4-H News in Keith/Arthur Counties

• 4-H Calendar
• 4-H Deadlines
• Enrollment
• YQCA
• Animal Affidavits & Tags
• County Fair Documents - Schedules & Fairbooks
• Summer 2024 Workshops
• Next Level Creations
• Keith Progress Show
• Clover Bud/Kid Workshops
• Beginning Cupcake Decorating
• Range Judging Day Camp
• Macrame Wall Hanging
• Build a Better Babysitter
• So You Think You Can Sew?
• Muffin Mania
• Adult & Youth Help Needed!
• 4-H Happenings!
• Extension Office Hiring
• State 4-H Updates/Events
• State 4-H Camps
• Dog Show North Platte
• Log N Camp
• Tractor & Equipment Safety
• Heavy Equipment Career Exploration

May 14: OFFICE CLOSED - Tessa teaching in Chase County

May 21: YQCA Arthur, Veterans Hall, 1 -3 pm

May 22: Keith/Arthur Extension Board Meeting, Roads Department Conference Room, 7 pm

May 23: YQCA Ogallala, Activity Building, 3 - 5 pm

May 27: OFFICE CLOSED - Memorial Day

May 30: Build a Better Babysitter, MPCC Campus

May 30: Arthur 4-H Council Meeting, Fairgrounds, 6:30 pm

June 3: YQCA Ogallala Activity Building, 10am - 12 pm

June 3: Keith 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30 pm

June 4: Wilderness Wonders 4-H Camp 3rd-5th Grade, Cedar Point Biological Station

June 5: Kids Oasis - Tessa teaching K-2nd Grade, 8:30-10:30 am

June 5: YQCA Paxton, Community Building, 1 - 3 pm

June 6: Wilderness Wonders 4-H Camp Ages 5-7, Cedar Point Biological Station

July 29 - August 4: Keith County Fair!

August 5 - August 12: Arthur County Fair!

Deadlines:

June 1: Horse IDS due to Office

June 3: Keith 4-H Beef Progress Show Registration Deadline for Cheaper Entry

June 5: Next Level Creations Workshop Registration Deadline

June 10: Clover Bud Arthur Workshop Registration Deadline

June 15: Animal Affidavits, YQCA, 4-H Online enrollment due

June 15: Clover Kid Crafty, Beginning Cupcake Decorating, & Range Judging Registration Deadlines

June 20: Clover Kid Wacky, Macrame Wall-Hanging, & Babysitting Registration Deadline

July 1: Fair Entry Forms due

Here is a little bit information about 4-H deadlines. More information will come out each month as we get closer to the deadlines. NOTE - Both counties have moved up fair entry form deadlines to JULY 1!

ARTHUR 4-H DEADLINES

June 1: Horse IDs due

June 15: 4-H Online Enrollment, Animal Affidavits due, YQCA certification due

July 1: Fair Forms due

KEITH 4-H DEADLINES

June 1: Horse IDs due

June 15: 4-H Online Enrollment, Animal Affidavits due, YQCA certification due

July 1: Fair Forms due

Have you got enrolled yet?! https://v2.4honline.com/ is open for the 2023-2024 Enrollment Year! Deadline for 4-H enrollment in both Keith and Arthur County is June 15, 2024. If you need help with enrollment, you may contact the Extension office for help!

Enrollment Fees:

• Keith County - $10.00 (payable with Credit Card online, cash, or check)
• Arthur County - Free

NEW UPDATE:

Starting in the 2023-2024 program year, project selection is now optional. By successfully completing the 4-H member enrollment by the June 15th deadline, youth will be eligible to participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county and state fairs. While project selection is optional, it is encouraged for youth to select projects they are interested in exploring.
Please note:

o Youth are only eligible to exhibit in a project area or contest in a single county.

o Horse and shooting sports projects will continue to require project enrollment due to the parental consent required to participate in these projects.

IN-PERSON TRAINING:

Tessa is certified teach face-to-face YQCA training. The training will include 4-6 hands on activities like giving a shot to a banana and more. There is no test required in-person.

Dates face-to-face training will be offered:

• May 21 - 1:00- 3:00 pm, Arthur Veterans Hall at Arthur Fairgrounds

• May 23 - 3:00-5:00 pm, Keith County Fairgrounds in Ogallala

• June 3 - 10:00am- 12:00 pm, Keith County Fairgrounds in Ogallala

• June 5 - 1:00-3:00 pm, Paxton Community Building

To register, click the link below and register for the instructor-led courses in Keith or Arthur County under the date you prefer. https://yqcaprogram.org/

Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA).

