March H Enrollments due online by April 1st! Dundy, Hayes & Hitchcock 4-H Newsletter

Dundy, Hayes & Hitchcock 4-H Newsletter March 2016 www.sw3.unl.edu UPCOMING EVENTS (all times are local time) March 20 CWF Meeting Hayes Center, 3:00 p.m. CT 23 Hitchcock 4-H Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. 29 Hayes & Hitchcock Public Speaking & Music Contest TBA, 6:00 p.m. 31 Focus on Forestry Benkelman, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. April 1 4-H Enrollments Due (changes can be made till June 1) 1 College Scholarship applications due (Dundy & Hayes) 4 Dundy Public Speaking & Music Contest, 6:00 p.m. 10 Hitchcock Bowling Contest, 1:30 p.m. 26 Hayes Livestock Quality Assurance, 6:30 p.m. 28 Dundy Livestock Quality Assurance, 6:00 p.m. 30 Regional Public Speaking Contest, North Platte May 5 Hayes 4-H & FFA Livestock Judging Contest 13 Horse ID s & District & State Entries Due 18 Barn Quilt Workshop Trenton 24 Lamb/Goat Tag Day Culbertson, 5:00 p.m. 24 Hitchcock Livestock Quality Assurance, 6:30 p.m. Be watching for 4-H Fairbooks the beginning of April! Dundy Hayes Hitchcock (308)423-2021 (308)286-3312 (308)334-5666 (800)485-0219 (800)286-2612 (800)237-5564 4-H Enrollments for Members & Leader is Online! 4-H Enrollments will once again all be online. To register online go to: https://ne.4honline.com. Detailed instructions can be found on the SW3 website at http:sw3.unl.edu. You will need to use your previous email and password from 2015. If you have forgot your password, you can reset your password. 4HOnline is a web-based enrollment system that will allow families to enroll in 4-H on your personal computer, notebook or mobile device. You ll be able to complete all of the information necessary to join 4-H online, including 4-H code of conduct forms and health forms. There will be no paper forms to submit for enrollment. All enrollments are due April 1st. Changes may be made until June 1st. Email us at: Kimberly Cook kcook2@unl.edu Nancy Frecks nfrecks1@unl.edu Find us on: Facebook: www.facebook.com/nebraskaextensionsw3counties 4-H Enrollments due online by April 1st! Twitter: @SW_NE_4H

Firearm Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education to be held in Trenton A Firearm Hunter Education Course will be held in Trenton at the Ambulance Barn on Main Street on Saturday, March 19 (9a-5p) and Sunday, March 20 (9a-11a) (must attend both days). Youth who plan to participate in 4-H Smallbore, Muzzleloader and/or Shotgun must have completed this course. For those that are interested, a Bowhunter Education Course will be held in Trenton at the Ambulance Barn on Main Street on Saturday, April 2 (9a-5p) and Sunday April 3 (9a-11a)(must attend both days). To participate you must be 11 years old by date of the course. To sign up go to the Nebraska Game & Parks website at http://outdoornebraska.gov/huntereducation/. If u need help or have any questions please call Zach Hodges at 308-636-6154. 4-H Shooting Sports Opportunities April 2-3: Nebraska 4-H BB Gun & Air Rifle Championships, Broken Bow April 16-17: Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sport Instructor Certification, Arlington April 23-24: State 4-H Clay Target Championships, Grand Island June 4-5: 4-H Outdoor Archery Tournament, Grand Island For registration form and more information go to: http://4h.unl.edu/shootingsportseventcalendar 4-H Club of the Month The Nebraska 4-H Foundation are recognizing 4-H clubs throughout the state of Nebraska. Any 4-H club may nominate themselves to be the Club of the Month. Nominations are due the second Friday of the month. The club who is chosen to be Club of the Month will receive a $50 cash card from the Nebraska 4-H Foundation and their story will be showcased on the Nebraska 4-H Foundation s Facebook, Twitter, and website along with the State 4-H website and Facebook and in their local newspaper. Application forms may be found at: http://ne4hfoundation.org/recognition/ Big Red Summer Academic Camp Don t miss out on the opportunity to attend one of the Big Red Summer Academic Camps in Lincoln this summer. The 2016 Big Red Summer Academic Camps, to be held June 5-10, 2015 are just around the corner! To learn more about the camp offerings, click onto the recently updated Web site at: http://bigredcamps.unl.edu. Camps include veterinary science, filmmaking, culinary arts and food science, engineering, weather & climate science, Outdoor Nebraska, and Unicameral Youth Conference. The camps are designed for youth entering their Sophomore to Senior year in the fall of 2016.

