Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.

Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.

© 2017

Show your 4-H Pride by wearing a 4-H shirt on Wednesday, February 14th to help celebrate Nebraska 4-H Month. The theme for 2018 is “Share your Story” February is Nebraska 4-H Month, and we want to hear your 4-H story! Maybe it’s showing a rabbit. Interview judging. Or zooming down the zipline. Share a short video or photo that shows your 4-H experience. Videos or photos may be shared through social media using the #NE4H and #TrueLeaders hashtags. Or, if your story involves a community service project, submit your project on the 4-H Community Service Project Map at https://4h.unl.edu/community-service-map and the project will be shared through the Nebraska 4-H social media channels! We look forward to seeing your 4-H story this February during Nebraska 4-H Month! 4-H month is a great time to recruit new 4-H members, invite friends to a 4-H meeting, thank volunteer leaders and parents or local businesses who support the 4-H program.

LOVE 4-H – New 4-H Enrollment Deadline! The 4-H Council has decided to move the 4-H Enrollment Deadline to February 14th!

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Adams County 4-H Newsletter

News Directory Upcoming Dates to Remember Page 1 & 2 Thank you, Congratulations & General Information Page 2 Leaders & Parents Corner Page 3 Youth Information Page 4 - 6 Project Information Page 6 - 9 Shooting Sports, Communications, Family & Consumer Science, Healthy Lifestyles, Environmental Ed & Earth Science, STEM, Plant Science Livestock, Horse, Dog, Cat Page 10 - 12 Clover Kids Page 12 - 13 UNL Page 13 4-H Calendar Page 14 4-H Council & Extension Contact Information Page 15

FEBRUARY February 1 Extension Board February 3 QOV National Sewing Day Workshop February 4 Jr. Leader Meeting February 5 Horse Stampede & Companion Animal

Challenge Entries Due February 5 4-H 101 Special Interest Group February 5 4-H Council February 13 Ag Society February 14 “Love 4-H” 4-H Enrollment Deadline February 17 Clover Kids Fun Saturday February 17 Animal Science Series February 19 Extension Office Closed Feburary 21 Life Challenge Starts February 23 4-H Day at Danger Football

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Danger Football invites Adams County and surrounding 4-H’ers to game Adams County 4-H has been invited by the Nebraska Danger to cheer on the Indoor Professional Football team on Friday, February 23 at 7 pm at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island. Tickets are $10 per general admission ticket. Reserve your tickets by February 16 to get the group discount by calling 308-381-2942 or email stephanie@dangerfootball.com and make sure to mention 4-H. Enrollment Instructions Please enroll using the 4-H OnLine program – Instructions, “4-H Availabe Project Listing in Adams County” and the Current Pick-A-Project is available on our website at http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/adams/4h/ No packets will be mailed out. Hard copies available at the Adams County Extension Office. There are a variety of 4-H projects; therefore, you can make your 4-H experience unique. One way to make projects more fun is to find a friend, even if they are not in 4-H, and get them to sign up and do the same projects together. Remember this information is time sensitive with enrollments due on February 14th instead of April 15th. Just a reminder that projects can be added to previously filled out enrollment profiles until that date. Enroll Today! Youth and Volunteers can enroll for 2018 4-H by going to https://ne.4honline.com and sign in by using the email address and password that you used to create your account last year. If you can’t remember your password select the option “I forgot my password.” If brand new to 4-H, go to https://ne.4honline.comand select “I need to set up a profile.” There is an enrollment fee for youth of $5 please pay this when enrolling by cash or check to the Adams County Extension Office. The enrollment will not be complete until the online enrollment has been submitted and the Extension Office has received the enrollment fee. Step-by-step instructions for enrolling or re-enrolling can be found on our website. If you have any problems or questions, please call Gwen or Twila at 402-461-7209. Extension Office Closed In observation of Presidents Day, the Adams County Extension Office will be close on February 19th. Beef Weigh Day – Only 1 date left! Mark your Calendars! The last Beef Weigh Day is scheduled for March 3rd at the Animal Clinic, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Exhibitors planning on showing Market Beef at fair will need to weigh their animals. More information in the Livestock section of this newsletter.

