BOONE & NANCE COUNTY HAPPENINGS
Summer Intern Job Announcement
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Boone County would like to announce an opening for a summer intern at the Boone County Extension Office. This is a nine-week contracted temporary position, May 20 to July 18 (dates negotiable). Please see the link for more information and to complete the fillable application by April 1, or pick up an application at the Extension Office.
See the Scholarship & Opportunities page for information about the summer intern opportunity in Nance County.
YQCA in-person training will be held May 3 at 10:00 am at the Boone County Fairgrounds, at the Extension Office Conference Room. Nance County will have the training May 9 at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office. Training will be held in Antelope County on June 11 at 10:00 am. Call the Extension Office for a coupon code, and register at https://yqcaprogram.org.
We are delighted to announce the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production.
Registration deadline is April 1st. Go to https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge for detailed guidelines and participation information, or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Poultry Projects!
Order your Market Broilers for County Fair! 4-H members can exhibit a Pen of 3 and a Single bird project. A Pen of 3 Market Broilers is eligible for the Livestock Premium Sale. Birds will be males and arrive in Boone County the week of May 19, and in Nance County the week of June 2. The exact delivery dates will be shared later with families who have signed up. Families are expected to be available on the day of delivery to pick up their birds. Extension Staff WILL NOT be responsible for or be able to keep the birds after delivery. Payment is due in the Extension Office within 48 hours of completing this form. Your order will not be placed until payment is received in the office.
Boone County deadline for Chick Orders has been extended to April 4. Please make check payable to: Boone County 4-H Council. Birds are available for $1.70 per bird at https://forms.gle/YtbQzjerNNfTSZjv6
Nance County Chick Orders must be completed by Thursday, April 3. Please make check payable to: Nance County 4-H Council. Cost - $1.70 each. Order at https://forms.gle/AGjehaBCeDAGNncB7
Market Turkey orders for Boone County Fair have been placed, and if you ordered birds, they will arrive the week of April 14. The exact delivery date will be shared with families later who have signed up. Families are expected to be available on the day of delivery to pick up their birds. Extension Staff WILL NOT be responsible for or be able to keep the birds after delivery.
Exhibitors will bring a pair (2) of turkeys to be exhibited as a market pair that are approximately 12 weeks old, and/or a single turkey. Turkey pairs are eligible for the Livestock Premium Sale.
Another poultry project is a chick or a duck from Embryology School Enrichment class. Exhibitors may bring one or the other.
A Production Trio is another option, and will be judged on production qualities.
Eggs can also be exhibited. Each exhibitor is limited to one dozen eggs. Call for more details!
Poultry can also be entered at the Nebraska State Fair in 4-H.
Pesticide Safety Education Program
The Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in concert with Extension Specialists, Extension Educators, and other collaborators, provides educational and training programs that address human health, the environment, economic well-being, and pesticide safety.
The new website is found at https://pested.unl.edu.
Training dates for statewide in-person Private Applicator, Commercial and Noncommercial Applicator, and Chemigation, as well as online training can be found there.
Special Garden and Agronomy Projects
The focus for the 2025 Special Garden Project will be the Goldie Husk Cherry. This old-fashioned fruit from the tomato family has sweet berries inside golden husks.
If you are interested in trying this project, please call the Extension Office as soon as possible to reserve seeds. Quantities are limited.
Loup Valley 4-H
Horse Conference
South Central Livestock Judging
The annual South Central Livestock Judging event will be held Thursday, May 20 at 10:00 am at the Webster County Fairgrounds in Bladen, NE. This event is part of the Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit. There will be 8-10 placing classes. Classes can consist of any combination of breeding and/or market classes within beef, swine, sheep and goat species.
Senior contestants will give reasons for 4 classes and answer questions in 2 classes. Intermediates will give reasons in 3 classes and answer questions in 2 classes. Juniors will give reasons in 1 class and answer questions in 2 classes. Questions will be asked in a group format after the completion of all placing classes.
Check in/late registration: 9:00 am to 9:45 am. Contest begins at 10:00 am. Pre-register by May 22 at https://go.unl.edu/sclj25.
For questions, contact the Webster County Extension Office at 402-746-3417, or Katie Bolte at katie.bolte@unl.edu, orscan the QR code.
Farm & Ranch Transition Workshop
Attorney Pam Olsen will share her expertise on transition and succession for farmers and ranchers. The aim of this workshop is to provide reliable information to assist families to put together succession plans or review their existing plans.
Cornhusker Economics
Check out the market value of ag land in Nebraska, and the cash rental rates. Download the "Nebraska Farmland Values and Cash Rental Rates in 2025" (updated March 2025) at Cornhusker Economics.
To view other articles, go to https://agecon.unl.edu/cornhusker-economics
Connect with Us
Cash Rent Workshop in Norfolk
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension will present two virtual workshops for farm and ranch landowners, landlords, and tenants who want to learn more about current trends in farm or ranch real estate, and best practices for managing or leasing land.
“Big Questions and Innovative Solutions in Land Management” will cover topics related to Nebraska's land industry for farms and ranches. Those include evaluating current trends in land values and cash rents, lease provisions and legal considerations, proper communication strategies and considerations for successful land transitions. Workshop participants will also be able to find answers to common farmland leasing and land ownership questions.
The program is free to attend. Registration is required for each location.
Both workshops will cover the same information, but examples used in each may be relevant to the designated area of the state that is noted for each date. A mailing address is required to register because we will send program materials through the mail. If you register after March 18, the mailing may arrive after the workshops.
Click the links below to register:
March 25, 9-11:30 a.m. CT: Virtual Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop for Central and Western Nebraska
March 27, noon-2:30 p.m. CT: Virtual Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop for Eastern Nebraska
More information about upcoming locations and dates is available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/land25.
Camps
The Regional Junior 4-H Camp will be held June 4-6 at Whispering Cedars Camp at Genoa. Camp Counselors are needed at this point. Counselors must be 16 to 18 years of age before January 1. You will be required to complete the Permission and Health form in 4-H Online and the background screening before coming to camp. Please register by April 30 at https://forms.gle/Rp9tjANF95FvdQ497
Junior 4-H Camp is open to ALL youth, ages 8-11 before January 1st of this year. Early bird rate is $110 by May 2 at 4:00 pm. Then until May 8 at 4:00 pm the rate is $135. 12-year-olds can be put on a waiting list if registered and paid. If there is room after the May 8th deadline, they will be notified that they can attend. Campers can register at https://forms.gle/a83cQ7zY9Ss4i9TN8
Nance County campers make checks out to Nance County 4-H Council and send to Nance County Extension, PO Box 130, Fullerton, NE, 68638. Boone County campers make checks out to Boone County 4-H Council and send to Boone County Extension, 2624 Fairgrounds Rd, Albion, NE, 68620.
The 4-H Council is offering Camp Scholarships for camps and workshops. Please complete the fillable form by May 1st, or stop at the Extension Office and pick up a copy.
More information about Camp below:
Nebraska State 4-H Camps
