Sheridan County Newsletter
December 2020
Calendar of Events
Dec 3 - 4-H Council Committee Meeting via Zoom at 6 pm
Dec 4 - Clover Bud Kit Activity via Zoom at 10 am
Dec 4 - HS After-school Sew Fun is CANCELED
Dec 7 - Deadline to reserve Holiday Kit
Dec 9 - G/R After-school Sew Fun is CANCELED
Dec 14 - Gordon Clover Buds (K-2) via Zoom at 4-5 pm
Dec 15 - Rushville Clover Buds via Zoom at 3:30-4:30 pm
Dec 14 - Pick-up Holiday Kits Week 1
Dec 16 - Adult Sew Fun Clinic is CANCELED
Dec 18 - HS After-school Quilting is CANCELED
Dec 21 - Pick-up Holiday Kits Week 2
Dec 21 - Gordon Clover Buds (3-5) via Zoom at 4-5 pm
Dec 30 - G/R After-school Quilting is CANCELED
Important Announcements
Effective 30 November 2020, while our county is in the red on the COVID risk dial, all 4-H programming and meetings need to be held virtually.
New Office Manager - Wendy Andersen
She is very excited to be working with the University of Nebraska Extension in Sheridan County. She has always been a huge fan of 4-H and other extension services. She has lived in Sheridan County, Hay Springs, since 2007, and worked at Hay Springs Schools as an Office Assistant, Tutor, Administrative Assistant, and Food Services Manager. She has two kids with their spouses, Jake & Stacie Palmer and Jessica and R.J. Anderson. She is super happy to be called Grandma by 5 grand kids. She loves to be involved with youth education and activities. Her second favorite thing to do is ride and mentor kids with horses. This last year her husband, Doug Andersen, and she went trail riding in Utah for two weeks and logged about 100 miles. She has been a 4-H member, 4-H leader, and now an alumni. She is currently serving on the 4-H Foundation and the 4-H Horse Committee.
Her favorite saying is “4-H Rocks!” Please welcome her the next time you visit our office or see her in the community!
4-H Enrollment is Open
4-H enrollment for the 2020-2021 4-H year is now open. Youth can enroll by visiting ne.4honline.com. Members need to enroll prior to participating in Shooting Sports practices. There is a $5 membership fee that can be paid online or at the Extension Office. If you will not be in Rushville, feel free to mail the payment to the 4-H Council at PO Box 23 Rushville, NE 69360.
Holiday Kits
Kits to engage your youth during break are available in the office to pick up! Each kit contains supplies and directions to complete the project. Some kits are being sponsored by the 4-H Council!
Salt Clay Ornament – Free
Holiday Stocking – Free
Tea Light Snowman Ornament - $1
Reverse Canvas - $3
LED Holiday Card & Hot Chocolate Snowman - $1
For the Reverse Canvas, email mmracek2@unl.edu by December 10th , please create the design in word or publisher and no bigger than 10 x 12 inches. Colors available are: white, black, gray, red, green, silver, navy blue, royal blue, light blue, teal, lime green, gold, light pink, hot pink, orange, yellow, maroon.
For the Service Project, create one to keep and a couple to give health care workers! Don’t forget to get a picture of them with their gift from you!
Suggestion Box
Forms are available at the office to offer your suggestions to make our 4-H program/fair stronger. They are located on the drop box outside. Also, you can submit your suggestions online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVMme9VhgjNVDOiUpYapu3pHAJZczIY-XoduekdeOnScUpYg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
Beef Weigh-In
If your youth is interested in participating in the Market Beef project at the 2021 Fair, they need to participate in a weigh-in. At the weigh-ins, youth will receive a 4-H ear tag along with being weighed. If they attend the Sheridan County weigh-in, the youth will be entered in the Sheridan County Fair Rate of Gain Contest. If the Market Beef animal is a steer, they must weigh 1000 pounds at the weigh-in in July and heifers must weigh 900 pounds. The Sheridan County weigh-in will be held on January 24th from 1 to 3 pm at Sheridan Livestock Auction. If the 4-H member is not able to attend this weigh-in, they can attend the weigh-ins at Box Butte County or Dawes County. However, they will not be eligible for the Sheridan County Rate of Gain Contest. The Box Butte County weigh-in will be held on January 10th at the fairgrounds in Hemingford tentatively from 11 to 2pm and the Dawes County weigh-in is tentatively scheduled for February 13th at Crawford Livestock Auction from 9 to noon. If you are planning on attending another county’s weigh-in, please contact the Sheridan County office to ensure you have the required paperwork.
