March 2019

Dates to Remember: March 8 – Companion Animal Challenge Registration Deadline March 11 – Deadline to register for Youth Poultry Judging Clinic March 15 – Entry Deadline for Youth Corn Challenge March 31 – Power of Youth Community Service Program entry deadline April 4 – Deadline to sign up for 4-H Presentation Contest – call Ext. Office 374-2929 April 15 – Entry Deadline for all Market Beef Animals April 22 – Noon Deadline to register for Speech & PSA Contest, Call 402-374-2929 May 10 – District and State Horse Entry Deadline & Level Testing Completed for those entries May 30 – Early Deadline to sign up for Northeast Nebraska 4-H Horse Show, near Homer

Calendar of Events: March 3-9 – Burt County 4-H Week – Get out there and share your 4-H story! March 6 – Companion Animal & Wildlife Career Day (high school students), UNL March 10 – YQCA Training, First Northeast Bank of Nebraska, Tekamah 7:00 p.m. March 18 & 19 – 4-H Speech, PSA and Presentation Contest help sessions, Lyons & Tekamah March 16 – Youth Poultry Judging Clinic, UNL March 24 – East Oaks Pancake Feed, Vet’s Building, Oakland 9:00-12:00 Everyone welcome! March 30 – 4-H Horse Stampede, UNL Animal Science Complex, Lincoln March 30 – 4-H Companion Animal Challenge, Animal Science Complex, Lincoln April 6 – Burt County Beef Preview, Burt County Fairgrounds, Oakland April 6 – 4-H Presentation Contest, Craig Fire Hall 1:00 p.m.-? April 7 – YQCA Training, Craig Fire hall, 4:00 p.m. April 19 – YQCA Training, Lyons-Decatur Ag Building, Lyons 9:00 a.m. April 22 – 4-H Speech and PSA Contest, Presbyterian Church, Tekamah, 6:30 p.m. April 27 – Youth Spring Rabbit Show, Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln May 29 & 30 – Model Rocket Workshop, 4-H Kitchen, Oakland 9:00-11:00 am June 25 & 26- Model Rocket Launch training and Fair Preparation, 6:30 pm at Oakland-Craig Football Field. June 3 – YQCA Training, Courthouse Meeting Room, Tekamah 1:30 p.m. June 5 – Northeast Nebraska 4-H Horse Show, near Homer June 14 – YQCA Training, Courthouse Meeting Room, Tekamah, 1:30 p.m. July 14-18 – State 4-H Horse Show, Grand Island July 19-23 – Burt County Fair Dates! Start planning for a great fair!

4-H Opportunities It’s Burt County 4-H Week! Burt County 4-H Week is March 3-9! Hopefully our wonderful clubs and individual members have made plans to celebrate and promote 4-H especially this week. In the past 4-H members have taken the opportunity to talk about 4-H and their projects in class, bring treats to school or just make a special effort to wear their 4-H t-shirts. The 4-H Council requested some 4-H promotion fliers to hand out at school. If you want to help distribute them, please give Mary a call at 402-374-2929.

Thanks from the Burt County Fair Foundation! It’s always great to have our Burt County 4-H Clubs, their members, leaders and families support the Burt County Fair and the Foundation that supports it. You really did a super job this year! 4-H Clubs taking part donating items or decorating/supplementing a crock were Argo, Burt’s Best, Burt County Bronco’s, Clever Clovers, Clover Stars, East Oaks, and Logan Valley Clovers 4-H Clubs. Way to go!! In addition, the Burt County 4-H Council donated $100 gift certificate for the 4-H Kitchen and two Front of the Line Passes for the 4-H Kitchen. Profit from these items was $860. Thanks!

FLAT HERBIE

This year there will be a new promotion opportunity for our 4-H members. In conjunction with the 150th celebration of the start of the University of Nebraska (officially February 15), Extension across the state has been challenged to promote the state of Nebraska by taking part in the “Flat Herbie Husker” promotion during 2019. The impact of the University of Nebraska is everywhere and Flat Herbie wants to be there too! Stop by the Nebraska Extension Office at 111 North 13th Street,

Tekamah to get your Flat Herbie, or print your own at: https://www.huskeralum.org/s/1620/images/editor_documents/membership/flat_herbie.pdf

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO Your Flat Herbie is ready to take on the world. Cut out Herbie and take him on your next adventure whether it be near or far, then snap a picture and upload it to your social media channels with #huskeralum or email us at alumni@huskeralum.org Let the adventures begin! Of course, Burt County wants to know what you are doing so please email mloftis2@unl.edu with your picture too! ATTENTION! The first 12 different Burt County photos submitted and emailed to Mary Loftis beginning March 3rd will receive a special prize!

DATE CHANGE Presentation Contest and Speech Contest & Workshops

Start making plans for the 4-H Presentation Contest, which will be early this year. At the 4-H Planning meeting, it was decided to move the contest away from the Clothing and Fashion Show judging before fair to a hopefully less busy day. The contest date has now changed to April 6 and it will be in the Craig Fire Hall beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The 4-H Speech and P.S.A. contest remains the Monday after Easter, which this year is April 22. It will be at the Tekamah Presbyterian Church beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is April 4 for the Presentation Contest and no later than noon the day of the speech/PSA contest. Early registrations are appreciated so additional judges can be hired if needed.

Workshops to help 4-H members get started or to polish their presentation, speech and/or PSA will be held two days. These are also changed dates: March 18 in Lyons at the First Northeast Bank of Nebraska beginning at 5:00 p.m. and March 19 in Tekamah in the Courthouse meeting room beginning at 3:30 p.m. Call to sign up yourself a one-on-one appointment for a help session, or if no one signs up, I won’t be there either! If neither of these dates work in your schedule, please call Mary at 402-374-2929 and we’ll make other arrangements.

4-H Snow (or Snowless) Sculpture Contest: There is NO excuse not to make a 4-H snow sculpture this year! They say to “Make hay while the sun shines” and now you need to “Make snow sculptures before the snow shrinks!”

4-H members and clubs are reminded they can make and enter a 4-H Snow (or Snowless) Sculpture any time between now and March 18. Make sure you promote 4-H with your sculpture and try to locate it where it can do it’s 4-H promotion job best. Take a picture of it with you and/or your 4-H Club and email it to Mary Loftis at mloftis2@unl.edu. The 4-H Council is always generous with their support and offer individual, small group and club categories and entries are available in the following classes: 1. Greenest; 2. Best Message and 3. Most Creative. Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity to promote 4-H and earn a little cash for yourself and/or your 4-H club! You can enter as an individual, small group

Ice Cream Buckets Needed:

I know it may not be “Ice Cream Season” for many of you, but some of us ALWAYS like ice cream! Either way, if you or others accumulate ice cream buckets with lids, we would appreciate you saving them for the 4-H Kitchen (and possibly a 4-H workshop.) You can bring them to the Extension Office whenever you come to Tekamah. Thanks!

Pop tabs: Keep saving those too! We collect them year round for the Ronald McDonald House!

Pavilion Bench Plaque Donation If you’re looking for a way to make your mark on the Burt County Fairgrounds, look no further! The Burt County Fair Foundation is expanding the open-air pavilion on the fairgrounds and they are in need of sturdy benches for the addition (similar to the ones outside the Bill Larson Building on the Fairgrounds). Individuals, families, businesses and 4-H and FFA groups are welcome to purchase a

plaque for $250. This will purchase about one fourth of a bench so there will be several plaques on each bench. The plaques are 8”x6” and can consist of up to 100 words and/or artwork.

Order forms are available in the Extension Office and they can be mailed along with a check made out to Burt County Fair Foundation to Jason Penke, 1381 Co Rd 21, Craig, NE 68019 or email your plaque information and logo to jason.penke@cvacoop.com Don’t miss out on this opportunity to improve the Burt County Fairgrounds.

East Oaks Pancake Feed Put Sunday, March 24 on your calendar and enjoy freshly made pancakes with all the fixings courtesy of the East Oaks 4-H Club. The event will be in Oakland at the Vet’s Building from 9:00-12:00. Come for breakfast or brunch and help support this great 4-H group!

2019 4-H Council Members and Committees: If you’d like to know who is representing you on the Burt County 4-H Council, here is our list of Wonderful Volunteers. If you have comments or suggestions for the 4-H program or would like to be on the Council in the future please let one of them know or contact the Burt County Extension Office at 402-374-2929. Thanks!

I Julie Brehmer P.O. Box 472 Lyons 68038 ----------- 404-0807 2021 (1st) I Steve Schlichting 625 Logan Lyons 68038 687.2759 838-9001 2020 (1st) II Heather Klausen 438 23rd Road W. Point 68788 ------------ 640-2668 2020 (1st) II Henry Unwin 1790 CR H Craig 68019 ------------ 870.0821 2019 (2nd) III Alana Pearson 1341 CR E Craig 68019 377.2018 380.4552 2021 (2nd) IV Laura McElmuray 3510 CR K Tekamah 68061 (641) 590-5098 2021 (1st) IV Renee Stammer P.O. Box 201 Decatur 68020 349-5485 870-1159 2019 (2nd) V Allison Jones 1103 P Street Tekamah 68061 ------------- 870-0570 2021 (1st) V Jodi Hansen 19211 CR 15 Herman 68029 456.7865 533.0656 2019 (2nd) V Carrie Braniff 944 Hwy 75 Tekamah 68061 374-2616 838-9044 2020 (1st) (Adult members on the Burt County 4-H Council represent the township they live in (or the most adjacent township if they live outside Burt County. They may serve two 3-year terms.) I - Logan & Everett Townships II - Oakland & Bell Creek Townships III - Pershing & Craig Townships IV - Decatur, Quinnebaugh, Silver Creek, Riverside & Arizona Townships (excluding Tekamah) V - Summit Township & portion of Tekamah not in Summit Township Youth members may come from any ______Members Address _ City Zip Phone Cell_____ Term Ends Brayden Anderson Lyons 68038 2020 (1st) Jadyn Fleischman Herman 68029 2020 (1st) Cody Bachtell Tekamah 68061 2019 (1st) Gavin Enstrom Craig 68019 2019 (1st) Greta Lindberg Tekamah 68061 2020 (1st) Rayna Hladky Tekamah 68061 2019 (1st) (Youth members on the Burt County 4-H Council may serve two 2-year terms.)

4-H Council Committees 4-H Road Signs – Jodi Hansen, Alana Pearson 4-H Kitchen – Henry Unwin, Alana Pearson, Carrie Braniff 4-H/FFA Olympics – Henry Unwin, Steve Schlichting, Laura McElmuray, Cody Bachtell Tuesday Waterslide Food – Jodi Hansen, Jadyn Fleischman, Greta Lindberg, Brayden Anderson, Renee Stammer Recognition/Kickoff Event– Laura McElmuray, Allison Jones, Gavin Enstrom, Rayna Hladky Scholarships – Alana Pearson, Heather Klausen, Julie Brehmer

Special Garden Project The Special Garden Project is a way to offer 4-H members the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their garden. This year, the Special Garden Project is focused on unique Carmine Splendor Okra. Okra is as unique as it is tasty. This plant is high yielding and produces uniform, red pods. The stout 5-pointed pods are deep red when small and at the best eating quality. The tropical-looking, pinkish flowers are also edible and have a sweet, mild

flavor. The mature seedpods also give a fun twist for winter interest in a container. Make sure to enroll for the Special Garden Project through 4-H Online. Once enrolled, contact the Extension Office to get your name down for seeds. The 4-H Council sponsors this project and purchases the seeds if you sign up. The first 10 to call get seeds!

Tractor Safety Training Required by Law for Teen Farm/Ranch Workers Any youth 14 or 15 and working for a farmer other than their immediate family are required to be certified before they can operate a tractor for their employer. It is not legal for any youth 13 or younger to operate a tractor for anyone other than their immediate family. To become certified, youth will need to attend a two-day class. The closest location is on the Fairgrounds in Wayne on June 20 & 21. The course will also be offered at 11 other locations across Nebraska. To see the other locations where the course will be offered, print off a

registration form, or for more information, go to: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/kearney/tractor-safety-courses-offered-0/. The cost of the course is $60, which includes educational materials, instruction, supplies, and lunches.

Summer Camp Brochures Available Online: If you are interested in checking out your options for attending 4-H Camp this summer, the official 4-H Camp fliers are available online and now they are in our office! There is a change this year with most camps at the Eastern NE 4-H Center near Gretna being a series of “day camps” with no overnight stay. Some camps have a one-night stay as optional. Camps at the State 4-H Camp near Halsey offer overnight camps. Both locations offer camps filled with fun, educational and leadership inspiring activities. Check them out at: https://4h.unl.edu/camps

NEW CAMP ADDITION - Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center Now Offering Adventure Day Camp Saturday June 15, 2019 10AM – 4PM Ages 6-12. Cost: $35 per person. One adult meal is included per child registration. Adult chaperones are encouraged to attend, but are not required. Introduce your camper to just how fun 4-H Camp can be! This camp lets

you indulge in your adventurous side! Wildlife experts join us with a live animal demonstration where we will get up close and personal with some cool wild animals. Then we will head to Schramm Park where you will get a choice between exploring the NEW Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium’s interactive exhibits or try your hand at canoeing and fishing on the ponds.

After a YUMMY Lunch- make sure you pack your swimsuit because in the afternoon you will be making a splash during our water party and taking trips down our GIANT Waterside! Here is the direct link to register!

http://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=381&campCode=4hc&idSession=220249.

2019 Pick Your Project Now Available The Pick Your Project, available at http://4hcurriculum.unl.edu, has been updated for the 2019 program year. The printable, 2-page 2019 Nebraska 4-H Project Listing is now available! Using the web-based 2019 Pick Your Project, users will be able to search for projects by keywords, curriculum areas, knowledge levels, and geographic levels. It is the intent that this feature will assist 4-H youth, volunteers and families with learning about the project opportunities using the Pick Your Project and then easily locating the same project in 4HOnline. Enhancements for the future of the web-based Pick Your Project are being focused upon and include integration with State and County Fairbooks!

4-H Online Enrollment Now is the time to enroll in 4-H this year! For the 2019 4-H Enrollment, 4-H members and leaders will not have past 4-H projects listed in the new enrollment system. However, if you want to review what a member or leader enrolled in the past as you identify and add projects for 2019 (2018-2019) follow the steps below:

GO TO: https://ne.4honline.com/ • Based on your profile – enter your email and password • Continue to Family BUTTON/ICON • Member Reports (Third Box Down) • Select - Member: Select Member (family member) • Select - Report: Member – Enrollment History • The system will download a report that you will need to OPEN. • This PDF document will include all of the past history of your family MEMBER. The history (if applicable) will include history since 2014-2015 which was the year that this online system was implemented state wide. Keep in mind - 4-H members are REQUIRED to be entered in the project by JUNE 1 if entering as a fair exhibit.

Farmfluencer Video Contest Does an industry that's been around for 10,000 years have a future for you? Farming is in a constant state of change. It’s evolving with innovation in technologies. With a rising population, agriculture faces new challenges every day. However, with new challenges come endless opportunities to reinvent the industry.

Farmfluencer is a global video competition, empowering youth (ages 16-24) and connecting them with farming. By making a two-minute video about the future of farming. You’ll get to share your point of view with the world and enter for a chance to win up to $5,000. Videos must be submitted between March 25 and April 24, 2019. Go to http://farmfluencer.com/ at the far bottom of the page click on Terms & Conditions for full details.

Farmfluencer is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience™ in partnership with 4-H and exists to educate and excite youth about the future of farming.

Power of Youth Challenge Apply now for the Power of Youth Challenge to create and lead service projects in your community. The Power of Youth Challenge invites you to bring positive change to your community by leading a local service project. You can make a difference and develop skills you can use now and in the future. It can be hard to find the time and resources to

volunteer. We are committed to empowering more young people like you have the support you need to be agents of change and create opportunities to do good in your community.

Through the Power of Youth Challenge you will receive coaching and support as you develop your project. Every team that signs up will have access to financial support in the form of mini grants of up to $250. The amount of each grant will be determined by project needs.

Those who apply and complete their projects will be eligible for an accelerator grant of up to $5,000 to grow their project over the next year.

To be eligible for the program, organizations must meet the following criteria: • All young people ages 13 – 18 who want to improve their communities are eligible to apply. • Project teams are encouraged and should be made up of at least 3 young people. • Participants must agree to report on project progress and reflect on your project’s impact.

Apply now by going to: https://www.americaspromise.org/program-page/power-youth-challenge

March 31, 2019 Application Deadline

June 2019 Power of Youth Accelerator Challenge

Sign up for the Power of Youth Challenge • Identify an issue in your community and learn more about it • Start planning your project with your team • Build a budget to implement your project

• Apply for a grant for up to $250 to make it happen

• Track your results and impact • Tell your story to a larger community who

are also making their communities better

Animal News

Youth Spring Rabbit Show, April 27 The 4-H Spring Rabbit Show will be held Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. at the Lancaster Event Center – Exhibit Hall in Lincoln, NE. Open to all youth ages 8–18. Register that day at the door from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Show flyer can be found at: https://lancaster.unl.edu/…/documents/RabbitShowSpring19.pdf For more information, call Bob at 402-525-8263 or the Lancaster County Extension office at 402-441-7180.

Youth Quality Care of Animals Training It’s time to start thinking about completing your YQCA training for the year.

There is an online enrollment for the training, but 4-H members should be enrolled in 4-H before they enroll in the YQCA Training. Make sure you do this a little early so you get the 4-H enrollment accepted email from Sharon so you can proceed.

When you are signing up for the training make sure you select the correct training date for 2019 as last year’s classes are still listed and I can’t get them deleted.

Anyone may attend any of these training sessions, but many of them are planned as part of a club meeting. Guests may take the training and leave if they wish…or they are welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting! Here are the dates I’ve got on my calendar so far: March 10, Burt’s Best 4-H Club meeting, First Northeast Bank of Nebraska - Tekamah 7:00 p.m. April 7, Argo 4-H Club, Craig Fire Hall 4:00 p.m. April 19, Logan Valley Clovers, Lyons-Decatur High School Ag Building, Lyons 9:00 a.m. June 3, Burt County Courthouse Meeting Room, Tekamah 1:30 June 14, Burt County Courthouse Meeting Room, Tekamah 1:30 Enroll in 4-H online first at: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll Then enroll for the course through LearnGrow at: https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login Click on the blue 4-H Online Enrollment button – select Nebraska 4-H Youth Development and you’ll be at the login page for your family. Pick the 4-H age of the member enrolling in the class, select the correct face-to-face class and then pay the $3.00/4-H member. Repeat these steps to get all family members enrolled. Members may choose to do the on-line video training, (and post 4-H age FFA members will need to do that) but it will cost each member $12.00. There is a test out option, but it doesn’t save you any money ($12/year) and you can only attempt to take the test once each year.

Burt County Beef Preview, April 6 If you’re itching to get into the show ring, but don’t want to travel a long ways to get started, here is your chance! The Burt County Beef Preview will be held for the 18th Year at the Burt County Fairgrounds in Oakland. The Show will be Saturday, April 6 and you can save money if you pre-enter before

April 1. All show information and registration forms are on the www.burt.unl.edu website. For more information contact Mike Nissen (402-80-2772,

Todd Cull (402-380-8245 or Chris Carlson at 402-870-0077.

4-H Companion Animal Challenge: The Companion Animal Challenge is a set of contests for youth interested in companion animals. These contests are animal-less and test youths knowledge about companion animals. New this year to the contest are a Cat Skillathon and an essay contest. 4-H youth ages 10-18 are invited to participate.

• The 4-H Companion Animal Challenge will be Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Animal Science Complex.

• Contests include: Demonstration Contest, Dog Skillathon Contest, Cat Skillathon Contest, Essay Contest, Art Contest, and Photography Contest.

• This event allows youth to apply their companion animal knowledge, but does not require them to have an animal!

• It will be held the same day as the 4-H Horse Stampede so that youth can compete in both events if they choose. We will ensure there are not schedule conflicts.

• Entries are due to Lincoln by March 8, 2019. • For more information and registration forms: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal/challenge • Questions? Contact: Dr. Lisa Karr (lisa.karr@unl.edu)

UNL Companion Animal & Wildlife Career Day The Department of Animal Science & the School of Natural Resources will be

hosting their Companion Animal & Wildlife Career Day on March 6th.

This event is open to students interested in learning more about careers and majors in these industries. Youth can register via this link: https://form.jotform.com/82485871237163

Once registered, they will receive a detailed schedule and parking information. Space is limited to 50 participants. Schedule:

• Check-in: 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

• Overview: 9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

• Animal Science Sessions: 9:50 - 11:15

• Lunch & Career Panel: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

• Wildlife Sessions: 12:50 - 1:55 p.m.

• Wrap-up: 2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Youth Poultry Judging Clinic Again this year, Dr. Sheila Purdum and Extension Educator Brett Kreifels are hosting a poultry judging clinic at UNL's Animal Science Building on March 16th beginning at 10:00 a.m. This clinic is meant to introduce 4-H member's to 4-H Poultry Judging which will also prepare them for PASE in June. Topics include:

• Laying hen past production evaluation • Egg grading and candling • Carcass grading

• Product identification • Quiz bowl event during lunch • Mock contest after lunch

$10 registration fee and registration form (available in the office) are due March 11 and should be mailed to: Dr. Sheila Purdum, C206j Animal Science Building, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583

Market Beef Weighing The official Burt County Market Beef Weigh Day was held in January, but you can still tag and identify market beef animals. The deadline is April 15 – no exceptions to get your ID sheets in the extension office. If you want to collect DNA for animals to be eligible to exhibit at State Fair and AKSARBEN.

(Exhibitors still must complete information online by April 15 to show at State Fair or AKSARBEN!)

It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to eartag their project animals and complete and ID sheet, and to collect DNA if they want to be eligible to exhibit at State Fair or AKSARBEN. All of this, regardless of where an animal will be shown, MUST be completed by April 15, 2019, or they are ineligible to show!

3rd Annual Tack Swap and Fun Run Jackpot Barrel Race:

If you’re looking for a great way to spend the day and possibly pick up (or sell) some tack, check out the Tack Swap and Fun Run Jackpot Barrel Race. It will be held Sunday, March 24, 2019 10 AM – 4 PM at the Merrick County Youth & Agricultural Center, Merrick County Fairgrounds, 1784 Fairgrounds Road, Central City, NE 68826 Shop the Swap! New & Used Tack, Saddles, Boots Western Wear, Western Décor Plus!

Chase the Cans! Indoor arena opens 10 AM, Exhibition Runs at 11 AM ~ $5 per run or 3 for $10 Race starts at Noon ~ Three Age Divisions! Youth 8 - 13 $13, Teen 14 - 18 $18, OPEN 8 & Over $25 Straight pay 4 places, 70% Payback, No Carryover Times Entry/Waiver forms available at arena

Vendors Reserve Your Booth Space *10’ x 10’ Booth $30 *10’ x 20’ Booth $50 All Vendors MUST sign a contract/liability waiver. Fee MUST be paid at time of booking. Credit Cards Accepted. No commissions on vendor sales. Set up times available: Saturday, March 23rd, 6 – 8 PM, Sunday 7 – 10 AM, Doors OPEN at 10 AM. Contact Sherry @ 308-624-0011 to reserve your booth! siwinski@hamilton.net Fundraiser for the Platte River Riders 4-H Horse Club

Northeast Nebraska 4-H Horse Show Make plans to attend the Northeast Nebraska 4-H Horse Show on June 5 starting at 4:00 pm. The show will be at the Ridge Ranch Arena (Ray and Dorla Hermelbracht) near Homer, Nebraska. This show will have clinic like atmosphere with one on one interaction with the judge and ribbons will be awarded to all riders. Roping and working ranch classes will begin at 4:00 pm with pleasure, horsemanship, reining, pole bending and barrel racing starting at 5:30 pm. A

pre-registration fee of $10 per horse and rider and $5 for the roping and working ranch horse events is due by May 30th. Registrations will be taken the day of the show at $15 per horse and rider and $10 for the roping and working ranch horse events. For more information or a registration forms go to https://go.unl.edu/9nyj or contact the Nebraska Extension in Thurston County at 402-385-6041.

2019 Nebraska District 4-H Horse Show Dates and Sites

• June 10 - Bloomfield • June 11- Elkhorn • June 12- Ord • June 13- Ogallala • June 14- McCook

All entries are due to the county office by May 10, 2019. All Level testing required for participation in the 2019 district 4-H Horse Show MUST be completed by May 10, 2019. All entries for the State Horse Show must be mailed by May 10, 2019. These include Showmanship, Halter, All Cattle Classes, Hunter Hack, Dressage, Advanced Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Pleasure and Horsemanship, Trail, 2 year old and 3 year old Western Pleasure and Working Ranch. 2019 State 4-H Horse Show, Fonner Park, Grand Island July 14-18, 2019

Sincerely,

John Wilson Carroll Welte Mary Loftis

NE Extension Educator NE Extension Educator NE Extension Associate

4-H Public Speaking Contest What would it take to make you feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group? For most people it takes practice and the 4-H Public Speaking Contest provides that opportunity for our 4-H members. 4-H’ers are encouraged to take part in both the speech and P.S.A. (Public Service Announcement) Divisions of the contest.

Monday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church in Tekamah

Pre-registration deadline: NOON, April 22nd, call Extension office: 402-374-2929

Put this day and date on your calendar and make plans to stretch your skills by giving a 4-H speech so you can proudly say, “I did it and I feel GREAT!”

Public Service Announcement (P.S.A.) Contest Info

What is a P.S.A.? Have you ever heard a commercial? Well, that is a Public Service Announcement

(P.S.A.) What we want you to do is give a 4-H commercial. Again this year there will be a state-wide theme which is: “Inspire Kids to Do”. You can go any direction with this thought, but in order to be considered for regional competition the P.S.A. needs to be on this topic. Keep your P.S.A. general so it could be used any time or anywhere in the state. (Don’t put our Extension Office number on it for example.) Sound effects and public domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be use.

All 4-H PSA’s must include the following tag line within the last ten seconds of the PSA: "Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu." The tag line is included in the 60 second time limit.

How do I give a P.S.A.? The great thing about P.S.A.’s is that you don’t need to memorize them. You can read them from a manuscript either standing or sitting at a microphone and you won’t even have to look at the judge because they will be facing the other direction! They will only be judging on how you give your P.S.A. (your voice, inflection, excitement, etc.) Sound effects and/or public domain music may be used for emphasis or background, but you need to be the one who brings all the equipment and you need to push the buttons to start and stop. Remember, PSA’s must end with

the following tag line: "Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu."

Bring a copy of your P.S.A. for the judge to review.

First Timers P.S.A. Pre-Written Script Division First time participants in the P.S.A. Contest may choose to use one of the pre-written P.S.A. scripts found on the back of this page. This gives you a chance to participate without having to actually write the P.S.A. A judge will write comments to help you improve your performance, but you will not actually be judged. Participants in the Pre-written Script Division will receive a $2.00 premium but will not be eligible for the special cash awards which are available to 4-H’ers writing an original P.S.A. This is an easy way to try out the contest. If you want to compete for special awards just enter the appropriate age division of the contest and write an original P.S.A.

P.S.A. Contest Rewards P.S.A. participants will receive $2.00 for participating in the contest, a comment sheet and a ribbon. Special cash awards will be given for the top two original P.S.A.’s in each age division. Age divisions are: Junior: 10 and under; Intermediate: 11-13 and Senior: ages 14 & over.

First Timer Public Service Announcement Pre-Written Scripts

You are permitted to alter the Pre-written P.S.A.’s to match your reading speed and pauses. If you have questions or need help call the Extension Office at 402- 374-2929. Script #1 - 60 seconds 3-2-1- Attention! Calling all couch potatoes! Are you feeling uninspired? Are you getting tired of reruns? Are your parents always telling you to get busy and do something? Well, get up off the couch and Inspire Kids to Do something good through 4-H! Figure out what you like to do to learn and grow, and even help your community! You’ll do things you never thought possible and you’ll become more responsible for yourself and your community. Have you ever participated in a community fund raiser? How about planning one to help someone else? Inspire Kids to Do just like you are doing through 4-H Community Service. Get up off that couch and get inspired yourself and learn how you can really make things happen! "Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu." This has been _____________(name) encouraging you to start Inspiring Kids to Do – just like YOU! Script #2 - 60 Seconds 3-2-1- Start discovering your dreams and Inspire Kids to Do! Through 4-H you could go to 4-H camp, travel to another state, or stay at home and program a robot! Imagine becoming a fashion designer, a chef, a zoologist or the president of your 4-H club and then president of…who knows? Nebraska Extension has more than 100 projects to help inspire kids like you to discover hidden talents. You can develop the responsibility you’ll need to be a successful adult. 4-H gives you the chance to expand what you already know, learn new skills and best of all develop your leadership skills so you are ready to Inspire other Kids to Do great things! "Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program

at 4h.unl.edu." This has been____________________________(your name) from the _______________________________4-H Club!

Speech Contest Information

Monday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, Tekamah

How Does the Speech Contest Work? The 4-H speech contest helps you develop confidence in your ability to speak in front of others. You learn to organize your thoughts and to share those thoughts with others. All speeches must relate in some way to 4-H. 4-H’ers may select any style of speech they would like (informative, persuasive, motivational, entertaining, or action.) 4-H public speakers may not use an old speech written by a sibling, other 4-H member, or anyone else. Acknowledge the source of information used in the speech. For example, an article from a magazine may be used for reference, but should not be quoted directly unless you tell the audience your source.

No visuals are permitted during this contest. This includes props or clothing used to develop the

character or posters (check into the 4-H Presentation contest if you want to use visuals.)

• Only Clover Kids, ages 5-7 may use prop(s) for their Show and Tell speech.

Pre-registration for the Speech Contest All 4-H speakers in either the P.S.A. and/or Speech divisions must pre-register for the contest by NOON the day of the contest, Monday, April 22. You will be dropped a ribbon placing if you are not pre-entered by this time. (Earlier registrations are appreciated in case more judges are needed.) Call the Extension Office (402-374-2929) with your name, age as of January 1, 2019, title of speech and/or if you are giving a P.S.A. Also let us know if it is the first time you have given a 4-H speech or P.S.A. The following chart should answer most of your questions about the contest, but give us a call if you’d like more information or if you need help with your speech. If you have a schedule conflict we can videotape your speech or PSA prior to the contest date.

Special Awards for Speech and P.S.A. Contest The top purple or blue ribbon speech and P.S.A. in Jr., Int. & Sr. divisions on pork (i.e. using pork products, lard, pigskin, raising hogs, etc.) will win special $10 cash awards from the Burt County Pork Producers. Structure your speeches and P.S.A.’s on pork! The Champion and Reserve Champion speakers in each age division of the speech contest win a trophy and camp scholarships or activity vouchers.

Division

Ages

Speech

Length

Speech

Topic

PSA

Division

PSA

Topic

PSA

Length

Awards

District

Competitio

n

Clover Kids 5-7

1-3

Minutes or

less

Show & Tell

Prop(s)

allowed

here only

No None None - $2 premium

- Clover Kid Ribbon No

Junior 8 - 10 1 - 3

minutes

4-H

Related Yes

Inspire Kids

to Do

60

seconds

- $2 premium PSA

- $5 premium

speech

- Cash Awards-PSA

- Trophies/Camp

Scholarships

P.S.A. &

Speech

Intermediate 11 - 13 3 - 5

minutes

4-H

Related Yes

Inspire Kids

to Do 60

seconds

- $2 premium PSA

- $5 premium

speech

- Cash Awards-PSA

- Trophies/Camp

Scholarships

P.S.A. &

Speech

Senior

14 - 18

5 - 8

minutes

4-H

Related

Yes

Inspire Kids

to Do

60

seconds

- $2 premium PSA

- $5 premium

speech

- Cash Awards-PSA

- Trophies

- Activity Vouchers

P.S.A. &

Speech