Jefferson County 4-H
April 2017
Newsletter Contents
- 4-H Highlights!
- Upcoming Workshops, Contests & Events
- Animal Information
- County Fair Updates
- Special Opportunities
- Calendar of Events
4-H Highlights!
4-H Enrollment Due April 1st!
2017 Project Resource Central is Available Now!
The 2017 Project Resource Central Download is now available at:
Diamond Clover Award Applications Due April 1st!
Clover Kids
Clover Kids is a 4-H program for children ages 5 to 7 years old. Children participate in hand-on activities designed to build lots of different life skills! Clover Kids also have their own section of the fair book with various projects they can bring to the fair!
The most important life skills for the 5 to 7 year-old age group are:
• Respecting Self
• Communicating with Others
• Solving Problems
• Thinking Critically
• Choosing Healthy Lifestyles
What do Clover Kids do?
• Explore science with simple science experiments
• Practice communication skills
• Strengthen motor skills through arts and crafts
• Make friends and learn to work with peers
• And much more!
Market Broiler Class at County Fair
In an effort to provide more 4-Hers with the opportunity to show poultry at the fair, Farmers Cooperative has generously agreed to again provide broiler chicks for any 4-H or FFA member that would like to show them in the market broiler class at the county fair. Exhibitors will be responsible for all expenses related to raising the chicks and bringing them to the fair.
Chicks will be mailed to the Extension Office at the end of May and will need to be picked up as soon as possible. If you are interested in ordering some broiler chicks orders must be turned into the Extension Office by Monday, April 24th! Please call the office with any questions!
Upcoming Workshops, Contests & Events
Cake Decorating 4-H Workshop
Beginning Sewing Workshop - April 17 & 21
A Sew for Fun workshop will be held on Monday, April 17th, 9 am – 12 pm and Friday, April 21st, 1-5 pm at the Extension Office – This is for 4-H’ers with no sewing experience and those who have participated just one year. First year 4H’ers will make a pillow case and second year participants will make a patch work pillow.
You will receive a list of supplies to bring when you register for the class. Registration fee is $5. Get a head start on your sewing projects now. You will not be sewing, but getting prepared so you are ready for the sewing classes when school is out. Registration deadline for this sewing class is Friday, April 14th.
Youth that can't attend on April 21st will need to tell the office on April 17th during the workshop.
4-H Public Speaking Contest
Developing 4-H’ers self-confidence and effective public speaking skills are two goals of the Nebraska 4-H public speaking contest. The local contest date has been set for Monday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. You must pre-register for the contest by Wednesday, April 12 by calling the office or sending an email to hayden.hemphill@unl.edu. Top three winners from each age division (except novice) will be selected to advance to the Regional Speech Contest at UNL East Campus in Lincoln on May 18. The top seniors in the Regional contests will advance to the State Contest held during the State Fair to compete for a $500 U.S. Savings Bond and a college scholarship. Resources to help you prepare for the Public Speaking Contest available at http://4h.unl.edu/publicspeakingrules.
We follow the same rules as the regional contest. Ages are as of January 1, 2017.4-H Camp Renegade Counselor Applications Due May 1st!!!
4-H T-Shirt Design Challenge!
Submit your ideas and artwork to the office no later than Friday, April 28th via e-mail, in person or mail! 4-H members will vote in May on their favorite design. The winning designer will receive a 7" Amazon Fire Tablet. So get your creative ideas submitted today!
State 4-H Camp Discounts Offered Until April 15th!
Summer 2017 is approaching fast! No summer is complete without a Nebraska 4-H Camp experience. Summer camps are open to everyone between the ages of 5 and 18. The full color brochure is now on our 4-H page at: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/jefferson/4-Hforms/ or you can pick one up at our office.
Nebraska State 4-H camps offer camps at these locations: Halsey and Gretna with more than 40 day and overnight camping programs and trips. Whether your child’s interest is in animals, robotics, nature and outdoor skills, tubing and kayaking, or just plain adventure, Nebraska 4-H camps provide the opportunities for all youth and all interests. You can save 10% on camp registration fees if you register for camp before April 15, 2017.
Animal Information
No Market Beef Weigh-In for 2017!
Any animals that want to be eligible for State Fair or AK-SAR-BEN, will need to have an EID tag and have a DNA sample on file by April 15, 2017. We have the EID tags and DNA envelopes here at the office. DNA samples are $6 each.
2017 Animal Identification Guidelines
Premises ID Required
Quality Assurance Training
4-Her’s can now complete their Livestock Quality Assurance requirement online! All 4-Her’s enrolled in swine, beef, sheep, dairy goat, dairy cattle, meat goat, rabbits or poultry need to complete Livestock Quality Assurance. 4-Her’s can complete their quality assurance requirement online and need to be done by June 15th.
Horse Levels Testing
District & State Horse Show Info
Rock Creek Wranglers 4-H Club
The Rock Creek Wranglers will be holding their meetings the second Sunday of every month. For more information, contact Kevin Johnson at 402-729-7408
Youth Veterinary Feed Directive 2017
As of January 1, 2017, the new FDA regulation for the Veterinary Feed Directive went into effect. This regulation will effect all food producing animals no matter how large or small the operation and that includes youth livestock participants.
How does this affect 4-H and FFA participants?
There are a number of show feeds that contain feed grade antibiotics such as CTC (Chlortetracycline) or Tylosin. These type of products 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.
If you have questions on the VFD Regulation feel free to contact me at reirich2@unl.edu or at 308-632-1230. I also have a VFD resource page at: http://bqa.unl.edu/veterinary-feed-directive.
Source: Rob Eirich
2017 State Fair Livestock Fees
On December 9, the Nebraska State Fairboard voted to add a bedding fee onto the entry fee for all livestock exhibitors; the fee will be $15 for beef and dairy and $5 for sheep, goats, and swine. The Fairbaord also voted to add a $3 per head fee for 4-H & FFA market animals to help defray the costs of drug testing. These costs are in addition to the existing entry fees that will stay the same for 2017.
The Nebraska State Fair continues to be supportive of FFA and 4-H and values all that youth and families bring the Fair; however, escalating costs for bedding, bedding removal, etc. have forced them to reassess their fees. They are also aware that there are other costs for families including DNA sampling. While this does add a financial burden; hopefully, by knowing early, families can make appropriate decisions about nominating animals and their plans for exhibiting.
Source: Kathleen Lodl, State 4-H Office
AK-SAR-BEN Livestock Show
The 2017 AKSARBEN Show Schedule, Programs and Judges can be found at: http://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/p/events/359 Additional information can be found at: http://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/
County Fair Updates
Date for 2017 Jefferson County Fair
Theme is: “Red, White and Blue This Fair Is For You”
Fair Entries Due June 15th
4-H Achievement Program 2017
Special Opportunties
Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute
Nebraska Makerspace Workshop, April 17-18, 2017
With its rich agricultural and rural heritage, Nebraska is a place where being self-reliant and finding creative solutions to everyday problems is a way of life. We believe Nebraskans' special talent in making positions our state to lead in the maker movement.
April 17-18 the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Innovation Studio are hosting a workshop to develop a concept for a network of Nebraska makerspaces. The goal: to link communities and foster the state's culture of making.
This workshop, held at Nebraska Innovation Campus and Nebraska Innovation Studio, is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in making in Nebraska - including educational institutions, libraries, community makerspaces and economic development offices - is encouraged to participate. Limited spots are available and advance registration is required.
Workshop objectives include:
- Discussing the 'state of making' and makerspaces in Nebraska;
- Learning about the concept of makerspace networks and how they can become engines for informal STEM learning, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development; and
- Identifying technological, economic and geographic barriers to developing a makerspace network and how to overcome those challenges.
April 17 will feature speakers and breakout discussions on the state of making in Nebraska and the potential for a makerspace network. April 18 is optional, offering training in establishing a makerspace and using equipment commonly found in makerspaces, including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers and woodworking tools. View the preliminary schedule here.
Please feel free to share this invitation with others who might be interested in attending this workshop. We hope to see you on April 17!
Register online at http://research.unl.edu/events/makerspaceworkshop/?ID=5db2c519e660fd5ef544e4f0c1f93574&eventID=2488#schedule.
Author: Nebraska Innovation Studio
National 4-H Raise Your Hand Promotion
This spring, Nebraska 4-H is asking alumni to raise their hands!
We believe that every child deserves the chance to succeed. If you’re a 4-H alumni or know someone who is, we’re asking for your help in spreading the word. Together we can help 4-H provide the hands-on learning that empowers kids across America with the skills to handle what life throws at them.
It’s easy:
1) Raise Your Hand: Go to www.4-H.org/RaiseYourHand to show your pride as a 4-H alumni.
2) Compete for Your State: Raising your hand is a vote towards a $20,000, $10,000 or $5,000 award for the states with the most alumni hands raised. In Nebraska, this award will be used to reach more youth through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs.
3) Pay it Forward: Tweet, post and share your #4HGrown and #NE4H experience or support and tag fellow alumni asking them to raise their hands for their state at www.4-H.org/RaiseYourHand.
Help kids learn responsibility, compassion, respect and the value of hard work by supporting 4-H. Together we can grow the next generation of true leaders.
Workshop Ideas
Calendar of Events
April
1 - 4-H Enrollment Due
1 - Diamond Clover Applications Due
14 - Good Friday Cake Decorating 4-H Workshop
15 - Market Beef DNA Due for State Fair & AK-SAR-BEN
17 - Public Speaking Contest
28 - Arbor Day Office Closed
May
1 - 4-H Camp Renegade Camp Counselor Applications Due
18 - Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest, UNL, Lincoln
23 - 4-H Camp Renegade Counselor Training, Fairbury
30 - STEM 4-H Workshop
June
6 - Project Bonanza 4-H Workshop
6 - 4-H Camp Renegade Applications Due
13 & 14 - Camp Renegade, Camp Jefferson
15 - ALL Fair Entries Due
15 - Livestock DNA & Breeding Nomination Cards Due
July
13-16 - Jefferson County Fair, Fairgrounds
Nebraska Extension - Jefferson County
Email: darci.pesek@unl.edu
Website: jefferson.unl.edu
Location: 517 F Street, Fairbury, NE, United States
Phone: 402-729-3487
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeffersoncountyext
Nebraska 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 Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
©2017