We are so excited to begin another season of 4-H activities, and want to welcome new families who are receiving the newsletter for the first time! As you begin planning your fair projects, keep in mind that we are here to help if you have any questions. You have until May 16 to add or drop projects. After that date, the projects you are enrolled in are the ones you will be able to exhibit from at the county fair.
We look forward to seeing you at the educational workshops and opportunities we have lined up this summer. In addition to repeating some of our most popular clinics, we have several new and exciting topics!
April 27 - May 3 is National Volunteer Week. We are so thankful for the many volunteers who make 4-H successful! You are truly a treasure to our program and the 4-H members! Thank you for taking the time to make a positive difference!
Robotics Camp Registration Deadline Extended
Are you interested in science and technology? Do you like to operate the latest gadgets, work with computers or dream of building cool machines? If you are in 5th grade or older and answered yes to any of those questions, you are a great candidate for attending the Robotics Camp in Ord. The dates are June 23-27, 2008 at the extension office in Ord. Scholarships are offered to qualifying youth. Application and scholarship forms are available at our office or at http://4hset.unl.edu/itest/camp.php. You may also contact Kevin Kramer (402-472-2718 or kkramer3@unl.edu) for answers to your questions.
We need more participants to sign up, or the local camp will be cancelled, and you would need to travel much further to participate. The last date to register has been changed to April 15, and you may invite your non 4-H friends to sign up too.
Get Creative with Your Camera
Bring your camera to the Creative Photography class at the Valley County Ag Complex in Ord, and learn to create stunning special effects photographs. The workshop is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18.
Grow a Special Pumpkin
There is still a window of opportunity to sign up for the special gardening project before the seed is ordered. If you would like to raise white pumpkins which you can bring to a special pumpkin painting party in October, but forgot to let us know, please call by April 15 to add the project to your enrollment.
Out-of-County Opportunities Offered
There will be a livestock judging contest on April 19 at the Harder Farm south of Broken Bow, with registration at 10:30 a.m. The contest begins at 11:00 and lunch is free. From Broken Bow, go south 2 miles on Hwy 21, 15.5 miles south on Sumner Road, then 1 mile east.
The 4-H program in Garfield, Loup and Wheeler Counties invites you to attend their t-shirt tie-dye workshop on June 6, a pillow sewing workshop on June 18, small quilt class or shorts workshop on June 19, or quilt workshop on June 23-24. There is a cost, supply list and registration deadline for each class. Contact GLW Extension at 308-346-4200.
There is not sufficient space in the newsletter to list all of the activities held in other counties but open to our members. The extension office maintains a file of 4-H events and livestock sales that we hear about. If you are interested in checking out this file, please stop by our office.
Premium Lists Available Later this Month
We expect county fair premium lists to be available by late April. Please read your premium list closely, as this information will assist you in bringing the proper exhibits to county fair. You will have until May 16 to add or change projects. Let us know if you want to make changes.
It's Not Too Late to Register 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.
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Workshop to be Held Near Alma
A 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop is scheduled for April 19-20, 2008, at the South Central 4-H Center near Alma. Registration deadline is April 10. Adult volunteers and junior leaders can choose one of six disciplines to become certified. Muzzle-loading, wildlife, archery, rifle, shotgun and pistol will be offered.
Individuals who are attending a certification program for the first time must be present on Saturday and Sunday and the registration fee is $60 per person plus lodging. Individuals adding a discipline are required to be present on Sunday only and the registration fee is $45 per person for the day. Lodging for Saturday night is available at the South Central 4-H Center for $16 per person. Individuals should plan to bring your own bedding, etc. with them. Registration will be Saturday from 4 -5 p.m. and departure will be Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
For more information and registration materials see the 4-H Shooting Sports web page at http://4h.unl.edu/programs/environment/shootingsports/, or contact Steve Pritchard at (402) 395-2158.
W.H.E.P. Teams Forming
Put your interest in wildlife to good use by joining the Central IV Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Team. The state contest will be held near Hordville on June 6 and 7. Although the contest is for members age 12 or older, no age is too young to begin studying and practicing. If you want to participate, please contact our office.
Explore a Career in Agriculture
High school students are invited to a Youth Field Day at the Gudmundsen Ranch near Whitman on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 starting at 9:00 a.m. MT (10:00 a.m. CT). Faculty from UNL and NCTA (Curtis) will present hands-on sessions that highlight some of the college majors and careers that are ag-related. Registrations are required by April 16th so that meals will be available. Call 1-800-657-2113.
Summer Opportunities Are Great!
Thanks to the many generous people who are sharing their skills and talents, we have a great line up of educational opportunities this summer. Be sure to mark your calendar now and make plans to attend. They include the following:
- April 18, Creative Photography, Ord
- May 28, Babysitting Clinic, Spalding
- May 30, Marble Painting Magic, Scotia
- June 10-13, Culinology (different local location each day)
- June 17, Child Development Workshop, Ord
- June 23-27, Robotics Camp, Ord
- June 26, Clover Kids Workshop
Horse Happenings
This may be your last reminder that ID sheets are due May 2. When you turn in horse ID sheets, be sure to sign a waiver and pick up a copy of the conference rules and show schedule. District/state show entries are due May 9. Please avoid the last minute panic by passing the required levels now. Check with your leader or call the extension office.
Several events are coming up for Horse project members. Pitzer Horse Judging will be held May 28 at Ericson, starting at 8:30 a.m. The Central IV Horse Judging Contest and Clinics will be held May 31 in Ord. The contest will begin at 9:30 a.m. A clinic for members and interested adults will follow the judging contest and last through the afternoon. Members are encouraged to bring their horses and get tuned up for the conference horse show season. A clinic for leaders will be held in the evening if there is sufficient interest. Let us know if you want to participate.
