4-H CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
June 2 - Deadline for Horticulture Workshop, 4-H Babysitting Clinic
June 2 & 3 - Pillows Camp, 4-H Building
June 3 & 4 - Capri Pants Camp, 4-H Building
June 4 - 6 - Beginning Quilt, 4-H Building
Junior 4-H Camp, Whispering Cedars, Genoa
June 9 - Horticulture Workshop, Ag Auditorium
Junior Leader Meeting, Extension Office
June 11 - Fishing Workshop, Leadership Center
June 13 - Deadline for Life Challenge/Fav Foods/Ice Cream Roll
June 19 - Deadline for Clover Kids Camp
June 20 - Life Challenge/Favorite Foods Revue/Ice Cream Roll, 4-H Building
June 23 - 4-H Council Meeting, Extension Office
June 26 - Clover Kids Camp, 4-H Building
July 7 - 4-H Project Pre-Entry Deadline
July 8 - Insect Safari, 4-H Building
July 23 - 4-H Project Entry from 4-9 pm
July 24-27 - Hamilton County Fair
“4-H.... your first class at the University of Nebraska
“The time to be happy is now! The place to be happy is where you are!” - Unknown
“Problems become opportunities when the right people come together.” -
Robert Redford
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
* 4-H Council & Junior Leader Meetings
* Thank You
* Community Service Opportunities
* Embryology in the Office
* It’s a Boy . . . !!
* 2008 State Fair Book
* Photography Exhibitors
* An Opportunity for 4-H Scientists
* It’s Never Too Early
* 2008 Hamilton County Fair
* County Fair Entries
* Attention: All 4-H Members - 2008 Pie Schedule for 4-H Café
* Trailer Needed!!
* 4-H Members Needed
* New Clover Kids Livestock Class
* Get Pumped About Pumpkins!!
* Get Connected to a Career!!
* Horticulture Contest 2008
* Special Horticulture and Crops Projects
* Summer Opportunities
* Life Challenge Event
* Premier Animal Science Event (PASE)
* 4-H Communications Pilot Curriculum
* 4-H State Outdoor Archery Tournament
* Ziggadee Day 2008
* Robotics and GPS/GIS Camp
* NSA 2008 Photo Contest
* Parental Equation
* 2008 FCS Web Quiz
* 2008 Plant Identification Workshop
* 2008 National 4-H Invitational Shooting Sports Match
4-H COUNCIL MEMBERS
Next meeting: Monday, June 23rd at 7:30 pm
Extension Office
NEXT JUNIOR LEADER MEETING
Monday, June 9th at 7 pm
Extension Office
THANK YOU!
Dear 4-H Youth:
On behalf of the Aurora Area Chamber & Development Corporation (AACD), “Thank you” for your assistance with the Nebraska Hot Rod & Custom Association - Tour Nebraska goodie bags on May 22nd.
Caitlin Collins Camden Collins
Elizabeth Cox Lucy Elge
Alicia Hock & guest Ashley Roehrs
Cami Roehrs Jasmine Russell
Vianna Smith Blaike Sunneberg
Rachael Weller
Your dedication and service to Hamilton County is outstanding, and we are very fortunate to have such outstanding youth in our community. You truly are the future leaders of tomorrow! We appreciate all your help with other AACD projects ranging from stuffing the new neighbor packets to the most recent project of stuffing goodie bags. You are a valuable resource!
Keep up the good work!
Shannon Hans, Development Associate
The AACD Publicity & Tourism Committee
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES -
Hamilton Manor needs help taking care of flower beds during the spring and summer. If you would like to help, please contact Stacey Enderle at 694-2128. Stacey would like to encourage these 4-H helpers to enter flowers from the beds in the County Fair.
SE District 4-H Community Service Project
Please collect pop tabs, soup can and pet food tabs and all other aluminum tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Please bring them to the Extension Office. Let’s see how many pop tabs Hamilton County 4-H can collect for this worthy cause!!
OMK Community Service Opportunity
Your club can help military kids across Nebraska by gathering items for Hero Packs. Take items to the Nebraska State Fair Cyber Fair, August 24 - Sept 3rd, that you have gathered during the spring and summer. Hero Packs are backpacks filled with mementos and items designed to help connect kids with their deployed family member. Presenting Hero Packs to kids is a way to show appreciation for their strength and sacrifices while their parents are deployed.
The backpacks have been donated but items are needed to fill them. Items needed for each pack are: a disposable camera, a small photo album, a journal, books, small stuffed animal, frisbee, stationary, pencils/pens, postage stamps and a handwritten letter of thanks. The letter thanks the child for their contribution to our country.
For more information go to www.nebraskaomk.org or call Michele Myer at (402) 444-7804.
“Think Recycle”
The Busy Beavers are collecting ink, laser and toner cartridges and used cell phones through the recycling/fund-raising program offered by “Think Recycle”. Please drop off any of these items at the Extension Office in the collection box. Thank you.
THINK RECYCLE!!
EMBRYOLOGY IN THE OFFICE
We have a dozen chicken eggs incubating in the office, and you are invited to stop by and check it out!! The process began on Tuesday, May 13th, and the anticipated hatch day is Monday, June 2nd. If we have a successful hatch, we will keep the chicks in the office until Friday, June 6th.
Call in or stop by to check on the progress!! You can also log on to lancaster.unl.edu/eggcam to watch the progress in Lancaster County.
IT’S A BOY . . . !!
Hamilton County Extension announces a new addition to the office. It’s a boy . . . he’s a hamster!!
We are looking for help naming this new little guy. Please submit your ideas by Monday, June 16th, and the Extension Office staff will vote on the submitted names.
Submit names via email or telephone: krussell2@unl.edu or 694-6174. The 4-H member (s) who submitted the name that is chosen will win a prize!! Stop by soon and see our new resident!!
2008 STATE FAIR BOOK
The final version of the fair book is available on the web at 4h.unl.edu.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITORS:
The Photography classes for State Fair have changed quite a bit this year. Please watch in your premium book for the listing of new classes and guidelines. You can go to 4h.unl.edu, then to Table of Contents, then to State Fair.... if you go to the fair book, you can pick photography, and it will have all the State Fair classes. Unit 1 will stay the same in the fair book since it is “county only.”
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 4-H SCIENTISTS!
Discovery Communications and 4-H are teaming up to bring more science, engineering and technology opportunities to millions of America’s young people.
All 4-Her’s have a great opportunity to participate in the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge. This is for students in 5th-8th grades. For full entry details and more on this challenge, please visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist.
The deadline for entry is June 15, 2008, which we recognize is quickly approaching but we hope that many 4-Her’s will be able to enter before the deadline. Some may be able to adapt their current science, engineering and technology projects – if they relate to one of the competition’s six approved topics!
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY
Attn: All 4-H members. It’s never too early to get started on your 4-H Record Book, ‘affectionately’ known as the 4-H Career Portfolio!! A few minutes spent each month updating your community service, non-4-H activities and jotting down notes for your 4-H story will pay off in August when time seems short between the end of fair and the beginning of school.
PLEASE take a few minutes each month and update your
4-H Career Portfolio. The Career Portfolio is required for receiving premiums from the County Fair. Project record books will no longer be required with the exception of the livestock projects. If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to call the Extension Office at 694-6174.
2008 HAMILTON COUNTY FAIR
The Ag Society has announced that the fair theme for the 2008 Hamilton County Fair is “Who Do We Appreciate in 2008".
COUNTY FAIR ENTRIES
Enclosed with this newsletter is the entry form (on last page) for entering 4-H projects at the fair. Please fill out the form and return to the Extension Office by Monday, July 7th. All fair entries go on this form except livestock (tags will still be needed for all livestock entries) and horticulture entries (no pre-entries on horticulture unless you know exactly what you are bringing to the fair). Only enter what you are sure you are bringing to the fair. You can enter extra items on entry night, if need be. You may put more than one item on the entry form. Fashion Revue narrations are also due July 7th.
All sewing, knitting and crochet projects and fashion revue entries will be judged and entered at the fairgrounds on Monday, July 21st. We will be sending out the schedule as we have in previous years. Bring all other entries to the 4-H Building between 4-9 pm on
July 23rd. Your tags will be ready for you.
ATTENTION: ALL 4-H MEMBERS
2008 PIE SCHEDULE FOR 4-H CAFÉ
ALL Hamilton County 4-H Members are asked to donate a pie to the 4-H Food Stand. One pie per member up to a maximum of two pies per family. Your homemade pies are a big draw for the 4-H Café!! Many people stop by just for the pie!! You can bring any type of pie - they must be two crusted or have a topping.
Each year we rotate the alphabet so that you don’t always have to bring your pie on the same day. You may drop your pie off early, if necessary, but please remember that our refrigerated space is limited. If possible, please bring your pie according to the schedule listed below. Thank you.
M through Z: Bring any time Thursday, July 24th
G through L: Bring any time Friday, July 25th
A through F: Bring any time Saturday, July 26th
If you don’t bake, enlist your mom, grandma, aunt or a lady from church to help you!! We count on your pies to set our food stand apart from other options!! In recent years we have run short on pies, so if you are willing and able to donate more than you are asked, it will be greatly appreciated.
TRAILER NEEDED !!
Hamilton Co. 4-H is looking for a trailer for a 4-H float to be used on the dates of June 8th and June 28th. If your club would be interested in creating a 4-H float, call Kae at 694-6174 as soon as possible.
4-H MEMBERS NEEDED
4-H Queen, Cami Huebert and King, Carl Rahrs, are looking for some 4-H members to be in parades with them and hand out candy in June!!
Hampton Booster Days - Sunday, June 8th
-- 4:30 Line up
-- 5:00 Parade
A-ROR-N Days - Saturday, June 28th
-- 11:00 Float Line up
-- 11:30 King & Queen Line up
-- 12:00 Parade
Please call 694-6174 and let the office know if you can be in a parade!! Let’s promote 4-H in our communities!!
NEW CLOVER KIDS LIVESTOCK CLASS
This class will allow Clover Kids to bring or borrow one beef, sheep, dairy, goat or swine. The animal is required to be age, size and temperament appropriate for the exhibitors’ age and size. The overriding maximum limit on age and weight will be 6 months and 350 pounds. Along with the privilege of bringing their own animal comes the responsibility of caring for the animal and pen. This means that Clover Kids must clean their own pen. State guidelines presented in the 4-H Animal Exhibit Handbook prohibit premium money being paid to Clover Kids, however, participation ribbons will be awarded. This will be an excellent way to get our young 4-Hers started in animal husbandry. Please Note: Although visual identification of the animal is not required, the office requires that the animals are entered by July 7th so pens can be assigned. Animals not entered by July 7th will not be allowed to be penned or shown at the fair.
GET PUMPED ABOUT PUMPKINS !!
We have a fun pumpkin project to add to your garden. Stop in the office to pick up a packet of seed which includes white pumpkins (Valenciano) and orange pumpkins (Orange Smoothie). This fall a pumpkin painting workshop will be held to decorate them. Plant the seeds, then watch for more details in future newsletters.
GET CONNECTED TO A CAREER!!
Many 4-H projects have a direct or indirect tie to a career choice. Stop by the Extension Office and ask about the 4-H Connection. See how careers can begin their development as early as your projects begin. We can show you the link between YOUR 4-H projects and careers such as Information Technology, Agriculture, Finance, Natural Resources and Health Sciences to name just a few. There are many careers that can begin as a career plan in your life through the decisions you make in 4-H.
4-H Gets You Connected!!
4-H, your first class at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
HORTICULTURE CONTEST 2008
The Horticulture Contest, along with the tree and grass/weed contests, will be moved back to the State Fair and will be held on Saturday, August 30th. Specific location and time details will follow once they are finalized.
The horticulture contest will be plant identification only. A new plant list along with a study guide can be found at http://www.agronomy.unl.edu/newoutreach/youthprograms.html. The new plant list contains plants that are commonly used/sold in Nebraska. Eighty plants will be selected from this list.
Top four place winners in the horticulture contest will have the opportunity to participate in a proposed horticultural education trip during the summer of 2009. This trip is tentatively replacing the late fall trip from previous years.
A new online horticulture contest will be available. This is just an extra contest and will have no impact on the state horticulture contest. The plant list will be the same for this online contest which will be open from July 7-13th. A link to access this contest will become available closer to the date.
Special Horticulture and Crops Projects
We have a couple of fun projects lined up for this year. Back, due to popular demand, is the "Tall Corn" project. We will provide the tall corn seed, and it's up to you to plant the seed and nurture the crop. Let's see who can grow the tallest corn.
The other project is the "Upside Down Tomato" project. How well can you make a tomato grow upside down? We will provide the protocol and data sheet. You will provide a tomato seedling, a plastic bucket with lid and potting soil. This promises to be a lot of fun and educational too!
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Two contests are held on June 20 – Favorite Foods Revue and Ice Cream Roll. Both are a lot of fun, and are opportunities to demonstrate what you know and to learn new skills. A 4-H member in Pawnee County developed a digital story about the Favorite Foods Revue. You can see it at: http://pawneecounty.unl.edu/4h/knowhowknownow/photostory2.wmv. Anyone enrolled in a foods project is welcome to enter.
The Ice Cream Roll is for anyone in the Road to Good Cooking project. Here’s what you do:
* Bring your ingredients, measuring tools and coffee cans.
* You will mix your ice cream while a judge is watching. She will be looking for your measuring skills, mixing skills and food safety practices.
* Adult helpers will help you pack your cans with ice and salt (both are provided).
* You and a friend or parent will roll the ice cream.
* Adult helpers will assist as you open the can, stir down, and re-pack for a second roll.
* Roll ice cream until set.
* Take ice cream to the judge for a taste test.
* Enjoy!!
LIFE CHALLENGE EVENT
Life Challenge is the Family Consumer Science judging contest! Here is how it works: Anyone over 12 years 4-H age may participate in the state Life Challenge Event, June 30 - July 1, in Lincoln. Contact the Extension Office by June 2nd if interested. We will practice for the competition. It’s a lot of fun!
PREMIER ANIMAL SCIENCE EVENT (PASE)
PASE runs concurrently with the Life Challenge Event and begins June 29th with a Quiz Bowl Contest and concludes July 1st with the Livestock Judging Contest. The events include meats, poultry and dairy judging plus a Livestock Skill-a-thon. If interested, please contact our office as soon as possible, and we will help plan things at that time.
4-H COMMUNICATIONS PILOT
New “Express Yourself” Curriculum
Nebraska 4-H introduces a NEW 4-H Communications Project “Express Yourself”. It is designed to provide opportunities for youth to experience the impact of communication in their daily lives and to raise awareness of different forms of communication. There are 3 levels which target specific ages: Level 1 - Picking Up the Pieces (ages 8-10), Level 2 - Putting It Together (ages 11-13) and Level 3 - The Perfect Fit (ages 14-18). Contact the County Extension Office for more project information.
4-H STATE OUTDOOR ARCHERY TOURNAMENT. . . will be hosted by the Seward County Target Hunters 4-H Club and held at the Seward Izaak Walton Range on June 7th and 8th. Registration for the 3-D shoot on Saturday will be between 8 am and 2 pm. The outdoor target shoot registration begins at 8 am and shooting begins at 9 am. A picnic supper will be held on Saturday evening for all shooters and their families at the Seward Co. Fairgrounds inside the 4-H Center. Starting time for the supper will be posted at the 3-D shoot. For additional information, you can contact Crystal at 402-795-6010 or Tammy at 402-643-2981/tstuhr2@unl.edu.
ZIGGADEE DAY 2008
UNL Extension-Fillmore County and Fillmore County 4-H are sponsoring the 2008 Ziggadee Day for kids 7 & up on Thursday, June 19th from 9:00 am to noon. Registration will begin at 8:45 at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva. Within this fun-packed and educational morning, kids will discover the wonders of lemons at the “Ziggadee Lemonade Stand!” Cost of this event is $5.00. Registration forms can be obtained at the Extension office or online at www.fillmore.unl.edu. Forms and fees are due to the Extension office by June 13th.
ROBOTICS AND GPS/GIS CAMP
Middle School students are invited to attend a Science, Engineering & Technology Camp this summer. These camps are scheduled for Lincoln, Chadron, Grand Island and Ord during June and July. These "Get Lost" camps will cover basics in robotics, GPS, GIS and aerial photography. Lincoln and Chadron camps are "overnight camps" and the Grand Island and Ord Camps are "day-camps" from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.
For more information, costs and registration details visit the Nebraska 4-H Robotics website: http://4hset.unl.edu/itest/camp.php. Space is limited and camps will fill on a first come, first serve basis. Limited scholarships are available.
NEBRASKA STATEWIDE ARBORETUM 2008 PHOTO CONTEST
Capture the beauty of Nebraska and enter the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum photo contest. The theme for this year is “landscapes”. Landscapes are known as natural areas ornamented by altering the plant cover or as a picture representing a view of natural inland scenery.
Twelve images that best display the seasonal landscape of an affiliate site will be compiled into a calendar and may appear in other NSA publications and displays. Each winner will receive five copies of the calendar and a tree seedling from NSA. Winners will be honored at a special reception in November 2008.
Mail entries and forms to: Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska, PO Box 830715, Lincoln, NE 68583-0715 or email entries and forms to: mailto:kjensen2@unlnotes.unl.edu. Rules and entry forms can also be found on the NSA Web site at http://arboretum.unl.edu. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, September 12, 2008.
PARENTAL EQUATION
4-H + Parental Involvement = Successful 4-H Experience
Parental involvement is a key element to a successful 4-H experience. It provides a base of support and expands the potential for interesting and exciting learning opportunities.
Life skills learned through the 4-H experience benefit youth for many, many years. Life skills give youth the ability to succeed in . . . Life!! The focus on family and community make 4-H a valuable tool for teaching youth to become volunteers and strong supporters of the communities in which they live.
Parents - “You impact a generation by impacting one!!” Lend the youth and club leaders your time and talents. It’s time well spent. Thank you!!
2008 FCS WEB QUIZ
Do you like computers? Are you between the ages of 8 and 12? If so, the Family and Consumer Science Web Quiz is just right for you. This quiz lets you find out how much you know about preparing food, babysitting and helping with the laundry. Before you take the quiz, you might want to look at these manuals: Six Easy Bites
Road to Good Cooking
Attention Shoppers
Growing On My Own
Citizen Safety
Youth in Motion
Find the quiz on the 4-H Website (4h.unl.edu), click on “4-Kids”. Scroll down and click on the picture that has the caption “Family and Consumer Science” and then click on 2008 FCS Quiz. Register and then take the quiz !! Your answers will be graded right away, and you will be able to find out how you did on the quiz !! You will receive a ribbon and certificate from the Extension Office. If you have any questions, please call the office at 694-6174.
2008 PLANT IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP
This workshop will be hosted by The Nature Conservancy, June 17th and August 19th from 9:00 - 4:00 pm. The workshops will be open to anyone, and there is no cost. Please fill out a registration form and return by May 26th, 2008. You will get more details on the workshop once they have received the registration form. The workshops will take place at The Nature Conservancy’s Derr house and surrounding properties (south of Wood River, NE).
PLEASE NOTE: The workshop will be conducted in a rotation format meaning that participants are free to come and go as they like. Field trips will be scheduled throughout the day, as well as interactive plant identification tables, a class on keying plants and a discussion on restoration/management.
Plants from these categories will be focused on: Prairie plants, wetland plants, invasive species and others. Lunch will be on your own, feel free to bring a sack lunch. Drinks will be provided. If you have any questions, you may contact Mardell Jasnowski at 694-4191.
2008 NATIONAL 4-H INVITATION SHOOTING SPORTS MATCH
REMEMBER . . . . that Nebraska is hosting the 2008 National 4-H Invitational Shooting Sports Match at the Heartland Public Shooting Park and Events Center in Grand Island on June 23-25, 2008. This event involves 4-H youth from across the nation competing in Archery, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzle loading and Hunting skills. For more information and schedule, you can go to the website: http://shootingsports.unl.edu/index.html.