Youth enrolled in any of following projects or project areas will need to complete YQCA training;

• Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)

• Dairy Cattle

• Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)

• Poultry

• Rabbit

• Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)

• Swine (breeding swine, market swine)

There are 3 options to complete the YQCA requirements;

• Web-Based Training (costs $12 per individual regardless of age)

• Face-to-Face Training (costs $3 per individual regardless of age)

• Testing Out (Intermediate -$36, Seniors-$48, not an option for juniors)

Test-out options are only available to youth in the first year of Intermediate (age 12) and Senior (age 15) age levels.

All animal affidavits that are due June 15 (Horse is due June 1) are available in our office or on the website. https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/kap/4-h-county-fair-information/

Swine & Beef tags are available in our office!

Our 2024 Summer Workshops are all planned and ready to go! You can find our complete packet with all of the details here!

• Youth do not have to be in 4-H to attend workshops.
• Workshops are subject to cancellation if minimum participation is not reached.
• Most workshops have a maximum number of participants. These workshops will fill on a first come, first serve basis.
• *Note - you are not required to pay ahead of time. You can pay the day of the workshop.

There is 1 way to register for summer workshops-

• Paper Form: Attachment Below

We prefer you fill out the paper form so we can ensure we get all the necessary information. You can email the paper form, drop off, or mail. Some workshops have individual registration forms. These include: Wilderness Wonders4-H Camp & Keith Beef Progress Show

Time to take your creations to the next level! Youth will create a small barn quilt, door hanging, and crayon art.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: June 11, 2024, 10 am - 4 pm

Where: Arthur County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20

Bring: Sack lunch

Projects: C229021, C257012, C257013

Register By: June 5, 2024

Time to take your creations to the next level! Youth will create a small barn quilt, door hanging, and crayon art.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: June 13, 2024, 10 am - 4 pm

Where: Keith County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20

Bring: Sack lunch

Projects: C229021, C257012, C257013

Register By: June 5, 2024

Keith County 4-H is hosting their Beef Progress Show on June 15, 2024. Early bird registration with cheaper fees is due by June 3rd. See the below attachment for more information!

Join us for Clover Kid fun! This workshop will introduce your child to fun, friends, and 4-H. Youth will complete several projects that can be exhibited at fair.

Who: Ages 5-7

When: June 18, 2024, 9 am - 1:30 pm

Where: Arthur County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20

Bring: Towel, swimsuit is not necessary

Register By: June 10, 2024

Join us for Clover Kid fun! This workshop will introduce your child to fun, friends, and 4-H. Youth will complete several projects that can be exhibited at fair.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: June 20, 2024, 8:30 am - 12 pm

Where: Keith County Fairgrounds

Cost: $15

Register By: June 15, 2024

Learn the basic cake decorating skills using butter cream frosting and beginning decorating techniques. Each youth will decorate six cupcakes to take home.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: June 20, 2024, 9 - 11 am

Where: Keith Arterburn Youth Cabin

Cost: $15

Bring: Youth are encouraged to bring at least one star top and one line (writing) to the workshop.

Register By: June 15, 2024

Come learn about plant ID & classification and work on a range project! Youth will also get to compete in a small contest. Great way to prepare for contests and develop a project for fair.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: June 24, 2024, 9 am - 3 pm

Where: Arthur County Fairgrounds

Cost: $5

Bring: Sack lunch

Register By: June 15, 2024

Join us for Clover Kid fun round 2! Specifically designed for kids ages 5-7, youth will leave the workshop with even more projects and a little wet from water games!

Who: Ages 5-7

When: June 27, 2024, 8:30 - 12 am

Where: Keith County Fairgrounds

Cost: $10

Bring: Towel, swimsuit is not necessary.

