Time to reflect - Were all the ribbons you go at the county fair what you expected or think you deserved? Did you get a lower ribbon than you expected.? Sometimes that is the best award you can earn. You learn more from a lower ribbon, so use that to improve. Ask yourself how could I better my project? Was I prepared, did I really present my best work?What techniques did someone else use, can I learn what that person did to have a grand champion project? Who can I ask for help, is there someone that has a greater knowledge than me?

Making the Best Better - Remember this is the 4-H motto.

Another thing to remember - when your projects are evaluated, it is one judges opinion on any given day. This doesn’t mean the judge is wrong it is just another thing to think about.

SEPTEMBER 2019 4-H In Focus

THE FINAL STEP

You enrolled in 4-H at the beginning of 2019

You chose projects and curriculum areas you wanted to learn more about.

You used 4-H project manuals, parents, grandparents, friends and the Extension Office staff to help you learn more about the projects you picked.

You attended club meetings, did group projects, worked as a group, maybe did a community service project.

You met all the deadlines and paperwork requirements (There are a lot!)

You finalized the projects and checked the fairbook for guidelines.

You entered your projects for the fair and got them delivered safe and sound.

You joined fellow 4-H’ers at the County Fair and competed with all those pillars of character.

You received ribbons and maybe some rosettes and trophies (don’t forget to thank the sponsors!)

NOW……. The Final step.

Keep records of your projects,

What was your goal, was it reached?

Tell about your results, what can you do better next year.

Record everything you did. (This is a great resource for keeping track of your activities for future scholarship applications!)

This is the time to toot your own horn, record your accomplishments, both successes and failures.

Try out the NEW Achievement Application or continue with the Career Portfolio system. Information on the applications and awards was mailed out the middle of August. Career Portfolios/Achievement applications are due September 19th

Achievements &

Awards

4-H IN FOCUS Page 2

State Fair Congrats!

Congratulations to our Nebraska State Fair Participants—Check out the ribbon placings special awards and more.

Rachael Bousquet: Cooking 301 - Loaf White Bread—Blue Audric Cavenee: Design Decision - Accessory –Recycled/Upcycled for the home—Purple

Heritage Level 1 - Other Historical exhibit -Purple—Rainbow recognition

Emelia Harral: Photography Unit II - Theme Print/Beautiful Nebraska—Blue

Steam Clothing 2 - Upcycled Garment—Blue

Floriculture - Marigold -Blue, Floriculture - Sedum -Purple, Rudbeckia/Black-Eyed Susan—Red, Horticulture - Salad Tomatoes –Purple, Hot (non-Jalapeno) Peppers—Red, Jalapeno Peppers— Red, Rhubarb—White Cooking 201 - Loaf Quick Bread—Red

Rylie Hermelbracht: Breeding Rabbit/Californian—Blue, Breeding Rabbit/Champagne D’Argent—Blue Rabbit/Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship—Blue

Food Preservation - 1 Jar Fruit Exhibit—Blue

Rylie Hermelbracht: Rabbit - Best Opposite—Special Award (2), Rabbit - Best of Breed(2) –Special Award, /Breeding Rabbit—Satin— Purple, Breeding Rabbit /Californian—Red, Breeding Rabbit/ Champagne D’Argent—Red

Food Preservation - 1 Jar Tomato Exhibit—Purple

Karson Roeber: Design Decision - Accessory 3-D(String Art) -Blue

Morgan Rohde: Design Decision—Accessory-2D –Purple

Emma Urwiller: Design Decision-Accessory/Outdoor living –Purple, Design Decision –Accessory/Textile- 2D –Red

Katie Utech: Poultry Cochin—Blue, Poultry Australop –Purple, Poultry Cochin—Red

Beef- - Senior Beef Showmanship—Blue, Beef Breeding Beef, Charolais Yearling Heifers Calved March/April 2019—Purple Senior meat Goat Showmanship—Blue, Meat Goat/Market Goat—Purple

Cooking 401 - Candy –Blue, Cooking 401—specialty Pastry—Purple

Katie also represented Dakota County in the Elite Showman Competition. This is a Round Robin Shopwmanship competition with top showman from across the state. Congratulations Katie!

KEEP CALM AND FAIR ON!

4-H IN FOCUS Page 3

Anticipation is building for National 4-H Week, during which millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will be celebrating everything 4-H. National 4-H Week showcases the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and will highlight the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them. The theme of this year’s National 4-H Week is Inspire Kids to Do, which highlights how 4-H encourages kids to take part in hands-on learning experiences in areas such as health, science, agriculture and civic engagement. The positive environment provided by 4-H mentors ensures that kids in every county and parish in the country - from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities - are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles and are empowered with the skills to lead in life and career. How will you and your club celebrate? Plan an event or activity and let the extension office know.

2019 National Youth Science Day

This October, 4-H will launch the 2019 National Youth Science Day (NYSD) challenge, Game Changers, Designed by Google and West Virginia Extension services, Game Changers teaches kids ages 8-14 how to use computer science (CS) to create games, solve problems, and engage with topics they're passionate about.

Game Changers uses physical activity and puzzles to teach kids important CS concepts and problem-solving skills, creating real-world connections between computer science and civic engagement, healthy living, and agriculture. Although the challenge includes one computer-based and two unplugged activities to help kids learn CS, all can be completed without internet access.

Contact the extension Office to find out how you can be a part of this worlds largest science experiment

4-H IN FOCUS Page 4

Shooting Sports Certification

A Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Add-One Workshop is scheduled for September in Culbertson. It will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019, at the 4-H Building located on the Hitchcock County Fairgrounds in Culbertson. The deadline for early registration for this special session is September 13. Volunteers have the opportunity to become certified as an adult (21 years and older) or apprentice (14-20 years old) leader. This special workshop will focus only on the Muzzleloader project area. Certification in this project area is only available to individuals who have been certified as a 4-H Shooting Sports instructor after January 1, 2014. There is a minimum number of participants needed to offer this workshop. Workshop participants will learn under expert instruction from members of the Nebraska State 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team. The early bird registration fee is $75 per person for this one-day workshop. This fee includes Saturday lunch, supplies and program materials. The registration fee after September 13 is $125. Participants must make their own lodging arrangements, if needed. Registration on Saturday runs from 7:30am – 8am. Please share this information with volunteers in your county. For more workshop information and registration link, go to the 4-H Shooting Sports web page (http://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports/instructor/calendar). Or contact your local Nebraska Extension Office, Mike Erickson (308-737-5893), or Steve Pritchard (402-395-2158/308-536-2691). Registration is available only online at https://go.unl.edu/4aym.

More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports/instructor#calendar

There is no place like Nebraska, and there's no celebration quite like this year's homecoming! In honor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 150th birthday, you’re invited to come home and celebrate 150 years of Grit and Glory at the Cornstock Festival to be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Activities include performances by parade participants, music, food trucks, games for students, adults and children, face painting, t-shirt printing, and more. Special appearances from Chancellor Green, Bill Moos, Fred Hoiberg and Hannah Huston! There is something for all Huskers to get in the Nebraska spirit, so stop by the Memorial Stadium East Plaza between 4:30-9:30 to partake!

More details at: https://n150.unl.edu/cornstock

Celebrate N150 at Cornstock Festival

Dakota County is in need of a shooting sports instructor. There are kids that would join a club.

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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9/4/19 - Please pick up your State Fair Exhibits from the Extension Office

9/9/19—Dakota~Thurston County Joint 4-H Council 9/14/19 - Gracie P 9/15/19 - Nathan K 9/18/19 - Career Portfolios Due 9/23/19 - 1st Day of Fall 9/26– 9/29/19 -= Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show 9/27/19 - Charlotte P 9/28/19 - Emelia H 10/1/19 - Brooke R 10/7/19 - Extension Board Meeting 10/6 - 10/12/19 - National 4-H Week 10/7/19 - Extension Board Meeting 10/7/19 - National Youth Science Day 10/16/19 - Rachael B 10/22/19 - Matthew B

10/25/19 - Nicholas B 10/31/19 - Drayden N 10/31/19 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN 11/1/19 - Hunter H 11/3/19 - Daylight Savings Ends—Fall Back 11/4/19 - Dakota County Extension Board 11/11/19—Veterans Day—Extension Office closed 11/28/19—Happy Thanksgiving (Extension Office

closed (11/28-11/29)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR ACHIEVEMENT CELEBRATION IN

JANUARY