The Perkins-Chase Public Speaking and Performing Arts Contest is quickly approaching. The contest will be held April 27 in Imperial at a site to be announced. This is a great way to add some leadership to your life! Contests Available:
- Recite a Poem (Clover Kids and First Year Speakers)
- Public Speaking
- Impromptu Speaking
- Presentations (Video, Team, Individual)
- PSA (Public Service Announcement-a 1 minute recording that can be played on the radio)
- Music
- Instrumental
- Vocal
The 2nd Annual Southwest Judging Classic will be held Saturday, April 19 at the Perkins County Fairgrounds in Grant. Late fees apply to registrations beginning April 15. For PeeWees (7 years and under), Juniors (8-13 years old) and Seniors (14-18 years old). Contact Regan Gittlein for more information, rgngittlein720@gmail.com
4-H enrollment for 2025 is open. Visit 4-H Online to complete the enrollment process before June. 15. Youth ages 8-18, as of Jan. 1, may enroll in the 4-H program. Youth ages 5-7 may enroll as Clover Kids.
4-H Members need to be enrolled before they participate in 4-H activities.
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification is required yearly for all 4-H youth participating in the 4-H and FFA livestock shows.
Age divisions for YQCA certification are based on 4-H member age as of Jan. 1.
Exhibitors are required to complete training in-person or online. If the class is taken online, exhibitors must provide certificate copies (print or digital) to the Extension Office in their county by July 1.
Those who do not complete the training will not be eligible to exhibit livestock at the Chase County Fair or the Nebraska State Fair.
Upcoming In-Person Trainings:
April 25--Chase County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.-Noon
May 28--Chase County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.-Noon
May 29--Perkins County Extension Office, 10 a.m.-Noon
June 4--Wauneta, TBD, 10 a.m.-Noon
July 1--ALL YQCA TRAININGS COMPLETED. CERTIFICATES TURNED IN IF CLASS WAS TAKEN ONLINE.
All 4-H members planning to exhibit livestock at the Chase County Fair must have Livestock ID Sheets turned in by the deadline in order to be eligible to show. ID Sheets are due on the deadline by 4 PM.
Horse: May 15
Beef/Sheep/Swine/Goat: June 2
Livestock Id Sheets are available online https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/perkins-chase/4-h/4-h-animal-resources/or can be picked up at the Extension Office.
Tags are available at the Extension Office.
**All MARKET livestock must submit a photo of the tag (4-H, EID or Scrapies) in the ear(s) of the animal(s) listed on the ID Sheet. Photos may be printed and turned in with the ID sheet or emailed to the office (dstamm3@unl.edu).
** Market Beef who participated in the Beef Weigh in do not need to submit pictures.
4-H Horse Camp will be June 12-14 at Ft. Robinson State Park, Crawford, NE. Registration forms and scholarship applications are available online or at the Chase County Extension Office.
Enjoy a fun and educational weekend at the Pitzer Horsemanship and Trail Weekend, June 7–8, 2025, at Pitzer Ranch in Ericson, NE!
This exciting event includes:
- 4-H Horsemanship activities
- Trail Challenge Obstacle Course
- Trail Ride across the scenic Pitzer Ranch
- Equine chiropractic demo: “When and Why?”
- Saturday evening meal & Sunday breakfast
- Drawings, prizes, and a silent auction!
Cost: $30 per participant (4-H youth and parents).
Horse pens available for $5 donation. Dry camping and porta pots on-site; motels nearby in Burwell and Ord.
🕗 Check-in: Saturday, 8:30–9:30 AM
🐎 Trail Ride: Sunday morning
📅 Registration Deadline: May 30, 2025
🔗 Register here: https://cvent.me/nxXQA3
Questions? Contact Larry Voecks at 402-649-4474.
Register early – space is limited!
The 2025 What’s the Buzz? season of the Nebraska State 4-H Camp will share the importance of pollinators in Nebraska- why they’re important, how they impact agriculture, and what youth can do in their own communities to support the various native pollinators we have in Nebraska. From bees and butterflies to hummingbirds and bats- it’s going to be a week full of learning and fun!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is returning to Chadron and Burwell for summer camp 2025! Youth new to camping can attend a shorter camp session designed to let them experience all the best parts of summer camp in a 3 day/2 night session. Choose from one of two 5 day/4 night sessions for youth 10-14 years old and returning this year is the Leaders in Training camp for high school youth 15-17 years old! Campers will focus on developing leadership skills with an opportunity to put those skills into practice by volunteering at one of our other camp sessions!
Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp
Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 10-24, 2025 at: http://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has expanded its Defend the Flock program to educate all poultry growers about best practices in biosecurity. This comprehensive public education program provides new resources to ensure that all growers have the information they need to keep flocks safe from infectious diseases.
APHIS is introducing the expanded program to combat the increasing risk of serious disease outbreaks. Biosecurity, which encompasses structural and operating practices to block diseases and the pathogens that carry them, has proven to be the most effective way to protect the nation’s poultry, property, and people.
The Defend the Flock program includes checklists, videos, and other resources that reflect the knowledge, insights, and experience of USDA, veterinarians, poultry owners, growers, scientists, and other experts. All Defend the Flock materials are available at no charge 24/7 at the Defend the Flock Resource Center. For more information on the program, visit usda.aphis.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock.
Follow Defend the Flock on Facebook and Twitter for practical tips about keeping poultry healthy and new additions to the Resource Center.
Debbie Kuenning, Extension Educator, debbie.kuenning@unl.edu
Diane Stamm, Office Manager, dstamm3@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/perkins-chase/
Location: 490 East 5th Street, Imperial, NE, USA
Phone: 308-882-4731
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasecounty4H