HARLAN COUNTY

EXTENSION NEWSLETTER April 2017

http://extenson.unl.edu/statewide/harlan PO Box 258 Alma, NE 68920 Phone: 308-928-2119

Livestock Quality Assurance (LQA)

Mark your calendars to attend either event, Monday, April 10th at 7 p.m.

in Orleans at the Ag Center Or

Tuesday, May 23rd at 9 a.m. in Beaver City at the Blue Ribbon Fair Building

All 4-H and FFA youth ages 8-18, who are enrolled in any of the livestock projects (Beef, Sheep, Swine, Meat Goat or Dairy Goat), need to complete LQA. Attend one of the in-person classes or complete 3 mod-ules online at http://4h.unl.edu/quality-assurance . This year, the Harlan County 4-H Council will reim-burse each 4-H'er the amount of their online quality assurance test fee by adding this amount to their fair premium.

2017 Special Garden Project Sunburst Summer Squash

Interested Youth should enroll for the Special Garden Project

through 4-HOnline.com and contact our office to pick up

their seeds.

This project is open to all YOUTH OF 4-H AGE giving

them the opportunity to learn about growing something

fun, new, and different, harvesting, preparing, and exhib-

iting this unique vegetable.

For additional questions or help getting signed

up, call the Harlan County Extension office at

(308)928-2119.

Find us on Facebook! at https://www.facebook.com/harlancountyext/ Stay up to date on events, view photos, learn interesting facts and anything else we happen to post.

SEED PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE!

The 21 students, in Mrs. Mary Jo Radil’s Second Grade classroom, started their embry-

ology project nearly 21 days prior to March 13th. With the collaboration of staff from the

UNL Extension, Harlan and Phelps County local Extension Educators and Assistants vis-

ited the class to present a couple lessons. The children learned about the branch of

biology that studies the development of embryos called, embryology. These students

anxiously discovered the different animal species that also hatch from eggs, how to

care for their baby chicks during the incubation process, and excitement escalated as

each student assisted with picking out and setting their own egg in the incubator. Twen-

ty-four fertile eggs, supplied by local farmer Mr. Keith Roberts, were set and nearly 10

days later the class experienced the candling of eggs. With anxious anticipation, each

kid took turns studying eggs to spot veins, an eye and even movement from inside. The

March 13th week left quite a buzz in the school, as slowly but surely 16 new, puffball

chicks hatched. After a week of observation by the class, the young chicks were sent on

their way to grow and live out their days on a local farm.

Embryology 2017 - Alma

As the crochet class comes to an end a new 4-H Club is being formed. Join the Extension Office and Tashia Butterfield, on Thursday, April 6th at 5:30 p.m. in the

Johnson Center for an informational meeting on how you and your kid(s) can be-come part of the Harlan County Stitchers. Full details will be released at the meeting, we hope to see you and your family there if you are interested in Crochet, Knitting and/or fibers. See you Thursday!

QUILT WEEK The Harlan County Extension Homemaker’s Club invite

young and old, 4-H kids, Newbie quilters and Experi-

enced quilters to the Ag Center in Orleans,

May 1st—May 5th from 9am to 5pm.

Come when you can and stay till close.

2017 Harlan County Homemakers’ Scholarship Recipients

The 2017 Homemakers Scholarship Luncheon took place on Monday,

March 6th at the Ag Center in Orleans. With the theme, “The Beginning

of the Future” it was truly a celebration to inspire juniors and celebrate

the success and promise of the soon to be graduating seniors of 2017.

The Harlan County Homemakers Clubs sponsor this luncheon, awarding

three $250 scholarships. One is awarded to a graduating senior who has

a mother or grandmother actively involved in the Harlan Homemakers

Club, while the other two scholarships are awarded to any graduating

senior residing in Harlan County.

This year, there were fifteen outstanding applicants from Alma, Wil-

cox-Hildreth and Southern Valley high schools, making it extra challeng-

ing on our judge. Two alternates were named, Ian York, son of Joe and

Tammy York and Shelby Butts, daughter of Cynthia Butts. The 2017

scholarships went to Stephanie Eddy,

daughter of Dianna Eddy and McKaylla

Christian, daughter of Jessica Chris-

tian. Jacob Barwick, son of Rodney

and Joanne Barwick, received the

Homemakers Scholarship awarded

during the luncheon. He represents the

Atlanta Neighborly Neighbor Club, as

he is the son of member, Joanne Bar-

wick. These well-rounded individuals

have excelled in their academics, as

well as in their communities and it

brought great pleasure for the Home-

makers, to award these young men

and women for their excellence.

2017 Homemaker Scholarship recipients: Left to Right; McKaylla Christian with her mother Jessica Christian, Stephanie Eddy, Ian York with his mother Tammy York, Jacob Barwick with his mother Joanne Barwick, and Shelby Butts with her mother Cynthia Butts.

Scholarship Recipient Jacob Barwick with his

mother Joanne Barwick, Homemaker club

member of Atlanta Neighborly Neighbors

Attention Homemaker Clubs Mark your Calendars!

Leader Training Lesson Class - NO KNEAD, NO BAKE DONUTS

April 10th at 10:00am in the Courthouse Meeting Room

If you plan to attend, RSVP by April 7th to the Extension Office.

4-H Clover Kid News Do you have a younger child, ages 5-7 that

wants to be involved in 4-H? He or she can

enroll as a CLOVER Kid and experience all of

the fun at county fair. The Clover Kid program

is a national program that provides youth a variety of educational and fun experiences in a non-

competitive environment. The first step, is to enroll your child through ne.4honline.com. The second

step, is to choose projects your Clover Kid would like to enroll in such as Exploring Animals,

A Space for Me and Making Food for Me.

Fair exhibits are part of the 4-H Clover Kid pro-

gram in a non-competitive way. Check the fair

premium book for exhibit ideas and remember,

not all animals are allowed as Clover Kid exhib-

its due to their size. Our Nebraska 4-H website

provides a great explanation of the 4-H Clover

Kids program and may be accessed

at: http://4h.unl.edu/clover-kids. Please call

the office with 4-H Clover Kid questions or stop

by if you would like help getting enrolled!

ALL 4-HERS & Clover Kids will receive a 4-H t-shirt again this year for fair time. We need your 4-Her’s t-shirt sizes. Please email shirt sizes to Susan Bose at brs.blj@gmail.com

County Camp for ages 8-12 will be held June 14-16 at the Ag Center in Orleans.

Youth will be camping with other 4-Her’s from surrounding counties.

A fun and exciting program is being planned!

Fishing

Swimming

and MORE!

Campfires

Crafts

Join Us Wednesday, May 31st from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the

Alma Courthouse for Part One of Sew Camp. During Part

One, 4-H'ers will decide what projects they want to sew for 2017 Fair, pick out

the pattern(s) they need and learn the proper way to measure to get the appro-

priate pattern size. 4-H'ers will leave knowing their projects and equipped with

a shopping list for Part Two. Sewing Camp Part Two, will be the construction

of the garments and other items at the Orleans Ag Center in June.

THIS N' THAT Day Camp coming Tuesday, June 6th to the Orleans Ag Center from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Look for full details about this day camp and how to sign up in next months newsletter.

SAVE THE DATE June 6

Two Part Sewing Camp

Nebraska 4-H, in partnership with the Nebraska 4-H Foundation, is celebrating the Nebraska Statehood 150 with the 4-H Clover Chase!

Between March 1 - August 15, 2017, Nebraska 4-H will be hosting a photo scavenger hunt for all 4-H members. Using an app, participants will complete challenges and submit photo entries on social media using #NE4HChase. After submitting photos and earning 150 points, participants will be eligible to receive a commemorative water bottle from their local Nebraska Extension Office and will be entered into a drawing to win a drone with video capability. The Nebraska Extension Office with the highest per-centage of participation wins a free National Youth Science Day kit!

Complete details about the 4-H Clover Chase can be found at http://4h.unl.edu/clover-chase. Celebrate Nebraska’s Statehood, and Nebraska 4-H, by participating in this fun-filled opportunity with your friends, club, or family!

Visit 4h.unl.edu/clover-chase for complete details!

Win a water bottle and

be entered to win a

DRONE!

STEP 1: Download the Eventzee App for iPad, iPhone or Android and enter event code: NE4HChase

STEP 2: Complete Challenges. Refer to the Eventzee Player Guide to com-plete challenges listed in the app. Sub-mit photo entries on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Be sure to include your county name and the 4-H clover in each photo or post. Once your photo is submitted, you’ll get points. * Important: Be sure to ask permission before taking a photo of or with another person and posting on social media! We do not recommend that youth under the age of 13 should utilize the app without parent permission.

STEP 3: Collect Points: You will recieve points for each photo submitted using the guidelines in STEP 2. Complete enough challenges to get 150 points. Each submission must be a unique photo. One photo per challenge. Photos cannot be used more than once.

STEP 4: Claim Your Prize: Each participant who completes the chase and collects 150 points will receive a “4-H Clover Chase” commemorative water bottle and be entered in drawing to win a drone with video capability.

Celebrate all things Nebraska and 4-H through this unique virtual scavenger hunt!

March 1 - August 15, 2017

4-H Clover Chase: A Nebraska 150 Event

Show proof of completion at

your local Nebraska Exten-

sion Office to get a water

bottle and be entered to win

a drone! The 4-H Clover

Chase ends August 15.

Show the state what your

county is made of!

4-H Clover Chase How It Works:

ATTENTION LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS:

Market Beef Affidavits Due to County Office - April 5

Market Beef DNA Envelopes (showing at State and AKSARBEN) Due to County Office - April 5

Goat, Sheep, Swine & Breeding Beef Affidavits Due to County Office - June 5

Goat, Sheep, Swine DNA Envelopes (showing at State and AKSARBEN) Due to County Office - June 5

Breeding Beef Nomination Cards (showing at State and AKSARBEN) Due to County Office - June 5

2017 4-H King and Queen/Ambassador Applications The Harlan County 4-H Council is sponsoring the 4-H King and Queen/Ambassador Contest for 2017. Requirements for applying are: * Must be 16 - 18 years of age January 1st of this year . * At least 2 years of active membership in 4-H, including the current year. * Upstanding individual willing and capable of promoting 4-H in Harlan County.

Responsibilities include: Maintaining an active participation in promoting 4-H in Harlan County as approved by the 4-H Council. Assist with the 4-H Banquet, 4-H Fall & Spring Dance, 4-H Fair Night and upon request.

Each King and Queen Ambassador will be awarded $200 from the 4-H Council. Runner ups will each be award-ed $50. Applications are due by June 22nd, 2017 to the Harlan County Extension Office. Please contact the of-fice for an application or for more information at, 308-928-2119 or by emailing Dawn at dawn.hetrick@unl.edu.

Livestock Identification Process

Paper Livestock ID Affidavits are still required by our county office.

Please stop by the Extension Office to pick up Affidavit papers for your livestock.

Market beef, market swine, market lamb, meat goat, feeder calves, showing at the State Fair

or AKSARBEN will require a visible 4-H or FFA EID Tag and families will be required to submit a

Breeding Nomination Card for all breeding animals showing at State Fair.

Breeding goats and breeding sheep, the scrapie tag identification number will serve as the

official identification.

Breeding beef a tattoo will serve as the official identification for State Fair and AKSARBEN.

Bangs tattoos are NOT an accepted form of identification. Registration papers are required for Pure

Blood.

DNA and breeding card verification will be required for all livestock animals showing at State Fair or AKSARBEN.

County only animals will use county only 4-H tags. There will be no mandatory weigh-in days or group tagging.

The cost of DNA is $6 per entry. There will be a total limit of nominations by individuals including

both 4-H and FFA entries. Entry Limits; Beef (10) Lambs (20) Swine (40) Goats (20).

Youth will have until August 10 (State Fair pre-entry deadline) to select whether they are showing

their animal in 4-H or FFA. This could mean they show one organization at the county level and one

organization at State Fair. They cannot switch between State Fair and AKSARBEN.

July 29 - August 3, 2017

2017 HARLAN COUNTY FAIR

ALL 4-H’ERS ARE REQUIRED TO RE-ENROLL

IN 4-H

Go to https://ne.4honline.com, and use your previous email &

Password.

Go Online & Get Re-Enrolled Before May!

June 15 - Last day to enroll on line in 4-H & be State Fair eligible. To Enroll go to ne.4honline.com July 10 - Bicycle Rodeo Orleans Ag Center 6 pm July 11 - Favorite Food Review & Presentation Contest Orleans Ag Center 6:30 pm July 24 - Fashion Show and Clothing Judged Orleans Ag Center 9 am July 24 - Public Fashion Show & Talent Contest Orleans Ag Center 8 pm July 27 - ”Just for Fun” Dog Show Fairgrounds - Orleans 6:30 pm July 29 - Harlan County Horse Show Fairgrounds Horse Arena - Orleans 8:00 am July 30 - Livestock Check-in Fairgrounds - Orleans 4pm

Shotgun/Clay Target

Starts: May 21

Time: TBA

Location: Dunlay Range, Orleans

State Competition Date: April 23, 2017

Archery, BB Gun & Air Rifle

April 2nd, & April 16th

Time: 3:00pm—5:00pm

Location: Harlan County Fair Sheep Barn

22 PRACTICE

Dates: May 14

Time: TBA

Location: Dunlay Range, Orleans

State Competition Date: TBA

April 30th - Archery, Air Rifle and BB Gun Harlan County 4-H Competition Shoot (TBA)

4H ENROLLMENT IS OPEN & FREE!

May 30 & 31 Kearney Fairgrounds (308) 236-1235

June 1 & 2 Auburn Fairgrounds (402) 245-4324

June 6 & 7 Valentine Fairgrounds (402) 376-1850

June 13 & 14 North Platte WCREC (308) 532-2683

June 15 & 16 Gering Legacy Museum (308) 632-1480

June 19 & 20 Wayne Fairgrounds (402) 584-2234

June 22 (Day 1 is online) Gordon Fairgrounds (308) 327-2312

June 23 (Day 1 is online) McCook Fairgrounds (308) 345-3390

July 10 & 11 Grand Island College Park (308) 385-5088

TRACTOR SAFETY TRAINING 2017

Training Dates Training Site Location Site Coordinator

All youth ages 14 and 15 working on a farm or ranch other than their own MUST be

certified through a Hazardous Occupations Course.

Successful completion of the course will allow trained youth to operate an approximately 20 PTO

horsepower tractor, or to connect or disconnect an implement or any of its parts to or from a tractor.

Training Cost: $60 For more information, contact the Extension Site Coordinator nearest you:

Early Bird

DISCOUNT save 10% when you register by April 15!

Visit http://4h.unl.edu/summer-camp or stop

by the Harlan County Extension Office to pick

a copy of the 2017 camp catalog to explore

camp possibilities, schedules and find out every-

thing you need to know about this year’s

4-H Summer Camps.

Bagworms on evergreens. Check evergreens, especially Spruce, Juniper and Arborvitae, for overwinter ing bagworms. As many as 500 to 1000 eggs can overwinter in one female bagworm. Removing and destroying bag-worms from now until May 1st can help reduce the bagworm population. Destroy bagworms by crushing or im-mersing in soapy water. If bags containing eggs are discarded on the ground, eggs may still hatch and larvae re-turn to the tree. It is too early to apply insecticidal products to evergreens for bagworms. Wait until after eggs hatch. Products are most effective in reducing damage if applied during the early stages of bagworm development. Insecticides, as well as Bacillus thuringiensis, are best applied from mid-to late- June and can be applied up un-til about mid-August, but increased damage will occur the later they are first applied.

Bagworms: mark your calendars for insecticide for late May through July.

In southeastern Nebraska, the average last spring freeze date is approximately April 30 and May 21 in the northwest corner of Ne-braska's panhandle. These dates are guidelines only. Freezing temperatures may occur after the dates listed above. Also remem-ber that local microclimate condi-tions can significantly affect the occurrence of frost in your landscape. These dates can be used as guidelines for gardeners planting early spring crops. Frost sensitive plants will not tolerate freezing tem-peratures and must be protected if freezing temper-atures occurs after planting.

Nebraska average last spring freeze

(32° F) dates

Pre-emergence weed control of

Knotweed and Crabgrass

Prostrate Knotweed is a summer annual weed; however, its seed breaks cold dormancy and germi-nates much earlier than other summer annual weeds. Germination begins with soil temperatures of 35 to 50 degrees F., stopping when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F. During most years in Nebraska, germi-nation likely begins between late February and early March. It is now too late to control knotweed with PRE products. Post emergence products containing Dicamba or triclopyr can be effective. Crabgrass, also a summer annual, begins germi-nation when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees F. at two to four inch depth. This typically does not occur until May in Nebraska making late April into early May the treatment window for PRE products.

Mowing is not needed prior to turf grass greening up and starting to grow. The first mowing should take place when green grass is tall enough to require mowing. Mow at 2.5” to 3.5” for the entire growing season, re-turning clippings to the lawn.

Watering is fine if conditions remain dry, warm and windy; however, until turf grass is actively growing, watering may not be needed. As we begin the season, a reminder that more lawn problems arise from over-watering than under-watering. Lawns should be watered deeply with 0.5 to 1.0” of water (depending on soil type) only when wilt is observed.

Fertilizing should begin after growth begins. Once the spring growth surge begins to slow and turf grass color is off. it’s the time to begin fertilization. With above average temperatures this year, beginning fertilization in April instead of May, may be needed this year. Fertilizer containing 50% each quick and slow release nitrogen sources are good choic-es.

Cultivation (power raking and core aeration) is best avoided until turf resumes active growth. It needs to be done prior to applying pre-emergence herbicides for crabgrass. Lawn aeration or thatch removal (dethatching) is permis-sible if soil compaction exists or thatch is greater than ¾” in depth. Cultivating through a pre-emergence herbicide barri-er may reduce efficacy. This practice is preferred in the fall, but April is okay if soils are not too wet.

Allow turf grass to come out of dormancy and begin growth, and soil temperatures to warm, before starting most lawn care practices.

No Hurry To Begin Spring Lawn Care.

Harlan County Extension

PO Box 258

706 Second Street

Alma, NE 68920

Calendar of Events APRIL 5 - Market Beef Affidavits Due to County Office

APRIL 10 - Homemaker LTL No Knead Donuts, Alma Courthouse 10 am

APRIL 10 - LQA Face to Face, Orleans Ag Center 7 pm

APRIL 30 - Archery, Air Rifle and BB Gun Competition Shoot (TBA)

May 1 - 5 - QUILT WEEK, Orleans Ag Center 9am - 5pm

May 23 - LQA Face to Face, Beaver City Blue Ribbon Building 9 am

May 31 - Sewing Camp Step 1, Alma Court-

house 1pm - 3pm

JUNE 5 - Goat, Sheep, Swine & Breeding Beef

Affidavits Due to County Office

JUNE 5 - Goat, Sheep, Swine DNA Envelopes

& Breeding Nomination Cards (showing at

State and

AKSARBEN) Due

to County Office

In This Issue

Livestock Judging Team

LQA Announcement

Shooting Sports

Tractor Safety

Homemakers’ Scholar-ship

County Camp Dates

Clover Chase

MORE!

HARLAN COUNTY

EXTENSION NEWSLETTER

ALL 4-HERS, we need your t-shirt size!

Please email shirt sizes to Susan Bose at

brs.blj@gmail.com