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Hall County 4-H Newsletter
June 2024
Hall County Fair T-Shirts
Just in! The Hall County Fair Board will be purchasing Fair t-shirts for all 4-H exhibitors and volunteers! If you are participating in pre-fair events, entering static exhibits, showing animals, or volunteering, please let us know your t-shirt size as soon as possible. https://forms.gle/nJqezaHLb6nAa2YHA
A BIG thank you to the Fair Board!!!
Sign up for 4-H Text Messages!
NEW – Hall County 4-H will be using the Remind app (in addition to email & social media) to communicate important 4-H news, events & deadlines to 4-H families. This will also be how Hall County Fair updates will be sent this year. Get information for Hall County 4-H right on your phone! Two-way text messaging makes it more convenient for families to receive important information. Plus, it’s free and easy to use!
Options to sign up for Remind:
- Option 1 - Click the link to sign up, https://www.remind.com/join/4h-hall.
- Option 2 - Text the message @4h-hall to the number 81010.
Please call Crystal at 308-385-5088 for assistance.
SIGN UP FOR KIDS COLLEGE!
Looking For a Fun Family Adventure This Summer??
Get ready to go on an adventure with your family & friends with this activity! Similar to letterboxing (a fun hobby that has been around for 170 years), you’ll be given clues to different locations in our community to find hidden boxes. Find each box to get the prize – a stamp to add to your logbook! Logbooks will be provided for each participant.
With this fun activity, you’ll explore our community and enjoy time with family and friends. Find all the boxes and enter your group into a drawing for a gift basket from the Nebraska State Fair! This activity is available from June 1-30, and the prize winners will be notified soon after. Go to https://secure.smore.com/n/u61mh for more information and to register!
***This activity was created by the 4-H Community Changemaker Team and sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.
Senior Survey (Current & Last Year’s Seniors)
Parents, we would appreciate your help in sending this survey link to your senior (and last year’s seniors as well) and have them complete it. This short survey will help us share the value of 4-H in our community. Thank you! 4-H Senior Survey (google.com)
SHOUT OUTS!
4-H Bicycle Road-E-O Results
The 4-H Bicycle Road-E-O was held May 29th at the Extension office. During the Bike Road-E-O, 4-H’ers rode through an obstacle course where they had the opportunity to practice bike safety while using their bicycle skills, followed by a written test to check their bicycle knowledge. Awards were sponsored by T-Shirt Engineers, Blue Rock Coffee Company, & Eberl Plumbing & Drain. The following awards were given:
Senior Division:
- Hailey Allan - Champion, Purple
- Noah Johnson - Reserve, Purple
Intermediate Division:
- Ada White - Champion, Purple
- Asher White - Reserve, Purple
- Genesis White - Purple
- Kiera Lindiman - Purple
- Grace Johnson - Purple
- Jaylee Hatt - Purple
Junior Division:
- Ethan Benes - Champion, Purple
Clover Kid Participants:
- Ridley Hatt
- Conner Benes
- Emma Allan
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
Join Sew Crazy Sewing Club!
- Who: Any youth interested in sewing, ages 5-18.
- When: Saturday, June 8, 2024
- Where: Hall County Extension meeting room
- What Time: 1-4:30 pm
- June Project: Your choice of sewing project
Club Leaders: Annette Schimmer and Barb Hovie
- Annette 308-379-7191 | netterz95@gmail.com
- Barb 308-379-5208 | barbarahovie@gmail.com
PLEASE contact Annette or Barb if you plan to attend, or if you have questions.
Online Horticulture ID Contest
The Nebraska 4-H Online Horticulture Judging Contest provides youth an opportunity to test their knowledge of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. The contest is open to all youth, as well as adults. Youth do not need to be enrolled 4-H members to participate. The contest will be available June 7-21, 2024. Go to 4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest for more information.
