Adams County 4-H Newsletter

• Note from the Extension Office
• Leaders & Parents Corner
• 4-H Council
• Youth Information
• Project Information
  
• 4-H Calendar

February is NEBRASKA 4-H Month! Show your 4-H pride throughout the month by wearing your 4-H t-shirt and promoting 4-H. Also, watch for special posts on the Adams County Facebook page and participate in the fun with your comments. As a reminder, January 1st officially started the 2022 4-H calendar year. The current edition of the 4-H Family Handbook is available on our website. The enrollment process for 2022 is an online enrollment process. Instructions on how to enroll online are on the Adams County website along with the 2022 Project Resource Central (pick-a-project). We will not have paper forms but will be happy to help you do the online form. We hope that you take some extra time this year and sign up for a project you can do as a family or together with another person. Challenge yourself by switching to a new or more challenging project. Please note again this year we will be completing the fair entry online in the static area and contest along with livestock, more to come on this at a later date. Whatever you do, we hope you continue to be part of the Adams County 4-H Program.

Congratulations

• Noah Pagel - Runner up for Outstanding Tribland 4-Her
• Emily Barfknecht - 4-H Garment was selected for Omaha Fashion Week
• Archery Shooters - Participating in the Columbus Shoot

Thank-you!

Thank you to all who made the 4-H Council's Soup Supper a huge success. The chicken noodle, chili and desserts were delicious. A special thank you goes to the 4-H Council fund raising committee for taking charge of the event along with the business sponsors. The CWF baskets were beautiful and unique, along with outstanding decorated cakes for the cake auction. A special thanks to Sam Ruhter from Ruhter Auction for being the auctioneer.

Extension Office Closed

• Presidents Day - February 21st

Communication Tool: Remind App

Adams County 4-H would like to improve our communication and outreach with our 4-H families, volunteers, and partners. Therefore, we invite you to join Adams County 4-H in the Remind App! https://www.remind.com/join/adamsco4h Join today and be caught up on everything happening. Already have the Remind App? Look up for the Class Code: @adamsco4h

Checkout the Facebook Page

Follow our 4-H Facebook Page that allows us to focus on 4-H content focused for our 4-H families. You may review it at: https://www.facebook.com/AdamsCo4H

We still have the UNL Extension in Adams County Facebook page for all the Adams County Extension information.

to submit a design - https://go.unl.edu/adamsdesign or drop it off at the Adams County Extension Office

Youth can start enrolling for 2022 4-H by going to https://v2.4honline.com and sign in by using the email address that you used to create your account last year. If you can’t remember your password select the option “I forgot my password.” If brand new to 4-H, go to https://v2.4honline.com and select “I need to set up a profile.” There is an enrollment fee of $5 this can be paid online (credit or debit card) when enrolling or by cash or check to the Adams County Extension Office. The enrollment will not be complete until the Extension Office has received the online enrollment submission and enrollment fee. Updated step-by-step instructions and the 2022 Pick a Project (please use at this time) for enrolling can be found on our website http://adams.unl.edu. If you have any problems or questions, please call Gwen or Twila at 402-461-7209.

• Remember the Early Bird 4-H enrollment deadline date is February 14, 2022. If you take advantage of this enrollment time the 4-H Council is giving as an incentive a free 4-H manual of your choice. This is a great opportunity to have new resources for your projects.

Junior Leader News

“All Aboard the LeaderSHIP” The Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders next meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. on February 13, 2022. The meeting will be held at the Adams County Extension Office. Anyone is welcome to join the Junior Leader’s Club that is 12 by January 1, 2022, or older. You must be an active member of the Adams County 4-H program by being a member of an organized 4-H club or an independent member. Junior Leaders do a lot of fun, learning and leadership activities, this year the focus will be on the “new” achievement program. Some of the Jr. Leader activities are: pancake feed and food booth at the county fair, along with helping members and younger 4-H’ers with 4-H projects and being positive role model for younger 4-H’ers. Bring a friend and make new friends. Also you are eligible to earn a scholarship. If you have any questions, please contact Julie at the Adams County Extension Office (402-461-7209).

We depend on and use leaders and volunteers throughout the Adams County 4-H program. Every year the Leaders and Volunteers are required to enroll/re-enroll in 4-H Online.

Once enrolled for 2022, your status in 4-H Online will be “Pending” until we have verification that you have cleared the Volunteer Screening. Once you have submitted your enrollment, if you are a new volunteer, you will receive an email with instructions on what to expect next as we will submit your name to the State 4-H Office. We need every Leader/Volunteer to complete all the steps if you are planning to continue as a Leader/Volunteer in 2022. See enrollment information at extension.unl.edu/statewide/adams/Adams%20County%20Re-Enrollment%20Instructions%204H%20Online%202022.pdf

Are you new to the 4-H program or need some extra guidance? This group will navigate you through your first or second year of 4-H, you will be instructed on deadlines, projects and exhibits, guided on proper 4-H procedures all while having a great time. This special interest group will meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Extension Office. Our next meeting will be February 15th, please RSVP the Extension Office at 402-461-7209.

January Happenings:

• Review Adams County 4-H Council Scholarship Form & Requirements
• Nebraska 4-H Month
• YQCA Update
• 4-H Launch
• Committee Sign-ups

February Agenda:

• Budget
• 2022 4-H T-Shirt(s)
• Adams/Webster Farm Bureau Pancake Feed
• Adams County Beef Weigh-in Volunteer

If you are available to help please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050b45abac2aa5fb6-2022

Adams County Leader/Volunteer Training will be held in the Commons Room at the Extension Office on March 28th starting at 6:00 PM with a light meal sponsored by Adams County 4-H Council. Please RSVP 402-461-7209 to reserve a seat at Explore, Connect and Thrive in 4-H with Beth & Julie.

It's official, 2022 Adams County Fairfest Dates!

The 2022 Adams County Fair is July 13th to July 17th. Static Exhibits will be entered Sunday & Monday July 10 & 11th. Livestock check-in is Tuesday July 12th. Livestock Auction will be Monday, July 18th. The livestock show schedule including Clover Kids will be the same as the 2021 fair.

https://go.unl.edu/adamsfriendship or call the Adams County Extension Office

Citizenship Washington Focus Trip

A decision has been made to suspend the trip for 2022, changing it to a 2023 trip. Youth who are 15 to 18 years old in the years of 2023 & 2025 are invited and welcomed to sign up for a trip of a lifetime! If you are interested please contact NE Extension in Adams County at (402)461-7209. It is never too early to sign up. Fundraising is ongoing; Money earned at any fundraising activity will be applied to your 2023 or 2025 CWF trip fund.

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) provides teens in grades 8 through 11 with an exciting opportunity to help make a difference in their communities. As a member of YPC, teens from across the country collaborate on national and local emergency preparedness projects. FEMA Region VII, which includes Nebraska, enthusiastically encourages teens in this region to apply to YPC.

The deadline for applications is March 6, 2022. To learn more and find details on applying to YPC, visit https://www.fema.gov/.../indiv.../youth-preparedness-council

Important dates:

• Application Information Session: February 17, 7 – 8 p.m. CST | 6 – 7 p.m. MST
• Webinar Registration – Zoom
• Application Closes: March 6, 11:59 p.m. PST
• Application Review Period: March – May 2022
• Selection Notification: May – June 2022
• Virtual YPC Summit: July 2022

Apply now to attend one of the biggest youth agriculture outreach events in the state—the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI brings together high school juniors and seniors to learn more about Nebraska agriculture, network with agriculture leaders and discover the many careers available in agriculture. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 11–15, 2022. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online.

The Flight Crew is a cohort of youth advocates, ages 13-18, who are committed to creating equity for girls in STEM through elevating youth voices and inspiring future STEM leaders. We are looking for young scientists, engineers, inventors, builders, and leaders who have been inspired by their experience outside of the school classroom. Flight Crew members will participate in six months of virtual programming where they will hone their leadership and advocacy skills using their own experiences from afterschool STEM learning. Those selected will be eligible for a $1000 stipend, an all-expense paid trip to the annual Million Girls Moonshot summer 2022 event, and thanks to our partners, an all-expense paid opportunity to go to Space Camp for summer 2023.

The Flight Crew application is open to youth ages 13 to 18 who identify as female, gender-expansive, or outside of the identity of cis-gender male. Applicants will share their views in a written, video, or art piece. Applications are due February 25, 2022. Apply here! https://milliongirlsmoonshot.org/moonshot-flight-crew!

• Shooting Sports Classes in session (Archery, BB Gun, Air Rifle & Air Pistol) – Weekly
• Shotgun Classes in session – Weekly
• Shooting Sports Celebration – March 27th, Fairgrounds East Activity Building @ 5:00 PM

Join with Quilters across the nation in sewing for Quilts of Valor on February 19th at the Extension Office. The quilting workshop starts at 9:30 AM thru 11:30 AM, come and sew with Julie anytime during this time frame. There is no charge for this workshop the quilts made during this time will be a group effort and will be exhibited at the fair, then donated to the National QOV Foundation. Please RSVP at 402-461-7209 to sew with Julie.

The Special Garden Project is a way to offer 4-H members the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. The 2022 Special Garden Project is focused on the tasty Rubenza Cosmos. The flowers of the Rubenza are unique, the petals change color as they age. Pollinators and beneficial insects are attracted to the blooms all summer long. These cosmos make great cut flowers. Be sure to enjoy a bouquet of Rubenza indoors. Youth should enroll for the Special Garden Project through 4-H Online.

4-H members participating in the Special Garden Project will:

· Receive a “packet” of

· Receive a newsletter about:

o Planting/Growing

o problems & insects

o Harvesting & using

Seed packets have been ordered, but you can still participate.

If interested in participating, youth need to be enrolled in 4-H and in the special garden project area, and please contact the Extension Office to reserve your seeds. Seed packets will be $0.50 each.

The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different.

The focus of the 2022 Special Agronomy Project is Broomcorn Sorghum. Broomcorn can be used for ornamental uses in floral arrangements or harvested for broom-use prior to seed maturity. To participate in the Special Agronomy Project, enroll in the project through 4-H Online or call your local extension office to reserve seed.

There are three ways to complete this at the county or state fair. First, an educational exhibit that can be in a poster format can include what you learned. Secondly, let your creativity go wild and create a video-type presentation explaining what you have learned, showing the growing process, etc. Finally, you can enter the crop itself. To do this, cut 4 stalks at the ground level and bound-together with supporting information about the project. For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at 4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.

Beef Weigh Day

This year the 4-H council has decided to offer only one weigh day for Beef, so be sure to Mark your Calendars! Beef Weigh Day is scheduled for Sunday, February 27th at the Animal Clinic, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. If cancelled, there is no reschedule. The 4-H Council has also decided that it is not mandatory for exhibitors planning on showing Market Beef at fair to weigh their beef at a weigh date. However, animals will need to be weighed at Adams County Weigh Day to participate in the Rate of Gain Contest.

If you do not weigh in your animals you will need to stop by the Extension Office to pick up tags and complete your paper work. The Carcass Contest has been suspended for 2022 due to processing complications.

If you plan on showing a heifer that you are questioning whether to show it as a market heifer or a breeding heifer please be sure to weigh her in as a market animal, you may change it to a breeding heifer later by using the proper tag or tattoo prior to Livestock Identification Day (June 1, 2022).

• There will be no cost for the County ear tags

Also remember that you have the opportunity for DNA to be taken for State Fair. The cost of this will be paid online when you nominate your animal. EID tags are required for State Fair. You may complete the DNA requirements at home by picking up DNA envelopes and EID tags at the Extension office and returning them prior to June 1st.

Just a reminder for those of you ages 8 - 12 who are enrolled in the 1st year bucket calf project, your calves must be born between January 1st and April 15th, owned by you and tagged by April 15th. ID sheets are not due until June 1st, but this is just a reminder of the required birth, ownership and obtaining a 4-H ear tag date of April 15th.

The circuit is set to begin this weekend on Saturday, Feb. 12th there in Kearney at the Nebraska Cattleman's Classic. More info can be found at 4h.unl.edu/livestock-judging-circuit

We are excited to get going with Livestock Contests and Events for 2022. To assist in knowing who is interested in the following events – call the office or complete the online form (https://go.unl.edu/22livestock). Practices are starting to come together.

• PASE Organizational Meeting – Sunday, February 20th – Adams County Extension Office at 4:00 pm

South Central Livestock Judging Clinic & Contest – Open to youth ages 8 to 18

• Save the date of Thursday, June 2, 2022 – More Info to come

Premier Animal Science Events – Open to youth ages 8 to 18

• Dates are Wednesday, June 22 & Thursday, June 23 on UNL, East Campus
• Events are Livestock Quiz Bowl, Livestock Skill-a-thon, Poultry Judging, Meats Judging, and Livestock Judging.

Any 4-H’er except Clover Kids showing livestock (beef, sheep, pig, goat, poultry, and rabbit) at the county and/or state fair, must complete the YQCA Program requirements by June 15th. Youth may attend in-person trainings or complete online modules specific to their age as of December 31, 2021. Youth must pre-register to attend the in-person trainings. Register for the in-person training or complete the online training must use your 4-H Online Login email and password at https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login/.

In- Person YQCA Dates and locations:

2/11/2022, 9:30 AM @ Blue Hill Community Center

2/11/2022, 3:00 PM @ Red Cloud Community Center

3/20/2022, 2:00 PM @ Adams County Extension Office

4/18/2022, 10:00 AM @ Adams County Extension Office

4/18/2022, 3:00 PM @ Webster County Fairgrounds

6/7/2022, 6:00 PM @ Adams County Extension Office

6/9/2022, 6:00 PM @ Webster County Fairgrounds

March 26th- Animal Science Complex UNL

• Entries due to County offices March 4th
• https://4h.unl.edu/horse-stampede

All level testing required for participation in district horse show plus Horse ID sheets and entry forms must be completed by May 6th, 2022

2022 Districts Dates and Sites:

June 6- Chadron, NE

June 7- Guide Rock, NE

June 8- Albion, NE

June 9- Raymond, NE

June 10- Kearney, NE

Fonner Park 4-H State Horse Show- July 9-13th – Grand Island, NE

This clinic is open to all who are interested in learning more about horses, their health, nutrition, body parts, and more! Expand on your horse knowledge and ask questions! This introductory virtual horse clinic will be Mondays during the Month of March. Dates include March 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. CT

Deadline to sign up to receive kits by the start of the clinic is February 21st. You may still sign up to participate all the way up to March 7th but we can only guarantee arrival of your kit prior to the start date if signed up by the 21 of February.

Cost to participate in this workshop: $50

Register at: https://cvent.me/yGwxAl

Dog Program Obedience classes offered by Adams County Extension will begin with an informational meeting on Monday, March 21, 2022. This meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Objectives of the meeting include a discussion of the overall dog program, a demonstration of obedience performance expectations and an opportunity to enroll for the year. Thus, if you plan to participate in the dog program, you are highly encouraged to attend. Please do not bring your dog to this first meeting. The cost is $10.00 to participate in the dog classes. Vaccination record forms for all participating dogs will be distributed and must be completed by a veterinarian or person providing the shots before beginning the classes. The class schedule will be announced at this meeting.

Requirements for participation are:

· Enrollment in 4-H and in the dog project

· Current Vaccination form completed and on file at the Extension Office

· Class fee paid to the Extension Office before attending any class.

All entry forms are due April 1st, 2022 by 5:00pm. Information and the online entry form can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/challenge

What is Clover Kids?

The 4-H Clover Kid program is designed to provide 5 to 7 year olds with a variety of educational and recreational experiences in a non-competitive environment. The program fosters the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical maturation of young children. Clover Kids may participate in activities led by an adult that will help them:

· Explore different interests

· Build self-confidence

· Practice communication skills

· Get along and share with others

· Be a part of a group

· Explore science with simple experiments

· Strengthen motor skills through arts and crafts

· Make friends

Announcing Clover Kid Saturday Fun 2022!

Join Julie on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. for some fun while learning! You must pre-register a week prior to each session by calling the Extension Office at 402-461-7209. Each workshop session is $8.00 to attend. Workshops are as follows and will feature:

February 26, Extension Office – Exploring Science; It’s time to “Explore Science” while having fun and learning to mix ingredients. We will create slime, Play Doh, Silly Putty and experiment with color changing milk.

March 26, Extension Office – Watching it Grow; Details in the March newsletter

April 30, Extension Office – The Great Outdoors; Details in the April newsletter.

February

Feb 11 - YQCA, Red Cloud & Blue Hill

Feb 13 - Jr Leader Meeting, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM

Feb 14 - Love 4-H Enrollment – Free manual incentive deadline

Feb 15 - 4-H 101, Extension Office @ 6:30PM

Feb 19 - Quilts of Valor Workshop, Extension Office @ 1:30 PM

Feb 21 - BInterested (FCE) Macrame Revisited, Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

Feb 21 - Ext Office Closed

Feb 26 - Clover Kids Fun Saturday, Extension Office @ 9:30 AM

Feb 27 - Beef Weigh In, Animal Clinic @ 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

March

Mar 1 - Horse Meeting, Community Service Building, Fairgrounds @ 7:00 PM

Mar 3 - Extension Board, Extension Office @ 6:00 PM

Mar 3 - Ag Society, Fairgrounds @ 7:30 PM

Mar 4 - YQCA, Webster Co. Fairgrounds

Mar 6 - Jr. Leader, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM

Mar 7 - 4-H Council, Extension Office @ 7:30 PM

Mar 14 - BInterested (FCE), Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

Mar 15 - 4-H 101, Extension Office @ 6:30 PM

Mar 20 - YQCA, Adams County Extension Office @ 2:00 PM

Mar 21 - Dog Class Organizational Meeting, Fairgrounds @ 7:00 PM

Mar 26 - Clover Kids Fun Saturday @ 9:30 AM

Mar 27 - Shooting Sports Celebration, Fairgrounds (East End) @5:00 PM

Mar 28 - Leader/Volunteer/Parent Training (Explore, Connect & Thrive), Extension Office @ 6:00 PM (Meal)

Neal Gerloff – Pres.

Heather Mohling – V.Pres.

Russ Hermann – Sec.

Brian Theesen – Tres.

Jamee Bockerman

Michele Burnham

Tamara Cecrle

John Copple

Jenny Hartman

Amy Hoagland

Kiley McCoy

Mathew Raney

Will Rathje

John Scheideler

Jr. Leader Rep – Mikeyla Samuelson

Youth Reps – Jenna Cecrle & Wyatt Russell

Chamber of Commerce Rep – Bob Herbek & Bekah Martin

Ag Society Rep – Patrick Niles

Please take time to THANK these above individuals for their

hard work and dedication to the Adams County 4-H Program!!!

Ronald C. “Ron” Seymour, Ph.D. ron.seymour@unl.edu

Lynn DeVries – lynn.devries@unl.edu

Elizabeth “Beth” Janning – elizabeth.janning@unl.edu

Julie Ochsner – julie.ochsner@unl.edu

Gwen Rodocker – gwen.rodocker@unl.edu

Twila Bankson – twila.bankson@unl.edu

Alise Verhage – alise.verhage@unl.edu

Angie Katzberg – akatzberg8@unl.edu

Pat Evans – pat.evans@unl.edu

Email: adams-county@unl.edu
Website: adams.unl.edu
Location: 2975 South Baltimore Avenue, Hastings, NE, USA
Phone: 402-461-7209