Thank You Thank you to all who made the 4-H Council’s Soup Supper a huge success. The chicken noodle, chili, and desserts were delicious. A special thank you goes to the 4-H Council fund raising committee for taking charge of the event along with the business sponsors. The CWF baskets were beautiful and unique, along with outstanding decorated cakes for the cake auction. A special thank you to Lee Hogan from Ruhter Auction for being the auctioneer.

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Leaders & Parents Corner

Junior Leader News “All Aboard the LeaderSHIP” The Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders has set sail for 2018, but there is still room to join our cruise. The next Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders will meet on February 4th at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the assembly room in the ACOB building. Anyone is welcome to join the Junior Leader’s Club that is 13 by January 1, 2018, or older. You must be an active member of the Adams County 4-H program by being a

member of an organized 4-H club or an Independent member. Junior Leaders do a lot of fun, learning and leadership activities, this year the focus will be on the Diamond Clover program. Some of the activities the club does are: pancake feed and food booth at the county fair, helping with Leader’s Banquet, along with helping members and younger 4-H’ers with 4-H projects and being positive role model for younger 4-H’ers. Bring a friend and make new friends. Also you are eligible to earn a scholarship. If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn Shaw (402-756-6636) or the Adams County Extension Office (402-461-7209).

January 4-H Council Happenings:

• Committee Sign up • Nebraska 4-H Month plans • Upcoming Event

February 4-H Council Agenda Items:

• Beef Weigh Day Volunteer • Animal Cages • Road Signs

• Budget • Enrollment Deadline • YQCA Update

SAVE THE DATES! 2018 Adams County Fairfest Dates Its official! The 2018 Adams County Fair is July 18th to July 22nd. Static Exhibits will be entered Monday, July 16th and Livestock check-in the evening of Tuesday, July 17th. Livestock Auction will be Monday, July 23rd. Livestock show schedule will be the same as 2017 fair.

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Youth Information New Special Interest Group – 4-H 101 Are you new to the 4-H program and need some extra guidance? This group will navigate you through your first or second year of 4-H, you will be instructed on deadlines, projects and exhibits, guided on proper 4-H proceedures all while having a great time. This special interest group will meet on the first Monday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Assembly Room in the ACOB building 300 N St Joseph Ave Hastings. The next meeting is Feb. 5th please RSVP the Extension Office if you can at 402-421-7209.

Citizenship Washington Focus Trip Youth who are 15 to 18 years old in the years of 2019 & 2022 are invited and welcomed to sign up for a trip of a lifetime! Youth will experience the cities of Chicago, New York City, Washington D.C. and more. If you are interested in attending any future conferences, please contact NE Extension in Adams County at (402)461-7209. It is never too early to sign up. Fundraising has now started; information on the next fundraiser will be emailed to participants that have signed up. The next meeting will be March 4th in the Assembly Room at 4:00 p.m. Scholarships Available Seniors and even some juniors in high school should be looking at scholarships to continue their education. There are numerous agricultural companies, organizations and colleges that offer scholarships to students who have long term career goals in agriculture. There are of course a lot of local and county scholarships and in addition to these there are a lot of national scholarships, as well as numerous scholarships offered at the state level. Now is the time to put together a good resume– it helps! It also helps to have a good cover letter to include with your application.

• Scholarships on the Web: o http://brownfieldagnews.com/site-map/scholarships/ o Agricultural Scholarships can be found at http://www.agriculturescholarships.us/ o all kinds of scholarships can be found at http://www.nextstudent.com/directory-of-scholarships

• Nebraska 4-H Scholarships—there are several statewide Nebraska 4-H scholarships. Goto http://ne4hfoundation.org/recognition/ for a list and more information. Deadline is March 1.

• NACEB Scholarship – Nebraska Association of County Extension Boards Scholarship Program Application is available at the Extension Office, Due by March 15.

• Ag. Scholarship -- The Hastings Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee is offering a scholarship for students with at least a C average pursing a college or university education and major in an agricultural field. The student must attend a 2 or 4 year college or university within Nebraska to qualify. Please contact the Extension Office to receive an application form.

• Adams County 4-H Council – Two $500 scholarships (one male & one female) for a Senior pursuing a 2 or 4 year degree. Please contact the Extension Office to receive a form. Due April 1st.

• FCE Scholarship – Stop by the Extension Office to pick up this application. • CASNR Scholarship- Any graduating senior planning to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

CASNR with an ACT of 26 or higher may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. Contact Ron Seymour at ron.seymour@unl.edu or call 402-461-7209 for more details.

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Rural Youth Loans As you begin looking for your project for next year, you may want to consider an opportunity that is available to you. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency makes operating loans of up to $5,000 to eligible individuals between the ages of 10-20 to finance income producing, agriculture-related projects. The individual must be participating in 4-H, FFA, or a similar organization. The program must be planned and supervised with the assistance of the organization’s supervisor and the individual’s parent or guardian. This assistance will help the individual to produce a sufficient income to repay the loan, and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience in agriculture-related skills. The loan funds may be used to purchase livestock, feed, seed, equipment, and supplies for the project. They may also be used to buy, rent, or repair needed tools or equipment. Rural Youth Loans have a maximum loan amount of $5,000 (total principal balance owed at any one time on the loan) and the term can range from one to seven years. After the loan is made the interest rate will not change for the entire term of the loan. A parental signature is required on the application for the loan, but not on the promissory note or the other documents used to secure the loan. You can contact your local County FSA for more information. Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute is a weeklong experience for high school Juniors and Seniors from all across Nebraska to learn about career opportunities within agriculture. This conference features speakers, workshops, agricultural education, networking with peers and industry leaders, professional development, leadership experience, fun and new friends! If you’re interested in applying as a delegate to the 2018 conference, applications will be available on February 15th at http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/nayi.html What Project Should I Take? Selecting the right 4-H projects can be one the hardest parts of a 4-H project. There are so many to choose from and different levels for many. Careful planning and decision making up front will increase member satisfaction, improve completion and reduce frustrations. A resource to help you make a decision is the Project Resource Central Guide available on the web at: https://4hcurriculum.unl.edu/index.php/main/index The Project Resource Central is a guide that lists the projects and resources with a brief description of all the projects available in Nebraska 4-H. The key to selecting projects is do not pick too many projects. Accepting responsibility is an important 4-H life skill. Completing a project is a good way for a 4-H’er 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. Parents and club leaders might encourage their members to do more work in a few projects than just a tiny amount in many different projects. Often there are related projects that members might enroll in – such as foods and horticulture, home environment and woodworking, or horse and veterinary science. Selecting the right level and knowing when to move on. Many of the projects have several levels. The Project Resource Central guide gives a level suggestion for each project unit, but more important is the ability of the individual member. Many areas have beginning, intermediate and advanced project units that allow for progression from year to year. Parents and members need to find the best level for each child. Older members may start at a higher level if the beginning projects are too elementary for them. It is also suggested to progress to the next level after you feel you have accomplished your current level or have been in that level for several years. If you need help selecting which level you need to be in please contact the Adams County Extension Office.

Here are a few questions to consider when selecting a project.

• What do you like to do for fun? • What do you want to learn? • What do you already know about your interest area(s)?

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• How many years have you taken this project or project level? • What do you need to complete your projects? (space, equipment, supplies, financial resources? • How much time do you have to commit to the project? • Who can help you with the project?