Ice Cream Roll & Culinary Challenge
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Tom Dinsdale Automotive Barn Bar (new location), NE State Fairgrounds
The Ice Cream Roll will be held on Tuesday, June 25th with starting times every half hour from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. All enrolled Hall County 4-H'ers (ages 5-18) may participate in the Ice Cream Roll. Call the Extension Office to pre-register and reserve a time. Arrive at the time slot you have selected to begin measuring, mixing and rolling. Recipes & more information can be found at hall.unl.edu/4-h-ice-cream-roll/.
The Culinary Challenge Contest will be held on Tuesday, June 25th at 4:00 pm (setup at 3:30) and is open to any enrolled Hall County 4-H member (ages 8-18). Each exhibit will consist of a theme (4-H member’s choice), a menu card, one food item prepared from the menu, recipe for the prepared food item, one or two place settings and a centerpiece. More information can be found at hall.unl.edu/4-h-culinary-challenge-hall-county/.
Deadline to sign up is Friday, June 21st. Volunteers are needed! Please call Cami or Crystal at 308-385-5088 if you have any questions or if you are able to volunteer at these events.
Modeling 101 Workshop
Clothing Judging Day and the 4-H Fashion Show are fast approaching! We’ve scheduled a modeling workshop to help 4-H’ers prepare for the big day! It is scheduled for Monday, July 1st from 1-2 p.m. at the Extension Office. A special thanks to Lisa Allan and her girls for leading this workshop. 4-H’ers will practice modeling in the judging room and also on the College Park stage and hear great tips for judging day! It would be a great idea to bring the shoes you plan to model in. There is no fee to attend, but please call the office to register at 308-385-5088. If you have any questions, please contact D’Ette!
CLOTHING JUDGING DAY & 4-H FASHION SHOW
All wrapped up into one BIG day is Clothing Judging Day and the 4-H Fashion Show! It is an exciting day, full of action and is one of our biggest contests/events in Hall County 4-H. With this big event comes a lot of details! If you’re new to this day or need a refresher, please take some time to read through the following in preparation for the big day. We’ve merged all the information about clothing pre-registration, Clothing Judging Day and the 4-H Fashion Show into one spot for families. We hope it’s helpful!
Scan the QR code or go to the link: https://go.unl.edu/2024-4-h-clothing. If you have more questions, please give D’Ette a call at the Extension Office!
Jaime Parr is the Executive Director of the Nebraska State Fair. She just celebrated her 26th anniversary of serving Nebraskans through Nebraska’s largest community event, the State Fair! Jaime serves on several non-profit boards and volunteers for multiple community events in the Grand Island area. She was recognized for her volunteer efforts by earning the Heartland United Way’s LIVE UNITED award in 2023, and she walked the plank to confirm her position as an Admiral of the Great Nebraska Navy in May of 2024. Jaime is married to David Parr and is mom to twelve-year-old Sophie Jo, a Hall County 4-H member. Jaime and her family are valued members of our 4-H community and always willing to support our program, including serving as an emcee for the 4-H Fashion Show. Thanks, Jamie!
Jimmy Reed is recognized as one of the top real estate agents in Grand Island, working with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Da-Ly Realty. Jimmy lives and breathes Grand Island! He is the third generation in the family business and loves the world of real estate and how it provides opportunities to grow our community and impact the lives of families. His world revolves around his wife Melissa of close to 10 years, and his three beautiful daughters Kaylee, Layla, and iLa. Health and fitness is near and dear to his heart, as he has been a juvenile diabetic since he was 12 years old. It’s evident that Jimmy loves our community and all it offers (including 4-H!), as he said “yes” to emceeing the 4-H Fashion Show!
A big thanks to both emcees! The 4-H Fashion Show is open to the public. Invite your family and friends and we’ll see you on July 2. Questions about the show? Contact D’Ette at the Extension Office.
Let's Celebrate!
To celebrate the growth and success of one of our most popular 4-H programs/projects, and to continue to market 4-H and what we have to offer, we will be providing t-shirts to all 4-H youth participants of Clothing Judging Day and 4-H Fashion Show this summer!
Order your free shirt by Monday, June 10th at noon by clicking this link, https://forms.gle/2ixUNf4MT1xgStd99. We don’t want any 4-H member to be left out! If you think your 4-H’er will participate on July 2, please complete the form. Shirts will be distributed at the Fashion Show and will be worn for a photo opportunity at the end of the Fashion Show!
