HARLAN COUNTY EXTENSION

Calendar of Events

Save the Dates

• YQCA In-Person Trainings
  
• Animal Science Discovery Days
• South Central Livestock Judging
• 4-H Horse Camp
• Horsemanship & Trail Weekend

Harlan County Fair & State Fair Deadlines

2024/2025 4-H Enrollment

• Nebraska 4-H
  
• Youth Returning & New (Informational Website), (4-Honline)
  
• Volunteers (4-Honline)
  
• 4-H Leader Resources

2025 Harlan County Fair

• Harlan County 4-H

• NSF Fairbook
  
• Livestock Exhibitor Resources
  
• Show Stock Manager

• Virtual Food Preservation
  

• Spring into 4-H judging!

• Nebraska State 4-H Camp
• The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI)
• Tractor Safety Training
• Heavy Equipment Career Exploration
  

Extension Office Contact Information

April

April 10 - Spring into 4-H Judging Webinar @ 5:30pm

April 14 - Spring into 4-H Judging Webinar @ 5:30pm

April 25 - Extension Office will be closed in observance of Arbor Day

April 28 - YQCA at the Southern Valley School Ag Building @ 3:50pm - 4:50pm

April 30 - Extension Office will be closed for Water Jamboree

April 30 - YQCA at the Alma Public School Ag Building @ 3:40pm - 4:40pm

MAY

May 17 - Southern Plains Horse Judging Contest at Nuckolls Fairgrounds, Nelson, NE @ 9am

May 26 - Extension Office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day

May 28 - Animal Science Discovery Days at NCTA

May 29 - YQCA in Beaver City at the Blue Ribbon @ 2:00pm - 3:00pm

May 29 - YQCA in Orleans at the Ag Center @ 2:00pm - 3:00pm

May 29 - South Central Livestock Judging in Bladen @ 9:00am

May 30 - Southern Plains Livestock Judging Contest at Thayer Co. Fairgrounds, Deshler, NE @ 9am

JUNE

June 7 - 8 - 4-H Horsemanship & Trail weekend at Erickson

June 12 - 14 - 4-H Horse Camp at Ft. Robinson

June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline

June 15 - Livestock Pre-Entry Forms Due

June 15 - Livestock ID Sheets

June 15 - Horse Show Pre-Entries & Class Registration DUE

June 15 YQCA Certifications DUE

June 19 - Extension Office will be closed in observance of Juneteenth

JULY

July 18 - Talent & Fashion Show Pre-Entry Forms Due

July 18 - 4-H Stall/Pen Assignments

- County Fair Clean Up Day

July 22 - Fashion & Talent Show @ SV School

July 28 - August 1 - Harlan County Fair

Wednesday, May 28
NCTA - Curtis

May 17 @ 9am

Deshler, NE

Thursday, May 29
Webster County Fairgrounds - Bladen

May 30 @ 9am

Nuckolls County Fairgrounds

Nelson, NE

June 7
Phelps County Fairgrounds
Holdrege, NE

Rabbits, Poultry, and Pocket Pets are encouraged to attend. Showmanship education and fun contests.

June 7 - 8
Erickson, NE

June 12 - 14
Ft. Robinson

Crawford, NE

FYI: Staff will not be available for assistance if you choose to complete it on Sunday, June 15th. If you choose to wait, please be aware that the system may slow down due to the number of individuals statewide trying to enter.

HARLAN CO. 4-H DEADLINES

June 15: 4-H ENROLLMENT DEADLINE

June 15: Harlan County 4-H Ambassador Applications are Due to County Office

June 15: Livestock Pre-Entry Forms Due

June 15: Livestock ID Sheets

June 15: Horse Show Pre-Entry & Class Registration DUE

June 15: YQCA Certificates are due to County Office (REQUIRED TO SHOW)

July 18: Small Animal Vaccination & Entry form Due
July 18: Favorite Food Revue Due

July 18: Talent & Fashion Show Pre-Entry Forms Due

July 18: 4-H Stall/Pen Assignments

STATE FAIR LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS:

June 15: ALL LIVESTOCK DNA Envelopes (showing at State and AKSARBEN) Due to County Office

June 15: ALL LIVESTOCK State Fair Online Nominations due. Entries must be done online by June 15 on https://showstockmgr.com/

August 10: State Fair Entries

We are excited to have you join Harlan County 4-H!
ENROLL TODAY!!

Enroll Today!! There's NO Cost to enroll.

Go to https://4h.unl.edu/enroll to learn about enrollment for the 2024/2025 4-H year!
Enroll or Re-enroll for the upcoming 2024/2025 4-H year at https://v2.4honline.com

Enrollment closes JUNE 15, 2025.

