4-H Enrollment Deadline Nears
March 14 is the deadline to enroll in 4-H if you would like to exhibit at this year's county fair. You will have until May to add or drop projects. Call us anytime before May 16 if you want to make any changes in your project enrollment. As you begin planning your fair projects, keep in mind that we are here to help you if you have any questions.
Welcome Clover Kids
As announced in the January newsletter, Central IV is welcoming 4-H members ages 5-7 as of January 1, 2008. The goal of Clover Kids is to provide positive, non-competitive experiences for these members. The 4-H Councils recommend that you take one project your first year, two the second, and three the third year. As a Clover Kid, you will be able to select from the eight projects listed as Clover Kids Projects in the Pick-A-Project. We apologize that these projects are not listed on the enrollment form, but you can write in the ones that you plan to take. 4-H Clover Kids are able to take livestock animals that weigh less than 350 pounds and are six months of age or less. This might include a bucket calf, pig or lamb. In addition, small animals such as a cat, dog, rabbit or other pocket pet may be exhibited. A Clover Kid is eligible to take only one animal to the fair. This animal will be shown in the non-competitive show and receive a Clover Kid ribbon.
Clover Kids may also attend the Clover Workshop on the evening of June 26. Watch for more details in a future newsletter. Also, please note that Clover Kids are not eligible to participate at contests.
Don't forget about the Central IV Gardening Project
If you would like to explore growing white pumpkins, please sign up for the special gardening project detailed in the January newsletter. The enrollment deadline is March 14 and we will provide pumpkin seeds to 4-H members who sign up for the project. There will be special prizes at the fair for the pumpkin exhibits and a fall pumpkin painting workshop.
Project Changes To Take Note Of . . .
This year, we will try hard to have our 4-H premium lists available in April rather than May. There are several project changes that we want you to be aware of. We will not have Celebrate Arts exhibits this year. We offered them on a county-only basis as a transition last year, but would encourage you to try some of the new manuals and projects now. There are some fun, exciting projects and new types of media you will be able to experience in Portfolio Pathways and Sketchbook Crossroads.
Photography exhibits have also changed along with the new manuals. We have a photography workshop on March 20 and a segment on the Winter 4-H Warm Up (see article on next page) that will provide you with additional information on this.
Other new projects this year include: ESI EntrepreneurShip Investigation -where you can learn about and develop your skills as an entrepreneur, start a business plan and create a product. Several of the foods manuals have been updated for 2008 as well. We encourage you to challenge yourself and give some of these new projects a try!
Looking to have a bucket calf project?
If any members who plan to have a bucket calf for the county fair are looking for a project animal, they can contact our office. Scott knows of a couple of sources of baby calves that would be suitable.
Build Your Photography Skills at March Workshop
A photography learning session is planned for the Valley County Ag Complex in Ord on March 20, beginning at 7 p.m. Jamie Hornickel, a very talented 4-H photographer with extensive training and experience, will share details about brand new project manuals and fair exhibits. There will be a lesson in basic composition, plus information on advanced techniques if time allows. The class is open to all 4-H members and to the public. You are welcome to bring a camera and examples of your photography. This will be the first of a series of photography workshops that will be organized by Mira Valley Livestock 4-H Club during 2008.
Also remember the Spring Photography Workshop at the State 4-H Camp at Halsey on April 26-27. Details were in the January newsletter or contact Connie Cox at 308-533-2224.
Sharpshooting Opportunities Announced
Shooting sports members may be interested in participating in the 2008 Nebraska Progressive Position Air Piston Match on Saturday, March 15 or the Air Pistol Championship on Sunday March 16. Both events will be held in Broken Bow. Contact Colleen Peterson at the UNL Extension office in Broken Bow (308-872-6831) for more information.
Thoene Farm Services Scholarship Offered for Greeley and Valley County Seniors
Thoene Farm Services will again sponsor one award of $250 to a high school senior from Greeley or Valley County who will pursue a degree in an ag-related field. Applications are available at our office and are due April 1. If you missed the list of other scholarship offerings in the last newsletter, call for a copy.
Dog Obedience Class Forming
Does your dog need some education? Bring it to dog obedience class each Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning March 18 and concluding May 6. Training will be held in the exhibit hall at the Valley County Ag Complex in Ord. Your dog will learn to respond to your commands and brush up on polite canine behavior. Contact Ann Teply at 308-745-0810 if you have questions prior to the first class.
Winter 4-H Warm-Up, It's A 4-H Fiesta! Now Available
Thank you to the 4-H Leaders who attended this years Winter 4-H Warm Up! If you were unable to attend but wish to hear the information, we can help you! You can call the office to be on a list to reserve the DVD to watch in your home. Or, you can download the presentation using i-tunes. To obtain a free version of i-tunes, go to www.apple.com and download it. Then you should be able to down-load Winter 4-H Warm Up at the following site: To subscribe please go to the 4-H website: http://4h.unl.edu/volunteers/ or clip the link below: itpc://real.unl.edu/feed/4h.xml (this link will launch in i-tunes). You will also be downloading all of the handouts for the program. Topics for this year include the new financial and policy handbook, photography, selecting fabrics and patterns for sewing, showing rabbits, meat goats, and "Leading With Purpose." It would be appreciated if you would print out the evaluation and send it to Kayla Hinrichs, UNL Extension, 801 S St., Suite #1, Ord NE 68862 after the program.