If you are a parent or supporter of the clothing project and fashion show, and would like to order a shirt, you may order a shirt at the cost of $12.00 using this link, https://forms.gle/vVRxvwsNjVpzUPkx6. Payment must be received at the Hall County Extension Office by June 10th at noon. (Payment options: cash or check, made out to Hall County 4-H Council.)
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Join in the Fun at the 4-H Fashion Show
Did you know that you can participate with "purchased" garments in the 4-H Fashion Show? The Shopping in Style project offers 4-Her’s ages 8 and up the opportunity to purchase an outfit and model it, and has no price limitations.
If you purchased a new outfit for your vacation, a summer graduation, wedding, or concert, you're ready for the fashion show! You can also participate in the Shopping in Style project with an outfit purchased from a garage sale or resale shop (one of our biggest categories at the fashion show)! See below for more information about the $15 Shopping in Style challenge and call D’Ette if you have questions!
The $15 Challenge
Consider participating in the Fashion Show with an outfit costing no more than $15!
$15 Challenge Information:
- Open to any 4-H member!
- Outfit may be selected and purchased from a garage sale, thrift store, consignment store or resale shop (such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.), or a great bargain at the mall!
- Cost of outfit must be $15 or less, not including shoes, accessories or undergarments.
- Consider why outfit is needed and how it fills a void in your wardrobe.
- Take into account the fit, quality and care of the garment(s).
- Model the outfit on Clothing Judging Day and at the public Fashion Show that evening.
Horticulture & Floriculture Exhibits for County Fair
Horticulture exhibitors- save your seed packets! To exhibit in this area, you must know your varieties and cultivars. This information must come in with your flowers and vegetables on entry day. Need information on exhibiting flowers/vegetables/ herbs/fruit items? Check out these resources when preparing entries for the fair:
Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at County and State Fairs 4H227
Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit 4H226
Important Reminders for 4-H Families
- 4-H Enrollment must be completed in 4-H Online by June 15 to be eligible to participate at the 2024 Hall County Fair. However, since Fair entry forms will be sent out ahead of this date, we ask that you DO NOT WAIT to enroll until the deadline, as you may miss important emails with Fair deadlines & entry information.
- County Fair entry forms will be EMAILED to families around the first of June (please watch for these in your inbox).
- ALL EXHIBITS must be pre-entered on the appropriate entry form (this includes Clover Kids). Entry forms are due to the Extension Office by June 24 (no later) at 5 pm.
- Please note that additional required documentation for animals (animal ID forms, vaccinations, quality assurance) are due to the Extension Office by June 14 at 5 pm.
- NEW this year – The Remind app will be used to communicate important 4-H news, events & deadlines to 4-H families, including during the Hall County Fair. Scroll to the top of this newsletter for details on how to sign up for Remind!
What is a Static Exhibit?
At fair time, you will often read or hear office staff talking about STATIC exhibits. A static exhibit is any exhibit that isn’t alive (doesn’t breathe and/or walk). They are stationary. We are usually referring to exhibits in the exhibit hall: posters, home design exhibits like wall hangings, food, flowers, child development exhibits, woodworking, Kids College exhibits, and more! (Animals are not static exhibits.)
The 2024 Hall County 4-H Fair Book is Ready!
The Fair Book contains 4-H project class descriptions, premiums & much more. Check it out here: https://hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/. Listed below is a summary of new classes & class changes.
Updates in Rules & General Information for Livestock for 2024
- Dress Code: No exhibitor number harnesses may be worn (page 5).
- Handling Equipment: beef, meat goat (pages 9 & 10).
- Showing & Handling Practices: sheep, meat goats (page 10).
NEW Class for 2024
- Woodworking: Wood Projects created on a Turning Lathe
Class Changes for 2024
- Visual Arts: Numerous updates/class changes. Sketchbook Crossroads & Portfolio Pathways divisions have been changed to Visual Art Mediums & Visual Art Themes.