Livestock Quality Assurance 3 options for completing Face to Face Training Dates Face to Face Training April 26 at 6:30 p.m. CT Hayes Center, Fairgrounds Online Training (must complete 3 modules) April 28 at 6:00 p.m. MT Benkelman, Fairgrounds Test out (11 to 18 year olds only) May 24 at 6:30 p.m. CT Culbertson, Fairgrounds Online Training Go to http://4h.unl.edu/qualityassurance for more information how to complete online training. Test Out These may be taken at the face to face quality assurance trainings or by appointment at the Extension Office. Please complete practice tests online before trying to take the written tests. All youth planning to exhibit beef, sheep, goat or swine projects are required to complete the online training. All Livestock Quality Assurance must be completed by June 15, 2015. A Livestock Quality Assurance letter will be going out very soon, with more details instructions. If you do not receive a letter and feel you should have, please contact the Extension Office. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST DAY!!! Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Program As you start a new year in 4-H, think about working on completing your Diamond Clover Levels. It is easy and you probably do everything to receive the award anyway! The 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. The overall goal of the program is to provide members with a rich and diverse learning experience. 4-H members of all ages are encouraged to get involved in the program. Participation in the program is optional. Member s who complete a Diamond Clover level will also be recognized at their local 4-H Achievement Program. To learn more about the Diamond Clover Program you can go to http://4h.unl.edu/diamondclover or contact the UNL Extension Office. Photography Project: Nebraska Exhibit Print Theme Nebraska Exhibit Print: Help us celebrate the national 4-H Grows Here campaign! Capture photos of people and places that illustrate 4-H growing and thriving in Nebraska! Your photos should tell a story about how 4-H Grows Here in your local community. Please print and include the 4-H Grows Here! logo in your photos. The logo can be accessed at http://go.unl.edu/4hgrowsheregraphic. Photos may be used to promote the UNL Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.

Volunteers Needed 4-H is truly a youth and volunteer oriented program. The 4-H Program would not continue if it wasn t for the many great volunteers it has! Below please find a few opportunities where 4-H needs you to help inspire and enrich the lives of so many youth! Older youth volunteers are as welcome as adult volunteers! Shooting Sports Leader 4-H is always looking for new 4-H Shooting Sports instructors to join great leaders we already have in teaching our 4-H youth. There are Shooting Sports leader certifications coming up in April. 4-H Club Leader 4-H is always in need of caring adults to lead a 4-H club! 4-H Clubs are a great way for youth to gain those leadership and citizenship skills as well as become connected with caring adults and learn skills in so many areas through 4-H projects. 4-H Afterschool/Out of School Workshops With the new year, afterschool, out of school day or summer workshops are being planned at least once a month. Volunteers are needed to help out with the workshops or if you have a great idea to teach let us know. We would love to have you share your talents with youth! Spin Clubs Spin Clubs are a new concept we want to try out in 4-H! Basically they are a group of youth that will meet once or so a week for 4 to 6 weeks to work on and master skills in a particular 4-H project. I am looking for volunteers to lead Spin Clubs that would focus on one 4-H project for a few weeks. Any 4-H project could become a Spin Club.Robotics, Vet Science, Clothing, Woodworking, Foods, Gardening are just a few example. In the time the Spin Club meets they could take a tour, use project manuals to guide activities and complete a 4-H exhibit for the county fair. For more information on any of the above volunteer opportunities, contact Kimberly at your local Extension Office or email Kimberly at kcook2@unl.edu. Picking the Right Project for You! Unsure what projects you want to take this year? Two resources to help you make a decision are Project Resource Central available on the web at http://4h.unl.edu/4hcurriculum/projectresources or last year s fairbook. The Resource Central lists projects with a brief description all the projects available in 4-H. You may also want to refer to your 2015 fairbook. However, please remember that there will be some changes to the projects and exhibits that may be entered at fair. The key to selecting projects is don t pick too many projects. Accepting Responsibility is an important 4-H life skill. Completing a project is a good way for a 4-Her to demonstrate he or she can accept responsibility. It is better to complete one project than to enroll in too many, become overwhelmed and not complete any. Select only one level in a project you are wanting to complete. If you need help selecting which level you need to be in please ask at the Extension Office when you turn in your 4-H Enrollment. Many of the projects have several levels. You should not be in Six Easy Bites and Foodworks or Woodworking I and III. Refer to the Resource Central for suggested levels and look at your past fair book to see which level you need to be in.

Special Garden Project Jazzy Mix Zinnias This project is open to all youth of 4-H age enrolled in any horticulture or floriculture project and it will give them the opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting, preparing, and exhibiting this unique vegetable. The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables and flowers. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their feet wet in this project area. This year s Special Garden Project Jazzy Mix Zinnias. The 1-2 blooms are fully-double and semi-double. These zinnias are a great cut flower that can get 20-26 tall. On average it will take about 75-85 days for the plants to bloom. 4-H Members enrolled in the Special Garden Project will: * Receive a packet of Jazzy Mix Zinnias (one packet per youth) in March * Receive a newsletter about: Planting & growing zinnias Zinnia problems & insects Harvesting & using zinnias Exhibiting zinnias * Be able to enter this unique flower at County and State Fair Fresh cut Jazzy Mix Zinnias must be entered in the Zinnia Class G-770-022***. State Fair Special Garden Project Class G-775-001*** o Youth must be enrolled in the Jazzy Mix Zinnia 2016 Special Garden Project to exhibit. The educational exhibit is based on what was learned from the project. Present information on a poster 14 X 22 or in a clear plastic report cover. The 4-H member s name, age, full address, and county must be on the back of the poster or report cover. Fresh cut flowers or harvested vegetables should be entered in the appropriate class. If you are interested in growing this year s special garden project, please contact your local Nebraska Extension Office to be put on a list and we will contact you when your seeds have arrived and begin sending you information. Bake & Take Days March is Bake and Take Month! Bake & Take month has been celebrated for 40+ years by wheat organizations across the nation. You can participate by baking a wheat food and share it and an ag story with a friend, neighbor, coworker or shut-in. This year s recipes from Nebraska Wheat Board are a low-cal, fat free brownie and a fudge cookie bar. If you would like copies of the recipes and stickers, please call the Extension Office with the number you would like. We will get them ordered from the Nebraska Wheat Board. This makes a great community service project!

Public Speaking Contest General Guidelines for Speeches All speeches must be original and include 4-H as the major component of the speech with the exception of the novice division. All speeches must submit an outline by the registration date. Judges will be given outlines. Acknowledge the source of information used in the speech. NO visual aids allowed. General Guidelines for PSA s All PSA s must promote 4-H and be general enough to use in Nebraska any time of the year. All PSA s must submit their full recorded PSA by the registration date. Judges will be given the PSA s to judge before contest. NEW All PSA s must use the state theme as the basis for their PSA 2016 Theme is 4-H Grows Confidence All PSA s must include the following tag line within the last ten seconds the PSA Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu. Please use.wav or mp3 audio formats for recording your PSA s. Sound effects and public domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be used. PSA s must be the original work of the presenter. All PSA s must be submitted on a CD. All PSA s are due by ENTRY DEADLINE so we can have them pre-judged. Division Age Time Special Guidelines Novice Speech 8-10 years under 3 min Never competed in a contest before. May recite a poem, read or tell a story. ***Novice Division is not eligible for Regional Contest. If you would like to be eligible for a Regional Contest you must enter the Junior Division and follow those guidelines. Junior Speech 8-10 years 1-3 min Inter. Speech 11-13 years 3-5 min Senior Speech 14 and older 5-8 min Junior PSA 8-10 years 60 seconds Intermediate PSA 11-13 years 60 seconds Senior PSA 14 and older 60 seconds Entries & Outlines Due Hayes & Hitchcock County March 22 Contest Dates (Music Contest to be held with Speech Contest) March 29, 6:00 p.m. CT, Location TBA (dependent on registrations) Dundy County March 28 April 4, 6:00 p.m. MT, Benkelman - Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall Complete guidelines may be found at http://4h.unl.edu/publicspeakingcontest. We only need one copy of your entry form.

Dundy County Announcements 4-H Council Meeting The next 4-H Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Courthouse in the Jury Room. Please notify the office if you would like to add an item to the agenda. 4-H Council now offering to pay for 75% of one 4-H Camp Don t miss out on your opportunity to go camping this year. The 4-H Council agreed to pay 75% of one 4-H camp per youth enrolled in 4-H in Dundy County and have completed their 4 -H Record Book the previous year. 4-H Camp Scholarships are available to help defray costs of registration fees for 4-H camps throughout the year. If you are planning to attend camp this summer, please be sure to contact the Extension Office. Plan ahead for your summer adventure at one of the many camps available to 4-H ers. Save even more money by signing up before April 15 to get the early bird price! Clover Kids and Large Animal Rules Horse Project No Clover Kids Allowed Reminder due to 4-H State Policies and safety there will be no clover kids (ages under 8 as of Jan. 1st) allowed to ride at 4-H Horse Events. Therefore, no clover kids will be allowed to participate in the 4-H Horse Project or at the 4-H Horse Show at the Dundy County Fair. Livestock Animals Also a reminder that youth under the regular 4-H age of 8 by Jan. 1st of the current year will not be allowed to show large animals such as Market Beef or Breeding Heifers. The guidelines for the Clover Kid age are as follows. Please keep these guidelines in mind as you choose your 4-H animal projects. Age, size and temperament of animal projects must be appropriate for the exhibitor s age and size. Adults are reminded to consider safety at all times when asking a child of this developmental level to handle animals. According to State 4-H Policy, the suggested maximum age for large animals is 6 months and a weight limit of 350 pounds.

Dundy 4-H Music Contest to be held on April 4th The Dundy County 4-H Music Contest will be held with the Public Speaking Contest on April 4th at 6:00 p.m. in Benkelman (place TBA depending on registrations). Music Contest Guidelines Each youth may have two entries in each class. Each group must have two or more participants; all must be 4-H members. A 4-H member may sing or perform in only one group but may accompany another group. Accompaniment - Performing groups must provide their own music and equipment. Song groups may be accompanied by any instrument. Live accompaniment, if used, may be by an Adult or Youth. Not more than one adult may accompany a group. All performers in the band or combo classes must be 4-H members. Bring a copy of your music for the Judge. (Photocopy or original, the judge may write comments on the music.) CLASS B902901 Drill or Dance Routines - May be a drill, square or folk dance, tap dance or any routine done as a group. B902902 Combo or Band - Group must be 3 or more with instruments of their choice, including piano. May include vocalists. B902903 Vocal Group - (all must be 4-H members) B902904 Vocal Solo B902905 Instrumental - Group (all must be 4-H members) B902906 Instrumental - Solo may be accompanied by an adult or youth. B902908 Talent Group or more 4-H members Examples skits, one-act play, pantomimes, lip sync, puppet show, comedy act, etc. Music Contest Registration Form Entry Forms are Due March 28 NAME: Classes 901. 902. 903. 904. 905. 906. 908. Drill or Dance Routines Combo or Band Vocal Group Vocal Solo Instrumental Group Instrumental Solo Talent Group or more 4-H members Music Title and Composer for each piece:

Hayes County Announcements 4-H Council Meeting The next 4-H Council meeting will be held in Thursday, May 5, 2016 at May Livestock Judging Contest (if needed). Please notify the office if you would like to add an item to the agenda. 4-H Camp/Activities Scholarship The 4-H Council is offering $150 4-H Camp/Activity Scholarships to help defray costs of registration fees for 4-H camps or educational events throughout the year. Applications are enclosed in your 4-H newsletter packet and are due back to the office by May 1st. As a reminder you must have turned in a 4-H Record Book the previous year to be eligible for a scholarship. Plan ahead for your summer adventure at one of the many camps or activities available to 4- H ers. Save even more money by signing up before April 15 to get the early bird price! Clover Kids and Large Animal Rules Horse Project No Clover Kids Allowed Due to 4-H State Policies and safety there will be no clover kids (ages under 8 as of Jan. 1st) allowed to ride at 4-H Horse Events. Therefore, no clover kids will be allowed to participate in the 4-H Horse Project or the 4-H Horse Show at the Hayes County Fair. We are planning some fun events and encourage the Clover Kids to come watch their older siblings and friends. And will have some events for them to participate in during the horse show using Stick Horses. Plans are still being made. If you have a good idea, please share it with Kimberly at kcook2@unl.edu or call the office. Livestock Animals Also a reminder that youth under the regular 4-H age of 8 by Jan. 1st of the current year will not be allowed to show large animals such as Market Beef or Breeding Heifers. The guidelines for the Clover Kid age are as follows. Please keep these guidelines in mind as you choose your 4-H animal projects. Age, size and temperament of animal projects must be appropriate for the exhibitor s age and size. Adults are reminded to consider safety at all times when asking a child of this developmental level to handle animals. According to State 4-H Policy, the suggested maximum age for large animals is 6 months and a weight limit of 350 pounds. NEW Guidelines for 4-H Beef Project at County Fair At the last 4-H Council meeting the following changes were made. Complete details will be in the April newsletter & Fairbook. Beef Show (all classes) will be Blow & Go. General definition is no adhesive, glue, paint or powder products may be used. A Bred & Fed Division will be added for Market Heifers and Crossbred Market Steers. Bred & Fed in general means the animal was born and raised on the family farm. Please read closely in the April Newsletter and the 4-H Fairbook for more details.

Hayes 4-H Music Contest to be held on March 29th The Hayes & Hitchcock 4-H Music Contest will be held with the Public Speaking Contest on March 29th at 6:00 p.m. (place TBA dependent upon registrations). Music Contest Guidelines Each youth may have two entries in each class. Each group must have two or more participants; all must be 4-H members. A 4-H member may sing or perform in only one group but may accompany another group. Accompaniment - Performing groups must provide their own music and equipment. Song groups may be accompanied by any instrument. Live accompaniment, if used, may be by an Adult or Youth. Not more than one adult may accompany a group. All performers in the band or combo classes must be 4-H members. Bring a copy of your music for the Judge. (Photocopy or original, the judge may write comments on the music.) CLASS B902901 Drill or Dance Routines - May be a drill, square or folk dance, tap dance or any routine done as a group. B902902 Combo or Band - Group must be 3 or more with instruments of their choice, including piano. May include vocalists. B902903 Vocal Group - (all must be 4-H members) B902904 Vocal Solo B902905 Instrumental - Group (all must be 4-H members) B902906 Instrumental - Solo may be accompanied by an adult or youth. B902908 Talent Group or more 4-H members Examples skits, one-act play, pantomimes, lip sync, puppet show, comedy act, etc. Music Contest Registration Form Entry Forms are Due March 22 NAME: Classes 901. 902. 903. 904. 905. 906. 908. Drill or Dance Routines Combo or Band Vocal Group Vocal Solo Instrumental Group Instrumental Solo Talent Group or more 4-H members Music Title and Composer:

Hitchcock County Announcements 4-H Council Meeting The next 4-H Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. in Trenton at the Courthouse Community Room. Please notify the office if you would like to add an item to the agenda. 4-H Enrollment & Fees This year s enrollment fee will be $5.00. All online enrollments are due by April 1st. The $5.00 enrollment fee must be paid at the Extension Office before the online 4-H Enrollment will be accepted and participation in 4-H is allowed. Please make send check to: 4-H Council in Hitchcock County, PO Box 248, Trenton, NE 69044. Changes may be made in projects until June 1st. 4-H Camp/Activities Scholarship The 4-H Council is once again offering $100 4-H Camp/Activity Scholarships to help defray costs of registration fees for 4-H camps or educational events throughout the year. Applications may be picked up at the Extension office and are due to back to the office by April 1st. As a reminder you must have turned in a 4-H Record Book the previous year to be eligible for a scholarship. Plan ahead for your summer adventure at one of the many camps or activities available to 4-H ers. Save even more money by signing up before April 15th to get the early bird price! Clover Kids and Large Animal Rules Horse Project No Clover Kids Allowed Reminder due to 4-H State Policies and safety there will be no clover kids (ages under 8 as of Jan. 1st) allowed to ride at 4-H Horse Events. Therefore, no clover kids will be allowed to participate in the 4-H Horse Project or at the 4-H Horse Show at the Dundy County Fair. Livestock Animals Also a reminder that youth under the regular 4-H age of 8 by Jan. 1st of the current year will not be allowed to show large animals such as Market Beef or Breeding Heifers. The guidelines for the Clover Kid age are as follows. Please keep these guidelines in mind as you choose your 4-H animal projects. Age, size and temperament of animal projects must be appropriate for the exhibitor s age and size. Adults are reminded to consider safety at all times when asking a child of this developmental level to handle animals. According to State 4-H Policy, the suggested maximum age for large animals is 6 months and a weight limit of 350 pounds. Bowling Contest The bowling contest will be held on Sunday, April 10 at 1:30 p.m. at TJ s Fun Center in McCook. Participants will need to pay for their bowling at the contest. Clover kids will bowl one round and 4-H ers will bowl 2 rounds. You must register for the Bowling Contest by April 4th by calling the Extension Office at (308)334-5666 or (800)237-5564.

Hitchcock 4-H Music Contest to be held on March 29th The Hayes & Hitchcock 4-H Music Contest will be held with the Public Speaking Contest on March 29th at 6:00 p.m. (place TBA dependent upon registrations). Music Contest Guidelines Each youth may have two entries in each class. Each group must have two or more participants; all must be 4-H members. A 4-H member may sing or perform in only one group but may accompany another group. Accompaniment - Performing groups must provide their own music and equipment. Song groups may be accompanied by any instrument. Live accompaniment, if used, may be by an Adult or Youth. Not more than one adult may accompany a group. All performers in the band or combo classes must be 4-H members. Bring a copy of your music for the Judge. (Photocopy or original, the judge may write comments on the music.) CLASS B902901 Drill or Dance Routines - May be a drill, square or folk dance, tap dance or any routine done as a group. B902902 Combo or Band - Group must be 3 or more with instruments of their choice, including piano. May include vocalists. B902903 Vocal Group - (all must be 4-H members) B902904 Vocal Solo B902905 Instrumental - Group (all must be 4-H members) B902906 Instrumental - Solo may be accompanied by an adult or youth. B902908 Talent Group or more 4-H members Examples skits, one-act play, pantomimes, lip sync, puppet show, comedy act, etc. Music Contest Registration Form Entry Forms are Due March 22 NAME: Classes 901. 902. 903. 904. 905. 906. 908. Drill or Dance Routines Combo or Band Vocal Group Vocal Solo Instrumental Group Instrumental Solo Talent Group or more 4-H members Music Title and Composer: