Morrill County 4-H Update

May 10 - Fort Robinson 4-H Horse Camp Registration Due

May 10 - Communications Contest Registration Due

May 22 - Communications Contest

May 27 - Office Closed (Memorial Day)

May 29-31 - Next Level LOG N Camp @ Lincoln

June 1 - LOG N Camp Applications Due

June 4 - Wilderness Wonders Camp @ Cedar Point Biological Station (Ogallala)

June 6 - Wilderness Wonders Camp @ Cedar Point Biological Station (Ogallala)

June 6-8 - Fort Robinson Horse Camp

June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline

June 15 - Livestock Affidavits Due

June 15 - YQCA Due

July 1-2 - LOG N Camp @ Cedar Point Biological Station (Ogallala)

July 4 - Office Closed (Independence Day)

July 5 - Pre-Fair Entry Forms Due

July 20-27 - Morrill County Fair

I can't believe that it is summer already!! This year is flying by and before we know it, the fair will be upon us! Please take the time to read ALL of this - I know it is long but will hopefully help explain what will be happening in the upcoming months.

First, if you have not heard, Katlyn is moving on. Her last day was May 1st. We wish her the best as she leaves the Extension world. With that being said, I have started the hiring process but our office will look different! Our program is growing and doing great things, and the MC Commissioners realized the need for more help. Therefore, they increased our budget to allow for another staff person. I will be hiring a full time 4-H Assistant as well as a part time Office Manager. I hope that this change will allow us to keep the office open more regularly in order to assist families. The 4-H position is currently open and being advertised for. Once I can confirm I have enough money left in this year's budget, I will open the office manager position as well. Please help spread the word!

Just for your understanding, the Cheyenne/Deuel County 4-H Educator has been empty since November. Due to the nature of Extension, I became the Lead Educator in Deuel County. They have also lost their office manage due to family health issues recently. I am working to get that office operational as well as trying to keep up with all the issues in Garden and Morrill. I apologize for not being as available as normal but please understand I am working to try to make 4-H great for all three counties as best as I can. Deuel County should be fully staffed by June 3rd but I am sure I will be needed for training through some of June.

With Katlyn being gone and me trying to run three offices at the moment as well as doing my regular work, I cannot guarantee our office will be open throughout May. Debbie will be coming in to cover the office as much as she can and will be helping me keep up with paperwork. I will put our office hours on FaceBook weekly so that you know when and who will be available. I HIGHLY encourage you to call the office before you come in to see if anyone is there or check the schedule. ALSO, please leave a message on the office phone if you call in. The voicemail goes straight to my email and I can get back to you as soon as I get a moment.

I realize that there may be some questions around many of the changes taking place in our office and with the fairgrounds. I want all families to be aware that the commissioners do not deal with many of these issues. We have a chain of command within 4-H and I am asking you to PLEASE understand who you should call with concerns. Directly calling commissioners is not the correct path and has caused much unnecessary issues and more drama than I can deal with right now!! PLEASE follow the chain of command created and identified in the fair book. Also in the fairbook is a list of all of the superintendents and council members.

I want to recognize Mike Cerny for taking the lead on putting up the new horse arena. This is a fantastic asset and is greatly appreciated. This will not be our permanent arena; however, it is what we will be using for both practice and the horse show for possibly the next two or three years. This will mean we need to make some compromises. If you have issues with this, you can speak with me.

I appreciate all of you being willing to be flexible and understanding as we work through these changes!

Thank you for your support,

Sarah

To receive updates throughout the year in a quick and easy manner, sign up for the REMIND class: Morrill County Fair Updates.

To do that, text @mocofair to the number 81010!

It’s time to get enrolled in 4-H for the 2024 4-H year! To enroll, click on the button below.

For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member. Please note the enrollment fee for Morrill county is $5 per 4-H member/ $0 for Clover Kid member and is paid either online or at our office.

Please contact Sarah ­­at (308) 262-1022 or spaisley3@unl.edu with any questions.

Attention: Morrill County FFA Students! Planning on showing FFA at the Morrill County Fair this year? Make sure to fill out your FFA enrollment form and drop it off at the extension office. This will be the information that we enter into ShoWorks to keep track of all of your ribbons and premiums. The PDF version of the form is attached below. You may either drop it off at the extension office or email it to Sarah at spaisley3@unl.edu. Contact the office at (308) 262-1022 with any questions!

