Adams County 4-H Newsletter

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

As a reminder, the 2022 4-H calendar year has begun. 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.

Thank-you & Congratulations

• To all who participated in Nebraska 4-H month, it was fun to see all those 4-H t-shirts out and about.
• To everyone who came out to the 4-H Launch and also to the 4-H Council for facilitating such a fun & wonderful day to explore the 4-H program. Thank You!
• To all the Shooting Sports instructors for giving your time and knowledge to the youth during the 2022 Shooting Sports season.
• To the Shooting Sports participants "Congratulations" for completing the series of lessons and your final shoot. Please view the results at: https://go.unl.edu/adams-county-results
  
• To the youth that participated at the Horse Stampede, Adams County was represented well! Receiving Champion recognition as well as many other placings. Please view results at: https://go.unl.edu/adams-county-results

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.

Extension Office Closed

• April 29th for Arbor Day
• May 30th for Memorial Day

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.

• Here is a quick start for Adams County 4-Hers this 4-H enrollment deadline date is April 15, 2022. If you take advantage of this enrollment time the 4-H Council is giving as an incentive a free 4-H T-shirt. This is a great incentive since these shirts can be worn during fair as an official 4-H show shirt. By the way if you signed up before February 14th you will be receiving the shirt too along with the 4-H manual.

Junior Leader News

“All Aboard the LeaderSHIP” The Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders next meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 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 the 4-H year, 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 April 19th, please RSVP the Extension Office at 402-461-7209.

In celebration of the Week of the Volunteer, Nebraska 4-H hosts a live Lunch & Learn series. The sessions are intended to enhance existing 4-H volunteer training and provide networking opportunities. The sessions are recorded and made available for on-demand viewing after the event.More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-lunch-learn

March & April Happenings:

• 2022 4-H T-Shirt(s)
• YQCA Update
• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
• Explore, Connect and Thrive in Adams Co 4-H
• Fairbook Update
• Week of the Volunteer Lunch & Learn
• Summer Programing

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.

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.

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.

Plans are underway for numerous in-person summer workshops. In the upcoming weeks please be on the lookout for the flyer announcing the Adams County workshop schedule and sign up information on them.

The weather is getting warmer, and the days are getting longer. Summer is just around the corner! Check out all of the 4-H Summer Camp sessions being offered this summer and register at https://4h.unl.edu/summer-camp.

Annual Tractor and Equipment Safety Certification Training Course for students 14 years of age and older. Successful completion of a one-day in-person training (driving exam) paired with an online learning module will result in certification for 14 and 15 year old youth to be employed on farms and ranches.

May 25, 2022– North Platte

June 6, 2022 – O’Neill

June 7, 2022 – Gering

June 8, 2022 – Broken Bow

June 9, 2022 – Hastings

June 10, 2022 – Weeping Water

* For more information or to register at least 1 week prior to event at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/adams/tractor-safety-training/

A CMP Shooting Camp is scheduled for June 20 / June 25 for Junior Shooters. The following is the link for more information. https://thecmp.org/youth/junior-air-rifle-camps-and-clinics/

A Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop is scheduled for April 23-24 at the Dundy County Fairgrounds in Benkelman. The early bird deadline to register for the workshop is April 13th. Volunteers will have the opportunity to become certified as an adult (21 years and older) or apprentice (14-20 years old) leader. Six project areas will be offered at the Benkelman Workshop - rifle, pistol, shotgun, hunting skills, muzzleloader, and archery.

The registration fee is $85.00 per person for initial certification and those individuals adding an additional discipline except for Apprentice Instructors. The registration fee for Apprentice Instructors (14 to 20 years of age) is $75 for this workshop. This fee includes meals, supplies and program materials. Participants must make their own lodging arrangements. Registration on Saturday runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

There are a series of four National 4-H Shooting Sports online modules which individuals MUST completed prior to the training to become eligible for certification. Information on the modules and how to enroll, 4-H Shooting Sports Online User Guide, can accessed by using the link found on the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports website under Calendar of 4-H Shooting Sports Events at https://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports, under the Benkelman Workshop - this provides step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for and complete the entire series of modules before the workshop. As individuals follow each of the instructions in the Online User Guide, they will be asked to choose a payment method. Participants are responsible for the $20 (per person) registration fee. The entire series of modules will take approximately 3-4 hours, so please plan some time accordingly.

For more workshop information and registration link, go to the 4-H Shooting Sports web page.

If your love is public speaking or entertaining an audience this contest is for you! Now is the time to start gearing up for this contest. You can register by calling the Extension Office until May 13th and the contest is on May 22nd at 1:30 PM at the Extension Office.

Classes available are:

• Speech for Jr. Int. Sr.
• PSA for Jr. Int. Sr. – Theme “Opportunity 4 All”

• Performing Arts – Drill or Dance Routine (Individual or Group), Song Group, Combo or Band, Individual Vocal, Individual Instrumental, Whole Club Performance, Duet – Vocal, Duet – Instrumental, Other: such as one-act plays, musical performances, pantomimes etc.

Join with Quilters across the nation in sewing for Quilts of Valor on April 30 at the Extension Office. The quilting workshop starts at 1:30 PM thru 4:00 PM, 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.

Learn the basics of growing eye catching flower barrels at a workshop, Monday, April 18th, from 7-8 p.m. at the Community Service Building on the Fairgrounds. The workshop is open to all 4-H’ers interested in planting a barrel for the 2022 Adams County Fair. Flower barrel (container gardening) culture is both fun and rewarding. Learn about soil requirements, design and color, plant selection, fertilization and care of flower barrels. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Master Gardeners will conduct the workshop. Barrels will be available for pick-up following the workshop. This will be the only time available for pick-up. Please call if you cannot attend so other arrangements may be made. Be sure to sign up to attend this workshop by calling the UNL Extension Office in Adams County by Friday, April 15th.

