Celebrate 4-H Month at the Movies
February is 4-H Month and it's the perfect time to kick off a new year of 4-H with a fun, family activity. Every 4-H family is invited to attend a showing of the movie "The Game Plan" at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2008. Please call our office before noon on Friday, February 15 to reserve free tickets for your family.
The movie will be shown at Valley Cinema, located at 129 S 16th Street in Ord. Snacks will be available to purchase if you wish. Hilarious and heartwarming, "The Game Plan" is rated PG and should be appropriate for the entire family. We look forward to seeing many of you at the movie!
Leaders: Get Warmed Up for the Year Ahead
Winter 4-H Warm Up, our annual volunteer leader training, will be held Monday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m. in the Loup Basin Tech Center on the fairgrounds in Ord. We think many of our leaders will want to learn all they can about the new statewide 4-H policies, and we anticipate a good turnout to hear Associate Dean Beth Birnstihl and a host of other presenters. Other topics will include Choosing Patterns and Fabrics, Meat Goats, Tips for Taking Better Photos, and Rabbit Showmanship. Tim Peterson will challenge all of us to "Lead with Purpose."
Leaders who attended in past years told us they felt more able to assist club members with their projects, thanks to information they learned at Winter 4-H Warm Up. Join us in Ord to broaden your base of 4-H knowledge at the 2008 session. We anticipate a great time sharing ideas (and some chips and salsa).
Please RSVP to our office by Friday, February 22 if you plan to attend. If you are unable to attend on that evening, a podcast will be available at 4h.unl.edu
Enrollment Deadline is Approaching
March 14 is the enrollment deadline to be eligible to participate at the 2008 county fair. Any independent members or 4-H clubs who have not picked up enrollment forms and project selection guides need to do so. All leaders, new or returning, must also fill out an enrollment form.
If you know someone age 5-18 (as of January 1) who would benefit from 4-H, please encourage them to join by the March 14 deadline.
Project changes will be accepted until May 16. We anticipate the premium lists will be available in April.
Special Garden Project Planned
Get pumped about pumpkins and 4-H by enrolling in a special gardening project. Members who participate will receive a packet of white pumpkin seeds (one per family) in late April, and a newsletter about planting and growing pumpkins, battling pests, harvesting, storing and using pumpkins, and exhibiting them. To enroll, write "2008 Special Garden Project" or "Pumpkin Project" on your 4-H enrollment sheet.
Aiming to Improve Your Archery Skills?
Archery practice sessions will be held at the fairgrounds in Ord beginning Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. For more information contact Jeff at 308-346-4481. Members must be at least 8 years of age by January 1, 2008 to enroll in shooting sports projects, including archery.
Kids Fair Promises Family Fun
Don't miss the sixth annual Kids Fair at the Ord High School gymnasium from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 29, 2008. Enjoy the entertainment and family-friendly booths and register to win prizes. It's all free and pre-registration is not required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Trip Offered
Plans are underway for a Nebraska 4-H trip to Washington, DC in June, 2009. 4-H youth ages 14-18 on January 1, 2009 are eligible. The first payment of $250 and a registration form are due on April 1, 2008. Contact UNL Extension in Madison County (402-370-4040) or Wayne County (402-375-3310) for more information.
Heartland Hero to Speak in Nebraska
On Friday, March 7, Astronaut Clayton Anderson will be doing two presentations at the Strategic Air & Space Museum open to any school field trip that would like to hear him speak. Contact Director of Education, Evan Killeen, to register your school. Evan can be reached at (402) 827-3100 ext. 211 or by e-mail at ekilleen@strategicairandspace.com.
In addition, Clayton Anderson will be speaking to the public at the Strategic Air & Space Museum on Saturday, March 1 and Saturday March 8 at 11 a.m. These presentations are free with Museum admission or membership.
4-H Council Meeting Rescheduled
The Valley County 4-H Council will meet at the Extension office at 7:30 p.m. on February 21, 2008.
Statewide Opportunities for Nebraska 4-H Youth
Applications are now being accepted for 2008 Statewide Opportunities for 4-H Youth! These opportunities have been formed as an effort to provide 4-H'ers, 14 and older, a chance to connect with other 4-H youth who have similar interests from across the state. It is also intended that these opportunities will assist with the retention of 4-H members as they grow throughout the program, while also providing youth a voice in the future planning of educational opportunities and initiatives. The two Statewide Leadership Opportunities for 4-H Youth include the Youth Curriculum Committee and the Youth Multimedia Team.
Opportunity 1 – Youth Curriculum Committee The Nebraska 4-H Curriculum program, under the direction of Dr. Patricia Fairchild, is seeking young leaders from across the state to serve on the NEW Youth Curriculum Committee. This committee will give youth a voice in 4-H Curriculum decisions such as selecting new project manuals, revising outdated materials, reviewing technology components, promoting new curriculum in counties, and much more. Contact Michelle Garwood, Curriculum Graduate Student at mailto:mgarwood2@unl.edu for more information. Youth Curriculum Committee applications will be accepted through March 1, 2008.
Opportunity 2 – Youth Multimedia Team The Youth Multimedia Team is seeking 4-H'ers who are interested in multimedia (the use of text, audio, still images, animation, video, interactivity), technology, and communication. Youth will gain new skills, serve communities by completing projects and showcase to others the emerging technologies in the area of multimedia communication, all while promoting Nebraska 4-H Program opportunities. The group will be guided by the leadership of the 4-H Action Team, Communications and Expressive Arts workgroup; questions may be directed toward Tracy Pracheil, Extension Educator, at (402) 472-9016 or at mailto:tpracheil2@unl.edu. Youth Multimedia Team applications will be accepted through April 1, 2008.