4-H Bucks
The 4-H Council implemented 4-H Bucks program to help active 4-H members pay for workshops and 4-H camps. Every year, 4-H members can earn up to $50 by participating in different activities such as speech contests, horse level testing, workshops, progress show, being a club officer, etc. Each activity you participate in, you receive a certain number of points. If 4-H members who are Juniors earn 5 to points they receive $10, 10 to 15 points they receive $25, and 16 or more points they receive $50. Intermediate members must earn 7 to 12 points to earn $10, 13 to 19 points for $25, and 20 or more points for $50. Senior members must earn 9 to 15 points to receive $10, 16 to 23 points for $25, and 24 or more points to earn $50.
The application for this award can be found at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/northernpanhandle/sheridan-county-award-applications/.
This year it is due to the Nebraska Extension Sheridan County office by January 8th. Currently the following members have $100 in 4-H Bucks: Caleb Heck, Kirsten Heck; $50: Abbey Russell, Alexa Tonjes, Kayli Rose, Kenna Rose, Louisa Scott; $30: Julia Russell; $25: Bryson Bickel, Regan Anderson.
Clover Buds
For the month of December Clover Buds will be meeting via zoom.
The Gordon Clover Bud workshop will be held on December 14th for K-2, and December 21st for 3-5, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm at the Gordon After School program.
The Rushville Clover Bud workshop will be held on December 15th from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm as a part of the Rushville After School program.
The Hay Springs Clover Bud workshop will be held on December 4th from 10:00-11:00 am.
Please register for any of these virtual meetings by calling the office at 308-327-2312.
Clover Bud members are youth between the ages of 5 and 7 as of January 1st, 2021. These youth will experience teamwork, social interaction, and decision-making skills while participating in hands on activities. Upon participating in these workshops, youth will have Clover Bud projects to display at the 2021 Sheridan County Fair.
Black Hills Stock Show
Black Hills 4-H Youth Day is February 1st from 8 am until 1 pm. Black Hills Stock Show 4-H events include Beef Cook-Off, Livestock Judging, Livestockology, Horse Quiz Bowl, Hippology, and the Dog Show. Youth must turn 8 by January 1, 2021 and not turn 19 by January 1, 2021. Individuals may enter a maximum of two events. Participants should wear a button-down shirt, polo, or team shirt. Boots for Livestock Judging and Livestockology, otherwise closed toed shoes and denim dress pants. Entries are due January 8th. More information can be found at: https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/events/2021/4hyouthday17
Equine Webinar Series
The Nebraska 4-H Equine Webinar Series is a great way for 4-H leaders, parents, and senior aged youth to gain knowledge in various equine-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic will be covered with various experts joining to share their experience and expertise.
Equine Webinars will be hosted live on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM CT. The webinars are hosted online using Zoom, a video conferencing service. Please register in advance at https://nebraskaextension.zoom.us/meeting/register/ed40d0bfc29bc113dc2040ba88984b7b, to receive a link and details for joining the live webinar. Not able to make it to the live webinar? All of the Equine Webinars are recorded and made available below for on-demand viewing. Additional materials that are shared or discussed during webinars are also available. Participants are also encouraged to complete the survey to help in planning and improving future Webinars. For more information visit https://4h.unl.edu/horse/webinar-series.
