Thurston Co. 4-H News

Sydney Williams, Extension Assistant, sydney.williams@unl.edu

Bobbie Hingst, Office Manager, bhingst2@unl.edu

Email: thurston-county@unl.edu
Website: thurston.unl.edu
Location: 415 Main Street, P.O. Box 665, Pender, NE 68787
Phone: 402-385-6041
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLExtensionThurston/
Twitter: @UNLThurstonCty

FEBRUARY - Nebraska 4-H Month

1 Butter Braid Sales begin (Pick up materials at office)

1 4-H Spirit Day

6 NACEB Meeting

8 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Day

15 4-H Supporter Appreciation Day

19 Office Closed – Presidents’ Day

20 Thurston Extension Board Meeting – Ext. Office; 6:30 PM

22 Give Back Day

24 Rescheduled 4-H Dog Judge's Training (Regist5ration reopened)

25 4-H Achievement/Kick Off Party – Pender Lanes; 12-3 PM

29 Leap into 4-H - Get Enrolled in 4-H Day

MARCH

1 Thurston County Early Enrollment Incentive Deadline!

4 Dakota-Thurston All Contest Day Registration is DUE

4 Butter Braid Sales are DUE by 4:30 PM!!

4 4-H Horse Stampede entries DUE

9 Dakota- Thurston All Contest Day, 9:30 am, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 211 W. 2nd Street, Emerson, NE (Speech, Favorite Foods, Presentation, & Music contests)

11 4-H Council Meeting; 6:30 PM

14 Butter Braids delivered (To Extension Office)

15 Jarvis Memorial Scholarship Application DUE

22-23 Nebraska Women Women in Agriculture Conference

23 4-H Horse Stampede, Lincoln, NE

APRIL

8 Joint 4-H Council Meeting (TBA)

15-21 National Volunteer Week

20 All Contest Day (RAIN DATE)

26 Office Closed – Arbor Day

MAY

13 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

20 Thurston Extension Board Meeting

27 Office Closed – Memorial Day

JUNE

7 Adventure Day Camp, Neligh Park West Point, NE

10 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

15 4-H Enrollment ABSOLUTE DEADLINE

15 Drop/Add 4-H Projects DUE for county fair & state fair participation.

15 All Livestock Affidavits (including Horse County Only) DUE

15 State Fair Beef, Sheep, Swine, & Goat DNA & Nominations DUE

17-18 Premier Communication Event @ UNL

19 Office Closed - Juneteenth

20-21 PASE/Life Challenge @ UNL

JULY

4 Office Closed – 4th of July.

8 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

13-17 State 4-H Horse Expo @ Fonner Park, Grand Island

17 ALL Dakota-Thurston County Pre-Fair Entries (including YQCA) DUE

27 Pre-Fair Clean Up

29 4-H Clothing Day Judging

31 - Aug 4 Dakota- Thurston County Fair

Nebraska is using the same platform as last year! To enroll, visit https://v2.4honline.com/

For new families, find instructions here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member

For returning families: Do Not create a new account; rather use your existing log-in credentials from 4-H online as used in previous years. Find instructions at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member

Our county has a $5 enrollment fee to be paid by check.

Cloverleaf members pay your leader. All other clubs, TC Roughriders, Rosalie Feeders, and Independent pay by check to the Thurston County Extension Office.

Please contact us at 402-385-6041 with any enrollment questions.

Anyone who early enrolls into 4-H by March 1, 2024 will receive a reward sponsored by Thurston 4-H Council! This year's prize is a green t-shirt with "Thurston County 4-H" on it. Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity! Click here to get enrolled in 4-H Online today at https://v2.4honline.com/.

**Make sure you fill out the "T-shirt size" box when enrolling in 4-H Online!**

Thurston County 4-H'ers will again have the opportunity to sell Butter Braids this year starting Thursday, February 1st! Members can pick up their fundraising materials starting February 1st from the extension office! (If materials aren't picked up by Wednesday, February 7th, we will mail them to you!)

Online options are available again for 2024.

Butter Braids are available in a variety of flavors! Thurston County 4-Hers will be taking orders from February 1 to March 4, orders will be delivered to the 4-Hers on March 14 at 5 pm at the Thurston County Extension Office. Proceeds from this fundraiser help fund 4-H activities throughout the year.

