Adams County 4-H Newsletter

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

Be A Part of Adams County 4-H in 2023

As a reminder, January 1st officially started the 2023 4-H calendar year. The current edition of the 4-H Family Handbook is available on our website. The enrollment process for 2023 is an online enrollment process. Instructions on how to enroll online are on the Adams County website http://adams.unl.edu.along with the 2023 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. 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, 2023. 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.

Also, watch for special posts on the Adams County Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AdamsCo4H and participate in the fun with your comments.

Extension Office Closed

• April 28th - Arbor Day
• May 29th - Memorial Day

Congratulations

• Emily Barfknecht - Selected to participate in Omaha Fashion Week
• 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

Thank-You!

• To all the Shooting Sports instructors for giving your time and knowledge to the youth during the 2023 Shooting Sports season.

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.

“All Aboard the LeaderSHIP” The Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders next meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. on May 7, 2023. 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, 2023, 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” pilot program for Wish of a Lifetime partnering with elderly adults. 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).

On April 22nd, enjoy an interactive, hands-on day designed for the 4-H parent, volunteer, and project leader to learn more about implementing Obedience, Showmanship, Agility, and Rally into their local 4-H program. This is open to all 4-H Dog parents, volunteers, and project leaders including adults and teen youth leaders. Please register online by April 19th at https://go.unl.edu/dog23 Check out the flyer for more details.

2023 Week of the Volunteer

Monday, April 17th: 4-H Club Meetings 101

Tuesday, April 18th: Creating a Vibrant 4-H Club Experience

Wednesday, April 19th: YOU help Youth Thrive!

Thursday, April 20th: Shared Leadership and Succession Planning for 4-H Clubs

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Registration Link: https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0GnCuygJjumIr9I

Needing some ideas for your 4-H Club? There are a ton of resources on our State 4-H page to assist you. Please check out the links below. Topics covered but not limited are:

· Club Leader Resources— https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders

· Meeting and Officer Resources—https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders#officer

· Club Activities and Projects—https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders#teaching

Are you new to the 4-H program and 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. Mark your calendar for meeting on April 18th this meeting will be covering enrolling in 4-H and selecting projects, please RSVP the Extension Office at 402-461-7209 by April 14th.

It's official, 2023 Adams County Fairfest Dates!

The 2023 Adams County Fair is July 19th to July 23th. Static Exhibits will be entered Sunday & Monday July 16th & 17th. Livestock check-in is Tuesday July 18th. Livestock Auction will be Monday, July 24th. The livestock show schedule including Clover Kids will be the same as the 2022 fair.

March & April Happenings:

• Budget
• Speech/PSA/Performing Arts Contest
• Awards
• Scholarships
• Dog Volunteer/Leader Training
• Fairfest Parade
• Summer Workshops/Camps

Get a start on a great 4-H year and beat the last-minute scramble by re-enrolling for the 2023 4-H year at https://v2.4honline.com. If Adams County is your primary County, you have the options of paying the $5.00 enrollment online with a credit card or you can pay via check or cash in our office.

If Adams County is your 2nd County, you must pay Adams County 4-H enrollment fee directly (cash or check only) to our office. Remember that once your enrollment is complete and approved you can still go back in and add additional projects until June 15th. Your early enrollment makes you eligible for Adams County’s Early Bird incentives.

It is time to start filling our bus (or plane) for the 2025 CWF Experience! Youth can sign up now with their intent to attend the 2025, 2028, and 2031 CWF Experience. Register today by completing the ‘CWF Participant Form’ and get the correspondence and information regarding fundraising, decision making (bus or plane), and more! While exact dates for 2025 and beyond cannot be finalized, we would be gone about 10 to 14 days with 5 of that at the National 4-H Center. I would encourage families to save from after Memorial Day to the first two full weeks of June open. A final ‘Commitment MoU” CWF Form will be completed leading up to the year trip.

Start the conversation now with your family to attend as a 15 – 18 year old:

• CWF 2025 = Current Age is 13 to 16
• CWF 2028 = Current Age is 10 to 13
• CWF 2031 = Current Age is 7 to 10

Contact Twila Bankson for the ‘CWF Participant Form’ to show your intent today! Fundraising plans are in movement and will be announced soon!

Be sure to check out the scholarships focused on 4-H! For local scholarships, visit - https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/adams/scholarships/ For Statewide 4-H Scholarships visit https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships/

Keep current with statewide opportunities posted on Facebook at https://facebook.com/Nebraska4H

Keep current with local opportunities posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AdamsCo4H

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

Adams County Shooting Sports Program is in need of Instructors for next year! If you are interested please contact Julie at the Adams County Extension Office.

If you were not able to attend the Shooting Sports picnic, please remember to pick up your ribbons, targets etc. in the Adams County Extension Office.

The 2023 Special Garden Project will focus on Mrs. Burns’ Lemon Basil. This herb can be used multiple ways. Lemon basil has a unique lemon flavor can be added to any recipe or used as a cut flower in arrangements to add scent and interest.