Virtual December Days
December Days 4-H Camp is going VIRTUAL! Join us on December 12th for a fun-filled day of camp magic. We will be using our head, hands, heart, and health! Test your critical thinking skills with an escape adventure! Use your hands to make a fair project. Show off healthy cooking skills as we whip up a tasty culinary creation! We’ll also learn about different community service projects to help those in need this winter season. It’s going to be a day of high energy camp excitement and fun! Leave the cold behind and warm up with us at VIRTUAL 4-H December Days! Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/school-year-camps.
Photography Showcase
The 4-H Photography Showcase offers a project exhibition opportunity beyond traditional print media. 4-H'ers are invited to submit their favorite photo through the online submission form at https://4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase-submission-form. Submissions are accepted on a continual basis. However, youth may only submit one photo per month. Photos will be selected from submissions and showcase online by Nebraska 4-H, including on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The 4-H Photography Showcase is open to all enrolled 4-H members.
Rules & Guidelines
- Youth Eligibility: Participants must be current 4-H members ages 8-18. Youth do not need to be enrolled in a photography project to participate.
- Number of Entries: Youth may submit 1 photo each month.
- Photo Release:
- By submitting an entry to the showcase, the 4-H member grants permission to Nebraska 4-H the use and rights associated with the use of the photograph, in promotional publication, online, and other media, without compensation.
- The 4-H photographer will be credited whenever and wherever the photo is shared, published, or reproduced in print or digital media.
- Photo Specifications:
- Photos must be submitted in one of the following file formats: gif, jpg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, or psd.
- The preferred photo orientation is horizontal.
- Photos must be of sufficient resolution and size for digital sharing. Images should have a minimum resolution of 72 ppi (pixels per inch), but higher is preferred. Images should also be a minimum of 700 pixels on the shortest side (height or width), but larger is preferred. It is recommended to avoid cropping or resize images prior to submission. Generally speaking, images taken by modern digital cameras will be sufficient for submission without resizing or cropping.
- If needed, selected images may be cropped or resized prior to being showcased. No other photo editing will be performed.
- If submitting a photo that shows people, adult or youth, the 4-H'er must check with those people before submitting the photo.
- Submission: Photos must be submitted online through the official form. No in-person or email submission will be accepted. You will receive a confirmation email including a copy of the entry once the form is successfully submitted.
- Notification: If their photo is selected to be showcased, youth will be notified via the email address provided in their submission.
Special Garden Project
The Special Gardening Project is an opportunity for 4-H members to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. Each year, a new plant is selected as the focus for all members enrolled in the project. Youth receive seeds which they plant and cultivate using project resources provided throughout the experience. Youth then have the opportunity to exhibit cut flowers or harvested vegetables or present their experience through a poster or report. The project is designed to challenge youth interested in horticulture by introducing them to new and unique growing experiences and foster real-world problem-solving skills through a guided horticultural experience. This year the Special Gardening Project is focused on the unique, Hakurei Turnip. These are not your grandmother's turnips. Hakurei is a white salad turnip that is smooth, round and at its best when harvested under 2". The roots can be eaten raw or cooked, and the tops can also be cooked.
National Shooting Sports Competition
Nebraska will be hosting the 4-H Shootings Sports National Championships at the
Heartland Public Shooting Park and Events Center in Grand Island on June 20-25, 2021. This event will involve 4-H youth from across the nation competing in nine disciplines. These include: Compound Archery, Recurve Archery, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, .22 Rifle, .22 Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzleloading, and Hunting Skills.
Nebraska has selected or will be selecting teams to represent our state in all the disciplines. However, we are seeking eligible youth interested in participating in the 2021 4-H Shootings Sports National Championships in smallbore pistol, muzzleloader or hunting skills discipline.
Participants must have passed their 14th birthday before January 1 of the current year and may not have passed their 19th birthday before January 1 of the current year in which the 4-H Shootings Sports National Championships is held.
4-H youth who are interested in participating in Smallbore Pistol, Muzzleloader or Hunting Skills are required to complete the online “4-H Shooting Sports National Championships Interest Form.” This form can be found at - https://forms.gle/mKJ4E4N8zQdVFxB1A. Deadline to complete the online Interest/Intent Form is December 18th, 2020, 5 pm CST.
A selection process, if needed, will be announced if there is sufficient interest from youth in participating in the 2021 National Match. Please share this with your club members.
Feel free to contact Steve Pritchard at (402)395-2158 or (308)536-2691, or spritchard1@unl.edu if you have any questions. Thank you for your interest in the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Program.
Animal Science Scholarship Opportunity
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln wants to share an awesome scholarship opportunity for high school seniors and transfer students who are admitted animal science majors looking to enroll in the Fall 2021 semester at UNL. This is the inaugural year for the Animal Science: Inspiring Your Future Scholarship Contest and they will be awarding ten $5000 scholarships. Students are encouraged to tell their digital story about an individual or animal who has inspired them to pursue an education and career in animal science. This can be done via video, essay, pictures, a combination of those things, or really any medium that allows them to comfortably express themselves. The website link is below that lists out the contest details and link to apply and submit their digital story. All entries must be submitted by Noon on February 15th!
Inspiring Your Future Scholarship Contest Website: https://animalscience.unl.edu/Inspiring-Your-Future-Scholarship-Competition
NEW: Special Agronomy Project
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different.
To kick-off the inaugural year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore teosinte. The plant looks and is very similar to corn, in fact it is believed to be the wild ancestor of today's corn!
Teosinte produces stalks that produce several small ears with a cob and hard, trapezoidal kernels. Being related to corn, the care is very similar so we will plant and fertilize like corn. Plant the seeds 1-2 inches deep, 8 to 12 inches apart. Teosinte is a tropical grass, so wait till soils are warm before planting. Teosinte can take up to 180 days to mature but we can still admire it's similarities to corn! For more information, go to https://cropwatch.unl.edu/special-agronomy-project.
Contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or 402.759.3712 or Aaron Nygren at anygren2@unl.edu or 402.352.3821.
Youth Masters of Beef Advocacy Learning Cohort
December 16- January 6th Applications due December 14th by 5:00 p.m. CST.
Youth who join this statewide learning cohort will gain tools and resources for being a beef advocate, work as a group to become a strong ambassador for the beef community and be able to answer tough questions about beef and raising cattle. The group will meet initially on December 16th to introduce the program, get to know their cohort and learn more about the beef industry as a whole. During the cohort timeframe, youth will complete the Masters of Beef Advocacy program online through National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. In addition to completing the online program, youth will have the opportunity to continue discussion with their cohort through a series of discussion boards, additional learning resources and activities to help put what they learn into action. Youth will then log-in on January 6th for a celebration webinar to mark their completion of the program, learn more about beef in Nebraska and discuss careers in the beef industry.
To register, go to the following link: https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1S70H6JR0ZGAz8p. Once registered, you will get information about logging into both Zoom sessions and the MBA site. For questions, contact Brianna Buseman, Youth Meat Extension Educator, at brianna.buseman@unl.edu
Agenda for the MBA Learning Cohort:
Both zoom meetings will be recorded and distributed to those registered if unable to attend the live meeting.
- December 16, 6:30 pm: Zoom MBA Program Kickoff
- December 16-January 6: MBA program will be open and available for students to complete their training. During this time additional information, activities, and discussion prompts will be added to the Microsoft teams page for the cohort to interact with.
- January 6, 6:30 pm: Zoom MBA Program Wrap Up
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Copyright ©2020
Nebraska Extension Sheridan County Office
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/northernpanhandle/educational-programs/northern-panhandle-4-h/
Location: PO Box 329 Rushville, NE 69360
Phone: (308) 327-2312
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLSheridanCounty
Twitter: @SheridanCounty