All Nebraska cattle producers and their families are invited to Certified Angus Beef’s Nebraska BQA Workshop on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Round the Bend Steakhouse’s “The Ball Room” in Ashland.

Even if producers are already BQA certified, they may still attend and choose to recertify or keep their current certification.

An optional Youth Quality Care for Animals (YQCA) training will kick off at 10:00 a.m. YQCA is a requirement for all youth exhibiting beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits or poultry in Nebraska 4H and FFA. Kids are encouraged to stay for the following BQA workshop.

A Certified Angus Beef ® brand lunch will be served at 11:00 a.m., with the BQA sessions starting at 12:00 p.m. This event won’t be the “typical” BQA event. The event will conclude at 3:15 p.m. with guest speaker John Cook, University of Nebraska (UNL) volleyball head coach. Participating in the BQA workshops is required to hear Cook speak and participate in the meet-and-greet with him and UNL volleyball players.

For more information and to register for this event, producers can visit https://go.unl.edu/cabbqa or call 308.632.1230.

The event is made possible through the latest Certified Angus Beef (CAB) and Sysco partnership. In 2023, CAB and Sysco launched a cattle care partnership and a new campaign, Raised with Respect™. This campaign leans into the decades old practices of cattle care to tell a stronger ranch story to Sysco's customers in a way that builds confidence and trust in high-quality beef.

“Certified Angus Beef supports BQA because it’s a credible and effective way for producers to communicate animal welfare to people on the opposite end of the beef supply chain,” says Bruce Cobb, CAB executive vice president of production. “By building trust with this segment and consumers, we can help secure the strong beef demand we’ve been experiencing into the future.”

More information on Raised with Respect™ can be found at www.cabcattle.com/RaisedWithRespect.

We recently received a large variety of seeds. We have vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc. If interested come to the extension office (during work hours 8:30- 4:30 PM) and sort through and take what you want! We have them sorted some already! Call us if you have any questions at 402-385-6041.

These seeds were generously donated by Fleet Farm 🙂

Register today for our Dakota-Thurston 4-H All Contest Day! http://go.unl.edu/registerdtcontestday

**New for 2024 is a Video Communications Contest and Impromptu Speech!!

Photo entries will be weekly opportunities for 4-H members to showcase their photography skills based on different categories. Entries will be uploaded to the Nebraska 4-H Website link (4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase) by midnight on Sundays starting on February 11th. Watch the Nebraska 4-H Facebook and Instagram pages for the weekly theme categories. Winners will be announced later in the week with their photo on social media.

There will be 4-H Swag prizes given to all category winners.

We have collectively decided to not have a Beef Weigh - In in 2024. If you would still like to attend a weigh-in, there are surrounding counties that will have them. If you need these dates, please contact the Thurston or Dakota extension offices! Thanks 🙂

Date: Sunday, February 25th

Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Awards Presentation will start promptly at 12:00 pm with pizza and bowling to follow.

Location: Pender Lanes
We are combining our 2023 4-H Achievement Celebration with our 2024 Kick Off Party! On behalf of the 4-H Council, we invite new and returning members and their families. Come enjoy an evening of awards, FREE Bowling and FREE Pizza. Families are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert to share as well!

Get information about 4-H Online enrollment, fundraising for the year, and pickup a copy of the Thurston County 4-H calendar with important dates.

4-H Volunteer Impact Study – You May Be Contacted

What you do makes a difference! We are excited to share that our state will be participating in the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study of volunteers in the North Central Region.

This survey is being conducted as a part of 12 state effort to document the impact of volunteering.

It will focus on three areas:

· the personal benefits of your volunteer experience;

· the impact you have on the organization by volunteering; and

· how your volunteer efforts contribute to your community in which you live and work.

A random sample of volunteers of 1000 volunteers from each state will be surveyed. This study will be conducted through an electronic survey. If you are selected you will receive an email to let you know you have been selected to participate.

You may be picked!!! If you are, please respond. We want to hear from you and learn from your volunteer experiences.

Your comments will be used to quantify the personal, organizational and public impacts of volunteers involved with 4-H Youth Development Programs in our twelve-state region.

Your impact is great and we want to hear from you!!!

Registration for the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp program is now open!

The summer 2024 theme is The Power of Being 🍀 Green. Youth will get to explore and interact with their natural world in six different sessions. Youth will learn how they can use their head, heart, hands, and health to make our natural world a better place for all.

The 2024 sessions offer tailored age cohorts, providing sessions for younger campers between the ages of 8-10, and an older cohort for ages 10-14.

Families can find dates, session summaries, and registration information by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/camps-register.

This is the 4-H Policy Handbook's definition of a club:

8.1 Definition of a Club:

Nebraska 4-H and 4-H National Headquarters define a 4-H Club as: an organized group of at least five youth from three different families who meet regularly with adult volunteers or staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences and have enrolled in 4-H Online.

8.2 Structure of a 4-H Club:

4-H Clubs are to be structured as follows:

• Enrolls at least 5 youth members from at least 3 families.
• Is advised by adult staff or volunteers who have been screened and trained in accordance with the Nebraska 4-H Policy and Procedure Handbook.
• Conduct a minimum of 6 regular club meetings (virtual or face-to-face) per year, with many holding 9-12 regular meetings throughout most or all of the year, and often supplemented by project meetings, camps, fairs, and other 4-H learning activities.
• Selects youth officers or youth leaders to provide leadership to the club.
• Meets in any location — a home, community center, military installation, library, public housing site, school, afterschool program, and/or many other places.
• Helps youth and parents/guardians adapt in cases of mobility — linking them to 4-H programs in other counties and states. Meets interests and needs of youth in same-age or cross-age groupings and using single project or multiple project formats.

Our office takes care of making sure some of these policies are followed but this is requirement that needs to fulfilled to be considered a 4-H Club and therefore hold money in the name of 4-H, which all our clubs do. This doesn’t have to come solely from the club leader, please coordinate with the secretary of your club to get this information to the office in the following years.

If you have questions or concerns please let the office know.

With each new State Fair season, brings new possibilities and opportunities for 4-H families in Nebraska. The opportunity for 4-H to continue having its own weekend allows more flexibility for new events, entry limits, schedules, and space. We want to continue to take advantage of that!

As part of that process, we continue to explore age eligibility requirements for State Fair participation. After garnering user input, researching data from other events/shows/states, and looking that overall impact on youth development, the decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2024 to be 8 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person State Fair events (livestock, contests, fashion shows) and other state competitions (Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo, PASE, communications contest). Note: there will be some events that will maintain their ages due to specific program rules (shooting sports, FIRST LEGO League Challenge, robotics). Please check information on each specific event as it becomes available.

Summary of Changes for Livestock Fairbook for 2024

• Age of Eligibility
• The age of eligibility in 2024 is now 8 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion shows)
• Showmanship Age Divisions
• Junior Showmanship (ages 8 to 10 before January 1 of the current year)
• Intermediate Showmanship (ages 11 to 13 before January 1 of the current year)
• Senior Showmanship (ages 14 to 18 before January 1 of the current year)
• Awards
• Exhibitors will receive awards for the Division Champions, Reserve Division Champions, Grand Champion Overall, Reserve Grand Champion Overall, and 3rd Overall. Only entries receiving a purple ribbon are eligible to receive champion and reserve awards.
• Entry Limits
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 5 beef.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 4 sheep.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 4 goats.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 6 hogs.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 6 rabbits.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 6 live birds.

• Individual Species
• Sheep: New Breed Class-All Hair Breeds
• Goat: Market goats will show in separate classes; Market Wethers and Market Does (until final selection)
• Swine: New Breed Classes-Tamworth and Landrace
• Rabbit: New Breed Classes-Blue Holicer and Czech Frosty

Dog Skillathon Contest: Added a Junior Skillathon Division and rotated breed ID picture topics

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. This year, we honor a crop grown in the panhandle!

In the fourth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore sugar beets! Sugar beets are a major contributor to the U.S. sweetener industry and occur in a vast range of different food products. Be eligible to enter an exhibit at both the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area.

Enroll for the 2024 Special Agronomy Project through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project and contacting your local Nebraska Extension Office to order packets of seeds. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members.