A fact sheet, as well as application materials, for both opportunities, can be found on the State 4-H Web site at http://4h.unl.edu. Please note that 4-H youth are encouraged to apply for only ONE of the above opportunities. The application for both opportunities consists of 1) an online application form, 2) a creative application questionnaire, and 3) a nomination signature form signed by the applicant, their parent/guardian, and a UNL Extension county staff member.
4-H EGG Cam is Up and Running
Would like to watch brand new baby chickens, ducks or peacocks break out of their shell? You can do just that, beginning February 5, at http://lancaster.unl.edu/eggcam
Apply for a Lee Nielsen Memorial Camp Scholarship
Any Central IV 4-H member interested in attending 4-H camp during 2008 may apply for a Lee Nielsen Memorial Camp Scholarship. Selection will be based on the 4-H'ers financial need and local involvement. Applications are due by March 14.
Attention Horse Club Leaders
Deb Adams, Equine Nutrition Specialist for Aurora Coop, has offered to present a free lesson for your club members and parents on equine digestion and nutrition. The presentation takes 40-60 minutes and includes a fun "Jeopardy" type game to get the kids involved. If you are interested in having her come to your club meeting, contact her at 402-694-1734.
NEW Virtual 4-H Club Accepting Members and Volunteer Leaders
What do you get when you combine 15 youth ages 14-18 from across the state, 2 volunteer leaders, 1 UNL Extension Foods Specialist, and mix in 18 computers, 18 phones, and 8 awesome food experiments and lessons? A recipe for a successful Virtual 4-H Club experience!
New for 2008, the University of Nebraska–-Lincoln Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is offering a Virtual 4-H Club focused on the "Discovery of Food." Participants will discover the scientific principles of food preparation. Foods that will be explored include biscuits, cake, yeast breads, French fries, ice cream, mayonnaise, and others. Virtual 4-H Clubs are intended to take the traditional 4-H club environment to a new level by gathering a group of youth who have an interest in expanding their knowledge in a particular 4-H content area. Through the use of technology, club members and volunteer leaders from across Nebraska will participate in club meetings from their home, community, or school using a computer and a phone line. A UNL Extension Foods Specialist will present information on the topic and will work with youth to process this information in a manner that is relevant to their interests and experiences.
To learn more about the Virtual 4-H Club: Discovering Food, check out the fact sheet located at http://4h.unl.edu. Youth who are interested in being a club member of the Virtual 4-H Club must complete the online form located at http://4h.unl.edu; club members will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through March 15, 2008. Volunteers who are potentially interested in assisting with the Virtual 4-H Club may indicate their interest in learning more about this role by completing the online form located at: http://4h.unl.edu by March 15, 2008; all interested volunteers will be contacted by phone from the State 4-H Office to discuss the roles and responsibilities of being a Virtual 4-H Club Leader, and at that time, leaders may denote their interest in continued participation. Club meetings will be held from April to July 2008.
Questions regarding the Virtual 4-H Club: Discovering Food may be directed toward Tracy Pracheil [ mailto:tpracheil2@unl.edu or (402) 472-9016] or Doug Swanson [mailto:dswanson8@unl.edu or (402) 472-1762].
Rabbit Care Clinics Scheduled
Dr. Lisa Karr-Lilienthal, UNL Companion Animal Specialist, will hold rabbit clinics in seven locations across Nebraska. In about two hours time, 4-H'ers can learn about selection and care of a rabbit, housing and nutritional needs of rabbits, and how to show a rabbit. The clinics in Kearney and York on April 5 are closest to our area. She will be at the Fairgrounds in Kearney from 10 a.m. to noon and at the Fairgrounds in York from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. To register call Buffalo County Extension at 308-236-1235 or York County Extension at 402-362-5508. For a list of other dates and locations contact our office.
Apply Now for NAYI
The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute is a five-day event, July 13-17, 2008 that brings high school juniors and senior to UNL to build leadership skills, explore new aspects of agriculture and encourage young people to consider careers in agriculture. All meals, lodging, and activities are sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Ag. Applications are available from our office or on-line at www.agr.ne.gov and are due by April 15.
Robotics Camp Entries Due March 31
Nebraska 4-H is on the cutting edge of technology using robotics and GPS/GIS technology to prepare youth for the 21st century workplace. Using the latest tools in technology like the LEGO Mindstorm NXT Robot Kits, handheld geographical positioning system (GPS) devices, and geographical information systems (GIS) youth can explore and understand the world around them.
An important part of the program is the summer camp component. This year we will be hosting a day-camp in Ord, Nebraska from June 23rd to June 27th. The camp will provide an opportunity for youth to explore robotics, GPS/GIS and aerial photography and how they can be integrated. For example, youth will shoot video of the camp from a wireless camera attached to a remote control helicopter and place the images on a map. Next, they will program their robots to complete a course while pulling a trailer with a GPS receiver and track the robots progress in real-time on a GIS computer map as is done in fields using precision agriculture.
After the camp, a robotics club will meet for 8 - 10 hours per month. Then, during the second year of the program, youth may attend a 5-day camp in June of 2009 where they will explore robotics and GPS/GIS concepts in more detail. Youth will then return to their clubs and meet for 8-10 hours per month until May of 2010.
Registration forms are available now and need to be returned to the office along with your camp tuition of $100 by March 31. Scholarships are also available. For more information, contact Kayla Hinrichs at 308-728-5071.
Quality Assurance Required in 2008
Youth who exhibit beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits and poultry are required to have QA training in 2008. We will work with clubs and groups who want to offer Quality Assurance training in local settings. Please try to give us a good amount of advance warning if you need to borrow educational materials. Watch future newsletters for information about training opportunities.
