4-H Friday NewsBlast for 05/22/2020

Are you ready for some summer fun? Nebraska Extension Faculty has created some incredible online workshops for you! Each workshop will be available to you from the comfort of your home, and led by a Nebraska Extension faculty or staff member! Click here for details!

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May 26th with a visit to Wildcat Hills in Gering, NE. we will learn about the Big Horn Sheep living in the area as we learn how to be a biologist! The content is mostly driven towards 7th-12th graders. If able to join the live session, youth are encouraged to ask Amanda Filipe, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Specialist, any questions about the sheep, Wildcat Hills, or what it takes to be a biologist. The session will be recorded and posted at https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-field-trips. Go to https://go.unl.edu/8hir to register for this amazing tour!

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High school students: Are you looking for something to do this summer?

If you're a high school student entering the 9th-12th grade this fall, living in Nebraska, and you want to do a fun, hands-on, outdoor activity with a bit of instruction and a bunch of flexibility, Nebraska Extension is providing a summer gardening program for you. Click here for more details.

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We would like to share a new online camp opportunity with you for youth ages 8-18! Choose from a variety of exciting, live, online programs that you can participate in right from your home! Meet and interact with other youth who have similar interests!

Please use these links to learn more about some of our virtual camp offerings that will be led by Nebraska 4-H, Camp Professionals, UNL Faculty/Staff and Industry Professionals.

https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-2020

https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/virtual-summer-camps

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Here is a great opportunity that is open to all youth K-12 across the state of Nebraska. We are a partner with Beyond School Bells and the Nebraska Pitch Challenge that will be running in June and July. Students can create a 60-90 second pitch video and if they submit it, they have the opportunity to win $200 in funding, mentorships, and possible additional funding. Each participant receives a prize regardless of winning or not. Registration and Website

https://beyondschoolbells.org/bsb-student-challenges/pitch-challenge/pitch-challenge.html

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Do you have a companion animal that you have great relationship with and want an opportunity to show them off? Look no further! Sign up for our Video Companion Animal Showmanship Contest for an opportunity to present your favorite pet from the comfort of your own home! From cats, rabbits, and rodents to birds, reptiles, and amphibians, 4-H youth are invited to record a 3-5 minute presentation demonstrating their knowledge about the care their companion animal requires. The contest is open to youth ages 10-18 who are enrolled in a companion animal project. Video submissions will be accepted from June 1st through August 10th. For questions, contact Lisa Karr (lisa.karr@unl.edu). For more details about the contest and how to register, visit: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/showmanship-contest

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Due to the challenges of COVID-19 for families and educators, the extension of restricted in person 4-H events through June 15, and the closures of offices and schools, 4-H and FFA, in consultation with the Nebraska State Fair Livestock Committee, have decided to extend the state fair livestock nomination deadline from June 15 to July 1. Exhibitors will be required to submit their DNA envelopes to their county office or FFA Advisor and have completed their online nomination through https://showstockmgr.com/ along with submitting payment online by 11:59 PM CST on July 1.

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Due to the COVID-19 situation and social distancing, there will be changes in 4-H horse Advancement Level Testing. Visit the link below to find more information on how to complete level testing this year.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/cass/horse-advancement-level-testing-update/

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COVID-19 IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING DATE EXTENDED

Per University Extension guidelines, will continue to provide only remote programming through June 15, 2020. Decisions beyond that timeframe will be made later.

As a reminder this includes: club meetings, summer workshops, YQCA trainings, and camps. Please refer to the Cass County 4-H Calendar to view a complete list of events between today, April 28th and June 15th, will be held virtually.

If you have any questions, please contact the office at 402-267-2205, cass-county@unl.edu.

We hope to see you all sooner rather than later. Until then, be well!

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Youth will need to complete the online training to obtain their YQCA certificate. The Cass County 4-H Council voted to purchase web-based training codes so our 4-H members can take this training at NO COST!!! Thank you 4-H Council!

Contact Tammy Cavanaugh at 402-267-2205 or email: tcavanaugh2@unl.edu to receive your free YQCA Code. BE SURE TO EMAIL YOUR CERTIFICATE TO Tammy when you have completed the training.

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Do you show Poultry? Cats? Rabbits? Have you ever wondered how judges choose the ribbons placings in the classes you show in? Join the Companion Animal Judges Workshop!

For more information and to sign up: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal-judges-workshop

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Click here for the 2020 Fair book! If you would like a hard copy please let us know! Each club will get 1 copy at no charge, they are $2.00 each for additional copies. Just give us a call or email and we will work out a pick up time for you!

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To start, go to: https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-home-learning

You'll find: Living Room Learning, Boredom Buster Challenge, Self-Paced Opportunities, and various Activity Guides.

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Stay up to date with all horse show activities at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/clay/2020-district-horse-shows-open-shows/

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4-H Calendar - Be sure to check often for cancellations and updates

1. RESCHULED DATE: Cass County 4-H Public Speaking Contest - June 2, 2020 Via Zoom
2. Cass County Extension Office Closed for Memorial Day - May 25, 2020
   
3. Cancelled:Pawnee Fit and Feed Clinic - May 30, 2020
4. Cancelled:2020 Winner Unlimited Livestock Judging Camp at UNL (one-day camp) - June 2
5. Cancelled:2020 Winner Unlimited Livestock Judging Camp at UNL (multi-day camp) - June 3-5
6. Cancelled:YQCA Training in Cass County - June 4, 2020
7. Online Horticulture Judging Contest - June 5-22, 2020
8. Cancelled: Big Red Camps in Lincoln - June 7-12
9. EXTENDED - 4-H Project Deadline for county fair - June 15, 2020 - EXTENDED
   
10. New 4-H Member Enrollment Deadline - June 15, 2020
11. Cass County 4-H Animal ID Sheets Due - June 15, 2020
12. YQCA Certification Completion Due to Extension Office - June 15, 2020
13. Cancelled:District Horse Show information - June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
14. PASE/Life Challenge Contest at UNL - June 22-24, 2020
15. 4-H Plant Science and Insect Contest - June 25, 2020
16. Tractor Safety Training - July 30, 2020
17. Cass County Extension Office Closed for Independence Day - July 3, 2020
18. State Horse Show at Fonner Park - July 12-16, 2020
19. County Fair Online Pre-Entries Due - July 15, 2020
20. Cass County 4-H Dog Contest - July 18, 2020
21. Cass County 4-H Council Meeting - July 20, 2020

Lauren Stohlmann, Extension Educator and Unit Leader, lauren.stohlmann@unl.edu

Katie Kreuser, Extension Educator, katie.kreuser@unl.edu

Tracy Ensor, Extension Assistant, tracy.ensor@unl.edu

Tammy Cavanaugh, 4-H Support Staff, tcavanaugh2@unl.edu

Sandy Prall, Office Manager, sprall2@unl.edu

General Mailbox, cass-county@unl.edu

Email: cass-county@unl.edu
Website: www.cass.unl.edu
Location: 8400 144th Street, Weeping Water, NE, 68463
Phone: 402-267-2205
Facebook: facebook.com/UniversityofNebraskaLincolnExtensionCassCounty
Twitter: @UNLCassCounty