4-H enrollment - Remember you can check your project enrollment online. Make sure you haven’t missed any projects you want to try. Last date to double check is May 1st.

Dakota~Thurston Fairbook— is in the editing process. Completion date will be on or before March 31st. The State fairbook is complete and online.

Scrap Computer & Electronics Collection - Thursday, April 11th USDA Service Center in Dakota City 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. Call (402)494-4949 for more information.

Workshops—Camps—Clinics - Want to learn more about your animal or livestock projects: Want to attend a summer camp experience? Check out the wide variety of activities across the state at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/4-HCamps/

ALL CONTEST DAY IS COMING SOON!

All Contest day is March 23rd at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson. Visit: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/contest/ for more information. Deadline to register is March 15th. Please contact Tammy to register 402-987-2140 or tpeterson3@unl.edu

March 2019 4-H In Focus

BAKE & TAKE MONTH March is Bake & Take month, a time when wheat organizations encourage others to bake a wheat good and share it with family, friends, neighbors and shut-ins. In honor of the month, the Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB) is again sponsoring recipe cards and stickers for any 4-H groups or other organizations that wish to participate. This year’s recipes are sweet and salty oreos and fruit pizza. Those interested in participating or who have questions can contact the NWB office at (402) 471-2358 or wheat.board@nebraska.gov. There is no cost for the supplies, and no limit on them number that can be requested. Those wishing to preview the recipes before requesting materials can find them listed on our website homepage (wheat.nebraska.gov) . Recipe cards are available at the Dakota County Extension Office.

Public Speaking

Presenta on

Favorite Foods

Music

4-H IN FOCUS Page 2

4-H Makerspace

MAKERSPACE SATURDAYS

Sewing Saturday-Faux Chenille Pillow

Saturday, March 16, 2019

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Dakota County Extension Office

Cost: $15

Supplies Needed: Must bring a sewing machine. 1 ¼ yard of printed fabric for the top of the pillow; 2/3 yard for the back; thread; basic sewing supplies; and 18” pillow form.

Class Description: Participants will learn how to make a faux chenille pillow cover using a sewing machine and chenille cutter tools.

Reverse Canvas

Saturday, March 30, 2019

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Dixon County Extension Office

Cost: $20

Supplies Needed: 8” x 10” canvas

Class Description: Are you ready to try a vinyl cutter to make reverse canvas wall art while using the elements and principles of design.

Computer Science: SCRATCH & Makey Makey

Saturday, April 13, 2019

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Dakota County Extension Office

Cost: $20

Supplies Needed: None

Class Description: Participants will learn about Scratch and Makey Makey programming to produce a video about what they have learned from the experience.

Photography

Saturday, April 27, 2019

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Dixon County Extension Office

Cost: $15

Supplies Needed: Must have a camera

Project Focused on Photography

Class Description: Participants will learn how to enhance their photography skills.

4-H IN FOCUS Page 3

Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance certification through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. Requirements

YQCA certification is required for all 4-H members enrolled in any of the following projects:

Beef, Dairy Cattle, Goat, Poultry, Rabbit. Sheep , Swine

Annual Training

Nebraska 4-H members ages 8-18, who are enrolled in any of the livestock projects listed above are required to participate in an annual YQCA training. Annual training requirements may be satisfied by completing either an online web-based training course or a face-to-face instructor-led training course. Web-Based Training Web-based annual training is available through the YQCA learning management system. The online YQCA course costs $12 per individual regardless of age. Please see the YQCA Login & Course Completion Instructions for more information. Face-to-Face Training Face-to-Face YQCA training is also available to satisfy annual training requirements. Please note that these training courses must be facilitated by a YQCA Certified Instructor. In-person YQCA training courses cost $3 per individual regardless of age. To find instructor-led training courses in your area, please contact your local Extension office.

Testing Out Test-out options are only available to youth in the first year of Intermediate (age 12) and Senior (age 15) age levels. There is no test-out option for Juniors. If passed, youth will not be required to complete the annual training requirements for the remainder of their current age level (Intermediates: 12-14; Seniors: 15-18). Each test consists of 50 randomly selected questions and has a pass rate of 80% or better for certification.

Participants will have only one chance to take the test-out option. If youth fail, they will not be provided another opportunity to test out of that age level. Participants who do not pass will be prompted to take the instructor-led training or web-based training annually.

If the youth passes, payment for the completed test-out course will be required after the completion of the test. No payment is required to attempt the test. Test-out costs are:

Intermediate: $36 ($12 x 3 years of certification)

Senior: $48 ($12 x 4 years of certification).

If passed, youth will receive access to online modules that correspond with the age levels, found on the user's "My Library" page.

Deadlines The deadline to complete the annual YQCA training or to test out of annual training is June 15th. Please check your local county information to

4-H members who exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will need to have their YQCA training requirements met by the date of entry for those respective shows

4-H IN FOCUS Page 4

SIOUXLAND GARDEN SHOW

Special Garden Project

This year the Special Gardening Project is focused on the unique, Carmine Splendor Okra. Carmine Splendor 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 seed pods also give a fun twist for winter interest in a container.

Visit for resources: https://4h.unl.edu/special-gardening-project

Enroll in the project Pick up seeds at the Extension Office Plant & Cultivate Exhibit Complete evaluation.

Flat Herbie is here to celebrate this milestone. Cut out Herbie and make him part of your community by taking him on a tour of your town. Snap a picture of him at local events, favorite landmarks, or 4-H activities. Upload the pictures to your social media channels with #N150Herbie or email us at nebraska4h@unl.edu. We encourage everyone (students, faculty, staff, 4-H families, and alumni) to get in on the fun with Flat Herbie throughout 2019!

Celebrate N150 with Flat Herbie

FRIDAY, April 5th

9:00 a.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 6th

9a:00 a.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m.

$5 Daily Admission

Children 12 & under free!

Come and see Educa onal sessions,

Children’s Play Area, Garden Vendors,

Winter Farmers Market, Advice from

Master Gardeners

4-H IN FOCUS Page 5

Fairbook Highlights

Animal Science An exhibitor (4-H or FFA) is limited to two market ani-mals & two breeding heifers. Any combination of classes is allowed. *Change* Market Beef - animals must be registered by the offi-cial breed association to be exhibited in breed clas-ses 901.Angus Steers 902.Shorthorn Steers 903.Hereford Steers 904.Crossbred Steers 905.Angus Heifers 906.Shorthorn Heifers 907.Hereford Heifers 908.Crossbred Heifers 909.Club Pen of 3 Breeding Beef 901. Commercial Breed Heifers 902. Limousin Breed Heifers 903. LimFlex Breed Heifers 904. Maine-Anjou Breed Heifers 905. Maintainer Breed Heifers 906. Red Angus Breed Heifers 907. Shorthorn Breed Heifers 908. Shorthorn Plus Breed Heifers 909. Simmental Breed Heifers 910. Foundation Breed Heifers 911. AOB (All Other Breeds) Breed Heifers 912. Angus Breed Heifers 913. Charolais Breed Heifers 914. Composite Charolais Breed Heifers 915. Chianina Breed Heifers 916. Gelbvieh Breed Heifers 917. Balancer Breed Heifers 918. Hereford and Polled Hereford Breed Heifers Cow-Calf Project No embryo transfer calves, as class is based upon genetic transfer from mother to offspring. Feeder Calf If one of your feeder calves is out of your Returning Cow (First Calf-Cow/Calf Pair), then you would be allowed to have 2 entries in either the Feeder Calf Steer class or Feeder Calf Heifer class.

Horse · The written (only) Level 1 test must be completed by the fair pre-entry deadline (mid-July) for all youth meeting the minimum equine intermediate age level of 12 as of January 1st of the current year. · If the written (only) Level 1 test has not been com-pleted, intermediate age and up youth will not be allowed to participate in the Dakota-Thurston County 4-H Horse Show. · Written Level 1 test will be administered by either a certified Level 1 or 2 horse leader or by the local Ex-tension Office. Testing appointments will be required by the Extension Office. Information about what will be covered on this test can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/horse/advancement

Dakota Thurston County Fair Activity Passes

This pass is a $30 value and is being sold for $15 The Pass includes 1 entry into each of the following events: Tractor Pull Dueling Pianos Extreme Bull Riding If you are interested in purchasing these passes, please contact the Fair Manager at dakotathurstoncountyfair@mail.com.

4-H IN FOCUS Page 6

The Horse Advisory Group and myself have approved several changes for the 2019 4-H horse program. If you will please pass the following information on to your horse leaders and 4-H youth involved in the horse project so they are aware of the changes for this upcoming horse show season. Also, I held a webinar to discuss and answer questions for people yesterday evening. Here is the link to the webinar recording: https://youtu.be/tI07z1f4BMw

District Horse Show:

1. An individual and/or horse may enter ALL CLASSES level 2 classes at Districts, meaning 1 Western Pleasure, 1 Western Horsemanship, 1 Hunter Under Saddle, 1 Hunt Seat Equitation, 1 Reining, 1 Barrel Racing and 1 Pole Bending.

Fonner Park State 4-H Expo:

1. An individual and/or horse may enter all advanced classes (if they have passed their level 3), meaning 1 Advanced Western Pleasure, 1 Advanced Western Horsemanship, 1 Advanced Hunter Under Saddle, and 1 Advanced Hunt Seat Equitation as long as they ride a different horse then they competed with at the District Horse Show for level 2 classes.

2. There will be an additional age group for the following classes: Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, and Showmanship. For these classes only the age groups will be as follows: Elementary – 10 to 11; Junior – 12 to 14; Senior – 15+. All other classes will have only two age groups: Junior – 10 to 14 and Senior – 15+.

3. The addition of a Level 3 Miniature/Shetland Pony In-Hand Trail Class.

4. Trail will move to the outdoor arena on Monday following the conclusion of Showmanship. It will run all afternoon and we will not conclude the class until the evening so that anyone competing in the Horse Judging Contest/Hippology could compete in trail after the conclusion of those contests.

5. Trail will have only one judge and be judged using the 0 to infinity scale for scoring.

6. New class Miniature/Shetland Pony In-Hand Trail will be offered (Level 3 class).

English and Western Dressage Level 2 will ride: English - Training Level Test 3 (https://www.usdf.org/docs/showflash/web/tests/2019/USEF_TLT3.pdf) or Western - Basic Level Test 4 (https://westerndressageassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/WDAA-2017-WESTERN-DRESSAGE-BASIC-LEVEL-TEST-4-v1-4-2019.pdf.

1 English and Western Dressage Level 3 will ride: English - First Level Test 3 (https://www.usdf.org/docs/showflash/web/tests/2019/USEF_1LT3.pdf) or Western - Level 1 Test 4 (https://westerndressageassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/WDAA-2017-WESTERN-DRESSAGE-LEVEL-1-TEST-4-v1-4-2019.pdf).

2 Schedule changes so please refer to the schedule posted on the http://4h.unl.edu/horse webpage. Sometimes may be adjusted as we get closer and have a better idea of entries.

3 General Changes:Helmet – ASTM/SEI approved safety helmets with a harness are required in ALL hunt seat classes. Hunting cap or derby is NOT acceptable in any classes.

Changes for 2019 4-H Program (District & State)

4-H IN FOCUS Page 7

Opportunities to serve are not equally distributed. Many young people do not have the time or resources to volunteer. Join us in our efforts to help young people identify challenges that are relevant to their lives and implement solutions through their own service projects. America’s Promise Alliance, Peace First and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation are partnering to create opportunities for more young people to be agents of change in their local communities. Apply for the Power of Youth Challenge by March 31, 2019. Apply now at https://www.americaspromise.org/program-page/power-youth-challenge. 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.

We know 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.

Tractor Safety Certification

Because Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from using specific equipment on a farm unless parents or legal guardians own the farm, Nebraska Extension is teaming up with Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health to offer Tractor Safety & Hazardous Occupations Courses at 12 Nebraska locations this summer including June 20 & 21, Wayne Fairgrounds 402-375-3310

To read the article about Tractor Safety certification and get a flier/registration form online, visit Kearney.unl.edu. Please post fliers at your office, schools, churches, community businesses, or anywhere else a teen’s parent may see them. A letter describing the course and locations is going out to all teachers in Nebraska via an ESU listserv. We will also have a press release to all media, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have extra mentions by you at the local level! Thank you for keeping our youth safe.

Power of Youth Challenge

NEBRASKA EXTENSION - DAKOTA COUNTY 1505 BROADWAY P.O. BOX 129 DAKOTA CITY, NE 68731

Phone: (402)987-2140

Email: dakota-county@unl.edu

We’re on the web: dakota.unl.edu

Dakotacounty fourH

@NEdakota4HExt

DAKOTA COUNTY OFFICE STAFF

Angela Abts - Extension Educator , 4-H & Youth Julie Boyle - Extension Educator, 4-H & Youth Carol Larvick - Extension Educator - Food & Nutrition Tammy Peterson - Office Manager Brenda Sale - Extension Assistant - NEP Jill Sokness - Extension Educator—Latino Outreach

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status.

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3/1/19 - NIFA Grant Due 3/1/19 - Horse Stampede entries due 3/4/19 - Dakota County Extension Board 3/6/19 - Jayda S 3/8/19 - Benjimen B 3/10/19—Daylight Saving Time begins 3/11/19 - Equine Webinar Series 3/17/19 - Online Cat Club 3/15/19 - All Contest Day Registrations due 3/16/19 - Sewing Saturday Faux Chenille Pillow 3/17/19 - St Patrick’s Day 3/20/19 - First Day of Spring 3/23/19 - All Contest Day 3/30/19 - Makerspace Saturday: Reverse Canvas 3/30/19 - Horse Stampede 3/31/19 - Dakota County Senior Scholarship due 4/1/19 - Dakota County 4-H Council & JOINT COUNCIL

MEETING 4/1/19 - Dakota County extension Board meeting 4/5—4/6/19 - SIOUXLAND GARDEN SHOW 4/6/19 - Landyn S 4/7-4/16/19 - National Volunteer Week 4/13/19 - STEM Saturday—SCRATCH, Makey Makey 4/14/19 - Equine Webinar Series 4/15/19—Market Beef DNA nominations due 4/15/19 - State 4-H Camp early bird registrations due 4/21/19 - Happy Easter 4/25/19 - Trent D 4/26/19 - Emma U 4/26/19 - Arbor Day 4/27/19 - 4-H Saturday—Photography 4/28/19 - Earth Day Celebration 4/30/19 - Savannah S