Category: Youth

Crops, Programming, Uncategorized, Youth

Youth Crop Scouting Competition

Brandy VanDeWalle

Connecting Youth with Crops…

Looking for a fun club project? Want to unite your club members? Running out of ideas for club meetings? If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, help is on the way! Nebraska Extension is pleased to present the 3rd annual Crop Scouting Competition for Nebraska youth. Youth interested in crops have the opportunity to learn about crop growth & development and basic crobrandy vandewalle slide on crop scout clinicp scouting principles.

Don’t know a lot about crops? Ask a local agronomist to assist by providing a short lesson on crop production. You can have the agronomist meet with youth a little during each meeting or outside of the meeting. This is one way to engage those youth interested in crops.

This contest will be held at the ARDC near Mead, Nebraska on August 2, 2016. The event will include both indoor and outdoor events. Teams of junior high and high school students (those completing 7-12th grades) from across Nebraska are invited to participate.

Clubs or other organizations may enter a team composed of three or four participants. An adult team leader must accompany each team of students. Team leaders could be FFA advisors, crop consultants, extension staff, coop employees, etc.

Top-scoring teams win prizes: $500 for first, $250 for second, $100 for third place.

Teams will be expected to know the basics of scouting corn and soybean fields. This includes crop staging; looking for patterns of crop injury; disease, insect and weed seedling identification; etc. Other topics many include but are not limited to, pesticide safety, nutrient disorders, and herbicide injury.

More information about the crop scouting competition and instructions on how to register a team are available online at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth.  Top two teams will be eligible for regional competition in late August at Iowa.

Teams must be registered by July 18. Registration is $50/team; the fee will be refunded when the team attends the competition. Payment by check is due along with the registration form by July 18. This program is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, the Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association and Nebraska Extension.

Programming, Uncategorized, Youth

ATV Safety Training Courses

Brandy VanDeWalle

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 100,000 injuries from ATVs in 2012 and about 25% of those involved youth under 16 years of age; these were just the emergency department-treated injuries. On average 144 youth die from ATV accidents and 568 adults die from ATV accidents (2001-2008 averages). Riding an adult ATV is much different than a youth riding a bicycle. For comparison, a bicycle can weigh up to 30 pounds, is self-propelled and will go only as fast as a kid can pedal, whereas an adult ATV can weigh up to 600 pounds, is motorized and can go up to 65 mph.ATV

For these reasons, the Nebraska 4-H ATV Safety Program, in collaboration with the American Safety Institute, offers age-specific free e-learning courses to address basic ATV safety principles. Adults, teens, and children will learn how to apply the “golden rules” of ATV riding in an interactive setting. The course includes videos, pictures, and interactive games to make it a fun and effective learning experience for all age groups. After taking the course, users can take an ATV Safety exam and receive a certificate of completion. The entire course takes approximately 2–2.5 hours to complete. You can stop at any point and your progress will be saved so that you can return and pick up right where you left off. It’s free, fun and a great learning experience for ATV riders of all ages. Sign up on the ATV Safety Institute’s website.

Nebraska Extension in Fillmore County is pleased to announce that we are teaming up with Fillmore County Farm Bureau to offer two sessions of a half-day, hands-on training for youth ages 8-18 in Geneva. If numbers warrant, two sessions will be offered on June 29th at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds. The first session will run from 9-Noon with an afternoon session from 1-4:00 p.m. Lunch will be served at noon for both sessions and ATV helmets will be provided through the generous support of Farm Bureau.

The ATV RiderCourse® is a fast-paced, half-day, hands-on training that is exciting and fun. Sessions include: pre-ride inspection, starting and stopping, quick turns, hill riding, and emergency stopping, swerving and riding over obstacles.

The training is conducted by certified RiderCourse® instructors. Whatever your experience, you will come away a better rider. Space is limited, so register by June 22nd by calling the Extension office at (402) 759-3712. A consent form must be completed, in addition to youth taking the course prior to June 29th.

