Gage 4-H News
May 2020
In This Issue:
Announcements
Notes to 4-H Members
Notes to Leaders/VolunteersNotes to Livestock Members
Calendar of Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
4-H Public Speaking Contest Video Submission | Due May 23 by Midnight
Steps to record and upload video recordings:
- Record your speech using a phone, tablet, computer or video camera. File should be raw video with no editing. Files should be saved in the MP3 or MP4 format.
Production Tips:
- Use natural lighting.
- Shoot indoors (if possible) in a quiet area.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
- Avoid cluttered backgrounds
- Keep the recording device horizontal (not vertical) when shooting the video.
- Stabilize recording device (set it on a table, book, use tripod, etc.) so the shot is steady.
- Record 3-5 second before and after the 4-H’er begins speaking (if applicable)
- PSA can be recorded using any recording device or app but must be able to be uploaded digitally and should be in an MP3 or MP4 format.
Files should be named with the following label: Contest_AgeDivision_First Name_Last Name_County (i.e., Speech_Intermediate_GeorgeWashington_GageCounty).
View full contest rules here: https://go.unl.edu/gagevirtualspeakingcontest
Upload the recorded speech here: https://go.unl.edu/20gagespeechentry
Upload PSA here: https://go.unl.edu/20gagepsaentry
Be A Bug Boss | May 19 & May 21, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Online Horticulture Judging Contest | Open June 5-22
Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 5-22, 2020 at: https://go.unl.edu/hortcontest.
Horticulture judging contest consists of three parts. The first is identification of plant material. Participants identify the plants by common name from a plant list. Specimens may be alive or preserved plant parts like stems, twigs, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, bulbs, tubers, or plant products.
The second is a knowledge portion, usually in the form of a true/false or multiple choice quiz. Questions will test the contestant's knowledge of cultural practices for horticultural crops, plant science, pesticides, horticultural careers and other topics related to the production, processing and consumption of horticultural crops.
The last portion is judging or placings. This is where four different plants, plates of vegetables, or containers flowers are ranked from best to worst based on a set of criteria. Classes are judged on the basis of condition, quality, uniformity, true-to-type, and size.
More information about the Nebraska State contest along with a list of study materials can be found in the Fairbook http://4h.unl.edu/fairbook/plant-science/horticulture-id. Here you can find the written study materials for the knowledge portion, follow links to plant pictures for help with identification, and read how judging of plant material is done.
More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest
Online Entomology Contest | Open June 5 - 19
The Nebraska 4-H Online Insect Identification Contest provides an opportunity for participants to put their entomological knowledge to the test. The contest consists of insect identification and multiple-choice questions. Participants will gain knowledge about insects and entomology through this competition. This contest can serve as practice for county contests and the State Fair 4-H Insect Identification Contests. Contact your local Extension office for more information about county-level Insect Identification Contests.
The contest is open to all youth, as well as adults. Youth do not need to be enrolled 4-H members to participate. The contest will be available from Friday, June 5 through Friday, June 19, 2020.
More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/online-insect-id-contest
LIVING ROOM LEARNING | Every Tuesday & Thursday, 2:00 p.m.
Boredom Buster Challenge | Every Monday & Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Field Trips
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations Seniors!
Even though this year's graduation is a bit untraditional, we want to honor the class of 2020 with a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! Your accomplishments in Gage County 4-H and your academic work are impressive and we wish you all the best in your bright futures. This year's senior class includes 4-H'ers:
Addison Barnard, Ashtyn Humphreys, Jacob Kapke, Claira Janssen, Dalton Zimmerman,
Daniel Oldemeyer, Evan Busboom, Haleigh Fletcher, Hannah Fletcher, Hannah Lytle,
Jetta Harvey, Kaitlyn Otto, Lauren Trauernich, Lindsey Holm, Mackenzie Barnard,
Melina Kostal, Nic Zito, Sierra Maginnis, Alexx Malchow
Congratulations Engler Agribusiness Scholarship Winners!
4-H Enrollment Deadline Extended | May 15 at Midnight
- You receive an email saying your payment is declined - this is a common problem, we have had probably 40-50 of these issues coming through, for some reason the system is really finicky about credit cards. TO TROUBLESHOOT, log-back into your 4HOnline profile and enter a new credit card into the system (you could also try re-entering the original credit card again.
- It is not allowing you to go to the payment screen - text/call/email Jacie. She will ask if you had a Clover Kid last year - if you did, you will have to send a check for $12/4-H member to the Extension Office (made out to the University of Nebraska - Lincoln). If you did not have a Clover Kid in your family last year, she will help you troubleshoot.
- You can't add projects - text/call/email Jacie, have a list with the projects that you would like to enter in and she will add them for you.
- How to know what projects to enter in - we encourage you to enroll in any project you may think that you're interested in. It might help to look at last year's Fairbook to see what types of exhibits can be completed in the project.
Rescheduling face-to-face events through June 15 due to COVID-19. Continue reading to learn more.
COVID-19 Impacts 4-H Program
At this time, it is unknown if we will have summer activities, including the Gage County Fair. But, we remain hopeful. We will have some event to celebrate the learning that has occurred this year either in-person or virtually. We are fielding many questions regarding the purchase of 4-H project animals and supplies for 4-H projects. We know that 4-H projects can be a significant financial investment; however, the projects still serve as valuable learning opportunities for your children. Additionally, 4-H project work can actually give children a sense of normalcy in this crazy time. We hope that you are still able to provide these learning experiences for your children, but we understand that they can become a financial burden. To lessen this burden, consider waiting until the last possible moment to purchase 4-H project animals or consider spending less than you normally would. Regardless if we have an in-person or virtual county fair, judging will occur and ribbons will be awarded.
Camp Renegade & Camp Venture Cancelled
Southeast Nebraska Virtual Summer Program
INSERT FLYER HERE!!!
2020 Anytime Learning Update
We are still planning on hosting our 4-H Anytime Learning Workshops and Projects. The projects can be picked up starting April 15; however, please call (402)223-1384 prior to coming so that we can prepare the projects for you. We have waived the fees for the projects this year.
Anytime Learning Workshop fees will still be assessed. We will plan to have supplies needed for the workshop available for you to pick-up at the office. We will invoice you following the virtual workshop, please plan to pay via check (made out to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln) or cash (either include the invoice, or a note with the youth's name/workshop paying for). Additionally, the workshops will be recorded, so if for some reason you are unable to attend, you can still complete the activity. We are hoping that this will not impact all of our 2020 Anytime Learning Workshops, but we understand if this affects your child's participation.
NOTES TO 4-H MEMBERS
Citizenship Washington Focus
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the Kick-off meeting to our 2021 Citizenship Washington Focus Trip. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the Zoom recording, or view the slides.
As outlined during the meeting, we are implementing a “payment plan”. This is a suggested amount to have in your account in the upcoming months. The first date for the payment plan is June 30, we suggest an amount of $300 in your CWF account with the Extension Office. The next date, and perhaps the most important for us in the office, is September 30 – we suggest an amount of $1300 in your account by this date. This date is important because it is the last date for you to commit to the CWF trip.
If you are an adult that is interested in attending and sponsoring the CWF Trip in 2021, please fill out the Sponsorship Application. The application will close on August 1, and we will announce adult sponsors on September 30, 2020. The cost for adult sponsors is 75% of the cost for youth. Based upon the $3300 estimated youth cost, we estimate the adult cost being approximately $2500. Adult sponsors are required to enroll as a volunteer on 4HOnline, pass all required screenings, and complete a virtual training.
4-H Clover Kids In-Home Learning
Welding Workshop | Cancelled
Table Setting & Presentation Contest | June 29, 2020, Gage County Extension Office
NOTES TO 4-H LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS
Spotlight on 4-H
REQUIRED - Volunteer Enrollment through 4HOnline
Enroll as a New Volunteer/Adult
REQUIRED - Volunteer Screening Process
The Nebraska Extension 4-H Volunteer application process includes volunteer screening. All volunteers (teens and adults) and staff who work directly with youth are required to complete the volunteer screening every five years. Be assured the volunteer screening process is confidential. A $5.00 fee will be required during the screening. Gage County 4-H volunteers who complete the screening will receive a free meal voucher to Runza. Thank you Runza!
4-H Council Meetings
- May 18, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
- Register to attend the meeting below.
NOTES TO LIVESTOCK MEMBERS
Tagging & Livestock ID
Ear tags are available to pick-up, please call ahead (402) 223-1384 or email Jane or Jacie with the species and number of tags, and we will place them outside the Extension Office in the dropbox for you to pick-up.
YQCA & Training Schedule Update
Online YQCA training - Please make a special note to your 4-H age (as of Jan. 1, 2020) when selecting a course to complete. Use your 4-HOnline username and password to login to YQCA account.
4-H Horse Program Updates
Horse Advancement Level Update -
Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, the update provided in March is now outdated. We hope to have an update from the State Horse Program Coordinator in the coming week and once we have the information, we will post it here and send it to you in an email through 4HOnline.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Nebraska Extension Gage County
Email: Gage-County@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/gage/
Location: 1115 West Scott Street, Beatrice, NE, USA
Phone: 402-223-1384
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionGageCo/
Twitter: @GageCoExtension