Get Started:

1. Enroll for the "PS: Horticulture (D) - Special Garden Project" through 4-H Online.
2. Contact the Adams County Extension Office and let them know how many seed packets you need. If you do not contact your local Extension Office, seeds might not be available for you. Seed packets will be $1.00 per package.
3. Seeds are available in the office now! Please pick them up.

By enrolling through 4-H Online, youth will have access to the shared folder with the educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation.

Learn the basics of growing eye catching flower barrels at a workshop, Thursday, April 20th, from 5:30 - 6:00 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 2023 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. However it is suggested to use this time 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 14th.

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 21st by calling the Adams County Extension Office (402.461.7209).

Be sure to Mark your Calendars! Sheep & Goat Weigh Day is scheduled for Friday, May 5th 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.

• 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.

Last in-person dates taught in Adams/Webster Counties are announced for the end of May. Any youth 4-H ages 8-18 showing livestock such as poultry, rabbit, swine, sheep/goat, and beef are required to complete YQCA by June 15th. Register for in-person or online by visiting: https://yqcaprogram.org/ If attending the in-person training, please complete the pre-test prior to attending the session.

PASE Kick-off meeting is happening Sunday, April 23rd from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Adams County Extension Office for both Adams & Webster Teams. Come learn about the variety of contests of Livestock Quiz Bowl, Skill-a-thon, Meats, Poultry, and Livestock Judging. 4-H members may participate in one event or multiple events, it all depends on the youth’s interests. Upcoming practices will be scheduled based upon time available of interested 4-H youth. If you are unable to attend the kick-off meeting, but still interested, please reach out to Beth at ejanning2@unl.edu prior to the April 23rd Meeting. The official PASE Contest dates are Wednesday, June 21st and Thursday, June 22nd in Lincoln, NE at UNL Campus. Participants must cover their own dorm fee of $24 if participating in both days. The second day is Livestock Judging only. Commitment to participate, including Dorm Fees must be received to the respective Extension Office by Monday, May 15th at the end of business day.

More info can be found at 4h.unl.edu/livestock-judging-circuit

The 4-H Council voted and passed to require horse levels for specific classes with implementation by 2023 County Fair. The specific classes by age division:

• Showmanship & Halter Classes: No Levels Required
• Novice Classes: No Levels Required
• Junior participants in performance classes and speed events: Level 1
• Intermediate and senior participants in performance classes and speed events: Level 2

If planning on participating in County Fair: Horse ID’s are due June 1st. Levels passed and Fair Entries are due June 15th.

If planning on participating State Horse Events, Horse ID’s, Levels passed, and Online Entries are due Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Review the Horsemanship Advancement Levels at https://4h.unl.edu/horse-advancement

Letter explaining changes for 2023

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 15th. If a Clover Kid wants to participate they need to be registered for the Class before May 1st.

The 4-H Clover Kid program is designed to provide 5 to 7 year old's 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 2023!

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 $5.00 to attend. Workshops are as follows and will feature:

DATE CHANGE - April 15, Extension Office – Just Outside My Door (Birds and Bugs)

May 6, Extension Office - Needle & Thread (Tie Dye T-shirt & Fashion Show)

April

Apr 2 Jr Leader Meeting, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM

Apr 3 4-H Council, Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

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

Apr 11 Ag Society, Fairgrounds @ 7:30 PM

Apr 15 Early Enrollment Deadline Special 4-H T-shirt incentive

Apr 15 Clover Kids Fun Saturday, Extension Office @ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Apr 17 BInterested (FCE) (Adults), Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

Apr 18 4-H 101, Extension Office @ 6:30 PM

Apr 20 Flower Barrel Workshop, Fairgrounds @ 5:30 PM

Apr 21 Market Broiler Ordering deadline

Apr 22 Dog Training for Leaders & Volunteers, Fairgrounds @ 9:00 AM

Apr 28 Extension Office Closed – NE Arbor Day observed

May

May 1 4-H Council, Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

May 4 Extension Board, Extension Office @ 6:00 PM

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

May 6 Clover Kids Fun Saturday, Extension Office @ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

May 7 Jr Leader Meeting, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM

May 9 Ag Society, Fairgrounds @ 7:30 PM

May 16 4-H 101, Extension Office @ 6:30 PM

May 22 BInterested (FCE) (Adults), Extension Office @ 7:00 PM

May 25 Ag Science Discovery Days - Curtis

May 29 Extension Office Closed – Memorial Day observed

Michele Burnham – Pres.

Heather Mohling – V.Pres.

Jamee Bockerman – Sec.

Kiley McCoy – Tres.

Paul Bankson

Tamara Cecrle

John Copple

Terry DeVries

Jenny Hartman

Dan Klammer

Andrea Marker

Will Rathje

John Scheideler

Jr. Leader Rep – Mikeyla Samuelson

Youth Reps – Kassie Kimle & Abigail Klatt

Chamber of Commerce Rep – 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