Otoe County 4-H Wednesday What-Nots
December 14, 2022
- Nebraska 4-H is seeking teens interested in leading and facilitating this year’s Ag Innovators Experience! 3 State Teen Leaders will be selected to attend the Ag Innovators Experience Training in Columbus, Ohio. An additional 20+ teen facilitators will be selected to deliver this year’s Ag Innovators Experience in their local communities. Applications are due Saturday, December 31. Learn more and apply at 4h.unl.edu/aie.
If you are a returning member, you will need to use the same email login and password as before. Please do not create a new family profile. If you are unable to access your account, please contact Cheryl at the extension office. If you have forgotten your password, select "I forgot my password" and a new one will be emailed to you. Select "Login" once you have entered your information. If you are a new member wanting to sign up, please call Cheryl at the office, 402-269-2301 to get started. WHEN YOU ENROLL- PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU PUT IN YOUR T-SHIRT SIZE!! THIS WILL BE VERY HELPFUL AS WE MOVE INTO NEXT YEAR!!!
YQCA Training
First scheduled YQCA Training for the year:
Tuesday, January 10th - 5:00 pm -Kimmel
We will have limited in person trainings this year, so please call Cheryl to reserve your spot. The next one will be Thursday, April 6th at 10am or 1 pm.
Help support our former 4-H member Valerie Bennie!
Open House and Ribbon Cutting
La Chicana Cafe / 812 Central Ave Nebraska City
Thursday, December 15th 4:00 - 6:00 PM Ribbon Cutting at 5:00
Let's welcome our newest business and help Valerie and her staff celebrate their American-Mexican Cafe.
Mark your calendars–Big Red Camps will be June 11-16, 2023. More details will be coming soon.
“Christmas Is”
Christmas is a time for caring
Bein’ at your best
Christmas is a time for sharing
Knowin’ you’ve been blessed
Christmas is a time for givin’
Love is made of this
That’s what Christmas is
Merry Christmas!
By: Dolly Parton
Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference Scholarship Opportunity
The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program will award up to 15 scholarships for students to attend the 2023 Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference. Any student attending a four-year college/university, two-year college, a vocational/technical school, or a 4-H or FFA member may apply for a scholarship to attend. Applicants will need to prepare an essay that answers the question: “Why do you want to attend the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference?” The essay response is limited to 3,000 characters. Applications must be submitted online by February 1, 2023.
More information can be found at: https://wia.unl.edu/scholarships
Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than February 10, 2023.
2022 4-H Holiday Gift Guide
IGNITE A SPARK
We provide products and educational materials that elevate confidence, support natural abilities, and empower youth to innovate. Come shop for new 4-H Project manuals to put under your tree this year!
Christmas Cake Pans Available
Where are all the Cake Decorators?? If you want to use one of these holiday cake pans, come get them. Rudolph, Wreath and Gingerbread Man
The Otoe County 4-H Foundation is seeking applications for a youth member. We would like you to apply!
The Otoe County 4-H Foundation meets on average of four times a year. They host a banquet, usually in February. The Otoe County 4-H Foundation provides scholarships to 4-H members attending 4-H camp, participating in national 4-H events, and pursuing a post-secondary education. The foundation board members really appreciate input from youth as they consider how to support new 4-H opportunities for Otoe County 4-H members.
Currently, Mason Wieckhorst serves as the youth representative, with his term ending February 1, 2023. If you are selected, your term of office would be February 2023 through January 2024.
If you are interested in applying to be an Otoe County 4-H Foundation board member, please contact me via email at cheryl.goff@unl.edu or at the Extension Office at 402-269-2301.
Three State Beef Conference in Syracuse!
For 38 years, the Three-State Beef Conference has provided beef cattle producers in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska an annual update on current and critical cow-calf and stocker topics affecting producers in the three-state area.
This year the program will focus on the seemingly little things that can make a big difference in cattle performance and profitability. The Nebraska meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan 12th in Syracuse, NE at the Otoe Co. Fair Grounds. The program begins at 6 pm and consists of a dinner and three 30-minute presentations with plenty of time for discussion.
Presentations:
Meeting the mineral needs of your herd without breaking the bank.
· Dr. Mary Drewnoski a Beef Systems Specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will discuss tips for developing a cost-effective mineral program.
Water quality: impacts on cattle production and how to evaluate
· Dr. Miranda Meehan, Extension Specialist with North Dakota State University will discuss why to, when to and how to test cattle water sources. Given drought conditions water quality monitoring is more important than ever.