Volunteer Enrollment is mandatory BEFORE your work with youth.

https://v2.4honline.com

Nebraska 4-H has TWO different types of volunteers: direct and indirect.

DIRECT VOLUNTEER: are those working directly with youth - club leaders and 4-H Council Members. Direct volunteers will be asked to complete the following screening process and repeat screening as scheduled. Must enroll in 4-H Online. The fee is $16 in 2025.
** Please contact the office if you have a conceal carry permit or any other current/active screening process.
** You do NOT need to complete the orientation again if you completed in 2024.

INDIRECT VOLUNTEER: supporting 4-H program without directly interacting with youth, such as event helpers, program support roles, and county fair superintendents. Indirect volunteer will be asked to complete the activity worker application. Volunteers will complete a form sent by the Extension Office.

Please contact Micky at mblender2@unl.edu with questions about your screening level.

All direct volunteers can get reimbursed for their volunteer screening.

Please submit your receipt to harlan-county@unl.edu, and we will mail your check for reimbursement. No reimbursement will be made without a receipt.

Nebraska 4-H offers a variety of resources for 4-H Clubs and leaders. A 4-H Club is an organized group of five or more youth who meet regularly with adult volunteers or 4-H staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences. The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development and foster educational opportunities to meet the needs of young people.

For 4-H Club Leader Resources follow this link https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders

Harlan County 4-H

Harlan County Fair Schedule

Harlan County Livestock Exhibitor Resources

Static Exhibitor Resources

Harlan County 4-H Fairbook

What is a premise ID?

A premises identification number (PIN) is a unique code that is permanently assigned to a single physical location. A premise ID is administered by each State and allows animal health officials to quickly and precisely identify where animals are located in the event of an animal health or food safety emergency. A Premise ID does not identify the animal but instead the location of that animal.

How to Obtain a Premise ID: https://nda.nebraska.gov/adt/premises.html

What’s a Flock ID?
A Flock ID is an official identification number assigned by the USDA or state for your sheep and goats. It's used on ear tags to list the flock of origin - helping ensure traceability and safety! This number is identified on the the popularly known Scrapie Tag.

If you are raising sheep or goats in Nebraska and need to get a flock ID, the USDA makes it easy!

How to get your Flock ID:

Web link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-disease/sheep-goat/scrapie-tag

OR

Phone: 1-866-USDA-TAG (1-866-873-2824)

Follow these simple steps:

1. Call the USDA’s toll-free number: 1-866-USDA-TAG (1-866-873-2824)
2. Follow the telephone prompts to reach the correct APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) or State office
3. Request your Flock ID

For more info, you can also email scrapie@usda.gov.

Get your Flock ID today and keep your herd in compliance!

• All market lambs and market goats must be identified with an official USDA farm scrapie tag.
• All market swine for county must be identified with a county 4-H ear tag (Free). All market swine for State Fair must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.
• All market beef for county must be identified with a county 4-H ear tag. All market beef and stocker feeders for State Fair must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.

Be sure to stop by the Extension Office to pick up your county 4-H livestock ear tags. Also, available are the EID tags for use at State Fair and AKSARBEN for Beef and Swine exhibitors.

Tag prices:

County 4-H Ear Tag for Beef and Swine are FREE

840 EID tag: $3.00 per tag

Number of entries at Harlan County Fair:

Livestock Entries per project area that may be made by one individual:

• Beef - 2 breeding beef, 3 market beef, 2 stocker-feeders
• Sheep -2 breeding sheep, 3 market lambs
• Swine - 3 swine, 2 breeding swine
• Dairy - 3 dairy cows and/or calves
• Goats - 3 meat goats, 2 breeding meat goat does, 2 dairy goats. In addition, a third dairy goat entry may be made in the Best Kid Class.

Small Animal Entries per project area that may be made by one individual:

• Cats -2 Cats
• Companion Animals – 2 entries per class
• Rabbits - 1 entry per class
• Poultry - 1 entry per class except exhibitor may show 2 turkeys,
• Dog – 1 dog

Paper Livestock ID Affidavits are required by our county office.

These are for county purposes ONLY.

Identification of Livestock and Animal Entries in the 4-H show must be owned by the exhibitor and ownership certified where required on the appropriate forms in the Extension Office. The affidavit deadline and ownership certification for all animals is June 15.

• Market Beef- Paper ownership affidavit must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. All market beef for county must be identified with a county 4-H ear tag. All Market beef for State Fair must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.

• Breeding Beef– Any Breeding Heifer project animal enrolled in 4-H must be born between August 2022-December 2023. Breeding beef does NOT need a specific 4-H tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. State Fair - Registered heifers are required to have a copy of registration papers & DNA sample submitted to the office by June 15.