Enroll for the 2024 Special Agronomy Project through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project and contacting your local Nebraska Extension Office to order packets of seeds. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. Please have your order placed prior to March 1st.

For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.

We are delighted to announce the Corn Yield Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.

Key Features:

• Team Participation: Teams comprising two or more youth participants will collaboratively embark on the challenge.
• Innovative Practices: Youth will be tasked with implementing a production practice differing from the norm, with the goal of assessing its impact on increasing corn yield.
• Data Collection: The Corn Yield Challenge management summary will systematically gather crucial information, including yields, cropping history, and production details.
• Recognition and Rewards: Outstanding achievements will be duly rewarded with cash prizes and plaques for the top three teams:
• First Place: $1,000
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250
• Special Awards: In addition to the top rankings, commendable efforts will be acknowledged through the "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy" Awards, each carrying a value of $200.

This competition not only fosters a spirit of innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform for recognizing dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to embrace this opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices.

For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

Topics for this year include toxic plants of the northeast, horse evaluation, feeding myths, soil testing and usage, identifying feeds, and fencing. Content for each topic includes practice tests, slides, and digital learning stations in addition to twice weekly lectures.

There are three enrollment levels to choose from:

1. Bronze: All content listed above, accessible until August 31, 2024.

2. Sliver: Everything included in Bronze, plus can ask teacher questions, participate in discussion board, and have access to course material until November 31, 2024.

3. Gold: Everything included in Silver, plus opportunity to participate in live virtual office hours with instructor (Thursday evenings) and access to course material until December 31, 2024.

Learn more and register here: https://catalog.extension.org/?category=6&keyword=hippology&cond=advand&search=Search

This is an online horse judging camp for anyone thinking about giving horse judging a try! The camp includes at-home assignments, reasons critique, 4 interactive virtual meetings, quizzes, and certificate of completion!

Participants have the opportunity to submit videos of oral reasons for feedback. Recorded sessions, class videos and supplemental materials will be available for 6 months.

Experts from 3 universities will be online each session to discuss classes and interact with you.

Topics/classes covered include:

Feb 8- Performance Halter- Dr. Steven Cooper, Oklahoma State University

Feb 15- Oral reasons - Dr. Casie Bass, Purdue University

Feb 22 Reining- Dr. Alyssa Logan- Middle Tennessee State University

Feb 29 Western Riding- Dr. Kathy Anderson- University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dates: February 8, 15, 22 and 29

Time: 7-8:30 pm Eastern time, 6-7:30pm Central time

Cost is $50

To register go to: https://catalog.extension.org/?category=6&keyword=horse%20judging%20camp&cond=advand&search=Search&fbclid=IwAR1w8SQzl_XS3ErtfVMw9xdsiaqpmlrg3aEadTOzZq4BY7_jBHmt3ZyhrXc

The Nebraska Extension will be hosting seven land application (manure) training workshops throughout February and March at several locations across the state.

These hands-on workshops will focus on turning manure nutrients into better crop yield while protecting the environment.

The sessions will be in Columbus on February 12, Geneva on February 13, Scottsbluff on February 19, Lexington on February 20, Norfolk on February 29, West Point on March 5, and Ord on March 6.

“The workshops will meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s title 130,” said Leslie Johnson, UNL’s animal manure management coordinator.

Registration is required due to limited seating; register at water.unl.edu/lat.

The sessions cost $75 per operation requiring certification or $25 per person with no expectation of certification.

Participants who attend the day-long (9 am – 4 pm) event will receive NDEE Land Application Training Certification.

The initial land application training certification requires participation in the full day program, which includes lunch.

Attendance at the afternoon session will meet minimum needs for recertification, but participants who only need recertification may choose to attend the full event if they wish for no additional charge.

Anyone is welcome regardless of the need for certification.

Crop farmers and livestock operations will learn useful information to apply to their operations.

“Our workshops have traditionally been focused on livestock producers because they’re required to attend manure training regularly,” Johnson said, “but we’ve made an effort to include the crop farmers that are often the recipients of the manure because the information we share is just as valuable to them and their bottom line.”

Sessions will focus on choosing fields that best utilize manure nutrients and other benefits, as well as an update on regulations and discussions on how to best use manure on cropland.

The workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Extension Animal Manure Management Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits.

For additional information on the workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or leslie.johnson@unl.edu.

The 4-H Spring Rabbit Show will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 9 a.m. at the Sandhills Global Event Center, 84th & Havelock – South Hall in Lincoln, NE. Open to all youth ages 8–18, with a Clover Kids class for youth ages 5–7. This is a great opportunity for youth to talk to other 4-H’ers about where to purchase a good rabbit for a 4-H project, and to learn and practice showmanship. Rabbit Quiz and Breed Identification contests are free for youth to enter!

Again this year: the knowledge contests are open to adults for a minimal fee!

Saturday, March 23, 2024 @ UNL - Lincoln East Campus, $10 Entry Fee
Registrations, Art, & Exhibits due to Extension Office by Monday, March 4, 2024
https://4h.unl.edu/horse-stampede

The Nebraska 4-H Horse Stampede offers a variety of 4-H horse contests that do not require live animals, including public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, and photography contests. Youth have the opportunity to display their equine knowledge through these contests both as an individual and as part of a team.

There is a $10 entry fee per participant. Event shirts are also available for pre-order. All order forms, fees, and exhibits must be submitted to local Extension offices by March 4, 2024.

Nebraska 4-H Horse show dress code is required for all in-person contests. Please see pages 23-24 of the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide for details. Exception: No hats or headgear.

Nebraska Extension is pleased to announce the another year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This additional opportunity for enrolled livestock project youth is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership.

The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.

The program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.

Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 10 via the completion form on the website. Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair. For more information or to apply, go to: Nebraska 4-H / Livestock Achievement Program 4hlivestockachievement@unl.edu

The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Information Series is a resource for 4-H members, leaders, and parents to gain knowledge in various livestock-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic is covered with experts joining to share their experience and expertise. Extended learning opportunities and supporting documents are also available for each topic. Learn more at https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-info-series

The intent of the scholarship is to assist women who live 3 or more hours drive from Lincoln but wish to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Applicant must reside in Love Memorial Cooperative Residence Hall on East Campus.

If you have questions email Gloria Turnbull at gloria.turnbull@windstream.net

Application deadline: postmarked no later than March 15, 2024.

Application can be found here: https://go.unl.edu/thurstonjarvismemorial2022

(One $500 Scholarship — Fall 2024/Spring 2025—non renewable)

Who is Eligible?

1. Female born high school graduate (or soon to be) OR a UN-L student who has not resided at Love Memorial Cooperative Residence Hall (LMH) OR an undergraduate transfer student from another college or university pursing any major for an undergraduate or graduate degree.

2. Applicant must be or been a member of 4-H or FCCLA or FFA (minimum of two years) or have taken a minimum of three semesters in Family & Consumer Sciences classes and live in or attend school in the following Nebraska counties: Antelope, Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Boyd, Brown, Cedar, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dakota, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dixon, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Knox, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Morrill, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Red Willow, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux, Thomas, Thurston, Wayne, Wheeler.

3. Must have applied (minimum) or been accepted (preferred) to University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

4. Must have requested residency in Love Memorial Hall, a cooperative residence hall on East Campus. Residents rotate responsibilities for cleaning a portion of the Hall and planning/preparing meals (about 1 hour per week; more time during a week when responsible for food preparation). The cost of living in Love Memorial Hall is less than half of what is charged for all other traditional dorms. Over a four year period this amounts to a savings around $24,000. More information about Love Memorial Hall is found at: https://housing.unl.edu/love-memorial-hall Students may change housing preference by submitting a written request to the Housing Office.

For more information: Web - https://housing.unl.edu;

Phone - (402) 472-3561; Switchboard—800-742-8800; Email: housing@unl.edu

We are excited to share with you the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Engler Program. Visit the website below to find more information about Engler as well as the scholarship that is available for high school graduating seniors. https://engler.unl.edu

If you have any questions please reach out to Michelle Bassford:

Michelle Bassford, Chief Experience Officer,

Engler Entrepreneurship Program-UNL,

DINS 201AD, Lincoln, NE 68583,

(402) 472-9274, https://engler.unl.edu