The 2024 Fairbook is finally finished! You can find the online version by clicking the button below.

If you are interested in purchasing a hard copy, stop by the office to pick up a copy. Each book is $5.

There are quite a few changes, so make sure to take a look.

IF we have enough interest we will be hosting Morrill County Communications Contest on May 21st. Due to staff shortages, this will allow Sarah to be at both Garden and Morrill County Contests. IF that date does not work for you, we will figure out how to make May 22nd with Garden County work for you instead! Thank you for being flexible and understanding.

All registrations forms are still due on MAY 10th!!

As you begin making plans for 2024, be sure to check out the Special Garden Project. It offers a unique introduction to plant science. Members are given seeds and guided through planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. Members can exhibit a cut flower or harvested vegetable at the fair if all goes well. Otherwise, youth can share their experience through a poster, story, or video exhibit. Next year, members will work with the PRINCESS INDIA NASTURTIUM. Visit https://4h.unl.edu/special-garden-project to learn more!

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 in. 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 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. Seeds are available in the Extension Office.

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

YQCA is a mandatory training for all youth interested in showing livestock and small animals at the county and state fair. If youth ages 8-18 as of Jan 1 are showing beef, pigs, sheep or goats (this includes breeding, bucket calves and feeder calves), dairy cattle, dairy goats, poultry and/or rabbits at County fair, state fair, AKSARBEN or other shows, they need to complete the YQCA Certification.

If you didn't make it to the in-person training in Bridgeport, you will need to complete the YQCA web-based training online. Go to https://yqcaprogram.org to sign up. And the How to Video can be found below.

Certificates need to be in the office or emailed to Sarah at spaisley3@unl.edu by June 15th! Let us know if you need help!

Pre-Fair entry forms are due July 5th. Make sure to fill out the correct form based on whether you are showing in 4-H or FFA. As a reminder, youth are only allowed to show in either 4-H OR FFA for any livestock showmanship class. Dog, Companion Animal, and Horse are all 4-H Only divisions. If you have any questions, contact the office at (308) 262-1022 or spaisley3@unl.edu. Hard copies will be available in the office!

Nebraska 4-H has launched a new volunteer orientation. This online training serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development Program in Nebraska and covers a few essential topics for volunteers. While the orientation is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the course. Learn more at http://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.

Nebraska 4-H offers a variety of resources for 4-H Clubs and leaders. A 4-H Club is an organized group of five or more youth who meet regularly with adult volunteers or 4-H staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences. The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development and foster educational opportunities to meet the needs of young people.

For 4-H Club Leader Resources follow this link https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders

We would like to welcome our new 4-H Council members as well as those who are continuing their membership!

Adult Members:

Crystal Batt

Tina Dueker

Nate Edmunds

Heather Spalding

Linda Safford

Kristina Whitney

Roland Whitney

Youth Members:

Leah Cerny

Kelton Whitney

Demi Lapaseotes

Haley Edmunds

Projects provide the basis of the 4-H program by offering various educational experiences. Carrying out a project will help the member "learn by doing" as well as learn "why" things happen the way they do.

There are over 200 project areas that youth can enter a project under for the fair. From showing an animal to growing produce in a garden, the opportunities are almost limitless! For more information and some ideas for future projects, click on the button below.

Please contact Sarah at (308) 262-1022 or spaisley3@unl.edu with any questions.

Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. NEW in 2024: Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement

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.

The Fort Robinson Horse Camp Committee has been busy putting together a fun camp to celebrate the 50th year of Horse Camp!! We hope you all will consider joining us this year!

Attached below is the Program, Registration Form, and Scholarship Application. Both the scholarship application and the registration form are due on May 10th. Mail them to:

Nebraska Extension Dawes County

250 Main Street, Suite 8

Chadron, NE 69337

New this year in addition to the scholarship application, the youth can create a t-shirt design for the 2025 Fort Robinson Horse Camp. If their shirt design is selected they will be reimbursed for their camp fee. Feel free to email t-shirt designs to mmracek2@unl.edu.

Please reach out to Melissa at mmracek2@unl.edu if you have any questions.

Email: spaisley3@unl.edu

Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/morrill/

Location: 514 Main Street, Bridgeport, NE 69336

Phone: 308-262-1022

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorrillCounty4H

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