What do you learn in 4-H? 4-H participants learn practical skills such as fitness, meal preparation, rocket building, clothing care, animal and human nutrition, first aid, woodworking, gardening, and many other skills through the more than 150 projects available. Other skills that are defined as life skills are a part of every 4-H project. These skills are used every day of our lives and include:

• solving problems • communicating • preparing for a career • serving others • choosing healthy lifestyles • managing change and challenges

The 4-H organization wants its members to receive more from their projects than ribbons, trophies, trips and monetary gains. The 4-H program wants its members to acquire project knowledge and life skills. Many youth based organizations have worked to instill life skills in young people through various activities, but 4-H youth development professionals have evidence that 4-H programs benefit participants by helping them develop valuable life skills that will enable them to become better citizens. According to the research, members use the responsibility skills they developed from 4-H projects to complete homework assignments, be on time at work, and care for younger siblings. These skills are benefiting youth in school, at home, and on the job to be more dependable, confident and qualified individuals. In particular, knowledge gained from raising 4-H animal projects assisted students in their understanding of biology, physiology, and genetic.

Project Information

Project Limits The 4-H Council voted to remove the project limits for all youth in 2018. Shooting Sports Calendar for Adams County Shooting Sports Activities:

• Shooting Sports Starts – Week of January 29th • Shotgun Starts – Announcement Soon! • Shooting Sports Picnic – April 8th

Calendar for State wide Shooting Sports Activities

• Wayne County Air Gun Invitational - February 3rd – 4th • Pierce County 4-H Shooting Sports Invite – February 25th • 2018 State 4-H BB Gun & Air Rifle Championships at Beatrice – March 17th – 18th • 2018 State 4-H Pistol Championships at Broken Bow – March 23rd – 25th • 2018 Nebraska State 4-H Archery Oudoor Championships at Alda – June 2nd – 3rd

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Family & Consumer Science Quilts of Valor Sewing Day Join with Quilters across the nation in sewing for National Quilts of Valor Day on February 3rd at Julie’s Xpressions. The quilting workshop starts at 10:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m., come and sew with Julie anytime during this time frame. There is no charge for this workshop the quilts made during this time will be a group effort and will be exhibited at the fair, then donated to the National QOV Foundation. Please RSVP at 402-461-7209 to sew with Julie. Life Challenge An organizational meeting will be on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. in the Back Room at the Extension Office. Please call (402) 461-7209, if you are willing to make a time commitment to the Adams County Challenge team. The Life Challenge Contest dates are official, June 25th & 26th at UNL, East Campus. You will have a good time while you learn. If you need more details, contact Julie at the Adams County Extension Office. Special Savings Current & lifetime 4-H members, parents of members, volunteers and 4-H staff can save 15% off total in-store and online purchases at JOANN Fabrics every day with 4-H Rewards. JOANN will give a minimum of 2.5% of every eligible transaction to 4-H. Visit http://www.joann.com/4-h/ to get started. Healthy Lifestyles

NEW 4-H Foods and Food Preservation Manuals The foods and nutrition projects will be switching curriculums! New this year will be 4-H Cooking 101, 201, 301 and 401. (Six Easy Bites, Tasty Tidbits, You’re the Chef, Foodworks and Fast Foods will no longer be offered.) We will also be adding Home Food Preservation projects and manuals for Freezing, Drying, Boiling Water Canning and Pressuring Canning. Many of the fair projects will stay the same but look forward to some new additions. If you are having trouble deciding which project best fits your interest and level please talk to Julie. Stay tuned…..

Communications

Photography Theme for 2018 TRUE LEADER EXHIBIT PRINT: Explore true leaders in your community. True leaders can be anyone from community leaders, teachers, and volunteers to parents and friends. So, what sets them apart? What makes someone a true leader? What effect do they have on the people or environment around them? How can you tell their story through photography?

