborate with Monsanto for the annual Ag Innovators Experience (AIE) that will provide 5,000 youth in five (5) selected states, from urban, suburban and rural backgrounds, the opportunity to develop the workforce skills to feed the planet. The AIE will drive youth awareness of, and interest in, agriculture innovation and agriculture careers. States eligible for the AIE Implementation application include IA, IL, KS, MI, MO, NE and OH. In 2018, 5,000 youth from across these states will participate in the “Monarch on the Move Challenge”, an educational activity focusing on the importance of biodiversity to agriculture, specifically as related to monarch butterfly habitats. The Monarch on the Move Challenge will engage youth as researchers as they simulate the needs of a caterpillar identifying the many factors that play a role in their reproduction and survival. Then, using given land plot samples, teams will design effective agricultural practices that promote biodiversity. Teams will be challenged to provide evidence to support their strategies. When possible, learning venues will engage participants in a seed planting, exemplifying how everyone can contribute to biodiversity which, ultimately, helps secure food production for a growing world population.
In Nebraska, we are looking for 20 teens (we can take more) to help us teach this program across the state to reach our state goal of 1000 youth. Several of you have reached out already. This is the official ask.
- If you have a teen who is willing to participate please email Lisa their name and address.
- If your teen is interested in serving as one of our three lead teens and can attend training in Ames, IA on February 2-4, 2018, at Iowa State University, please send me their name and a statement from them on why they want to be on the state training team.
- Soon a training date will be set in which teens and hopefully a staff/parent will attend to learn about the program, find out about expectations and plan for the grant year.
- Lots more to come!!!
Questions? Contact Lisa Kaslon at 402-584-3874 or at lkaslon@unl.edu
Special Opportunities
4-H Junior Leaders Club
Thayer County 4-H Junior Leaders will meet January 14, 2017, 12:45 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre in Hebron.
If you would like to be a part of the 4-H Junior Leaders Club, you must be 13-18 years old by January 1 of the current year. Contact Jacie Milius if you'd like to join!
Next Chapter Online
Students will need to create accounts on https://campus.extension.org/ and then search for the course to enroll. To get to the course, follow the steps below.
1. Go to campus.extension.org, create a free account
2. Type in Nebraska Next Chapter to find course materials.
3. Click the name to enter.
Once the student has entered the course, they will be able to watch the lessons and access any accompanying course materials (worksheets, etc.). This can be used to make up coursework if a student misses a lesson, or as a standalone program if Next Chapter is not available locally. There is no charge for students to access the online version, though we do ask that they register via 4-H Online so we can track progress through the program. The fee to participate is the same as any other 4-H Club, and they only need to pay this once per year, regardless of how many 4-H clubs they participate in. Questions? Contact Jacie Milius.
Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute
The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute is a weeklong experience for high school Juniors and Seniors from all across Nebraska to learn about career opportunities within agriculture. This conference features speakers, workshops, agricultural education, networking with peers and industry leaders, professional development, leadership experience, fun and new friends! If you’re interested in applying as a delegate to the 2018 conference, applications will be available on February 15th at http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/nayi.html
Fun Events & Community Service Opportunities
Social Media
SPCT Fundraising Opportunities
4-H Leader Updates
Year-end Treasurer's Report
A mandatory meeting for 4-H Council Members and 4-H Club Leaders (Nuckolls & Thayer County) will be held in Deshler on Sunday, March 3, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will include updates for Club Leaders, Essential Elements Training, and an appreciation dinner. All 4-H Council members and 4-H Club leaders are asked to attend.
Southern Plains 4-H & Extension
Next Meeting
Nuckolls Co. Extension Office
Next Meeting
Next Meeting
Nuckolls County Extension Office
Email: nuckolls-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 825 S Main St, Nelson, NE, United States
Phone: 402-225-2381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/
Thayer County Extension Office
Email: thayer-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains/
Location: 225 N 4th St, Hebron, NE, United States
Phone: 402-768-7212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlainsExt/