February 2015 Saline County News & Views 4-H ENROLLMENT DEADLINE IS MARCH 1ST! As we embark on a new 4-H year, Nebraska 4-H is excited to introduce you to a new on-line 4-H member enrollment system. Effective with the 2015 4-H year, members will enroll in clubs and projects through 4HOnline. 4HOnline is a web-based enrollment system that will allow families to enroll in 4-H on your personal computer or mobile device. There will be no paper forms to submit for enrollment. However, you will need to submit your $6 enrollment dues to the Extension Office by March 1st to complete your enrollment. You are not fully enrolled until dues are paid. You will not pay online. All 4-H families should have received an email, postcard or both from our office inviting/instructing you to enroll using 4HOnline. The process is quite simple and the website is very user friendly. The deadline to enroll will be March 1st. You will not be able to add or delete projects online after this date, you will need to call our office. The website and instructions can be found at: http://saline.unl.edu/4-h-enrollment. NOTE: When you set up your family profile, in the County field, you will enter Saline. Later in the process you will enter your school county. Clover Kids in the afterschool program completed paper forms and will not need to complete the online enrollment. We will be making these enrollments. It is your responsibility to make sure the 4-H ers in your family get enrolled by the deadline. Leaders please remind your club members to get enrolled. We are happy to assist you with your enrollments but will not be making the enrollments for you. Please call our office if you have questions when enrolling. We appreciate your patience as we undertake this new task. 4-H Leaders Enrollment All 4-H organizational and project leaders will need to complete a paper enrollment form. The forms have been given to your club leader or can be found at: http://saline.unl.edu/4-h-enrollment Forms are due March 1st. New Project News For 2015 Nebraska 4-H has developed three new clothing manuals to replace Clothing Level 1, Clothing Level 2, Sewing For You & Tailoring. They are STEAM Clothing 1 - FUNdamentals; STEAM Clothing 2: Simply Sewing; STEAM Clothing 3: A Stitch Further. Also available is a manual to replace Decorate Your Duds, titled STEAM Clothing: Beyond the Needle. These new clothing resources will be available to check-out through our office or your club leader. If you would like your own copy, each manual costs $12.78 (includes tax). Club leaders, if you would like these for your club on a check out and return at the end of the year basis, please let us know. Project Updates for 2015 The YOUth in Motion project will no longer be State Fair eligible. We will still offer exhibits in this project on a county level only. See the fairbook when it is released for exhibit classes. State 4-H Camp Discounts The summer of 2015 is approaching fast! No summer is complete without a Nebraska 4-H camp experience. Summer camps are open to everyone between the ages of 5 and 18. The full color brochure is now on our 4-H page under Camps or you can pick one up at our office. Nebraska State 4-H camps offer camps at these locations: Halsey and Gretna with more than 40 day and overnight camping programs and trips. Whether your child s interest is in animals, robotics, nature and outdoor skills, tubing and kayaking, or just plain adventure, Nebraska 4-H camps provide opportunities for all youth and all interests. You can save 10% on camp registration fees if you register for camp before April 15, 2015. If you received a camp scholarship, you should have already received a letter and camp brochure in the mail from our office. A copy of the summer camp schedule is included in this issue of the News & Views. 4-H Council Offers Camp Scholarships The 4-H Council is offering extra scholarship money to those who did not apply for camp scholarships. If you are interested in attending summer camp, amounts of $25 Camp Renegade), $50 (ages 8-10) and (ages 11 & older); $100 for Big Red Camps are available. Funds are limited from 4-H Council - First Come-First Served until May 1 or funds are depleted. Please call our office to inquire about receiving one of these scholarships. All registrations for camp must be mailed or brought to the Extension Office, not the camp facility, to receive scholarship funds. SAVE THESE DATES FOR 4-H WORKSHOPS ~ Details On Following Pages ~ March 21 - Painted Door Hanger April 3 - Babysitting/CPR/First-Aid April 6 - Horticulture April 6 - Entomology
2015 4-H Enrollment Information 4-H Youth Enrollments - Due March 1 st Remember 4-H members must be 8 as of January 1. Youth 5-7 will be enrolled as Clover Kids. 4-H member enrollment MUST be completed using 4HOnline enrollment by March 1 st and will be considered complete when you have paid the $6 membership fee to the Extension Office. Remember, members may enroll for a project in only one county or club. We have a number of members who belong to two different clubs and they cannot enroll in the same project in both clubs. Two clothing levels are the same project area, as are market and breeding sheep. If you have questions please call the UNL Extension Office in Saline County at 821-2151. You will make your 4-H enrollments at the following link: http://saline.unl.edu/4-h-enrollment Club Enrollment Time As clubs begin to reorganize, be sure to welcome new members and engage the parents into the club also. Introduce the parents to each other, asking all parents to help with something throughout the year, will give them a sense of belonging, and will aid you down the road. First Year 4-H Members First year 4-H members are strongly encouraged to limit their enrollment to no more than 5 projects. We want members to get started right in 4-H. We know there are lots of fun and interesting projects, but our records show most beginning members only complete a couple projects. So the 4-H Council is encouraging members to limit themselves and have a good first experience before you tackle all those other interesting projects. Clover Kids Youth who enroll as Clover Kids (ages 5-7) will be allowed to show in Open Class livestock classes at County Fair only if they complete an ID the age appropriate animal by June 15. Clover Kids may show Bucket Calves, Cats, Goats, Rabbits, Poultry, Sheep, Small Animals (such as hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, pet birds, etc), and Swine. State 4-H rules prohibit Clover Kids from showing animals more than six months of age and no more than 350 lbs. at the time of the show. Safety concerns are sighted for not showing animals beyond these guidelines. (Most feeder calves, all breeding heifers, market beef and horses will not fit in these ranges). Exhibitors are encouraged to show animals that they can control without endangering themselves, other exhibitors and spectators. Clover Kids are to show only the animals they have listed on the ID sheet. These policies will be enforced for the safety and protection of all youth involved. Keep Up With 4-H News If you want to keep up on the latest information whether it be scholarships, camps, workshops, and other 4-H activities, be sure to check the UNL Saline County Extension website, Facebook page and calendar. Information on a variety of subjects is available but also the latest Saline County 4-H news. Email is the fastest way for us to get information out to you on short notice. If you have not shared your email with us, please do so or be sure to include it on 4-H enrollment forms. We will send you information about workshops, deadline reminders, etc. County Fair Trophy Sponsors Needed We are in need of the sponsors for the following trophies for county fair events. If you or someone you know are interested in sponsoring any of the awards, please call our office. General cost to sponsor ranges from $12-$15 per trophy. Dog Sheep * Champion Pet Dog * Champion Club Pen of 2 Breeding Lambs * Champion Market Lamb Showmanship Sponsors The last few years we have awarded duffle bags, embroidered jackets, and other items instead of a trophy to the Showmanship winners. Although we have sponsors already designated to showmanship awards, we need additional monetary support to be able to supply these better awards. In the past, the excess cost not covered by our designated donors has been supplemented by the 4-H Council. If you would like to contribute a monetary donation for Showmanship awards or know of someone who may, your financial assistance support of any amount is welcome. Please call our office at (402) 821-2151 for more details.
Painted Door Hanging Workshop Make plans to attend this workshop to make a one-of-akind painted door hanging to decorate your front door. The workshop is Saturday, March 21st from 9-11 a.m. at the Extension Office. Youth ages 8 & up are welcome to register by March 6th. Registration is limited to 15 participants. NO late registrations will be accepted. When calling, please specify if you would like an N, State shape of Nebraska, or an Owl. The cost to attend is $13 which includes paint & supplies. We will have a limited supply of paints available; however, if you have specific paint colors you want to use, please bring them. Paints need to be acrylic craft paints. Babysitting Clinic SAVE THE DATE Youth ages 11 & up are invited to attend the Babysitting Clinic on Friday, April 3rd from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Participants will learn the basics of safety, food preparation, child development, and more! The cost is $3.00. Babysitting Clinic participants need to bring a sack lunch and registration fee. From 1-3:30 p.m. a separate CPR (Red Cross certified) and first aid training will be held for those youth wishing to become certified in CPR training. The cost for the CPR/first aid training is $15. Both will be held at the Saline County Extension office (Wilber). Space is limited call 402-821-2151 to reserve your spot. Registration deadline is Friday, March 27th. Get Your Green Thumb On! Want to learn how to grow plants? Join us for our beginning Horticulture workshop with guest presenter Nicole Stoner, UNL Horticulturalist. Youth will learn about seeds, planting, care, and transplanting. We will transplant a started plant and plant seeds for you to transplant to your garden, when frost season is past. The potted plant will be eligible for the fair, and the produce from your seeds could be eligible if cared for. To get plants started we need early registration for this April 6th, 9:30 a.m. workshop to be held at the Saline County Extension Office. To register call 402-821-2151 or eric.stehlik@unl.edu by March 2. Cost is $3 to attend. What s the BUZZ-Z-Z? The wide world of bugs is fun and exciting! A beginning (ages 8 & up) Entomology workshop will be held April 6th, 1-3:30 p.m. at the Saline County Extension Office. Participants will learn about the orders, collecting, pinning, and labeling bugs for display. Participants will receive an insect display box, a net, and 100 insect pins for $32.00 (everything for the first year exhibit). To secure your spot and kit, call 402-821-2151 or eric.stehlik@unl.edu by March 2. Participants in both workshops may bring a sack lunch. 4-H Appreciation Day at Children s Museum In celebration of Nebraska 4-H Month, the Omaha Children s Museum is sponsoring a 4-H APPRECIATION DAY on February 21, 2015, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ALL Nebraska 4-H members, parents and volunteers are invited to enjoy FREE admission for the general exhibits plus the special ag literacy exhibit Once Upon a Farm. The OCM asks that 4-H members, parents and volunteers wear 4-H shirts (with a 4-H clover) as their proof of 4-H membership for FREE admission. The Omaha Children s Museum is located at 500 South 20th Street, Omaha, NE 68102. For more information about the Omaha Children s Museum and the special exhibit, go to: http:// www.ocm.org/ This opportunity is being offered because Nebraska Extension took part in the development of the special exhibit Once Upon a Farm. The exhibit will be on display until April 12, 2015. Nebraska 4 H Club of the Month The Nebraska 4 H Foundation and the Nebraska 4 H Ambassadors are selecting a Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month each month. Each month, a 4 H club is chosen as the Nebraska 4 H Club of the Month. In order to be chosen, 4 H clubs must nominate themselves by filling out the application found at: http://www.ne4hfoundation.org/ then click the Recognition tab at the top. The club who is chosen to be Club of the Month will receive a $50 cash card from the Nebraska 4 H Foundation. 2015 Photography Themes announced UNIT II: CAREER EXHIBIT PRINT: Explore a career as an editorial photographer. Editorial photographers take pictures that highlight the topics being written about in books, magazines, and newspapers. Editorial photo should be creative, powerful images that tell an intriguing story. UNIT III: CAREER EXHIBIT PRINT: Explore a career as a commercial photographer. Commercial photographers take pictures that are used for promotional purposes. Commercial photographers are often used in print and online communication materials (advertisements, brochures, flyers, web sites, social media banners, direct email messages, etc.) Capture commercial photos that tell the story of 4-H in your community, photos should show the Nebraska 4-H program in action. Scholarship Opportunities High school seniors should visit the Scholarships link on the 4-H page of our website. The Saline County 4-H Council scholarship and FCE scholarships applications are now available online. We have added information about scholarships we have received to date. We will add other scholarship information as it becomes available to us so check regularly for updates.
Market Beef Exhibitors If you are planning to exhibit at State Fair or Ak-Sar- Ben, it is your responsibility to complete the Online Livestock Affidavit process by April 15th. PAPER COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE STATE 4-H OFFICE OR AK-SAR-BEN. Use the paper copy you received at weigh day or emailed to you to complete your ID process. See 4-H webpage: http://saline.unl.edu/ salinecounty4hpage, Animal Science, Online Livestock ID. Progress Shows, Clinics & Other Education Events Please visit the 4-H page of our website under Progress Shows, Clinics & Events as we have added links to progress shows, livestock judging contests, and other educational opportunities for youth. Like Us On Facebook In this age of social media, we are looking for new ways to pass along 4-H information to you. We have created a Facebook page that we will be posting information on. To find us, go to our 4-H webpage at: http://saline.unl.edu/salinecounty4hpage and click the find us on Facebook icon at the top of the page or log onto Facebook and find the page called Saline County 4H Nebraska. Anytime Learning Clubs or members looking to continue your learning throughout the winter/spring don t forget about the Livestock Learning Laboratory. These are great tools covering many aspects of the specie of your choice. We have Beef, Swine, Dairy, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, and Sheep Lab. New learning labs include: Dog, Goat, Plant ID and Lawn Care. We share these Learning Labs with Gage county so give us a call a few weeks before you need it so we can reserve it for you. Jr. Fair Superintendents We would like to have a Jr. Superintendent for each specie/department. The Jr. Superintendent (13-18) would work on ribbon entry on an I-pad. If interested give Eric a call. No experience needed. Jr. Superintendent applicants in livestock areas may not want to be showing the specie they sign up for. This is a great opportunity to add volunteerism to your 4-H Career Portfolio. New Companion Animal Challenge - Sat., March 14 The event will include demonstrations, quiz bowl, art contest, and a skill-a-thon. The quiz bowl & skill-a-thon will be dog specific while other contests will be open to youth enrolled in any companion animal projects (dogs, cats, small animal, and rabbits). Must be 10 & older for quiz bowl & skill-a-thon. Rules and entry forms can be found at: http://animalscience.unl.edu/ansc-4-h-companion-animalchallenge. Event will be held in Lincoln at UNL East Campus. Entries due to the Extension Office by Feb. 13th. Horse Exhibitors An award will be available to 4-H ers that complete the Light Horse Record Book and the 4-H Career Portfolio. The Saline County 4-H Equine Legacy Award won t be an easy task to accomplish, but with some work, and record keeping skills (feed, care, inventory, and time), it can be done. Your name will be put on a perpetual plaque in the Extension Office, and will receive a personal award. For more information contact Eric or eric.stehlik@unl.edu 2015 Horsin Around The date has been set for February 28 & March 1 and will feature trainer Jeff Mellott of Andover, KS. When more information is available, it will be posted at: http://animalscience.unl.edu/anscextensionequinehorsinaround 2015 Horse Stampede Mark your calendar! The 2015 4-H Horse Stampede has been scheduled for Saturday, March 14th. Entries are due at the Extension Office by Friday, February 13th. 4-H Horse Stampede consists of state contests for the Horse Bowl, Horse Public Speaking, Horse Demonstrations and Horse Art are held. M o r e i n f o r m a ti o n c a n b e f o u n d a t : http://animalscience.unl.edu/anscextensionequine4hhorsestampede District Horse Show June 18th has been set for the District Horse show in Seward. Youth ages 10 & up as of Jan. 1st are eligible providing that they have completed the required levels testing. Please contact our office if you have questions about testing. Entries due to Ext. Office by May 15th. Governor s Agricultural Excellence Awards The Nebraska 4-H Foundation and the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) are pleased to again offer The Governor s Agricultural Excellence Awards sponsored by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) which recognize 4-H clubs for the work of the individuals in the club and the community service work of the entire club. Recognition is in the form of a $500 check issued to the club to be used as described in the award application form completed by the club. Clubs can use the award dollars for many different programs. Conferences or workshops for others in the community, trips or tours for club members, community improvement projects in their home town, campus visits, fair grounds enhancement and inter-generational programs are just a few examples. Any club that hasn't received a Governor s Agriculture Excellence Award in 2014 is eligible to apply. Applications are available on-line at http://www.ne4hfoundation.org/. Applications can be emailed to Lori Petersen at lpetersen5@unl.edu; or mailed to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation. The application deadline is March 1, 2015. Please consider Agricultural in the broadest terms when you are discussing this program. If you have any questions please contact Lori Petersen at (402) 472-1178.
4-H Awards and Programs Available to Youth and Clubs 4-H Youth Character Award A 4-H Youth Character award winner, may be the youth who doesn t win championships in 4-H, but will be the youth who is a good member in life. Youth may be nominated by an adult leader, volunteer or even teacher for displaying attitudes and actions consistent with the Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship). Details are available on our website on the 4-H page. Nominations are due June 1, and winners will be announced at the County Fair Award presentation. Complete nominations will take a little bit of preparation so don t wait until the last minute. Diamond Clover Program Ten Saline County 4-H ers earned Diamond Clover Program awards in 2014. Logan Sieck is now the second Saline county 4-H er to earn the highest level (Diamond). Now is the time to begin setting your goals for 2015. The 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 goal is to provide 4-H members a rich and diverse learning experience. The program includes six levels and is designed for participants to progress at one level a year. Each level includes a set of goals that must be achieved before the 4-H'er can move on. Guidelines & forms: http://4h.unl.edu/diamondclover ~ NEBRASKA 4-H MONTH ~ The month of February has been designated as Nebraska 4-H Month. The 2015 theme is #iam4h. With enrollments due March 1st, Nebraska 4-H month is a great time to have your first club meeting of the year, organize a new club and a time to share with others what 4-H means to you or recruit new 4-H members to your club. If 4-H ers download the #iam4h sign at this link: http://ow.ly/ia8ug and take a photo with this #iam4h logo and email your photo to becky.vales@unl.edu we will upload your photo to our Facebook page. Be creative. Photos must include the #iam4h sign to be put on Facebook. 4-H youth are a part of culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a measureable difference right where they live. Celebrate the commitment of 4-H ers during Nebraska 4-H Month, and recognize the confidence, passion and practical skills that prepare them to step up to the challenges of our changing world. Celebrate Nebraska 4-H Month at Raising Nebraska All 4-H members, families, leaders and volunteers are invited to celebrate Nebraska 4-H Month by enjoying an Open House on Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 10 am to 4 pm at Raising Nebraska, located in the Nebraska Building on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds in Grand Island. The finishing touches have been completed, and there is certain to be exhibits you didn t see during State Fair. Feel free to come and go as you please while you enjoy a full day of activities focused on the many opportunities and projects available through Nebraska 4-H. Camp Renegade Plans are in the works for this summer s camp. Camp Renegade is scheduled for June 23 & 24 for youth ages 8-10 years old. A camp flyer and registration form will be available in the coming months. We will also be accepting applications for counselors. Youth applying need to be 14 years of age on January 1st of the current year. This application will also be available shortly, and will be due by May 1. UNL Big Red Camps The 2015 Big Red Summer Academic Camps, to be held June 7-12, 2015, are just a few months away! Camps for 2014 include Crop Science, Culinary Arts & Food Science, Digital Arts, Education, Filmmaking, Outdoor Nebraska, Unicameral Youth Legislature, Veterinary Science, and Weather & Climate Science. Registrations are limited and partial scholarships are available if you register by April 1st. More information about UNL Big Red Camps is available at: http://4h.unl.edu/4hcamps/campofferings or by calling our office. Registration online at: http://marketplace.unl.edu/ne4h/brc
2015 4-H Calendar Dates subject to change February 16 - Holiday, Office Closed March 1-4-H Member Enrollments Must Be Made Online 15-4-H Council Senior Scholarship applications due at Ext. Office 21 - Door Hanging Workshop, 9-11 a.m., Ext. Office 22 - Washington D.C. Trip Meeting, 4 p.m., DeWitt June 1 - Horse ID s Due At Ext. Office 5-15 - Washington D.C. Trip 6 - Saline County Lamb & Goat Show, Crete 8 - PASE/Life Challenge Entries Due 16 - Camp Renegade registrations/payment due 18 - District Horse Show, Seward 15 - All Livestock & Rabbit ID s due at Ext. Office (County Fair exhibition only) 15 - Livestock & Rabbit ID MUST be made online to be eligible to show at State Fair/Ak-Sar-Ben 22 - County Fair Entries due at Ext. Office 23-24 - Camp Renegade, Camp Jefferson, Fairbury 28-30 - PASE/Life Challenge, Lincoln April 1 - FCE Scholarship applications due at Ext. Office 3 - Babysitting Clinic, 8 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Ext. Office 3 - CPR/First Aid Training, 1-3:30 p.m., Ext. Office 6 - Horticulture Workshop, 9:30 a.m., Ext. Office 6 - Entomology Workshop, 1:00-3:30 p.m., Ext. Office 14 - Public Speaking Contest entries due 15 - Market Beef Online ID Deadline for State Fair/ Ak-Sar-Ben 15 - State 4-H Camp registrations must be postmarked 24 - Holiday, Office Closed 27-4-H Public Speaking Contest Registration Deadline July 4 - Holiday, Office Closed 13-16 - State Horse Show, Grand Island 14-19 - Saline County Fair, Crete August 3 - Ak-Sar-Ben Entries due at Ext. Office 22 - Ribfest, Tuxedo Park, Crete 28 - Sept. 7 - Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island May 1 - Last day to take advantage of 4-H Council camp scholarships 1 - Camp Renegade counselor applications due 4-4-H Public Speaking Contest, 7 p.m., Ext. Office 15 - District & State Horse Show entries due 21 - District Speech Contest, UNL Animal Science Complex, Lincoln, 1-7 p.m. 25 - Holiday, Office Closed 28 - Market Lamb & Goat Weigh Day, 4-7 p.m., Fairgrounds, Crete September 7 - Holiday, Office Closed 24-26 - Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock Exposition, CenturyLink Center, Omaha
2015 Nebraska 4-H Camp Schedule * Camper registration fees paid on or before April 15, 2015 will receive a 10% early bird discount. NOTE: Please send all camp registrations through the Saline County Extension Office. Checks for camps are to be made payable to the camp facility they 4-H er is attending.
News & Views Nebraska Extension - Saline County Saline County 4-H Council Box 978 Wilber NE 68465-0978 Non-Profit Bulk Rate U.S. Postage Permit # 12 Wilber, NE Return Service Requested MARCH 1ST IS THE DEADLINE FOR MAKING YOUR 4-H MEMBER ENROLLMENTS ONLINE Visit us on the web at: www.saline.unl.edu 4-H ~ Your First Class at The University of Nebraska Nebraska Extension Youth Development - Saline County 306 W 3rd Street, P.O. Box 978, Wilber NE 68465 Phone: (402) 821-2151; Fax (402) 821-3398 Website: www.saline.unl.edu Email: saline-county@unl.edu Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with Counties and U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.