May 16 Deadline To Make Project Changes Please make plans to pick up the 4-H premium list for the 2008 year from our office as they are now available. Every 4-H family will need a copy of this listing to ensure their exhibits are correctly prepared and to help things run smoothly during fair entry day. Changes were made to exhibits for several projects this year. Using an outdated list may result in exhibits which no longer qualify for the fair. The book closely conforms to the state fair premium list. If you follow the guidelines in the Central IV premium list, your exhibit will meet the rules for state fair as well. Please note that some exhibits are county-fair-only projects that cannot go on to state fair. These projects are marked with an "*" before the department, division and class number. Also remember that clover-kid projects are non-competitive and will follow the special guidelines listed in the premium book. Remember that you have until May 16 to drop or add 4-H projects for this year's fair. After that time you will have to select exhibits from the projects in which you are enrolled.

Attend Livestock Workshops and Meet UNL Faculty Two unique learning opportunities for 4-H livestock members have been scheduled for early and mid May. These two programs are being presented by UNL Animal Science faculty members Dr. Merlyn Nielsen and Dr. Rick Rasby. Dr. Nielsen is a nationally recognized livestock geneticist and will be featured on May 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Valley County Extension Office in Ord. Dr. Rasby will be out on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Ord talking about physiology and nutrition. Both will also provide information about careers and Animal Science majors at UNL. These great sessions are geared for 4-H'ers age 12 and older but younger members are welcome. Plus, if you stay for about 15 minutes after either program, Quality Assurance information will be presented, and you can meet your QA requirement for 2008.

Horse Entries Due Soon! We hope you have turned in your horse ID sheets which were due May 2. With that accomplished, we want to remind you that district and state horse show entries are due in to our office by May 9. Teams will also be formed for the state horse judging and hippology contests. Talk to Scott by May 9 if you are interested.

Riding practices which are open to all area members are held weekly in Loup City, Ord and St. Paul. Call the office if you would like the name of a person to contact for details.

The Pitzer Judging Contest on May 28 is an opportunity to polish your horse judging skills. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. with the contest starting at 9:00 at the Pitzer Ranch, located one mile west and three miles north of Ericson. The entry fee is $3.

The Central IV Area 4-H Horse Clinic and Horse Judging Contest will be held Saturday, May 31 at the Valley County Fairgrounds. Registration for the judging contest will be at 9:30; contest at 9:45 a.m. The clinic will begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. and continue into the afternoon. Gary Stauffer, UNL Extension Educator from Holt County, will conduct the clinic. 4-H'ers are encouraged to bring their horses, and together you can get tuned up for the horse show season ahead. If there is sufficient interest, a clinic for leaders and parents will be held from 7 to 10 in the evening. There is no charge for either clinic but please call the office by May 20 to let us know if you will attend.

4-H Horse Camp will be held June 12, 13 and 14 at Fort Robinson State Park. Entries are due by June 2. Call for a brochure.

College Bound Equestrian Camps will be held at the UNL Animal Science Complex in Lincoln this summer. The dates of the camps are: June 4 - 7 for Level 3, and June 8 - 11 for Level 2. Camps are targeted for high school age students (must finish 8th grade at the time of camp) and are open to all youth. Students and horses will stay on east campus during the camp. Participants need to have passed Level 2 or 3 or be proficient in skills equal to the level of the camp they wish to attend. Youth bring their own horse and attend horse care sessions and management sessions as well as hands-on riding. Camp registration fee is $300. A $100 deposit is due with the application form by May 9, with the balance due upon notification of acceptance.

Of Interest to Shooting Sports Members The Central IV Archery contest is scheduled for the end of this month. Be watching your mail for a registration form for this event. Please complete and return it promptly.

Also, Nebraska will host the 2008 National 4-H Invitational Shooting Sports Match at the Heartland Public Shooting Park and Events Center in Grand Island on June 23-26, 2008. This event will involve 4-H youth from across the nation competing in Archery, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzleloading, and Hunting Skills. Nebraska will also have teams competing in this national event. It will require the help of many volunteers over a six day period from June 22-27 to set up, conduct the match and tear down. If you could provide some of that help, please fill out the volunteer sign-up form found on-line at http://4h.unl.edu/programs/environment/shootingsports/docs/NatInviteVolSignUp.doc and mail it to Tammy Stuhr, 216 South 9th Street, Seward NE 68434-2424 before May 30.

4-H Insurance Covers Members and Organizational Leaders 4-H Councils have purchased insurance to cover 4-H members (Clover Kids and traditional) and organizational leaders in case of an accident or injury sustained while participating in a 4-H activity including club meetings, fair and other organized events. Contact the office if you need to submit a claim.

Sign Up Soon For Progressive Agriculture Safety Day! University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids will host the annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on June 3, 2008 at the fairgrounds in Ord. Children in grades K-6 as of January 1, 2008 are invited to attend the camp and experience "hands on" learning about a variety of new and exciting farm and home safety topics including ATVs, Being Home Alone, Bullying, Firearm Safety, Farm Equipment, Electrical Safety, and Underground Utilities. Students in K-2nd grades will attend camp from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Third through 6th graders will attend from 11:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

There is a $6 fee per child to attend. The cost includes lunch, a goodie bag and a camp t-shirt for each child. To register, fill out a form at the extension office and pay the fee by May 27. The fee to attend after the May 27th registration deadline is $10. For more information, contact Kayla at (308) 728-5071.

Summer Workshops Scheduled We are excited to have a wide variety of educational opportunities for you to take part in this summer! We are now taking registrations for the workshops. You must pay the non-refundable registration fee in order to reserve your spot. Many of the classes have limited registration numbers and they will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

Babysitting Clinic - May 28, Spalding. Are you age 11 or older and interested in babysitting? Attend this clinic from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Spalding City Auditorium to learn about caring for children, basic first aid, making healthy snacks, selecting safe toys, and handling 911 emergencies. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of people experienced with children. There is a $5 fee. You need to bring a sack lunch and a toy that you might take with you on a babysitting job. Non 4-H friends are welcome too. Please register by May 21.
Marble Painting Magic - May 30, Scotia. Mark May 30 on your calendar to come join us to explore some unique project ideas for home environment. Back by popular demand, we will be teaching marble painting. You may remember this project that was featured as a Central IV Clothing Day Workshop several years ago. You can create beautiful fabric at this workshop and then take it home to make a 4-H project. We will have examples of items you can create with the cloth you design at the workshop. Then, we will also make magnets by carving cardboard. These will both be eligible for entry as Sketchbook Crossroads Home Environment exhibits if you want to enroll in that project. We will have two classes of the same workshop. Please select a time when you call the office to register. The first class will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and the second will be from 12:30-2:30 p.m. There is a $6 fee to attend. The classes will take place at the Community Building in Scotia (across from the Whoa and Go).
Culinology - June 10-13, locations vary. Jaternice. Ratatouille Nicoise. Kettle with a water jacket...do these sound unfamiliar to you? Attend the 2008 Culinology Camp and we guarantee you will learn something new! We have many great opportunities in store for this year's future chefs. Tour places such as Maschka's Sausage Shop, RT Fudge, Sandstone Grill and Country Neighbor, and experience a five-course meal with Chef Roy at Elyria Canning Company. Plus, we have awesome new foods for you to learn to cook and bake. 4-H members can attend one day of the camp for $18 or the entire camp Tuesday-Friday for $64.
Robotics - June 23-27, Ord. Nebraska 4-H is offering a day camp covering basics in robotics, GPS, GIS and aerial photography for middle-school students from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Limited scholarships are available. For additional information contact Kevin Kramer (402) 472-2718 or email: kkramer3@unl.edu. 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 May 15, and you may invite your non 4-H friends to sign up.

Presentations Contest Set for Scotia The Scotia Rec Center is the site for the Central IV Presentations Contest on Thursday, June 5, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The registration deadline is May 30. Age divisions and presentation length are: (1) First-time presenter, age 8 or 9, time limit of 2-5 minutes (may show or talk about an object and/or use a poster) (2) Junior division, ages 9-11, time limit of 6-10 for individuals; 10-15 minutes for a team (3) Senior division, ages 12 and over, same time limit as junior division.

There are three classes of presentations: (1) Presentation using LCD, slide, video or overhead projector (2) Presentation using posters (3) Multimedia presentation, 6-10 minutes in length which is fully automated using PowerPoint and can include video and sound in the PowerPoint. This presentation is free standing and only requires introduction by the participant.

Members may participate as an individual or team in the projector or poster class plus the multimedia event. Ribbons and medals will be awarded in each age division. One 4-H'er (12 years or older) from the projector or poster class may be selected from each county to compete in the State Fair Premier Presenter Contest. All members 10 and over who receive a blue or purple ribbon are eligible for state fair competition.

Anyone thinking about participating in the contest will want to check out the online resources before planning your presentation. You will learn how to develop your topic, construct visuals, prepare a PowerPoint, plan a multimedia presentation and much more! The information can be found at: http://www.4h.unl.edu/programs/communication

DNA Samples Required for State Fair and Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock 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, and the fee is $5.

Animal ID Deadline Reminder 4-H identification forms are due on June 6 for breeding heifers, feeder calves and bucket calves, sheep, swine, meat goats, dairy cattle and goats, and state fair rabbits. Ear tags are available in the office.

Lamb and Goat Tag Days Scheduled On May 29, project lambs and meat goats will be tagged at the fairgrounds in Loup City from 10-11 a.m. and at the fairgrounds in St. Paul from 6-7 p.m. In Valley County, lambs and meat goats will be tagged at the extension office in Ord from 6-7 p.m. on June 2, and tagging for Greeley County will take place at the courthouse from 6:00-6:30 p.m. on June 3. Clover Kids are not required to bring their project animal, but should pick up a tag at the office and turn in an ID sheet.

Livestock Judging Contest to be Held June 10 The area livestock judging contest is set for June 10 at the Howard County Fairgrounds in St Paul. Registration is set for 5:45 with the contest starting at 6:00 p.m. Come have a good time and learn about picking out a good one.

Technology Camp Set for St. Paul 4-H'ers age 10 and over will have the opportunity to increase their technology skills when the BIT Mobile, a traveling technology lab, comes to St. Paul. The trailer will be at the Howard County Courthouse on Thursday, June 19. Three different topics will be covered during the hands-on training: (1) Digital Photography will show how to download, edit, crop, paste, etc. photos and then insert them into a document for a finished project. (2) Digital Storytelling involves inserting and editing audio and visual media (podcasting). Participants will use the computer lab for these classes. The third session, Basic GPS (Global Positioning System) will be given in the courthouse.

There is a $5.00 fee for each session, non-4-H friends will be charged $7.00. Attend one or more sessions. Class times are: Digital Photography at 9:00 a.m., Digital Storytelling at 12:30 p.m., GPS at 3:45 p.m. Sessions will last 2½ to 3 hours. Registration is due by June 10, but pre- register early because there is a maximum of 14 participants for each session.

Summer Livestock Events There will be a number of summer livestock and horse shows around the state that are open to Central IV members. There is usually a list available at the extension office. We would be happy to have you look through it. You would find, for example... Boone County 4-H will sponsor a progress show for beef, swine, goats and sheep on May 24 and 25 in Albion. A schedule is available in our office. In order to take sheep or goats you will need to get them tagged prior to the show, so plan ahead.

Summer Livestock Workshops There is plenty of time to schedule summer programs for livestock members. Call Scott if your club would like to host.

Production Beef, Sheep and Goat Events Set Many of you have enjoyed participating in the Production Livestock shows during the past several years. This year we have decided to change the format a bit. The Beef activity will be held Friday, June 20 at the Valley County Fairgrounds in Ord. We will have a skillathon type activity beginning at 4:00 p.m. It will involve judging, equipment, feed and product identification. At 6:30 we will have showmanship followed by a live progress show. It will be a great opportunity to get some experience for you and your calf prior to the fair. You may bring two head–we simply ask you to call by June 12 if you are participating in the show. Everyone is welcome to participate in the "skillathon" portion. It will meet your Quality Assurance requirement.

The Sheep and Meat Goat activity is scheduled for June 27 at the fairgrounds in Bartlett. "Skillathon" activities will begin at 5:30 p.m.; anyone can participate and it will meet Quality Assurance requirements. There will be a progress show with showmanship for market lambs and market goats starting about 7:00 p.m. Limit of two per specie per exhibitor. It would be helpful to call ahead if you plan on showing, but not necessary.

Final Notice: Big Red Livestock Judging Camp The UNL livestock judging camp, June 11-14, is shaping up great with many new activities to help young judges become more experienced. All young people with different levels of experience are encouraged to attend. Registration information is available at http://www.animalscience.unl.edu/extension/youth/judgingcamp.html or at our office. Camp registration will continue until May 15th.

Ak-Sar-Ben Notes A breeding gilt show has been added to the schedule. Gilts must be identified on a specific ID sheet with ear notches and a registration number if they are purebred, by the June 6 deadline. More details are available on the Ak-Sar-Ben website.

Ak-Sar-Ben broiler orders are due to our office by June 30. The cost is $55 for 50 birds, plus $10 per pen entry fee. Forms are available at the extension office or at www.aksarben.org

Livestock Exhibitors Must Satisfy Quality Assurance Requirements Quality Assurance training is required for exhibitors of beef, dairy, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbit and swine. Material is available for leaders to use at club meetings. If your club would like to do this at a meeting, leaders should contact Scott. A number of events will incorporate Quality Assurance this year. If you attend one of the following, you will meet your requirement. Some will incorporate QA into the presentation; others will cover it at the end of the program.

May 7, Livestock Genetics Program
May 14, Livestock Physiology and Nutrition
June 10, Livestock Judging Contest
June 20, Production Beef Activity
June 27, Production Sheep and Goat Activity

Cake Decorating Resources Available Our 4-H Councils have purchased some manuals on cake decorating. If you decorate cakes, this might have some helpful hints for you! Please obtain a copy of either the beginning or advanced level manuals at our office if you are interested.

Valley County Fair Queen Candidates Sought The Valley County Fair Queen committee is currently taking applications of girls interested in being queen candidates for the 2008 Valley County Fair. Applications with information can be picked up at the extension office.

Volunteers Needed To Assist With Fair We appreciate those who volunteered to help with our county fairs and 4-H activities at the beginning of the year. If you did not sign up to help, we do appreciate volunteer assistance from leaders, parents, or older 4-H members. Whether you are able to give a little time or a lot, please consider being part of the team that makes fair possible. Contact our office if you would like to help.

Judges Training Materials Offered The 2008 judges training will be available by the end of May. Format for the judges training will be similar to Winter Warm-up this year. There will be podcast presentations in the areas of Robots and GPS/GIS, Clothing, Fashion Revue, Kids and Technology, Horticulture and Photography. You will be able to view the podcast from your computer or check out a DVD from our office. If you would like to check out the DVD, please contact our office and we will put you on the list for when the materials become available. A list of available judges will be compiled and placed on the web again this year from the attendees of local trainings and people who view the video. We hope this new format will be convenient for you to view at your own time.

Photography Coupons Offered A big thank you to Anderson Pharmacy in Ord who will process one free set of digital, 35 mm or APS prints for each photography member in Central IV. To take advantage of this offer, stop at your county extension office and request a coupon with your name on it. Please remember to say "THANK YOU" to Anderson Pharmacy for generously providing this service!

Entrepreneurship Discovery Zone Camp Coming to Halsey This camp is open to students who are currently in grades 6-8 and are interested in owning and operating their own business someday. The camp will encourage students to think like an entrepreneur as they develop their own business during the three-day event. Scholarships in the amount of $100 are available to the 20 students who are accepted into the camp which will pay 1/2 of the camp cost. In addition, if you are a student in the Ord Public School System or St. Mary's school, you can receive an additional $75 toward your camp from the Ord Young Entrepreneurs group at the high school. This would make your total cost of camp $25. Transportation to and from camp must be provided by your parents or guardians. Applications are due by May 15. Please contact our office for an application or obtain it from our website.

4-H Council Meeting Dates Set

June 4 ~ Greeley County 4-H Committee, 12:00 noon at the Courthouse
June 4 ~ Valley County 4-H Council, 8:00 p.m. at the Extension Office
June 5 ~ Sherman County 4-H Council, 8:00 p.m. at the Courthouse
June 9 ~ Howard County 4-H Council, 8:00 p.m. at the Courthouse

May Newsletter

4-H Council Meeting Dates Set