Programming, Uncategorized, Youth

Keeping Youth Safe

Brandy VanDeWalle

That, “no child would become ill, injured or die from farm, ranch and rural activities.” That is the vision for the Progressive Agriculture Foundation. The Progressive Agriculture Foundation governs and secures funding solely to educate youth and families on ways to make farm, ranch and rural life safer for children and their families. The Progressive Agriculture Foundation is the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America, which Fillmore County is proud to provide one of those programs. In fact, over 400 safety days are held across the United States & Canada reaching over 70,000 participants.IMG_5433

On May 26, 2016, Nebraska Extension in Fillmore County coordinated Progressive Agriculture Safety Day for 108 area youth in collaboration with the local WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics) and Fillmore Central and Shickley FFA Chapters. The event for youth who just completed 1st to 6th grades provided hands-on activities for youth on a variety of topics from bike safety to healthy lifestyles to agriculture literacy. This program is possible through the assistance of numerous volunteers from varying agencies or businesses.

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Each youth took home a kit with supplies to get them started should an emergency situation arise. 

 

This year youth learned what should go into an emergency kit and assemble their own kit to take home. Goody bags with lots of resources and other activities were also sent home with the record-breaking number of participants. IMG_5429

Horticulture, Uncategorized, Youth

Hands to Larger Service

Brandy VanDeWalle

“I give my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty and my hands to larger service and my health to better living….” That is how the 4-H Pledge starts out and is just what Fillmore County 4-H’ers have done for five years in a row! In collaboration with the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conversation Service offices in Geneva, 4-H’ers recently planted vegetables for those who might not otherwise have access to fresh produce.ComGardenGraphic16

Over the summer, 4-H’ers, FSA and NRCS staff will take turns caring for the garden, increasing their horticultural skills while learning responsibility, service and other important life skills. This has been a great project each year allowing youth to not only learn, but also fulfill the purpose of 4-H by using their hands for larger service.
IMG_5391Special thanks to Barbur Floral for donating the vegetable plants and Roddy Salmon for tilling the garden and residents at Pioneer Manor for assisting as well! If you or your organization is interested in contributing or participating in the Fillmore County Community Garden this year, please contact the Fillmore County Extension Office.

Programming, Uncategorized, Youth

Extension Intern

Brandy VanDeWalle

This summer, I am fortunate to have an intern through the Nebraska Extension Internship program so this week, she will be sharing some information about her background. Please give her a warm Fillmore County welcome, as you will see her smiling face at various activities this summer.

Hi! My name is Melissa Nordboe and I am the new Fillmore County Extension Intern! I am originally from Ames, NE, which is located right outside of Fremont. I grew up on acreage with my parents and one older sibling where we restore and collect antique tractors, gas engines, and old vehicles. I attended North Bend Central High School in North Bend, NE where I had the privilege of being involved heavily in the North Bend FFA Chapter. I went all the way through and received my American FFA Degree in 2012.melissa

During my time, I was also a member of Dodge County 4-H where I exhibited what seemed like hundreds of projects every year. I was heavily involved in baking, Favorite Foods Day, and woodworking just to name a few. One year, I also showed chickens. I received several awards for my projects and some went to State Fair. 4-H and FFA have always been a huge part of my life and I would not be the person I am today if I hadn’t joined them both at a young age. I also had the privilege of being selected as a Dodge County 4-H Ambassador while in high school and that is where I developed a deeper interest into Nebraska 4-H. Every experience has made an impact in my life one way or another and has made me appreciate all the opportunities I have been given.

I am currently a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Agricultural Education with a minor in Agronomy. I will be graduating this August with a Bachelor’s Degree. Agriculture has always been a major part of my life and I want to continue that in hopes of obtaining a job in Nebraska Extension after college. I am so excited to be a part of Fillmore County Extension this summer as their intern and I can’t wait to meet new people and get a glance into the “behind the scenes” of Extension.

Crops, Horticulture, Irrigation, Livestock, Programming, Uncategorized, Youth

What is Extension?

Brandy VanDeWalle

Often times when I tell people I work at the “Extension Office” they have no idea what it is we do. It is so hard to describe without giving a plethora of information. One of our signature programs people often most often associate with is the 4-H program. While this is a large and very successful component of Extension, it is only one of many programs.ExtensionDifferencepic

Everyday, whether you know it or not, you have most likely been indirectly impacted by Extension programming. Extension essentially takes science and research-based information from the University Of Nebraska – Lincoln and delivers it into the hands of the public. We make UNL easily accessible to the public. For example, we provide services and resources to the agricultural community, but also sectors as diverse as nutrition, health care and technology. From border to border, Nebraska Extension is making an incredible impact on the success of our state – its youth, its families, its farms & ranches, its communities, its economy.

For example, as a result of our Learning Child Extension staff, approximately 24,000 children in Nebraska benefit from early childhood professionals and parents who have the essential skills and knowledge to support the healthy growth and development in the children in their care. Take the crops area: last year, Extension presented workshops in 94 locations to over 4,000 participants from 93 Nebraska counties, 9 U.S. states and 4 foreign countries. Our community vitality programming has engaged over 10,000 Nebraskans in Broadband planning and engaged over 2,500 people through the Entrepreneurial Community Activation Process which resulted in community-wide visions, a new economic development corporation being started, community web portal and a young professional network.

Nebraska Extension continues to evolve and is one of the leading Extension programs in the world. In doing so, Extension Educators are more focused in their area of expertise and able to provide clients with robust information. For example, Extension staff covers a specific region to ensure clients are being served well. Each county has access to a professional in the areas of:

  • Community environment (horticulture)
  • Food, Nutrition & Health
  • Crops & Water
  • The Learning Child
  • Community Vitality
  • Beef & Livestock Systems
  • 4-H Youth Development

This has been a very brief overview of Extension and next week we’ll discuss how this impacts our multi-disciplinary programming and Fillmore County.

Programming, Uncategorized, Youth

Extension Tractor Safety Courses

Brandy VanDeWalle

Nebraska Extension Tractor Safety/Hazardous Occupations Courses will be offered at seven locations in Nebraska during May and June. Any 14 or 15-year-old teen that plans to work on a farm other than his/her parents’ should plan to attend. Federal law prohibits youth less than 16 years of age from working on a farm for anyone other than his or her parents or guardian.   Certification through the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with mechanized equipment.tractorsafety

The most common cause of death in agriculture accidents in Nebraska is overturn from tractors and all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs), according to farm fatality surveillance data. Tractor and ATV overturn prevention are featured in the class work. Instilling an attitude of ‘safety first’ is a primary goal of the course, according to class instructors, where youth have the chance to learn respect for agricultural jobs and the tools involved.

Classes consist of two days of instruction plus homework assignments. Classes are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Class dates and locations closest for our area include:

— May 23-24, Fairgrounds, Kearney
— June 20-21, Fairgrounds, Wayne
— June 23-24, College Park, Grand Island

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged at least one week before a location’s start date to the Extension Office at the course site. Cost is $60, which includes educational materials, testing, supplies, lunches and breaks. For more information, contact Aaron Yoder at (402) 552-7240, aaron.yoder@unmc.edu or Ellen Duysen at (402) 552-3394, ellen.duysen@unmc.edu.

The first day of class will consist of intensive classroom instruction with hands-on demonstrations, concluding with a written test that must be completed satisfactorily before students may continue driving tests the next day.  Classroom instruction will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program. Homework will be assigned to turn in the next day.

The second day will include testing, driving and operating machinery. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course as well as hitching PTO and hydraulic systems.

Programming, Uncategorized, Youth

Progressive Ag Safety Day

Brandy VanDeWalle

Statistics from those impacted by a farm-related injury or death are sobering. Many know someone who was impacted by a farm accident that in many cases could have been prevented. This is why I feel so passionately about conducting the Annual Progressive Safety Day each year. The Progressive Agriculture Foundation provides safety and health information to rural communities that need it, which is why I’ve teamed up with them. The mission of Progressive Agriculture Days is simple – to provide education, training, and resources to make farm and ranch life safer and healthier for children and their communities.Safety_Day

During the program’s first year, a total of 2,800 participants and volunteers were reached throughout the South and Midwest and now the program impacts close to 110,000 annually. To date, the program has impacted more than 1.3 million children and adults.

Current 1st through 6th graders are invited to attend Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds. Youth will participate in a variety of events designed to help them be aware of safety in potentially hazardous situations such as bike riding, agricultural settings, electrical safety and others. This year, youth will walk away with an emergency disaster kit to use in the case of storms and other emergencies. Registration and consent form is REQUIRED by all youth who participate. This can be found on the Fillmore County Extension website.

April 28th is early bird registration at only $3 per child that includes a t-shirt, lunch, snack and goodie bag. After April 28th registration increases to $5 per youth in order to participate.

This event is hosted by Nebraska Extension in Fillmore County, Shickley and Fillmore Central FFA chapters, 4-H and W.I.F.E. For more info or to register, call 402-759-3712 or email brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

Uncategorized, Youth

4-H Shout Out Campaign

Brandy VanDeWalle

One of the most impactful programs I participated as a youth was 4-H. I learned responsibility, leadership skills, life skills that help me today and confidence. Recently, National 4-H launched a national campaign to highlight the accomplishments of our young people. Details of this campaign are highlighted and it is encouraged to take part and share those accomplishments through social media.

TrueLeader

Every day, millions of kids across America are leading positive changes — large and small — in their lives, schools and communities. But today’s youth don’t get credit often enough for the progress they are making or the good things they are doing.

Nebraska 4-H Youth Development within the University of Nebraska—Lincoln believes that every child has valuable strengths and given the chance, can grow into confident, responsible and compassionate young people who have the power to realize their dreams and lead change… who learn and lead by doing… True Leaders.

This week, 4-H is launched a national campaign focused on highlighting the accomplishments of young people. In the community, you may see the campaign in action through television and radio public service announcements, special events, social media advertising, and more.

It is also strongly encouraged to participate in this special campaign by taking time this week to “Shout Out” through social media the amazing and unique things that your 4-H youth are accomplishing in your community. Here are a few simple steps to follow to help you recognize youth:

1) Create social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Share in your post a photo or video of youth. Tag others pictured if possible.
2) Add Hashtags. Be sure to add the hashtags #TrueLeaders AND #NE4H (specific to Nebraska) to your post.
3) Post and Post Often!

More information can be found on the Nebraska 4-H web site. Our goal is to inspire 100,000 shout outs for kids across the country. For every Shout Out, there’s one more person being a champion on behalf of a young person, and one more kid being recognized for the great thing they are doing.

Thank you for helping 4-H “Shout Out” true leaders! Your support here in Nebraska is greatly appreciated!

Uncategorized, Youth

Get Involved!

Brandy VanDeWalle

One of the many great things about the 4-H Youth Development program is the family time that often occurs. Whether it is working on a project, attending club meetings together, working at 4-H events or learning more about their projects, the opportunity for family involvement is huge! As a youth myself, I remember countless hours of my Dad helping me with my 4-H calves and lots of hours of time spent on sewing, gardening and craft projects with my mom. My grandma4H family wordle taught me so much about baking and that is where I developed my love of making yeast breads and rolls. At the time, I thought I was just learning about projects to take to the fair, but I was actually learning life skills that have benefitted me even now. My colleague, Eric Stehlik from Saline County shared with me information on more benefits youth obtain from family involvement with their activities.

Becoming involved in children’s 4-H activities is a great way for families to grow and develop. Whether parents are attending club meetings or teaching their children about animal care, rocketry or entrepreneurship, they are helping to build stronger relationships and families.

Research shows that young people need caring relationships with adults to help them grow and develop positively. Parents can build these relationships by becoming involved in their children’s activities. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and other extended family members should become involved too because they also play important roles in the lives of children.

4-H’ers participate in a variety of individual and group projects, and family members can be a part of these learning experiences. If a participant is enrolled in foods and nutrition, a family member can teach them proper food safety. This can then easily become a part of daily life. Just interacting and communicating can help family members learn more about each other and grow closer.

Families can also benefit from participating in 4-H community service projects. They can help with a food drive by donating supplies from their own cupboards, asking neighbors for a donation or making a cash donation to the local food pantry. What matters is that families do these activities together. Not only will family members have fun, but also they will help their community and grow closer together, all at little or no cost!