- Home Environment division is now called Home Design & Restoration.
- Aerospace division is now called STEM: Rockets.
Project Areas Removed in 2024
- Theater Arts
- Attention Shoppers (merged with Shopping in Style)
- Special Entomology Project
- Small Engines
Please review ALL AREAS of the 2024 Fair Book that pertain to your projects. You may download a copy of the 2024 Fair Book here: https://hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/. If you have any questions or cannot find where your project “fits,” call 308-385-5088 or email Crystal at cbeissenherz2@unl.edu. We are here to help!
Questions About Fair Entry Forms or Exhibits?
Fair entry forms have recently been emailed to all enrolled 4-H families! Check your inbox!
Entry forms can also be found here: hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/. If you have questions about where an exhibit ‘fits’ or how to complete your fair pre-registration forms, please contact the office at 308-385-5088. Fair entry forms are due Monday, June 24.
- For static exhibits – Contact D’Ette or Joyce
- For animal exhibits – Contact Megan, LaDonna or Crystal
SHOOTING SPORTS
2024 Hall County 4-H Shooting Sports Schedule
The dates are set for 4-H Archery, BB Gun, 22 Rifle and Shotgun practices/competitions. (Dates & times are subject to change.) Youth who participate in practices and competitions must be enrolled in 4-H Online BEFORE practicing and competing in a 4-H Shooting Sports event. *Minimum age for Archery & BB Gun is 4-H age 8. Minimum age for 22 Rifle and Shotgun is 4-H age 11 (Hunter's Safety Certification REQUIRED). Please review the Hall County Fair Book - Shooting Sports section/rules and the 2024 Hall County 4-H Shooting Sports Schedule, located here: hall.unl.edu/4-h-contests-events/. Contact the Hall County Extension Office at 308-385-5088 with questions.
*Update: The first official 4-H Archery practice will be on Monday, June 3 at 6:30 pm; New shooters come at 6 pm. (Let's hope the weather cooperates!)
LIVESTOCK UPDATES
Remind Messages for Animal Exhibitors
Stall Decorating Contest
The theme for the 2024 Hall County Fair Stall Decorating for clubs and families is “Old Time Rock & Roll". Show off your 4-H pride and creativity by decorating your club or family area. This has been lots of fun in past years!
It's Time to Complete YQCA!
Quality Assurance Training is REQUIRED for all youth (4-H age 8-18) planning to show beef, swine, sheep, goats, dairy, poultry & rabbits at County and/or State Fair. Clover Kids are not required to take the course. Youth showing bucket calves only are not required to take the course. Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is the platform that is used by Nebraska 4-H and can be found here: yqcaprogram.org.
YQCA training can be taken online or in a face-to-face instructor-led training.
*There will be NO more face-to-face trainings in Hall County this year.
YQCA Web-Based Training:
- YQCA Web-Based Training Help Document
- Help Video: YQCA Web-Based Training
- The charge to complete YQCA online is $12, to be paid online when taking the course.
YQCA Instructor-Led Training:
- YQCA Instructor-Led Training Help Document
- Help Video: YQCA Instructor-Led Training
- The charge to complete Instructor-Led Training is $3, to be paid online when registering for the course.
All registration questions with YQCA should be directed to help@yqcaprogram.org. Once QA is completed, download/print the certificate & turn in (or email) to the Extension office by JUNE 14th, in order to be eligible to show at the Hall County Fair and/or Nebraska State Fair.
Ear Notches for Swine
One of the most common animal id questions that comes up every year is “How do I read/record swine ear notches?”. Ear notching is a traditional method of identification in which pigs are identified based on their birth order within a given farrowing. It is a permanent form of identification and used when completing the Animal Affidavits (ID’s).
If you fall in the “How do I” category, please take a moment to read the linked information. We also have an easy-to-read diagram that is available on our Hall County Extension website, hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair-information/ or at the office. Happy fair season!
