HARLAN COUNTY EXTENSION

Enroll Today!!

Enroll or Re-enroll for the upcoming 2023/2024 4-H year

at https://ne.4honline.com

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.

November 6: Holiday Baking Clinic session 2 (Candies) 4pm - 6pm @ the Ag Center in Orleans

November 10: Office closed in observance of Veterans Day

November 13: Volunteer Road Show - Kearney

November 13: Holiday Baking Clinic session 3 (Cookies) 4pm - 6pm @ the Ag Center in Orleans

November 20: Holiday Baking Clinic session 4 (Pies) 4pm - 6pm @ the Ag Center in Orleans

November 23 & 24: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving

November 30: Prescribed Fire Seminar 6pm at the Alma Country Club, Alma

December 15: Brown Bag RSVP Deadline
December 21: Brown Bag Delivery/Pickups

December 25: Office closed in observance of Christmas

January 1, 2024: Office closed in observance of New Year's

Junior high and High school 4-H members that made the high five line, October 27.

THANK YOU to these 4-H members, showing their true leader colors.

Calling all local 4-H volunteers! You’re invited to a unique volunteer training in Kearney on the evening of Monday, November 13. Join us to discover new opportunities for yourself and your 4-H youth, network with other local 4-H volunteers, and build your skills as a 4-H volunteer. Registration is $15 and includes a meal and all supplies.

** Payment will only be accepted online during registration.

Learn more and register at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-road-show.

Nebraska 4-H has launched a new online 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 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.

An Integrated Pest Management Workshop for Small Ruminants (sheep and goat producers). It will be held November 3 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. at the Phillips County Fair Grounds - Phillipsburg, KS. All are welcome to attend.

Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/phillips-ipm-workshop

Applications are now open for the 2024 4-H Fed Steer Challenge! Through the 4-H Fed Steer Challenge, youth gain real-world experience evaluating, raising, and selling a market steer. Participants learn about production merit and carcass value, management best practices, and the workings of the cattle industry. They practice life skills like record-keeping, critical thinking, and communication. Interested in learning more? Join a virtual information session on November 8 at 8:00 p.m. CT. Get started at 4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge.

Nebraska’s grasslands are declining as woody plants such as Eastern Red Cedar spread and take over what were once intact, treeless grasslands. This process is referred to as woody encroachment and is among the greatest threats to the Great Plains grasslands. Prescribed fire is a tool that can be used to control invasive species and improve grass quality and availability for livestock. On Thursday, November 30th, Nebraska Extension and the Harlan County Cattlemen Association will host a seminar to address the use of prescribed fire in controlling woody encroachment.

The seminar will feature UNL Woody Invasions Ecologist, Dillon Fogarty, to discuss controlling Eastern Red Cedar and the use of prescribed fire. Attendees will also hear from a landowner who has experienced a prescribed burn as well as resources/programs available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for controlling woody encroachment.

The seminar will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Alma Country Club and includes a free meal sponsored by the Harlan County Cattlemen’s Association. Please pre-register for a meal count by November 22nd to the Harlan County Extension Office at 308-928-2119 or email erin.laborie@unl.edu.

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

The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program is excited to announce our upcoming webinar series, Tax Strategies for Midwestern Farm and Ranch Women!

The series will teach the basics of tax planning for agricultural operations. Hosted by women in agriculture extension programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State University, and Purdue University, the three-part series will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Central time on Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.

A comprehensive range of tax topics relevant to agricultural producers will be covered, including an introduction to income taxes, completing Schedule F forms, claiming deductions, tax strategies to shift income and lower tax bills and compliance requirements.

There is a $30 fee to register, which is required by Nov. 27, on the NE Women in Agriculture website, Tax Strategies for Midwestern Farm and Ranch Women | Women in Agriculture (unl.edu)

Email: Harlan-County@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/harlan/
Location: Alma, NE, USA
Phone: 308-928-2119
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harlancountyext