Register By: June 20, 2024

Learn the art of producing knots with textiles to create a macrame wall hanging for your room. Youth will learn basic knots: larks head knot, cow hitch knot, square knot, and the wrapping knot.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: June 28, 2024, 1 -3 pm

Where: Keith County Fairgrounds

Cost: $15

Projects: C227010

Register By: June 20, 2024

Youth will learn what it takes to care for a variety of ages, nutrition, safety, basic first aid, how to advertise your babysitting services, and more! Youth will make lunch.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: July 2, 2024, 9 am - 3:30 pm

Where: Arthur County Fairgrounds

Cost: $25

Register By: June 20, 2024

Learn the basics of machine sewing while making a personalized pillowcase. Youth will also make a simple pin cushion and an embroidery embellishment on a wearable garment. Youth will need to bring their own embroidered garment such as a t-shirt, crewneck, ball cap, beanie, shoes, etc.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: July 9, 2024, 9 am - 3 pm

Where: Arthur County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20

Bring: sack lunch, sewing machine if have one, sewing notions, and a garment to embellish

Register By: July 1, 2024

Learn the basics of machine sewing while making a personalized pillowcase. Youth will also make a simple pin cushion and an embroidery embellishment on a wearable garment. Youth will need to bring their own embroidered garment such as a t-shirt, crewneck, ball cap, beanie, shoes, etc.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: July 11, 2024, 9 am - 3 pm

Where: Keith County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20

Bring: sack lunch, sewing machine if have one, sewing notions, and a garment to embellish

Register By: July 1, 2024

Experiment with different ingredients to create muffins for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Youth will learn food safety practices, explore sensory effectiveness, how to correctly measure, and how to calculate nutrition. Cost includes lunch.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: July 16, 2024, 9 am - 1 pm

Where: Arthur County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20 (If you attend both Muffin Mania & Beginning Cupcake - discount of $30, instead of $35!)

Register By: July 10, 2024

Learn the basic cake decorating skills using butter cream frosting and beginning decorating techniques. Each youth will decorate six cupcakes to take home.

Who: Ages 8-18

When: July 16, 2024, 1 - 3 pm

Where: Arthur County Fairgrounds

Cost: $15 (If you attend both Muffin Mania & Beginning Cupcake - discount of $30, instead of $35!)

Bring: Youth are encouraged to bring at least one star top and one line (writing) to the workshop.

Register By: July 10, 2024

Stepping up and helping the Extension Office with our 4-H programs is a great leadership and volunteer experience. It will look good on your 4-H achievement applications or resumes. If you want more details, please ask.

Camp Counselors - We are needing camp counselors 15+ for our Wilderness Wonders 4-H Camps on June 4 and 6. Camp counselors are responsible for leading their group all day from station to station, making kids use sunscreen when needed, keep track of all your group, etc. The time commitment on June 4th would be 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. The time commitment on June 6 would be 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Please let Tessa know if you would be willing to be a counselor by May 20.

Clover Bud/Kid Workshops - Tessa is needing youth 14+ and adults to help with our Clover Bud/Kid workshops. Helping at these workshops means having to teach a simple craft (you will be provided the craft ahead of time), helping keep youth engaged, etc. You do not have to help at all Clover Bud/Kid workshops. Whatever works for your schedule. Please let Tessa know if you can help by June 10.

• Clover Bud Workshop - Arthur County - June 18, 9 am - 1:30 pm

• Clover Kid Crafty Corner - Keith County - June 20, 8:30 am - 12 pm

• Clover Kid Wacky Water Fun - Keith County - June 27, 8:30 am - 12 pm

The Keith-Arthur County Extension Office has an opening for a full-time Office Manager/4-H Aide. Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills are essential plus knowledge in Word, Excel, and publisher. The job description is below or available at https://www.keithcountyne.gov/news_detail_T6_R230.php

Applications are available at the Extension Office. Applicants may also submit a cover letter and resume, but not required. Application should be returned to the Keith-Arthur County Extension Office at 511 North Spruce, Room 203, Ogallala or tessa.reece@unl.edu. Applications will be reviewed May 17, 2024 with position remaining open until filled.

Keith County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Registration for the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp program is now open! Registration deadlines are two weeks before each camp. The first deadline is May 18!

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.

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

Arthur 4-H Council:

President - Garrett Storer
Vice President - Tammy Delatour
Treasurer - Megan Sprague
Secretary - Jeana Meeks
Members at large: Aaron Eilers, Julie Haynes, & Tara Hanna
These people are YOUR voice! Please contact any of them if you have an idea for a new or existing event or activity, have concerns with the program, or just want to have input in the decision making process.

Keith 4-H Council:

President - Jeremy Spurgin
Vice President - Rachel Walker
Treasurer - Brooke Namuth
Secretary - Melissa Franken

Modern Pioneers - Lora Barnhill
Members at large: Anita Perrin, Amanda Harger, Hannah Flaming, Ruby Schow, & Audrey Moorhead
These people are YOUR voice! Please contact any of them if you have an idea for a new or existing event or activity, have concerns with the program, or just want to have input in the decision making process.