Become a Nebraska Beef Ambassador
The Nebraska Beef Ambassador Program provides an opportunity for youth to become spokespersons and future leaders for the beef industry. The Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest will be held March 29, 2008 in Kearney at the NE Beef Council office. There are three divisions for youth age 8 to 20. Peewee and Junior Division participants speak on the importance of beef and the beef industry. Seniors (age 17-20) compete in media interviews and issues response in addition to giving speeches. For more information, contact our office.
Horse Owner and Leaders Workshops to be held in Grand Island
UNL Extension will host a Horse Owners Workshop in conjunction with the Horse Leaders Workshop on March 29 at the Hall County Extension office. More information is available at our office or at http://www.animalscience.unl.edu/extension/equine/producer.html
Pre-register by March 21 and save up to $15 off the "at-the-door" registration price.
Register Early for 4-H Camp
We encourage you to sign up for 4-H camp as soon as possible to reserve a spot. The camps are open to all Nebraska youth on a first come-first served basis. You may attend any of the 4-H camps held throughout the summer. Additional copies of the camp brochure may be obtained at our offices. There is a 10% discount if paid by April 1, 2008.
4-H Newsletter Also Available On-Line
The Central IV web site is another way to read our 4-H newsletter and find related information. Scope out the news at http://www.central4.unl.edu and use the navigation bar at the TOP of the page to move about the site. On the 4-H page you will find a downloadable copy of the 4-H calendar. Remember that you can also e-mail 4-H questions to us if that is more convenient for you.
Included in this newsletter is a survey about the manner in which you would like to be informed about curriculum related news we receive. These are due Friday, March 14. Don't forget to mark the 4-H events you are willing to help with on the back of the sheet.
Spread some 4-H Cheer on Bake and Take Day
Bake and Take Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 22; however observance of the event can occur any day. The importance is the special feeling that comes when you warm up your oven and the hearts of others. Bake and Take Day is a time to bake an item and take it to someone to let them know you're thinking about them. Many organizations and individuals participate as a community service project to the elderly or shut-ins. Contact our office if you would like recipe pamphlets or Bake and Take stickers to include with the baked goods.
Public Speaking Contest Scheduled for Loup City
Do you have a 4-H experience to share? Turn it into a speech to enter at the Public Speaking Contest. The 4-H speech contest is designed for a 4-H'er to prepare a new and original speech each year. Beginners have the option of reading or reciting a selected story or poem in lieu of writing an original speech. Topics can be anything, but a 4-H theme should be maintained. Speech guidelines are available at http://4h.unl.edu/programs/communication/ speech.htm or by request.
The Central IV Public Speaking Contest is set for Thursday, March 27, at the Loup City Community Building (803 O Street), beginning at 7:00 p.m. To pre-register, call us with the contestant's name, age and title of speech by March 24. Categories and suggested length of speeches are: Novice (under 10 and never competed before) 3 minutes; Junior (age 8-11) 3 minutes; Intermediate (12-13) 3 to 5 minutes; and Senior (14 & older) 5 to 8 minutes.
There will be no live PSAs at our speech contest. Recorded PSAs will be due in our office on March 20. The PSA you submit must be 60 seconds in length, with or without sound effects, must promote 4-H and be general enough to be used statewide. KNLV radio station has agreed to tape 4-H'ers PSAs if you make arrangements with them. If you record at home instead, we encourage you to use high quality recording equipment for the best quality sound possible.
State Outdoor Archery Tournament to be Held in June
The 4-H State Outdoor Archery Tournament will be hosted by the Seward County Target Hunters 4-H Club and will be held at the Seward Izaak Walton Range on June 7th and 8th. The registration for the 3-D shoot on Saturday will be between 8:00 am and 2:00 p.m. The outdoor target shoot registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and shooting at 9:00 a.m. A picnic supper will be held on Saturday evening for all shooters and their families at the Seward County Fairgrounds inside the 4-H Center. Starting time for the supper will be posted at the 3-D shoot. If anyone needs additional information, you can call Crystal at 402-795-6010, or Tammy Stuhr at 402-643-2981 tstuhr2@unl.edu.
Volunteer Information Series Available On-line
Leaders are encouraged to view the series of fact sheets on various topics at http://4h.unl.edu/volunteers/InfoSeries.htm to find help in conducting effective 4-H meetings and more. If you do not have internet access, we would be happy to provide you with a list of titles and copies of whichever fact sheets you need.
Quality Assurance Survey being Conducted
Some members who have attended Quality Assurance training during the past several years may receive a questionnaire from a UNL grad student. We encourage you to respond if you are asked to participate. If you have any questions about the survey, feel free to contact us.
New Recognition Program to be Introduced
The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Program is designed to encourage 4-H youth to engage in a variety of projects and activities that will enable members to acquire the life skills necessary to lead successful lives as competent, caring and contributing citizens. The program's overall goal is to provide 4-H members a rich and diverse learning experience.
The program consists of six levels that require a 4-H member to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. Leaders will soon receive details about the process. Be sure to ask them about how you can get started.
Photography Contest Opportunity
The Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium, held March 29 at UNL, is hosting a photography contest for youth. This event is a great chance to learn about the science behind weather. Go to http://www.cpsws.unl.edu/index.php for more info.
2008 Big Red Summer Academic Camps
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are career exploration camps that give all youth the chance to explore the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, meet people from across the nation, and spend time investigating an interest or potential career. Topics include culinary arts, dance, movie making, spiders, theater and more. Camps run June 15-20. See the Web site for more information http://bigredcamps.unl.edu or pick up a brochure at the Extension office.
Registration for Robotics camp is due March 31. There are details in last month's newsletter or you may contact Kayla for information.