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Speech, PSA, & Performing Arts Contest If your love is public speaking or entertaining an audience this contest is for you! Now is the time to start gearing up for this contest. You can register until March 12th and the contest is on March 18th at 1:30 p.m. Classes available are: • Speech for Jr. Int. Sr. : Topic must include 4-H as the major component • PSA for Jr. Int. Sr.: The 2018 theme is “4-H Grows True Leaders” • Performing Arts – Drill or Dance Routine (Individual or Group), Song

Group, Combo or Band, Individual Vocal, Individual Instrumental, Whole Club Performance, Duet – Vocal, Duet – Instrumental, Other: such as one-act plays, musical performances, pantomimes etc.

Please note a 4-Her may participate in unlimited Performing Arts classes with a maximum of 3 per class and each instrument being a different instrument.

Plant Science Special Garden Project This project is open to all Adams County 4-H members. This project will give 4-H’ers 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 or flowers. A different one is featured each year. 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. 4-H’ers enrolled in the Special Garden Project will:

• Pick up a ‘packet’ of Delft Blue Nigella (2018) (one packet per family) in March/April from the Adams County Extension Office.

• Be able to enter this unique flower at the Adams County Fair and Nebraska State Fair (if selected for state fair).

• Receive a newsletter (through 4-H Online) about: o Planting & growing nigella o Nigella problems & insects o Harvesting & using nigella o Exhibiting nigella

4-H’ers need to enroll for the “Special Garden Project” (Plant Science) through 4-H Online. By enrolling through 4-H Online, youth will have access to the box folder with the educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation. Once enrolled in 4-H Online, youth are to then contact the Adams County Extension Office (402-421-7209) to confirm your participation in the Special Garden Project. The cost of the project will be approximately $1.00/per family and is due at time of pick up.

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Seventh Annual Innovative Youth Corn Challenge Do you enjoy being outside? Learning new things about crops? Considering a career involving crops, insects, diseases, soils, water or more? Do you want to help figure out how to feed our world’s growing population in a sustainable way? Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board are offering the seventh Innovative Youth Corn Challenge contest. This contest, open to

4-H members (age 10 & older as of Jan. 1st) or FFA members (in-school members), guides participants through all aspects of corn production, as well as agricultural careers related to corn production. As a team (2 or more participants), youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal to determine if they increased their yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice will also be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary. Cash prizes and plaques will be given to the first, second, and third place teams. First place will receive $1,000, second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $250. Sustainability, crop scouting and “extra mile” awards will also be given, each worth $150.To participate in 2018, youth must complete and return an entry form by March 15th to the Fillmore County Extension Office in Geneva, NE. Forms can be downloaded after January 1st at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge . For more information, contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu .

STEM First Tech Challenge The FIRST Tech Challenge is designed for those youth in Grades 7-12 who want to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments. • Design, build, and program robots • Apply real-world math and science concepts • Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills • Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments

So are you interested? Because we would love to have you volunteer at the Nebraska Championship on Saturday, February 10, 2018! A volunteer role description can be found at https://go.unl.edu/xfgk for you to review to see where you just might fit best! Our event will be held in Grand Island at the Raising Nebraska Building. This event will start bright and early as 7:00 AM for most volunteers and end approximately around 5:30 PM.

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Livestock

Beef Weigh Day – Only 1 date left! Mark your Calendars! The last Adams County Beef Weigh Day is scheduled for March 3rd at the Animal Clinic, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Exhibitors planning on showing Market Beef at fair will need to weigh their beef if they did not attend the December weigh day. Animals include: • Market Steers • Market Heifers • 2nd Year Bucket Calves (Steers & Heifers) • Beef Carcass Contest possibles – Carcass Contest will be held again after fair this allows the same animal you show at county fair to be in the carcass contest.

If you plan on showing a heifer that you are questioning whether to show it as a market heifer or a breeding heifer please be sure to weigh her in as a market animal, you may change it to a breeding heifer later by using the proper tag or tattoo (required for State Fair) prior to Livestock Identification Day (June 1, 2018). • Also remember these are the only times that DNA will be taken for State Fair and AKSARBEN. Instructions

for nominating your market animals online will be sent to you (as soon as we receive it) and you will enter the nominations online and pay for the DNA samples then. The cost of this is $6.00 each

• EID tags required for State Fair and AKSARBEN also. • County Tags will be free of charge this year. • Please do not make arrangements for any vet work to be done on your animals during this time.

With the two weigh days your animals will be eligible for rate of gain and/or carcass, the animals starting weigh date will simply be counted from the day weighed in. Carcass Contest Continuing in 2018 the Beef Carcass Contest, Sheep Carcass Contest and Swine Carcass Contest will be held after the Adams County Fair. This will allow exhibitors to enter their animals shown at the Adams County Fair for this contest. This contest has a limit on the number of 4-Hers that can participate due to the amount of space at the locker. If you are interested in this contest you must pre-register for it by February 14th. Participants will be on a first come/first serve basis. Beef and Sheep are required to be weighed at Beginning Weigh Days. Participants are required to sign up for the species project that they are participating in. As in the past an interview and record book will be part of the scoring. If you have any questions please call Beth or Julie at 402-461-7209.

Animal Science Educational Series It’s time to start again! The organizational meeting will be Saturday, February 17th at 10:00 am in the Meeting Room of the Adams County Office Building (300 N St Joseph Ave). The Animal Science Series is open to any 4-H youth, ages 10 and up, who have an interests in beef, goats, pigs, poultry and sheep. You do not have to show an animal to be a part of the series. Youth have the option of participating in Premier Animal Science Events (PASE) on June 25 and 26 in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you are unable to attend but interested in participating, please let Beth know at elizabeth.janning@unl.edu or contact the Extension Office at 402-461-7209. Hope to see you there! 2018 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Livestock Judging Contest The 2018 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Livestock Judging Contest is to be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. This is a great learning opportunity for youth as they progress through their judging careers, and an exceptional “warm-up” for State Contests to be held later this year. More information can be found at http://cattlemens.org/youth/judging_contest.html.

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Veterinary Feed Directive Information for 4-H Livestock Exhibitors Just a Reminder! Starting last year, the new FDA regulation for the Veterinary Feed Directive went into effect. This regulation will affect all food producing animals no matter how large or small the operation and that includes youth livestock participants. There are a number of show feeds that contain feed grade antibiotics such as CTC (Chlortetracycline) or Tylosin. These type of products will require youth to work with their Veterinarian to obtain a signed VFD order before purchasing and feeding these feeds. So young producers should look at the feed labels of products they intend to feed prior to having their livestock projects to determine if a VFD will be required to purchase their feed. If their feed is medicated with an antibiotic, they will need to establish a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship with Veterinarian licensed in Nebraska who will work them with their VFD requirements. Youth for the Quality Care of Animals YQCA (formerly called QA) is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development is being offered and required to complete to show at the Adams County Fair and NE State Fair. Youth may complete this requirement on-line (https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login / $12.00 per participant), in a face to face training, or test out. Test out option is only for Intermediate and Senior divisions. Please save the dates for face to face dates and locations are:

• Sunday, April 8 – Webster County Fairgrounds, Bladen – 1:00 pm • Thursday, April 26 – Assembly Room, Adams Co Office Building, Hastings – 6:30 pm • Tuesday, May 22 – Webster County Fairgrounds, Bladen – 3:30 pm • Sunday, June 10 – Assembly Room, Adams Co Office Building, Hastings – 1:00 pm

Youth must pre-register on a link (coming soon) to attend the face to face trainings. There will be a fee, finalized details coming soon. At least 5 youth must be registered to have the face to face session. Horse Show Dates

2018 District Horse Show Dates & Locations – all level testing required for participation in district horse show plus Horse ID sheets and entry forms must be completed by May 11th, 2018. June 13 – Ord June 14 – York June 20 – Gordon

June 21 – Central City June 22 – Curtis

2018 Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Show July 15 - 19, 2018

4-H Horse Stampede The 4-H Horse Stampede is held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. This year's 4-H Horse Stampede will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018. This event offers a variety of 4-H horse contests that don't require live horses, including public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, and photography contests. Youth have the opportunity to display their equine knowledge through these contests both as an individual and as part of a team. There is a $10 entry fee per contestant. A Brown Bag Lunch is available through a pre-order form. Along with lunches, T-shirts will also need to be pre-orderedin order to secure a shirt.Forms and more information can be found online at: http://4h.unl.edu/horse/stampede Entries need to be to the Extension Office by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 5th, 2018.

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Nebraska Equine Webinar Series 4-H leaders, parents and senior aged youth a welcome attend these webinars to gain knowledge in many different areas. Each month experts will cover a different topic. The webinars will be online through zoom. For more information & to view past webinars, go to http://4h.unl.edu/horse/webinar-series. Equine Webinars will be hosted on the 2nd Monday of every month; February 12th, March 12th, April 9th & May 14th

Companion Animal Challenge:

The 4-H Companion Animal Challenge is held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. This year's event will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The Companion Animal Challenge offers a vareity of 4-H companion animal contests that don't require live animals, including a Demonstration Contest, Dog Quiz Bowl, Skillathon Contest, Art Contest, and Photography Contest. Youth have the opportunity

to display their knowledge through these contests both as individuals and as part of a team. There is a $5 entry fee per contestant. A Brown Bag Lunch is available through a pre-order form. T-shirts need to be pre-ordered in order to secure a shirt.Forms and more information can be found online at: http://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/challenge Entries need to be to the Extension Office by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 5th, 2018. Nebraska 4-H Cat Club The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Animal Science is hosting a monthly 4-H Cat Club for companion animals every second Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Each lesson has a short presentation and worksheet with activities that youth can do in small groups. These topics will help youth to prepare cats for showmanship at a county fair cat show. The information to log into the meeting and the handouts are available on the website: http://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/cat-club

Clover Kids What is Clover Kids? The 4-H Clover Kid program is designed to provide 5 to 7 year olds with a variety of educational and recreational experiences in a non-competitive environment. The program fosters the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical maturation of young children. Clover Kids may participate in activities led by an adult that will help them:

• Explore different interests • Build self-confidence • Practice communication skills • Get along and share with others • Be a part of a group

• Explore science with simple experiments • Strengthen motor skills through arts and crafts • Make friends

Announcing Clover Kid Saturday Fun! Join Julie on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. for some fun while learning! You must pre-register a week prior to each session by calling the Extension Office at 402-461-7201. Each workshop session is $5.00 to attend. Workshops are as follows and will feature: February 17th at Julie’s Xpressions – “Animal Exploration”: CloverKid members will explore different animals and understand the responsibility of caring for animals.

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March 17th at Shooting Sports Building – “Wood Working, Build a Birdhouse”: CloverKids will have an introduction to woodworking while constructing a birdhouse. Each child will have a birdhouse to take home to begin their bird-watching career. April 21st at Shooting Sports Building – “Growums”: Learn how to grow vegetables and plant a container garden. May 19th at Assembly Room – “Horse Magic”: Members will learn about caring for a horse and how to ride a horse. Each participant will build their own stick-horse to take home and ready for the Clover Kid Ranch Rodeo.

College Readiness

University of Nebraska-Lincoln As you know Adams County Extension is the local connection to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and would like to encourage all high school students to go to http://www.unl.edu/prospective/ by exploring opportunities that the Huskers may provide. Information within this link to explore are scholarships, financial aid, tours with students and staff and much more. University of Nebraska – Lincoln Red Letter Days Experience for yourself what life is like as a student at Nebraska. During your Red Letter Day (http://admissions.unl.edu/events/on-campus/red-letter-days.aspx) , you’ll tour campus with a current Nebraska student as your guide, explore your academic interests, visit a residence hall, learn more about student involvement opportunities, discuss important admissions, scholarship and financial aid information and discover the many services that help students at Nebraska Succeed. If you’re interested in any health-related fields, check out Pre-Health Red Letter Day at http://admissions.unl.edu/events/on-campus/red-letter-days/pre-health-day.aspxIf you have any questions about this event, please contact the Nebraska Office of Admissions at 800-742-8800, ext. 2023.

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FEBRUARY

February 1 Extension Board – Assembly Room @ 7:00 p.m. February 3 QOV National Sewing Day Workshop – Julie’s Xpressions @ 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

February 4 Jr. Leader Meeting – Assembly Room @ 5:00 p.m. February 5 4-H Horse Stampede Entries to Extension Office February 5 4-H Companion Animal Challenge Entries to Extension Office February 5 4-H 101 Special Interest Group Meeting– Assembly Room @ 5:30 p.m. February 5 4-H Council – Assembly Room @ 7:00 p.m. February 13 Ag Society – Fairgrounds @ 7:30 p.m. February 14 “Love 4-H” 4-H Enrollment Deadline February 17 Clover Kids Fun Saturday – Julie’s Xpressions @ 9:30 a.m. February 19 Extension Office Closed – Presidents Day Feburary 21 Life Challenge Starts – Extension Office @ 5:30 p.m. MARCH March 1 Extension Board – Assembly Room @ 7:00 p.m. March 3 Beef Weigh Day – Animal Clinic @ 11:00 a.m. March 4 CWF Meeting – Assembly Room @ 4:00 p.m. March 4 Jr. Leaders – Assembly Room @ 5:00 p.m. March 5 4-H 101 Special Interest Group Meeting– Assembly Room @ 5:30 p.m. March 5 4-H Council – Assembly Room @ 7:00 p.m. March 13 Ag Society – Fairgrounds @ 7:30 p.m. March 17 Clover Kids Fun Saturday – Shooting Sports Building (Fairgrounds) @ 9:30 a.m. March 18 Speech/PSA/Performing Arts Contest – Community Service Building @ 1:30 p.m.

Please Check the Adams County Web site at http://www.adams.unl.edu/for current calendar information

4-H Calendar

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2018 4-H Council

Diane McLeod – Pres. Kirk Feeney – V.Pres. Megan Krous – Sec. Jill Kimle – Tres. Chris Anderson Megan Kvols JR LEADER REP: Doug Nienhueser – Chamber Kaycee Bridger Jim Murman Mackenzie Zeckser of Commerce Rep Jay Cecrle Blaine Parr YOUTH REPS: Twila Bankson – Ag Society Brian Everhart Kevin Stiegemeier Bailey Johnson Rep Cindy Hinrichs Kelsie Robinson Brandon Jacobitz – FFA Rep

Please take time to THANK these above individuals for their hard work and dedication to the Adams County 4-H Program!!!

Contact Information

Adams County Extension Office 515 West 3rd Street Hastings, NE 68901 Phone: (402) 461-7209 Fax: (402) 461-7210 Web: http://www.adams.unl.edu/ E-mail: adams-county@unl.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionAdamsCounty

Nebraska Extension Adams County Staff

Ronald C. “Ron” Seymour, Ph.D. ron.seymour@unl.edu Lynn DeVries – lynn.devries@unl.edu Elizabeth Janning – elizabeth.janning@unl.edu Julie Ochsner – julie.ochsner@unl.edu Gwen Rodocker – gwen.rodocker@unl.edu Twila Bankson – twila.bankson@unl.edu Deb Unterseher – deb.unterseher@unl.edu Alise Verhage – alise.verhage@unl.edu