Author: Brandy VanDeWalle

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4-H Helps Youth Thrive Series

Brandy VanDeWalle

The next several articles I will be sharing will focus on the 4-H Thrive Model which focuses on ensuring high-quality 4-H programs for youth and positive youth development. In the 4-H Thriving Model, this process of positive youth development is described by seven indicators of thriving: openness to challenge and discover, growth mindset, hopeful purpose, pro-social orientation, transcendent awareness, positive emotionality, and self-regulation through goal setting and management. This first article focuses on volunteers who are the heart of a high-quality 4-H program.

4-H Volunteers Help Youth Thrive   

Volunteers have been the long-time champions for the 4-H program, delivering 4-H experiences to youth across the nation for decades. Volunteers bring invaluable skills and resources to their role, dedicating hours to teaching youth new skills and helping them grow as leaders. It is certainly not difficult to visibly see a volunteer’s impact in this way.  

However, there are many other ways in which volunteers help youth thrive that are not as easy to visibly see. Volunteers, specifically 4-H club leaders, undoubtedly are a key part of the 4-H program and the impact on youth for years to come. But, how? This happens through developmental relationships, which are close connections through which young people discover who they are, cultivate abilities to shape their own lives and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them.   

Developmental relationships between youth and adults are important aspect of the 4-H program. Research shows that the relational quality between the 4-H leader, volunteer and member is connected to positive youth development. 4-H volunteers foster a developmental relationship with youth when they express care, challenge growth, provide, support, share power and expand possibilities.  

Some of the ways 4-H volunteers build a developmental relationship with youth is through a variety of visible approaches. Examples include, but are not limited to, showing youth they enjoyed spending time together, making youth feel known and valued, being someone, youth can trust and praising youth for their efforts and achievements. Implementing these approaches to having a developmental relationship with youth encourages youth to know their 4-H club leader cares about them and their success.  

Healthy developmental relationships grow over time to move past a mainly adult-driven relationship to shifting the power to the youth. In addition, as the relationship between the 4-H leader and the youth continues to grow and foster a deeper connection, the impact on the youth deepens as well.  

Thank you, 4-H volunteers, for creating 4-H experiences for youth to experience new skills and helping them grow as leaders, and ultimately finding their spark in life!  

This article was written by Jill Goedeken, Nebraska Extension Educator.

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Emergency Preparedness Workshop Series for Rural Families

Brandy VanDeWalle

An upcoming four-part extension workshop for women in agriculture will focus on emergency preparedness for rural families. The program will be a four-part series, held at numerous locations across Nebraska and Indiana. The series will focus on farm and ranch emergency management, first aid, fire protection and hazardous materials. Workshops will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Central time on March 5, 7, 12 and 14.

The program is a collaboration between extension women in agriculture programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Purdue University. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural occupations have high rates of work-related injuries and deaths. While not all emergencies result in bodily injury or death, they also may cost rural families in other ways.

“Women play a critical role in ensuring the safety of their homes and rural communities,” said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. “In many farm and ranch families, safety is an important topic, but it sometimes gets overlooked because it does not directly impact profitability.”

Each state’s workshop sites will be hosted by local extension personnel. Keynote speakers will be simulcast to each location, and each site will provide additional speakers and hands-on activities. Dinner will be included.

Groskopf said the program’s structure is intended to strengthen women’s networks in rural areas, which can provide opportunities for building trust and sharing information.“Connections are so important to rural women,” she said. “We have seen the benefits that come from knowing your peers, having a place to share difficulties, and mitigate the isolation that so many of us in agriculture often feel.”

The workshops seek to help participants initiate preventative practices, set up a plan to deal with emergencies before they occur and be more comfortable reacting to emergency situations. There is a registration fee of $50 per person before Tuesday, Feb. 20. The fee increases to $60 per person after Feb. 20. Participants should plan to attend each session. A virtual option is available for those unable to attend a workshop site, although in-person attendance is highly encouraged to better network with other attendees and interact with speakers. The virtual registration fee is $75 before Feb. 20, and $80 after Feb. 20. Registration may be completed on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website.