Riding Practice Times Announced. Starting April 7, horse project members are invited to use the fairgrounds arena in Ord each Monday evening starting at about 6:30 p.m. The Howard County Fairgrounds arena is open for 4-H riding practice each Friday at 7 p.m. beginning April 4. Riders will practice at 9 a.m. on Saturdays at the Sherman County Fairgrounds beginning May 1 until school is out. At that time, practices move to Thursday mornings at 9 a.m.
College Bound Equestrian Camps. High-school age horse enthusiasts may wish to take their horse to college June 4-7 (must have passed level 3) or June 8-11 (must have passed level 2). Applications available at our office list all the details and are due April 28.
Livestock Notes
- Join a PASE Team. Be part of a winning tradition by becoming a member of a Central IV quiz bowl, skill-a-thon or judging team. Through individual study and team practices you will expand your knowledge of livestock production. Past teams have had great experiences (and even some adventure) traveling and competing. Contact our office to let us know if you are interested.
- DNA. 4-H'ers who plan to exhibit swine, meat goats, or market lambs at the State Fair or Ak-Sar-Ben must have hair samples collected and sent in by June 15. The cost is $6 per head (prepaid). We will collect samples on tag days for lambs and goats if you request it. You will be responsible for your own pig samples. Instructions on how to do it will be available. If you want to exhibit feeder calves at Ak-Sar-Ben, a sample must be sent.
- Production Beef, Sheep and Goat Show. We are working with GLW to develop a somewhat different type of event called Livestock Learn Days. These days will include a show and showmanship contests and a variety of educational and fun activities. The dates will be June 13 in Ord for beef and June 27 at Bartlett for sheep and goats. A flyer will be available about May 5 at the Extension offices.
- Campus to County. The first date for our UNL Animal Science faculty teaching series has been set for May 7 at 6 p.m. at the Valley County Extension Office. Dr. Merlyn Nielsen, Professor of Animal Science, will present a fascinating program on "animal genetics and why things turn out the way they do." I am sure you will really like this program. Participation in the teaching series will be part of the awards aspect of the production beef, sheep and goat projects.
- Quality Assurance. QA materials are available for club use beginning in mid-April. General sessions will be held later in June and July. 4-H'ers who exhibit beef, dairy, goats, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbits will need to attend a QA session.
- Clover Kids Livestock. All Clover Kids (4-H age 5-7) who enroll in the "Exploring Animals" project are eligible to show one animal at the county fair, provided they comply with the following. 1) The animal will not exceed 350 pounds. 2) Animals will not be competitively shown. 3) Exhibitors will be asked to display their skills of handling and knowledge of their project animal. 4) Clover Kids will show their animal at an appropriately assigned time. 5) Animals are not eligible for the livestock sale.
Avoid Frustration: Check List of Clothing One Patterns
The list of suggested patterns for Clothing Level One has been updated on our website, www.central4.unl.edu. Alternatively, you may request a list at our office or ask your club leader for information about patterns and fabrics that are appropriate for this project. It is also an excellent idea to check the rules in the premium list before you begin making any garments.
4-H Camps and Centers Seek Additional Mentors and Counselors
The South Central and Eastern Nebraska 4-H Centers are in need of additional Counselors and Mentors for the summer camp season. If you are 15, 16 or 17 years old, consider applying for this great leadership opportunity! Counselors and Mentors do not have to commit to the entire summer, they can commit to a week or multiple sessions that fit their schedule. For Mentor information and application, please visit http://4h.unl.edu/camp/staff/mentors.htm. For Counselor information and application, please visit: http://4h.unl.edu/camp/staff/counseling.htm.
4-H Presentation Resources Available Online
The Communication and Expressive Arts Work Group has developed presentation resources that are available online at http://www.4h.unl.edu/programs/communication. The topics include: The Versatile 4-H Presentation; The Four P's of Planning a Presentation; Getting Ready to Give a Presentation; Presentation Visuals; Using PowerPoint in 4-H Presentations; Evaluating a 4-H Presentation; and How to Prepare a Multimedia Presentation. We encourage you to use these resources as you prepare to participate in the Central IV Presentation contest on June 5.
Livestock Judging Camp to be held at UNL
Do you wish to improve your livestock selection skills or learn to give better oral reasons? You can accomplish those goals by attending the 2008 Livestock Judging Camp on the campus in Lincoln, June 11-14, 2008. The camp will end in Kearney at the Nebraska Livestock Judging Classic. For more details, contact the Extension office.
2008 Arboretum Photo Contest Theme Announced
Capture the beauty of Nebraska through the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum! NSA is a network of over eighty affiliated arboreta, parks, historical properties and other public landscapes located in nearly fifty communities across the state. The theme for the contest is "landscapes". Landscapes are known as natural areas ornamented by altering the plant cover or as a picture representing a view of natural inland scenery.
Twelve images that best display the seasonal landscape of an affiliate site will be compiled into a calendar and may appear in other NSA publications and displays. Each winner will receive five copies of the calendar and a tree seedling from NSA. Each affiliate site represented in a winning image, will also receive a tree seedling. Winners will be honored at a special reception in November 2008.
Mail entries and forms to: Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska, P.O. Box 830715, Lincoln, NE 68583-0715 or email entries and forms to: mailto:kjensen2@unlnotes.unl.edu. Rules and entry forms can also be found on the NSA Web site at http://arboretum.unl.edu. For more information contact NSA at (402) 472-2971. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, September 12, 2008.
