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Youth from across Nebraska converged in Grand Island on June 10-14th to compete in the 2021 Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo. The event is the pinnacle showing experience for members of the 4-H horse program, and many were excited for this year's face-to-face experience following a virtual show in 2020. The show included a multitude of classes for youth and their horses. Some classes, such as halter and showmanship, were open to all youth regardless of district-level competition. However, other classes required youth to qualify at one of five district-level shows. Districts were held in June in various locations across the state. Results from the 2021 Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo are now available in the 4-H Now mobile app or on the event website. 

2021 Results

Image 1. Irrigation water flows through Tunnel No. 1 on the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie supply canal in 2021.

Chuck Burr, crops and water extension educator and TAPS team member, (at center in gray shirt and red cap), stands with attendees in a problematic plot at the UNL-TAPS Summer Event Field Day, as they examine and discuss issues during the problematic plot educational activity.

The July 29 SCAL Field Day will focus on field trials and discussions on improved crop production and profitability.

This week, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist Jerry Volesky shares his tips on producing quality hay from summer annual grasses like sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, forage sorghum and pearl millet.

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Hot, dry weather is impacting part of the state which in turn is impacting the water quality for grazing cattle.  In some pastures, the only water source available are ponds and dugouts which can contain hidden dangers to the cattle.

Blue-green algae also known as cyanobacteria blooms are caused by excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus.  These nutrients are commonly introduced from runoff or soil erosion from fertilizer and manure.

Spanish: 

Congratulations to the 2021 Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship recipients! The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers 4-H members the opportunity to apply for scholarships and awards up to $22,000 worth of scholarships each year to 4-H members from across the state. 

• Fletcher Larsen, Cherry County
• Abby Scholz, Phelps County
• Allison Rippe, Red Willow County
• Madelyn Kreifels, Lancaster County
• Logan Hicks, Nemaha County
• Emily Loseke, Colfax County
• Galayna Erickson, Hitchcock County
• Jacob Wells, Howard County
• Cooper Koch, York County
• Kristen Herrick, Franklin County
• Sheridan Wilson, Arthur County
• Jessica Wilkinson, Scotts Bluff County
• Blake Bruns, Lincoln County
• Gracie Schneider, Dawson County
• Logan Cast, Seward County
• Kaleb Hasenkamp, Cuming County
• Gracie Philpot, Buffalo County
• Kacee Dvorak, Custer County
• Kaylee Davis, Grant County
• Sarah Treffer, Dawson County
• Wyatt Siwinski, Merrick County

Congratulations to the 4-H Clubs recognized with 2021 Governor's Ag Excellence Awards. Sponsored by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, the purpose of the Nebraska 4-H Foundation's Governor's Ag Excellence Awards is to recognize 4-H Clubs for the work of the individuals in the club and the community service work of the entire club.

• 4 Star Hamilton Hero's, Hamilton County
• Always Busy Clovers, Butler County
• Badger Buddies, Washington County
• Better Ba-C's, Otoe County
• Blazing Saddles, Otoe County
• Blue Hill Better Herds, Webster County
• Dakota County 4-H Council, Dakota County
• Farnam Clovers 4-H, Frontier County
• Five Start 4-H, Lancaster County
• Fusion 4-H'ers, Lancaster County
• Happy Helpers, Frontier County
• Joe's Clover Knights, Lancaster County
• Lancaster County 4-H Teen Council, Lancaster County
• Nance County Robotics, Nance County
• NEquestrian, Lancaster County
• Pathfinders, Gage County
• Sandhills Critters, Custer County
• Sheridan County Junior Leaders, Sheridan County
• Southern Lancaster Kids, Lancaster County
• Spring Creek Boots and Buckles, Thayer County
• Sterling 4-H Club, Johnson County
• Unified Showing, Lancaster County
• Unified Showing, Otoe County
• Westside Hustlers, Saunders County

In this photo from the Platte Basin Timelapse Project, an irrigation canal delivers water to farmland in Scotts Bluff County. Scotts Bluff National Monument is on the horizon.

Photo 1. Rhizoctonia root rot of soybeans. Lesions near the soil line tend to be sunken and dry.

Congratulations to all 160 Nebraska 4-H members who participated in the 2021 State 4-H Public Speaking Contests. The event was held on July 30 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Youth participating in the contests presented their speeches or public service announcements that were selected at county-level contests. All state-level participants were awarded ribbons, and top winners for each contest and age division were also recognized. 

Senior Division Speech Winners:

1. Paige Bunn, Dodge County
2. Sydney Hutchinson, Cuming County
3. Breanna Bosshamer, Buffalo County
4. Acacia Carlson, Lancaster County
5. Rachel Brhel, Clay County
6. Grace Soucie, Franklin County
7. Grace Brennemann, Frontier County
8. Valerie Bennie, Otoe County

Senior Division PSA Winners:

1. Reece Snodgrass, Cumming County
2. Campbell Snodgrass, Cumming County
3. John Roscoe, Burt County
4. Miya Carey, Holt County
5. Chelsea Potts, Cedar County
6. Ashley Bauer, Buffalo County

Intermediate Division Speech Winners:

1. Melanie Wiggins, Lancaster County
2. Carson Reiman, Dawson County
3. Devon Rasmussen, Gage County
4. Luke Sylliaseen, Saunders County
5. Mollie Lambert, Cass County
6. Greta Rickertsen, Dawson County
7. Micah Gerlach, Furnas County
8. Kara Brockman, Gosper County

Intermediate Division PSA Winners:

1. Melanie Wiggins, Lancaster County
2. Hope Roscoe, Burt County
3. Harley Hedrick, York County
4. Jaden Hunke, Dawson County
5. Joshua Snodgrass, Cuming County
6. Marshall Bratetic, Knox County

2021 State 4-H Public Speaking Results