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 seeds
• Receive a newsletter about: planting/growing, problems & insects, 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.

Mark your calendars! The online horticulture contest will be offered June 3-20th 2022.

Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 3-20, 2022 at: https://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest

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.

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.

Members planning on participating in the Adams County 4-H Market Broiler Program must register their market broiler order by April 22nd by calling the Adams County Extension Office (402.461.7209). Please know that there is a possibility that the market broiler show and auction participation may not occur during the 2022 Adams County Fair. Currently the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has canceled all poultry events across the state effective immediately (March 26, 2022) and will be in effect until May 1, at which time the order will be reevaluated. Please review the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza information to assess your biosecurity risk with your own flock.

4-H Families and Volunteers need to be aware of HPAI as it is spreading across Nebraska and the nation. As a poultry owner, we encourage you to stay up to date on the virus. From the Nebraska Department of Ag, HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Wild birds can carry the virus without becoming sick, while domesticated birds can become very sick.

Symptoms of HPAI in poultry include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk to people getting HPAI infections from birds is low. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. For more information about avian influenza, visit NDA’s website at https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html or the USDA’s website https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov

Be sure to Mark your Calendars! Sheep & Goat Weigh Day is scheduled for Friday, May 6th at the Adams County Fairgrounds, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The 4-H Council has decided that it is not mandatory for exhibitors planning on showing Market Sheep & Meat Goats at fair to weigh their animals at a weigh date. However, animals will need to be weighed in Adams County 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.

• There will be no cost for the County ear tags.
• Completed ID sheets need to be returned to the Extension office by June 1st

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 for State Fair. You may complete the DNA requirements at home by picking up DNA envelopes at the Extension office and returning them prior to June 1st.

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 schedule

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.

YQCA has changed platforms. Please now visit https://yqcaprogram.org/ to access the online training modules or to register for an in-person training. In-person trainings are open for registration with the following trainings being local:

• May 23rd – Adams County Extension Office at 1:00 pm (New Date & Time)
• May 24th – Webster County Fairgrounds at 1:00 pm (New Date & Time)
• June 7th – Adams County Extension Office at 6 pm (Original Date & Time)
• June 9th – Webster County Fairgrounds at 6 pm (Original Date & Time

If you completed YQCA prior to March 21st and plan to attend the Nebraska State Fair and/or AKSARBEN, please upload your certificate to the new platform. Check out the document to review creating a new login and how to upload the certificate.

2022 Beef Ambassador Contest to be held Thursday, June 9 in Valentine. This is a great program and offers opportunities for students to become stronger advocates for the beef industry. Entries can also be made online at: https://nebraskacattlemen.org/beef-ambassador-contest/

Join us April 11th! 6-7pm CT at our Equine webinar series.

Topic: District & State Entries

To register in advance for the webinar please go to: https://4h.unl.edu/horse/webinar-series The webinar will also be recorded if you cannot attend in person and you will be able to find it along with all the previous webinars at: https://4h.unl.edu/horse/webinar-series

If you have participated and/or watched previous webinars please fill out a short survey so that we can better meet your needs in the future and provide a better experience. https://goo.gl/forms/INFcpHyaupMh7xNS2Join

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

Dog Program Obedience classes, offered thru Adams County Extension by 4-H Dog Program Volunteers, will continue to be held each Monday evening at 7:00 pm at the Adams County Fairgrounds in the west end of the Activities building. 4-H’ers can still participate as long as they have 1) Enrolled in 4-H and in the dog project, 2) Vaccination record form completed and turned into the Extension Office and 3) $10.00 class fee paid to the Extension Office before attending any class. Clover Kids Dog Obedience will begin May 16th. If a Clover Kid wants to participate they need to be registered for the Class before April 28th,

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

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:

The great outdoors on April 30 at the Extension Office.

Mark your calendars for Clover Kid Camp to be held on June 7th . More details to follow soon!

April

Apr 3 Jr Leader Meeting, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM

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

Apr 7 Extension Board, Extension Office @ 6:00 PM

Apr 11 BInterested (FCE), Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

Apr 12 Ag Society, Fairgrounds @ 7:30 PM

Apr 15 Early Enrollment Deadline free 4-H t-shirt incentive

Apr 18 Flower Barrel Workshop, Fairgrounds @ 7:00 PM

Apr 19 4-H 101, Extension Office @ 6:30 PM

Apr 29 Ext Office Closed

Apr 30 Clover Kid Fun Saturday, Extension Office @ 9:30 AM

May

May 1 Jr Leader Meeting, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM

May 2 4-H Council, Extension Office @ 7:30 PM

May 5 Extension Board, Extension Office @ 6:00 PM

May 6 District & State Horse ID’s due, Extension Office by 5:00 PM

May 6 Sheep/Goat Weigh In, Fairgrounds @ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

May 9 BInterested (FCE), Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

May 10 Ag Society, Fairgrounds @ 7:30 PM

May 17 4-H 101, Extension Office @ 6:30 PM

May 22 Speech/PSA/Preforming Arts Contest, Extension Office @ 1:30 PM

May 23 YQCA, Adams County Extension Office @ 1:00 PM

May 24 YQCA, Webster County Fairgrounds @ 1:00 PM

May 26 Ag Science Discovery Days - Curtis

May 30 Ext Office Closed

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