This project was supported by a grant from NCRCRD through funding from USDA NIFA Award #2022-51150-38141.  ​

Nebraska Workshop Sites

  • Beatrice — Beatrice Fire and Rescue, 300 S. Sixth St.
  • Concord — Haskell Ag Lab, 57905 866 Rd.
  • Grand Island — Raising Nebraska, 501 E. Fonner Park Rd., Suite 100
  • O‘Neill — Holt County Courthouse Annex, 128 N. Sixth St.
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Returning to the Farm

Brandy VanDeWalle

The Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present Returning to the Farm, a workshop series for families transitioning to bringing members back to the farm or ranch. It will begin with a two-day workshop in Kearney for multi-generational families on March 8 and 9 at the office of Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County, 1400 E 34th St.
 
The series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs. It will guide families in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals, and improving the communication process between family members.
 
“Returning to the Farm gives families the tools and resources to have a successful transition with more family members joining the business,” said extension educator Jessica Groskopf. “We really want to have two or three generations come to this together and take that time, as a family, to sit down, learn together, and start these important processes.”
 
Presenters will include extension experts as well as agribusiness and legal professionals. During the program, participants will:

  • Learn communication strategies
  • Set both personal and professional goals
  • Develop a farm or ranch transition plan
  • Identify estate planning issues and develop effective strategies for planning
  • Review financial feasibility and financial tools

The workshop fee is $75 per person on or before March 1. March 2, the fee increases to $85 per person. Registration includes dinner on March 8 and lunch on March 9. It also includes two follow-up workshops, to be held virtually. Hotel accommodations are not included.

(Source: Jessica Groskopf, Extension Educator) 

Youth

4-H Month

Brandy VanDeWalle

February is Nebraska 4-H Month! 4-H is Nebraska’s largest youth development organization – empowering nearly 140,000 across the state with the skills to lead for a lifetime. With the support of 12,000 volunteers, Nebraska 4-H helps youth develop and practice life skills through clubs, camps, school enrichment, afterschool, and special interest programs. In both Clay & Fillmore Counties, more than 1 out of 2, age-eligible youth are reached through a variety of 4-H program delivery modes. This is achieved through clubs, camps, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and special interest programs.

Youth are encouraged to celebrate 4-H Month by wearing 4-H shirts, express appreciation to volunteers, supporters and giving back to their communities. In addition to celebrating, youth are invited to join 4-H and complete the annual enrollment process during February. By becoming enrolled members, youth can join a club, exhibit projects at the county and State Fair, participate in contests, and apply for special awards and recognition.

To learn more about how to get involved, visit https://4h.unl.edu.

About 4-H

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident young people who tackle issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 110 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. In Nebraska, 4-H is present in all 93 counties through clubs, camps, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and special interest programs. Learn more about 4-H at 4h.unl.edu, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/nebraska4h, on Twitter at twitter.com/nebraska4h, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/nebraska4h.

Crops, Livestock, Programming, Uncategorized

Manure Management Programming

Brandy VanDeWalle

Turning manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment will be the focus of seven Nebraska Extension workshops being held across the state this February and March. Leslie Johnson, UNL animal manure management coordinator has announced that these workshops have traditionally focused on livestock producers because they’re required to attend manure training regularly, but efforts have been made to include crop farmers that are often recipients of the manure because the information shared is just as valuable to them and their bottom line. The workshops will still meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s title 130.

 The news release also states that participants who attend the day-long (9 a.m.–4 p.m.) event will receive NDEE land application training certification. The initial land application training certification requires participation in the full-day program, which includes lunch. Attendance at the afternoon session will meet minimum needs for recertification, but participants who only need recertification may choose to attend the full event if they wish for no additional charge. Sessions will include an update on regulations and discussions on how to best use manure on cropland. Anyone is welcome regardless of the need for certification. Crop farmers and livestock operations will learn useful information to apply to their operations.

Sessions will focus on what fields should be chosen to best utilize manure nutrients and other benefits. Each session will be highly participant-led with limited seating. Participants will be given a scenario and asked to determine the priority ranking of each field within the scenario. This ranking will be done at the end of each activity focused on manure nutrients, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, as well as neighbors and odors. Regulations and record-keeping about manure storage and application will also be addressed during each session.