Tips for adding value to your calves through backgrounding
· Dr. Dan Loy, Director of the Iowa Beef Center will discuss how to feed weaned calves to optimize growth and value.
To register call 402-269-2301or email cbiehler2@unl.edu. The registration fee is $25 per person to be paid via cash or check at the door and includes the evening meal and copy of the proceedings. Please pre-register by Wednesday January 4th to make sure there is enough food.
Horse Exhibitors:
Beginning in 2023, participation in a District 4-H Horse Show will not be required to participate in the State 4-H Horse Show. This is also similar to the process used by other state livestock events (i.e., State Fair, AKSARBEN, etc.) and will allow more youth the opportunity to experience the State 4-H Horse Show. As safety is always our most important concern, being able to provide more opportunities for learning through workshops and clinics will allow youth to increase their skills and further develop with their project horse(s) in preparation for the State 4-H Horse Show.
Please cash any checks you have from the Ag Society and the 4-H Council, in order to keep our books straight, need to have those checks cashed!!!!
Thanks!
Archery is Back in Otoe County
Rustin Brooks is taking the Archery program over under the Sharp Shooters 4-H Club. If you are interested in participating, please contact Rustin @ 785-410-8089, or Sherlyn @ 402-269-5668.
Spring and Summer Workshops
We are putting together workshops for this next year, if any of you have specific ideas or would like to volunteer to teach a workshop, please let the office know!
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers - Now Accepting Applications for 2023 Program
A frosty winter day is a great time to stay indoors and enjoy a good book, a warm fire in the fireplace and a hot cup of cocoa. But for gardeners, winter is also time to dream and plan next summer’s gardens. Soon gardeners will be looking through mail-order catalogues, making up their 2023 plant and seed orders. But for Nebraska Extension Master Gardener volunteers, winter is also a time to gather new knowledge, meet new friends and prepare for a fun season of volunteering.
What is a Master Gardener?
The Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (NE-EMGV) program is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the country. The first Master Gardener program was created in 1972 at Washington State University Cooperative Extension. Now there are EMGV programs in 49 of 50 states through each state’s land-grant university. There are also EMGV programs in Canada, South Korea and England.
At Nebraska Extension, we teach adults and youth in many different settings, from the county fair, to classrooms and demonstration landscapes. So do our Master Gardener volunteers. All that’s needed to get started is a love of plants, enjoyment of working with others and time to share your knowledge and skills.
How To Get Started
Complete and submit an application. Two Master Gardener programs are available for residents of Lancaster county and surrounding areas.
Evening training classes- Complete an application on-line at https://mastergardener.unl.edu/, click on “Become a Master Gardener.” Or contact Teri James, email: tjames2@unl.edu, (402) 472-8973. Program cost is $225.00 per person. Application deadline - January 13th.
Weekday training classes- Complete an application on-line at http://go.unl.edu/mgapplication, or contact Mary Jane Frogge for more information. Email: mfrogge2@unl.edu, (402) 441-7180. Program cost is $225.00 per person. Application deadline - January 13th.
Fed Steer Challenge
The Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is a unique opportunity for teens to learn more about the Nebraska cattle industry and develop skills to help them lead that industry in the future. Applications are now open for youth interested in participating in 2023. Visit 4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge to learn more about this opportunity or to apply
4-H Stem Challenge
Calling all teachers and educators! Are you looking for ways to inspire your students to participate in STEM through quality, hands-on learning? Look no further! This year’s 4-H STEM Challenge focuses on the mysteries and adventures of ocean exploration with robots! It includes three activities that students can do all at once or individually. Kits are available for purchase, including all the basic materials needed to complete each activity. Youth and facilitator guides are available as free downloads. Dive in at 4-h.org/parents/4-h-stem-challenge.
Otoe County 4-H Foundation Banquet
February 4, 2023
Call to reserve a table!
Market Beef Weigh In
Saturday, January 28th from 8:00-11:00am
UPCOMING 4-H Calendar
- December 26th: Extension Office Closed Christmas Holiday
- January 2nd: Extension Office Closed New Year's Holiday
- January 4th: 4-H Council Meeting 7:00pm
- January 10th: YQCA Training -5:00 - Kimmel Building
- January 12th: Three State Beef Conference - 5:30 - 9:00 - Fair Center
- January 16th: Senior Scholarships due back in the office
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County
Cheryl Goff, Office Manager, cheryl.goff@unl.edu
Email: Otoe-County@unl.edu
Website: www.otoe.unl.edu
Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, Neb, USA
Phone: (402) 269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County