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dodge/Proper%20Way%20to%20Ear%20Notch%20Pigs.pdf
Bucket Calf Project
4-H members enrolled in the Bucket Calf project have a record book to complete! The record book counts for 25% of your total points at the Hall County Fair, so be sure to turn it in to the Extension staff when your calf is entered onto the fairgrounds. Bucket Calves also need paper copies of the ID sheets turned in by June 14th. *Please note that the bucket calf show is considered showmanship for the calves and their exhibitors.
Bucket Calf Classes:
- Clover Kid—5-7 years (4-H age) (record book not required)
- Junior—8-10 years (4-H age)
- Intermediate—11-13 years (4-H age)
- Senior—14 years and older (4-H age)
- Second Year Bucket Calf - 9-18 years (4-H age)
Bucket calf ID forms and record books can be found at hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair.
Livestock Sale Cards
Be sure to stop in and pick up Livestock Sale Cards at the Extension Office. These are great for youth to distribute to potential auction supporters ahead of the Fair! Now is the time to visit those who support your youth livestock projects; they will be happy to see you!
Important Information for State Fair Livestock Exhibitors
- New in 2024 - Changes to State Fair Age Eligibility! All 4-H members who were at least 8 years of age on December 31 of previous year will be eligible to show livestock at the Nebraska State Fair. Learn more about State Fair: 4h.unl.edu/state-fair.
- Online Livestock Nominations - Any animals that you are considering and would like to be eligible to show at State Fair, will need to be nominated and paid online ($7 per animal), by YOU (4-H families) at showstockmgr.com. The deadline for all animals is June 14. *The official State Fair nomination deadline is June 15; however, that is a Saturday. Our office WILL NOT be open or be able to answer questions on the 15th; therefore, we STRONGLY SUGGEST that you complete your nominations by June 14.
- DNA Samples will need pulled for ALL animals that are nominated - market, breeding & feeder calves (this applies to Beef, Swine, Sheep & Goats). Please pick up DNA envelopes at the Extension Office for any animals that you plan to nominate & return completed envelopes with samples by June 14 (see * above). **Multiple exhibitors in the same immediate family may be listed on each DNA envelope, but ALL EXHIBITORS MUST SIGN THEIR SIGNATURES ON EACH ENVELOPE. (This is NEW for 2024.)
- Check out the Hall County Animal ID Guidelines. It lists methods of ID, nomination deadlines & entry deadlines for animals that will be shown at County Fair and State Fair, all in one document. *ID forms/nominations MUST be submitted by June 14th, 2024 for ALL SPECIES.
- Please call the Extension office at #308-385-5088 with questions BEFORE June 14th so you may complete all of the requirements by the deadline.
Thank You Volunteers!
THANK YOU to everyone who came to the sheep and goat weigh-in on May 20th. A big THANK YOU to our volunteers: Jeff Ewoldt, Cooper Ewoldt, Michele Eberl, and Katie Eberl, as well as all the parents and 4-H members for all your help!
Rabbit ID Requirements
Rabbit Affidavits (Identification form with ear tattoo) must be on file at the Extension Office by June 14, 2024. Animal Affidavits can be found here: hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/.
HORSE NEWS
Horse Ride Night
4-H Horse Ride Night will be Wednesday, June 26th from 6-8 pm at Thompson Arena, Fonner Park. Ride Night allows exhibitors and their horses to become familiar with Thompson Arena and the US Food Outdoor Arena, double-check entries for the 2024 Hall County Fair, meet others in the 4-H horse project, and most importantly have fun!
Senior Horse Exhibitors
If you are a senior in high school or in your last year of eligibility showing in the Hall County 4-H Horse Show, and you would like to be recognized during the Grand Entry portion of the show, submit a paragraph about yourself to the Extension office by the Horse Right Night on June 26th.
Horse Project Reminders
Horse ID Certificates are due to the Hall County Extension Office on May 31, 2024 for State Horse Show and on June 14, 2024 for Hall County Fair. You can find these forms here: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-fair-information/
Horse Level Testing - As a reminder, if you are working on a horsemanship level, once you pass all the requirements for each level, the office needs proof of each requirement signed by the appropriate leader, instructor, or certified examiner. For State Horse Show competition, the Extension office needs proof of completion by May 31st.
Reminder: 4-H members enrolled in the Hall County 4-H Horse project may share a horse. Each member must complete a horse ID sheet, and all members sharing the horse must be listed on each ID sheet. 4-H members sharing a horse cannot ride the same horse in the same class, regardless of age division. (Example: Member A can ride horse X in the Intermediate Western Pleasure class. Member B can ride horse X in the Junior Horsemanship class, but not in the Junior Western Pleasure class.)
DOGS, CATS & SMALL PETS
Dog, Cat & Small Pet Shows
Cats, hamsters, fish, snakes, toads, dogs, and mini pigs, Oh MY!
When you think of 4-H, do you picture kids showing cattle, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry? Did you know you can show your dog, cat, and ANY animal you consider a pet? Any animal not housed in the Cattle Barn during the Hall County Fair (except pet rabbits) can be shown in one of the following two shows.
The Dog Show will be held on Thursday, July 18th, in the Five Point Bank Arena at 4:30 pm. The Cat and Small Pet Show (formally the Cat and Companion Animal Show) will be held in the Aurora Coop Pavilion on Friday, July 19th at 12:15 pm.
These two programs are a great way to share the hard work that goes into caring for your family’s pets. Check the Hall County Fair Book for specifics of each show. (Vaccinations are required for dogs and cats.) If you have questions, please get in touch with LaDonna at the office.
Fair Reminders for Small Animals
Dog, cat & ferret vaccination forms (signed by a vet) must be on file at the Extension Office by June 14th to show at the Hall County Fair. Vaccination forms can be found here: hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/.
Interested in the 4-H Dog Project?
Join Happy Hounds 4-H Club in learning the skills for Obedience, Showmanship and Agility. Practices will take place on the south side of the Nebraska Building (near the playground) at Fonner Park on the following Monday evenings: June 3, June 17, June 24, July 1, and July 8, starting at 5:30 pm. Please bring supplies to clean up accidents. Parents, please stay for the practice. Practice dates will be subject to change depending on building scheduling and will be communicated at practice and via email.
The Dog Vaccination form will need to be completed and returned to the Extension office by June 14th and can be found at hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair/. Please feel free to contact LaDonna Obermiller with any questions, (308) 385-5088 or club leader Michele Eberl (308) 379-0618.
ONGOING 4-H PROGRAMS
Help Needed to Supply Little Free Pantry!
Kountryside Kids 4-H Club has installed a Little Free Pantry at Lincoln Elementary School. They are partnering with Grand Island Public Schools (and you!) on this project!
Kountryside Kids 4-H Club invites 4-H families and clubs to help keep the pantry filled with food, hygiene, seasonal needs, and home essentials, through the next year. If your family or club would like to contribute to the pantry, sign up for a week (or more) in 2024, by following this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA72DA7FBCF8-45801707-lincoln.
The Little Free Pantry is supported by Hall County 4-H, the Nutrition Education Program (NEP), and UNL Extension. If you have any questions, call the Extension Office at 308-385-5088 or email LaDonna at ladonna.obermiller@unl.edu. For ideas of items to put in the Little Free Pantry, click Little Free Food Pantry Food Safety Information | UNL Food.
NEW STEM Backpacks!
Hall County 4-H has five NEW STEM Backpacks that you can try out! Check out an engaging STEM Backpack for your family! Each of the backpacks contains theme-based books, activity sheets & materials, and a step-by-step lesson plan for adults. Most of the lessons are also available in Spanish. Families not enrolled in 4-H are welcome to check out backpacks as well.
CAMPS & STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
Raising Nebraska Summer Kickoff
Raising Nebraska will be reopening its doors and welcoming visitors back with a summer kickoff event on June 3, 2024. The event, which takes place at Raising Nebraska on the State Fairgrounds, is free and open to the public from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Many of Raising Nebraska’s ag partners from around the state will be present offering free food, giveaways, games, activities, and more for families and youth of all ages. Mid-Day Renae from 107.7 The Island will be live at Raising Nebraska from 3-5 pm!
Families will have the opportunity to register for Raising Nebraska’s summer programs and activities. Explore and experience Raising Nebraska’s many exhibits designed to educate visitors on Nebraska agriculture and the families who grow it.
Wool Needle Felting Workshops
Join Rhonda McClure from Ewe and Us for Needle Felting Workshops. Needle felting is a creative craft that involves sculpting shapes and figures from wool using special felting needles. These workshops are for beginners, but needle felters of all experiences are welcome. Rhonda will instruct participants on how to create beautiful ornaments, mounted wall hangings or decorative 2D image pillows. These projects are perfect for 4-H Home Design & Restoration fair entries, used as your own home decor piece or great gift ideas. Allergy Note: This activity uses real animal wool. The Farm to Craft series at Raising Nebraska highlights the diverse products Nebraska's farms and ranches provide beyond food. These harvested products can be used as elements in design for wall art display, home décor, wearables, etc.
Changes to State Fair Age Eligibility
New in 2024! All 4-H members who were at least 8 years of age on December 31 of the previous year will be eligible to participate in 4-H in-person events (live animal shows, fashion shows, and contests) at the Nebraska State Fair. Learn more about State Fair: 4h.unl.edu/state-fair.
Tractor & Equipment Safety Training
Tractor and farm equipment safety courses are now open for registration! Teens ages 14-15 who work on farms, or others who are interested in learning about tractor and farm equipment safety practices, can register for a safety training course offered at eight locations across Nebraska from May 21 through June 13. Learn more at https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html
Food Science Camps
Time: May-July, varies with each camp
Location: Most are hosted at Food Innovation Center, 1901 N. 21st St., Lincoln, NE 68588
If you are a high school or middle school student eager to explore the fascinating world of food science, you will not want to miss attending our camps this summer! The camps are hosted by the Food Science and Technology Department at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Through hands-on activities, facility tours, and the development of food products, our activities will spark your interest in the science behind the foods you consume every day. Also, during camps you will have a chance to get to know our facilities, interact with experienced food scientists, engage with faculty and students, and immerse yourself in a journey of discovery.
You can choose from a range of camps: one-day, three-day, or week-long experiences. Each camp offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse aspects of a specific food or food group, from pizza to cookies and dairy products! You will not want to miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge while exploring the world of food science. Secure your spot now by registering at https://foodscience.unl.edu/food-science-summer-camp
**Application deadlines vary depending on the camp.
Questions: Contact Andreia Bianchini at abianchini2@unl.edu.
Agronomy Youth Field Day
The 8th Annual Agronomy Youth Field Day, will be held on July 9, 2024 in Curtis, NE at the NCTA campus. Open statewide to ALL youth ages 9-18 as of 1/1/24. Parents and adults are welcome! FREE event with lunch provided by Ag Valley Coop and water bottles by Farm Credit.
Hands on activities with 2 different age tracts to learn how agriculture is changing with precision technology:
- “Aerial Crop Scouting” using drones,
- Insect/Arthropod Scavenger Hunt & Trapping,
- GPS Soil Sampling,
- Soil Lab Science,
- Exploring Herbicides & Fungicides
- Practice Your Mini Drone Flying!
Learn from local Nebraska Extension & Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Crop & Water Educators/Researchers, Bayer Crop Scientists & Nebraska Extension Digital Ag Educator.
Register online at go.unl.edu/agronomy-youth-field-day by July 2nd . Plan a road trip to Curtis and bring a carload of youth with you! For more information, contact Nebraska Extension-Frontier County at (308)367-4424 or email kathy.burr@unl.edu.
Youth Crop Scouting Competition
The Youth Crop Scouting Competition is coming to the Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska, on August 7, 2024. Calling all junior high and high school teams (grades 5-12) from across Nebraska! Hurry, as this event is limited to the first ten teams to sign up! Top-scoring teams stand a chance to win cash prizes, and the top two teams will qualify for the regional competition in Minnesota this year.