• Stocker Feeder: All stocker feeders must be born within the current year (2024) but before June 1 and be identified with a farm tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. State Fair – All Stocker Feeders are required to submit a DNA sample/envelope to be eligible to exhibit by June 15 also they must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.

• Bucket Calf: All bucket calves must be born within the current year (2024) between January 1 and June 1 and be identified with a farm tag. Calves are to be fed on bucket or bottle and/or dry feed only. Calves are to be away from real or substitute mothers from June 15. Paper ownership affidavit must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.

• Market Swine- Paper ownership affidavit must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. All market swine for county must be identified with a county 4-H ear tag. All Market swine for State Fair must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.

• Market Lambs and Market Goats- All market lambs and market goats must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
• Age Classification of Market Lambs - All market lambs are required to be born on or after December 1, 2023.
• Definition of Market Sheep - Wether and ewe lambs are eligible for market classes. Short scrotum, cryptorchid or ram lambs are not eligible as market lambs.
• Age Classification of Market Meat Goats – All market goats are required to be born on or after November 1, 2023. Market goats are to have milk teeth and there shall be no evidence of breaking of the skin or eruption of the two permanent front teeth.
• Definition of Market Goats - Market goats may be doe or wether kids. Short scrotum, cryptorchid or buck kids are not eligible as market goats.

• Breeding Sheep and Goats- All ewes and does (registered and commercial) must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Paper ownership affidavits must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
• Age Classification of Breeding Ewes - Ewes born September 1, 2022, or after are classed as lambs. Lambs born between 9/1/2021 and 8/31/2022 will be classed as yearlings. All ewe lambs must have all temporary teeth present. Yearling ewes and does can have yearling teeth but cannot have two-year-old teeth.
• Age Classification of Breeding Meat Goats - All doe kids must have all temporary teeth present. Yearling does can have yearling teeth but cannot have two-year-old teeth.

• Horse- All horses that will be shown at the County, District &/or State Horse Show must be appropriately identified on the Nebraska Horse identification affidavit and Entry form turned into the local Extension office by May 6 for State (subject to change) and June 15 for County Only.

• Rabbits & Poultry – Paper ownership affidavit must be turned into the local Extension office by June 15th. Rabbits and Poultry must be owned and raised by the 4-H’er during the year exhibited. A member may make one entry in each class and must be present for judging. County-only rabbits will not be required to have an ear tattoo. State Fair Rabbits do require ear tattoos.

• Dogs- All dogs being shown, are required to have a rabies vaccination certificate from vet. Vaccination forms MUST be turned into the Extension office 1 week prior to dog show. A 4-H’er may enter one dog and it must be on a leash. 4-H’er and dog will be judged on 4-H’ers knowledge of their pet and ability to handle their dog. This is not a dog obedience show. The show will be divided into 4-H’er age divisions.

• Cats– All cats being shown, are required to have a rabies vaccination certificate from vet. Vaccination forms MUST be turned into the Extension office 1 week prior to cat show. No more than two cat entries by one exhibitor and no more than two entries per class will be allowed.

Reminders

· The due dates listed above mean that all tagging is complete, the animal information completed and in the possession of the local Extension office.

ALL YQCA MUST BE COMPLETED ANNUALLY & CERTIFICATES

SUBMITTED TO THE EXTENSION OFFICE

NO LATER THAN JUNE 15 @ 4:00pm

Nebraska 4-H requires all youth ages 8-18 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.

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

· Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)

· Dairy Cattle

· Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)

· Poultry

· Rabbit

· Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)

· Swine (breeding swine, market swine)

Face-to Face Training In-person YQCA training courses cost $3 per individual regardless of age.

The Harlan County 4-H Council has purchased in-person training codes again this year,

so that our Harlan County 4-H members can take in-person training at NO COST!!!

Contact the Extension Office and Dawn will send the code to make it FREE.
(Must be done before you register for class.)
Thank you 4-H Council!

Web-based Training at https://yqcaprogram.org. The online YQCA course costs $12 per individual regardless of age.

Each participant that completes either the ILT or WBT MUST complete a pre-test and a post-test.

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. 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.

Test-out costs are:

Intermediate: $36 ($12 x 3 years of certification) Senior: $48 ($12 x 4 years of certification).

YQCA TIPS

• 4-H Families will register and pay online at: https://yqcaprogram.org

• 4-H’ers use their 4-H Online Account

YQCA in-person Training Dates:

• April 28 - YQCA at the Southern Valley School Ag Building @ 3:50pm - 4:50pm

• April 30 - YQCA at the Alma Public School Ag Building @ 3:40pm - 4:40pm

• May 29: Blue Ribbon Building at the Beaver City Fairgrounds @ 2:00 pm

• May 29: Harlan County Ag Center at the Orleans Fairgrounds @ 2:00 pm

Please note: 4-Hers must be enrolled as an active member for 2025 before taking the YQCA training.

All Things Nebraska 4-H State Fair
https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/state-fair/

2025 Nebraska 4-H State Fairbook

https://4h.unl.edu/4-h-fairbook-nebraska-state-fair/

4-H Livestock Exhibitor Resources

https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/state-fair/livestock-exhibitor/

Show Stock Manager is live for livestock nominations for the 2025 Nebraska State Fair!

Website Link: https://showstockmgr.com/

** All livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to complete an online nomination with payment through Show Stock Manager and submit a DNA collector envelope with a hair sample. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves.
Each State Fair nomination will be $7.00 per animal in Show Stock Manager.
4-H and FFA livestock nominations are due on or before June 15, 2025.

If you have any questions on how to submit your online nominations, you can review the 2025 Step-by-Step Nomination Instructions document.

Special Note: For 4-H/FFA families who are planning on nominating the same animals for the NSF and Aksarben Stock Show, obtain your DNA envelopes from the local Extension Office or FFA Advisor. Turn in your completed DNA envelopes to the local Extension Office or FFA Advisor. Submit the DNA payment and complete the online nomination in Show Stock Manager. 4-H/FFA families will only be required to submit DNA and pay once for an animal. After these steps, complete the online nomination process for the Aksarben Stock Show. The Aksarben Stock Nomination online nomination system will be different than Show Stock Manager. Guidance on how to nominate State Fair animals in the Aksarben Stock Show online nomination database will be provided at a later date.

Want to home food preserve this coming growing season? Announcing: Food Preservation Class courtesy UNL Extension. Learn safe steps to home canning over the next 4 months.

Each Class will cover the steps to safely home preserve.

Classes will be held FREE via Zoom from 12 pm – 1 pm

https://go.unl.edu/virtualfoodpreservation

Classes are intended for beginners or as a refresher.

Spring into 4-H judging! A training series for 4-H project judges will take place in April 2025:

• Thursday, April 10th (5:30 - 6:30 pm CST): Introduction to Judging 4-H Projects
• Audience: Adults interested in learning about judging 4-H projects at county and state fairs.
• Topics: Ensuring interview judging is a positive experience, the role of Positive Youth Development in the judging process and more!
• Monday, April 14th (5:30 - 7:00 pm CST): 4-H Visual Arts & Foods Judges Training
• Audience: New and experienced judges for Visual Arts and Foods projects.
• Topics: Class changes to 4-H Visual Arts department; Refresh on foods department judging including the new trends of sourdough and updates.

Participation is optional, and while live attendance is encouraged, the sessions will be recorded and available at: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/judges/.

Visit https://go.unl.edu/judgestraining2025 to register!

The 2025 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.

Federal law restricts youth under 16 from using certain farm equipment unless their parents or
guardians own the farm. However, 14- and 15-year-olds can earn an exemption by completing a two-day certification course, which includes a written test and a driving exam. Successful completion grants NSTMOP certification, allowing them to operate tractors and certain mechanized equipment on farms and ranches, and obtain a husbandry permit.

To Learn more and to register for a date, check out the link: https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html

Youth under 14 years of age can attend Day 1 if accompanied by an adult but cannot drive equipment, attend Day 2, or become certified. Students under 14 must register but won’t be charged a fee.

Monday, June 23, 2025
Central Community College - Hastings Campus in Hastings, NE

Sessions include:

* Navigate and drive virtual heavy equipment simulators

* Behind the wheel experience with a variety of Heavy Equipment Pieces

* Learn about the Hastings CCC Heavy Equipment Program

* Career panel

* Optional campus tours

Check-in is from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Lunch is included. The day ends at 4:30 pm with optional campus tours. Registration cost is $35.00. Register at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment . Registration will close on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 5 pm or until all spots are filled.

This is a joint program with Nebraska Extension, Nebraska 4-H, Central Community College, and Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).

The 54th annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) will be held July 7-11, 2025, on UNL’s East Campus.

Applications are now available to students who are currently high school juniors and seniors on our website at: www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi

As always, applications will be due on April 15th.

Email: Harlan-County@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/harlan/
Location: Alma, NE, USA
Phone: 308-928-2119
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harlancountyext

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/harlan-county-ne/

In Harlan County, we have AMAZING youth! To share the success stories of our youth through pictures, visit our Flickr account at flickr.com/photos/harlan-county-ne/

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.