Sessions include:

  • Feb. 12 — Columbus
  • Feb. 13 — Geneva
  • Feb. 19 — Scottsbluff
  • Feb. 20 — Lexington
  • Feb. 29 — Norfolk
  • March 5 — West Point
  • March 6 — Ord

Because of participation limits in each session, registration is required. If registration numbers exceed expectations, more sessions may be added. To ensure your attendance, register online. The cost of the sessions will be $75 per operation requiring certification or $25 per person with no expectation of certification.

The workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Extension Animal Manure Management Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits. For additional information on the workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit UNL Water or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818.

Register now

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Pesticide Education Program & More

Brandy VanDeWalle

This week, I am sharing information with producers from a column recently written by my colleague, Jenny Rees. For those needing pesticide applicator training, chemigation and other crop programming, here are options shared by Jenny.  

Private Pesticide Applicator Training is for those who purchase and/or use restricted use pesticides on land you own/rent. Those desiring initial certification or recertification have the same options:

1-Attend a face to face training.
2-Take the online training at https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training 
3-Attend a Crop Production Clinic (need to stay the entire day) https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc

Commercial/Noncommercial Applicator Training is for those who apply pesticides on other people’s ground and receive a payment for those applications.

Initial certification involves purchasing the books in the categories you wish to be certified in. All need to be certified in the general standards (00) category in addition to the specific application category. You then have choices of walk-in testing, attending a training session, or taking the test at a computer center. Info. on the commercial/non-commercial tab at: https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training.

Recertification training for those with the Ag Pest Control-Plant category (01) is to attend our Crop Production Clinics. The closest to this area include Jan. 11 in Beatrice, Hastings on Jan. 17, and York on Jan. 19. Info at: https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc. Recertification for other categories can be found at: https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training.

Chemigation is for anyone who applies fertilizer and/or chemicals through water systems like pivots and subsurface drip irrigation. Options for initial and recertification include face-to-face meetings and online testing at: https://water.unl.edu/article/agricultural-irrigation/chemigation.

Dicamba and Paraquat training are offered by the manufacturing companies. Info. on dicamba training here:  https://nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/dicamba.html.  Info. on paraquat training here (English & Spanish): https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php

Worker Protection Standard training materials can be found at https://www.pesticideresources.org/wps/full-library/#categories:training-materials. At this site, use the drop-down menu and select the “role” of those being trained. There are different training requirements for ‘workers’ vs. ‘handlers’.  

Livestock

Cow/Calf College Jan. 11, 2024

Brandy VanDeWalle

Farmers and Ranchers College announces the 2024 Cow-Calf College is set for January 11, 2024 at the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, near Clay Center, Nebraska. Registration begins at 10:15 am with presentations scheduled from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm.

This year’s program is focused on strategies to enhance cow/calf health from birth to weaning. The hands-on format will allow participants to engage with specialists and peers throughout the day. Dr. Matt Hille, Assistant Professor and Diagnostic Pathologist at Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, will provide an in-depth look at common infectious diseases affecting calves. Topics include scour prevention and treatment techniques, and when it may be worthwhile to pursue diagnostics. Discussion will also include pinkeye disease background, treatment, and prevention strategies.

The afternoon will be comprised of three mini-workshops, where participants will dive further into neonatal calf health, including when and how to intervene in scour cases and tips to ensure newborn calf success. Dr. Becky Funk, GPVEC Extension Specialist will host a hands-on palpation wet lab utilizing bovine reproductive tracts and Dr. Hille will continue the cow health discussion with potential causes of abortion and when diagnostics are needed. Dr. Brian Vander Ley, Associate Professor and Assistant Director of GPVEC will provide an overview of activities at the Center while participants enjoy a catered lunch.

The program will conclude with an optional tour of US-Meat Animal Research Center (weather permitting). There is no cost for the event; however, registration is required due to limited space. Pre-registration can be made by calling the Webster County Extension office at 402-746-3417 or online at https://go.unl.edu/cow-calfcollege2024.

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Poinsettias

Brandy VanDeWalle

With Christmas nearly here, this week I decided to share an article from our Extension Horticulturalist, Nicole Stoner on poinsettias.

A common holiday gift is the Poinsettia. If you receive one for Christmas this year, do you know how to care for it? Poinsettias are a staple for the Christmas season, but they don’t have to be a short-lived gift that is thrown away at the beginning of the year.  Typically, poinsettias are most commonly found in red, but the color range is constantly expanding. They can now be found in white, pink, green, peach, yellow or marbled or speckled colors. On an old-fashioned poinsettia, the red colored portion of the poinsettia is not the flower of the plant. The colored, leaf-like structures are called bracts, which are just modified leaves. The true flower of a poinsettia is the yellow center of the colored bracts.

Photo by Nika Benedictova on Pexels.com

Poinsettias need to be cared for during transport in addition to regular care. When you first purchase a poinsettia, you need to protect it as you transport it. Wrap it in a plastic bag when you take it outside to protect the plant from the cold, windy outdoor conditions. This should be done when you leave the store, when you move it from your car to your home, and if you take it to another house as a gift. Remove that plastic bag each time it gets to the house. Once in its permanent location, remove the decorative foil wrapping from the pot of the plant. This foil can hold onto water for the plant, but in a bad way. It can make it so that the plant roots are constantly wet and root rot can occur.

The care of a poinsettia can be fairly easy. Water the plant when the soil becomes dry to the touch, but don’t wait until the plant wilts prior to watering again either. Place poinsettias where they will get indirect light for 6 hours a day. Keep the plant away from cold drafts and keep them from touching a window. This plant prefers temperatures of 60-70 degrees F during the day and 55 degrees F overnight. Avoid fertilization during the flowering period but fertilize monthly with a houseplant fertilizer during the rest of the growing season.

You can keep poinsettias year-round rather than discarding at the end of the Holiday season. After Christmas, grow the poinsettia like you would any other houseplant. Keep it evenly moist and in bright, indirect light. In February or March, cut back the plant to 4-6 inches in height. In May, repot into a larger pot. It can be placed outdoors in spring after frost. In the fall, bring the poinsettia indoors before night temperatures drop below 55-60 degrees F.

Poinsettias will flower after being induced by a photoperiod, like Christmas Cactus. It takes at least 12 hours of darkness per night to initiate flowering. Starting at the end of September, place the poinsettia in a closet or cover it with a box to keep it in total darkness from 5pm until 8am daily. Even the lights in our homes can interfere with the flowering cycle, so it needs to be completely dark around the plant. Once flowering begins, in mid-December, you may discontinue the daily dark period. It will help if you continue this until the bracts are fully expanded. Then, you can enjoy your poinsettia through the holiday season for years to come.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday season!

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2024 Crop Production Clinics

Brandy VanDeWalle

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 3, the 2024 Nebraska Crop Production Clinics will feature live presentations and present research updates and information tailored to regional crop issues and grower interests. Sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the programs will be held on eight days throughout January, with the final clinic offered on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The clinic on Jan. 23 will be in partnership with the Nebraska Agribusiness Association Expo and will include free admission to the Expo tradeshow.

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

2024 Clinic Dates and Locations:

  • Jan. 3 — Gering Civic Center, Gering
  • Jan. 4 — West Central Research Extension and Education Center (WCREEC), North Platte
  • Jan. 9 — Northeast Community College, Norfolk
  • Jan. 10 — Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC), Mead
  • Jan. 11 — Holiday Inn Express, Beatrice
  • Jan. 17 — Lochland Country Club, Hastings
  • Jan. 19 — Holthus Convention Center, York
  • Jan. 23 — Crowne Plaza and Younes Conference Center, Kearney at the Nebraska Agribusiness Association Expo

Individual clinics will be customized to address topics specific to that area of the state, allowing attendees to engage with research-based information on the issues that may be faced locally.

Visit the Crop Production Clinics 2024 website for the most up-to-date information.

Registration is available online for each location. Pre-registration is required and costs $95.

Certified Crop Advisor credits will be available in crop production, nutrient management, integrated pest management, soil, and water management.

The clinics will offer commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators an opportunity to renew their licenses in the general standards, ag plant, and demonstration/research categories.

The clinics are also a venue for private pesticide applicators to renew their licenses.

For more information, contact Chris Proctor, clinics coordinator and extension educator, at 402-472-5411. Registration questions can be directed to Connie Hansen, 402-472-8747. Register at https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc.