Finalized fair dates: July 15-19, 2020

Theme: Come See a Good Thing Grow'n

We will be having in-person animal shows and static exhibits at the fair. We are still finalizing details so that we can be in compliance with all the health measures, so look for more information coming the last week of June with detailed exhibitor information!

The 2020 Jefferson County Fairbook is available here https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/jefferson/4-Hfairbook/

Free printed copies are available at the Extension Office!

The Pick Your Project, available at http://4hcurriculum.unl.edu, has been updated for the 2020 program year. Using the searchable, web-based 2020 Pick Your Project, users will be able to search for projects by keywords, curriculum areas, knowledge levels, and geographic levels.

Pre-fair entries for foods, clothing, fashion show and all animals are due on Monday, June 15th. All entries will be done on paper this year, no on-line entries. Forms can be picked up in the office or can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/jefferson/4-Hfairbook/ . Call the office with any questions.

We will be using these entries to help make sure we can be in compliance of all of the health measures, so please be as accurate as possible so we can plan accordingly! Thank you!

Our office is now open to the public! We still ask you to practice social distancing, by staying behind the counter and mask are encouraged, but not mandatory. If you need help with fair entries or need entry sheets, please stop by.

Check out our extension webpage for our Youtube videos we created for you! There you will find videos on how to fill out fair forms and get ideas on simple 4-H projects you can complete at home. Take advantage of these resources and see how you can still be involved in 4-H!

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/jefferson/project-resource-videos/

We're offering a variety of fun, hands-on learning opportunities that youth can participate in from home. Choose from a variety of exciting, live, online programs. Meet and interact with other youth who have similar interests, and learn from Nebraska 4-H Camp professionals, University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty, and industry professionals. Click here to see the schedule and available camps.

We're kicking off our summer virtual series with a new Boredom Buster Challenge! Join us on Monday's at 2:00 PM CT to get a head start on your 4-H projects. Each week, we'll work on a new project that could be a potential fair exhibit. Click here to register!

Gather the whole family together for Nebraska 4-H's Family Fun Night! We'll guide you through an activity that's perfect for youth and adults of all ages. Family Fun Night will be hosted on Tuesday's at 7:00 PM CT. On Tuesday, June 16th, Darci Pesek will be the presenter talking about meat science and different cooking methods. Click here to register!

Living Room Learning offers hands-on virtually guided activities for youth. Each session focuses on a new activity that can be done with materials found at home. Session are hosted on Thursday's at 10:30 AM CT. Click here to register!

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the Kick-off meeting to our 2021 Citizenship Washington Focus Trip. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the Zoom recording, or view the slides.

As outlined during the meeting, we are implementing a “payment plan”. This is a suggested amount to have in your account in the upcoming months. The first date for the payment plan is June 30, we suggest an amount of $300 in your CWF account with the Extension Office. The next date, and perhaps the most important for us in the office, is September 30 – we suggest an amount of $1300 in your account by this date. This date is important because it is the last date for you to commit to the CWF trip.

If you are an adult that is interested in attending and sponsoring the CWF Trip in 2021, please fill out the Sponsorship Application. The application will close on August 1, and we will announce adult sponsors on September 30, 2020. The cost for adult sponsors is 75% of the cost for youth. Based upon the $3300 estimated youth cost, we estimate the adult cost being approximately $2500. Adult sponsors are required to enroll as a volunteer on 4HOnline, pass all required screenings, and complete a virtual training.

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the new changes to the CWF trip program requirements, the payment plan, or fundraising opportunities. As always, we are open to suggestions, especially regarding fundraising!

Please see the Animal ID guidelines for 2020 that are explained on our website at Animal ID Guidelines. Please look over the information carefully so you know how to ID your animals. If you would like a printed copy of the guidelines please contact the office.

We will be having two last Quality Assurance Trainings on June 23rd and June 30th. Both trainings will be held from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm. Youth can also complete the training online for $12 if they don't feel comfortable attending an in-person training. All COVID-19 health measures will be enforced. You must register with the Extension office to attend. Details will be sent to those registered to attend. Deadlines to register for the trainings are June 22nd and June 29th for the trainings that follow the next day. Please contact the office with any questions!

The 2020 Fonner State Park Horse show will be VIRTUAL this year. Here is the link to find out about what specifications and guidelines will need to be followed to enter!

Call the office for more information, but level testing is available online this year! Information and study materials are found in the Horse Project Member Manual and Advancement Level Manual at the Extension Office. We also have the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show & Judging Guide available.

Website: https://4h.unl.edu/horse/advancement

This new video series will provide students the chance to evaluate the class, listen to a critique of the class, and hopefully gain some knowledge regarding terminology for their reasons moving forward.

Each week we will add 1 to 3 classes to the series that way students will enjoy plenty of content. Youth can access these videos at 4h.unl.edu/livestock or 4h.unl.edu/self-paced-videos. Once you get to the website, simply scroll down and you should see the link for the online video series which is located on YouTube.

For more information visit:animalscience.unl.edu/unl-livestock-judging-team, or contact Blaine French, Livestock Judging Coach, at 402-472-8834 or bfrench6@unl.edu

A message for all cat interested youth:

Do you like cats? What about learning how to care for or show them? Maybe you have heard about the 4-H Cat Club in the past and wanted to join, but couldn't make the monthly meetings.

Do we have good news for you, or what? We are pleased to introduce this year's self-paced Cat Club! No more being bummed that you missed the hour long meeting every second Thursday. You will now have access to monthly lessons and activities that you can complete on your own time. The first lesson can be found here on September 5th: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/cat-club

If you are interested, please stay tuned and register today!

The county fair is in need of a few superintendents for the 2020 fair. We are looking for individuals that can help us in both Open Class and our Junior Fair. In Open Class we need superintendents for: Farm and Garden Products, Needle Arts, and Baked Goods. For the 4-H/FFA part of the fair we are in need of: Ag Engineering. If you would be willing to assist in any of these areas, we would greatly appreciate your help! Please contact the Extension office 402-729-3487 or a fairboard member for further deals.

The 4-H Photography Showcase offers a project exhibition opportunity beyond traditional print media. It is intended to help youth develop professional and technical skills as photographers while fostering creativity and encouraging self-expression. Through this opportunity, youth are encouraged to practice and apply skills learned in their photography projects throughout the year.

How Does It Work?

Each month, a new photo will be selected from the online submissions. Selections will be made based on creativity, timeliness, technical execution, originality, and appropriateness. The selected photo will be showcased across the Nebraska 4-H social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Youth photographers will be credited wherever and whenever their photo is shared or published.

This opportunity is open to all enrolled 4-H members. Photo recommendations, file specifications, rules, and guidelines for participation are available online at https://4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase.

We are looking for ideas for workshops in and 2020. We would like to hear ideas of what you would be willing to attend. We would also like to hear from you regarding what times would work best for most people, after school, 1⁄2 days when school is out, etc. Please contact the Extension Office 402-729-3487 and let us know what YOU are interested in.

Just as a reminder, check out our Facebook page! The page name is "Jefferson County Extension & 4-H Youth Development". Along with our newsletter, we will be using this page to update our members about upcoming events, activities, and deadlines. We also hope to use this page to provide information about community outreach opportunities, scholarships, and research that is important to our followers. The staff will do our best to keep this updated and inform you all of what is going on at the office, Jefferson County, and in Nebraska.

June

15 - Fair Entries Due at Extension Office

16 - 4-H Family Night Presentation at 7 pm online

July

1 - Livestock Nominations & DNA Deadline

3 - Extension Office Closed, 4th of July Holiday

15 - 19 - Jefferson County Fair, Fairbury

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.

©2020