For more details about the crop scouting competition and instructions on how to register your team, visit cropwatch.unl.edu/youth. Secure your spot now at https://go.unl.edu/cropscoutingreg. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! #cropscoutcomp #NE4H
VOLUNTEER CONNECTION
The 4-H Volunteer Connection is a monthly e-newsletter for 4-H volunteers to get exclusive tips, tricks and support to help volunteers excel in their role, all delivered straight to their inbox. Volunteers subscribe to this e-newsletter at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-connection.
CALENDAR
May 31 - Deadline for State Horse Show online entries, ID sheets & level testing.
June 3 - Happy Hounds Dog Practice, 5:30 pm at Fonner Park, south side of the NE Building.
June 3 - 4-H Archery Practice, 6:30 pm (new shooters come at 6 pm) at Third City Archery Outdoor Range.
June 5 - 4-H Rifle Practice, 6-8 pm at Grand Island Rifle Club.
June 6 - 4-H Shotgun Practice, 6-8 pm at NE State Trap Shooting Association.
June 8 - 4-H BB Gun Safety Meeting & Practice, 8:00 am at Third City Archery Indoor Range.
June 12 - 4-H Rifle Practice, 6-8 pm at Grand Island Rifle Club.
June 13 - 4-H Shotgun Practice, 6-8 pm at NE State Trap Shooting Association.
June 14 - All Animal ID's, vaccinations & quality assurance certificates due to Extension Office.
June 14 - State Fair online livestock nominations & DNA envelopes due.
June 15 - 4-H BB Gun Practice, 9:00 am at Third City Archery Indoor Range.
June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline for participation in the 2024 Hall County Fair and 2024 Nebraska State Fair.
June 17 - Happy Hounds Dog Practice, 5:30 pm at Fonner Park, south side of the NE Building.
June 17 - 4-H Archery Practice, 6:30 pm at Third City Archery Outdoor Range.
June 19 - 4-H Rifle Practice, 6-8 pm at Grand Island Rifle Club.
June 20 - 4-H Shotgun Practice, 6-8 pm at NE State Trap Shooting Association.
June 22 - Hall County 4-H Shotgun Competition, 9:00 am (Registration at 8:30 am) at NE State Trap Shooting Association.
June 22 - Hall County 4-H Rifle Competition, 3:00 pm (Registration at 2:30 pm) at Grand Island Rifle Club.
June 24 - Hall County Fair 4-H entry deadline.
June 24 - Happy Hounds Dog Practice, 5:30 pm at Fonner Park, south side of the NE Building.
June 25 - Ice Cream Roll & Culinary Challenge, 4:00-6:30 pm at the Tom Dinsdale Automotive Barn Bar, NE State Fairgrounds.
June 26 - Horse Ride Night, 6-8 pm at Thompson Arena, Fonner Park.
June 28 - 4-H BB Gun Practice, 6:30 pm at Third City Archery Indoor Range.
June 29 - Hall County 4-H BB Gun Competition, 9:00 am (Registration at 8:30 am) at Third City Archery Indoor Range.
June 29 - Hall County 4-H Archery Competition, 3:00 pm (Registration at 2:30 pm) at Third City Archery Outdoor Range.
July 1 - Happy Hounds Dog Practice, 5:30 pm at Fonner Park, south side of the NE Building.
July 2 - 4-H Clothing Judging Day & Fashion Show
July 8 - Happy Hounds Dog Practice, 5:30 pm at Fonner Park, south side of the NE Building.
July 13-17 - State 4-H Horse Expo at Fonner Park
July 17-21 - Hall County Fair
D'Ette Scholtz
4-H Youth Development
Megan Knuth
4-H Youth Development
LaDonna Obermiller
4-H Youth Development
Crystal Beissenherz
Office Manager
Joyce Krolikowski
Nebraska Extension - Hall County
Email: hall-county@unl.edu
Website: hall.unl.edu
Location: 3180 W Hwy 34, College Park, Grand Island, Nebraska, USA
Phone: 308-385-5088
Facebook: facebook.com/HallCounty4HNebraska
Twitter: @4HHoopla