4-H Friday News Blast!

2.15.19 - Warm blankets feel good on cold snowy winter days!

4-Hers & Volunteers, have you re-enrolled yet? It's time!

Re-enrollment deadline is 3.15.19 - Click to re-enroll!

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Cass County 4-H Summer Camp, Workshop, and Travel Scholarships

Could your family use some help to afford camp, a summer workshop, or transportation to camp at Halsey? Cass County has camp and workshop scholarships that are funded by our 4-H Council, and the deadline to apply is March 15, 2019. Applications can be found by clicking here. To make it easy, this is a fillable form.

You asked, we delivered! There is a NEW, unadvertised Adventure Day Camp experience for youth ages 6-11 at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center on June 15th from 10:00 to 4:00! Cost is $35 per person, and adult chaperones are encouraged (but not required) to attend! See all the details and register at: https://go.unl.edu/if9o. This session is also eligible for our local camp scholarships.

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Cass County Speech Contest Announced

The Cass County Speech Contest will be held Monday, April 15th beginning at 6:30 the evening.

The Speech contest helps youth learn and practice skills that are beneficial for a lifetime in their personal and professional lives. Developing self-confidence and effective public speaking skills are two goals of the Nebraska 4-H public speaking/presentations program.

All details about the Speech Contest can be found on our website at: https://go.unl.edu/2dyd

Start planning today for the fun and successes of tomorrow!

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Mark your Calendar - Cass County Fair is 7th - 10th, 2019

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FYI - 4-H Photography Themes for 2019

If you are taking photography this year in 4-H, there are two fun themes announced for Level II and Level III Photography. Take a look:

Level II: CLASS B181060, THEME PRINT: BEAUTIFUL NEBRASKA

Nebraska’s state song, Beautiful Nebraska, talks of peaceful prairieland, rivers, and hills of sand, ark green valleys, and rainbows reaching to the ground. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone has their own idea of what makes Nebraska great. Entries in the theme print class should capture and share what the exhibitor finds beautiful in or about Nebraska. Exhibitors should explain how their photo fits the Beautiful Nebraska theme when answering question #1 of the Data Tag.

Level III: CLASS B182060, THEME PRINT: N|150

February 15, 2019 marks 150 years since the day the state of Nebraska chartered the University of Nebraska. That’s 150 years of history to appreciate, impact to unpack, and stories to tell. Much has happened since 1869, all for the purpose of changing lives, advancing knowledge, and fulfilling dreams. How has the University of Nebraska impacted you, your family, or your community? How can you tell this story through photography? Exhibitors should explain how their photo fits the N|150 theme when answering question #1 of the Data Tag.

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YQCA Training Sessions: Face-2-Face Training or On-line Training

4-H members, age 8 and up, who take livestock projects which produce food products (Pigs, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Market Rabbits, and Poultry) need to receive certification in these areas each year. Deadline to complete this certification is June 15th.

Go to www.yqca.org and sign up for a face-to-face training (Brett Kreifels will be teaching again this year) or do the training on-line. Dates are listed on the YQCA link. For the face-to-face training, juniors will begin at 6:00 pm and Intermediates & Seniors will begins at 7:30 pm.

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"Kids K9 Clinic" in Lincoln

A UNL student and former 4-H member is holding a 4-H dog clinic in April for free to complete a project at UNL. Her name is Ivy Dearmont. Ivy has experience training dogs and runs her own training business. 4-H members who would be interested need to sign up with Ivy as she has a cap on the registrations. There "Kids K9 Clinic" will be held April 6th in Lincoln, and there is no cost for this clinic. See the flyer for contact information.

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Celebrating the Historic Past of our University

The University of Nebraska was chartered on February 15, 1869 and charged with its land-grant mission of public education and service to Nebraska. In 2019, we mark a 150-year legacy of improving the quality of life for Nebraska and beyond. Please join Nebraska 4-H in celebrating the historic past of your University and helping us chart a bold new future. https://4h.unl.edu/n150

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4-H Companion Animal Challenge at UNL

The Companion Animal Challenge is a set of contests for youth interested in companion animals. These contests are animal-less and test youths knowledge about companion animals. New this year to the contest are a Cat Skillathon and an essay contest. 4-H youth ages 10-18 are invited to participate.

The 4-H Companion Animal Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Animal Science Complex.
Contests include: Demonstration Contest, Dog Skillathon Contest, Cat Skillathon Contest, Essay Contest, Art Contest, and Photography Contest.
This event allows youth to apply their companion animal knowledge, but does not require them to have an animal!
It will be held the same day as the 4-H Horse Stampede so that youth can compete in both events if they choose. We will ensure there are not schedule conflicts.
Entries are due to me by March 8, 2019.
For more information and registration forms: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/challenge
Questions? Contact: Dr. Lisa Karr (lisa.karr@unl.edu)

4-H Horse Stampede at UNL

The horse stampede is a group of contests for youth interested in horses. These contests do not require youth to have a horse all they need is to have an interest and be willing to learn some information about horses.

The 4-H Horse Stampede will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Animal Science Complex.
Contests include: Individual Demonstration Contest (can be done in person or through zoom), Team Demonstration (can be done in person or through zoom), Speech (can be done in person or through zoom), Junior or Senior Horse Bowl (team quiz bowl contest), Art Contest (do not need to be present to participate, you can mail in the entries), and Photography Contest (do not need to be present to participate, you can mail in the entries).
It will be held the same day as the 4-H Companion Animal Challenge so that youth can compete in both events if they choose. We will ensure there are not schedule conflicts.
If you would like to have lunch or a t-shirt at the contest please make sure to fill out a lunch or t-shirt order form when registering for contests.
Entries are due to me by March 1, 2019.
For more information and registration forms: https://4h.unl.edu/horse/stampede
Questions? Contact: Dr. Lena Luck (lena.luck@unl.edu)

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Horse Judging School 2019

Mark your calendars for this year's in-person horse judging school for Saturday, March 2nd from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you are an aspiring judge, a current judge that needs re-certification, a youth, or judging team coach this is a great opportunity to learn more about judging and gain knowledge about specific classes such as Trail, Reining, and conformation. You can find out more information at: http://animalscience.unl.edu/horse or you can register at: https://go.unl.edu/hyjc

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4-H Dist & State 4-H Horse Show Changes Announced

Three are numerous changes for the 4-H District and State 4-H Horse Shows in 2019. Go to our website to view these changes: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/cass/changes-announced-for-2019-nebraska-district-and-state-horse-shows/

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Northeast Nebraska 4-H Horse Show

Make plans now to attend the Northeast Nebraska 4-H Horse Show on June 5th starting at 4:00 pm. The show will be held at the Ridge Ranch Arena (Ray and Dorla Hermelbracht) near Homer, Nebraska.

For more information click here, or contact the Nebraska Extension in Thurston County at 402-385-6041.

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Experience Agronomy Day

High School students, are you interested in a future career in Agronomy? Make sure to check out this event being held on March 2nd on East Campus! Go to: https://agronomy.unl.edu/experience-agronomy

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Poultry Judging Clinic

4-H Poultry Judging is back! Any 4-H youth ages 10-18 with an interest in poultry and learning how to judge eggs, live laying hens and meat chickens are invited to participate in the 4-H Poultry Judging Clinic on March 16 at UNL's Animal Science Building. Click here for informational flyer and registration form.

This is a great clinic for those 4-H youth interested in competing in the Poultry Judging Contest at the Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) in June.

Please contact Dr. Sheila Purdum 402-472-6451 or Brett Kreifels with any questions. 402-444-7804

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Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

CWF is an awesome once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 4-H youth ages 14-19. It is the preeminent 4‑H citizenship and leadership experience for our young people!

Cass County has 4 youth already signed up. Are you age 14-19? You could go!!! There are some openings still available.

For more than 50 years, thousands of high school youth from all across the country have traveled to Washington, DC each summer to partake in the preeminent 4-H citizenship experience – Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF). CWF is a national program designed for 4-H members and teen leaders ages 14-19. Sessions are offered throughout the weeklong program held throughout June and July each year. CWF provides youth with opportunities to:

Explore, develop, and refine the civic engagement skills they need to be outstanding leaders in their community, country, and world.
Engage in sightseeing tours throughout Washington, D.C., led by college-aged program assistants.
Learn the history of our nation and how leadership and citizenship skills can be applied in local community.

Citizenship Washington Focus -Click to watch video clip

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We've had one person step up to present a dog workshop this summer! Awesome - Thank you!
We have a lead on a Shooting Sports volunteer! Awesome - Thank you!
It's heart-warming how Cass County adults step up when there is a need for our young people! If you know a volunteer ... pat them on the back and tell them THANKS! If you know someone who can help with the other openings listed above, please have them contact the Extension Office. Thanks!