BOONE & NANCE COUNTY HAPPENINGS
4-H & FFA Beef Weigh-In
The Beef Weigh-in at Albion is January 19, with February 2 as a snow date. For 4-H & FFA exhibitors residing in Boone or Nance County who are planning to show market or breeding beef at the County and State Fair, as well as Aksarben. Animals will be tagged, weighed, and a DNA sample taken. Weigh-in will be held at Town & Country Working Facility from 1-2 pm.
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, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.
This competition not only fosters a spirit of innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform for recognizing dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to embrace this opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices. 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.
4-H Ambassador Program
The 4-H Council may select up to three individuals to represent the Boone County 4-H Program. The ambassadors should be well spoken and carry themselves with poise, a sense of self-worth, and respect. They should be a leader who shows initiative and a sense of pride and commitment to promote and represent the Boone County 4-H Program. Must be 4-H age 14 to 18 by January of the current year and must have completed a minimum of two years in 4-H and be currently enrolled.
Must be willing to represent 4-H throughout the year, including participation in local community events and 4-H county activities (some activities outside your comfort zone).
Must follow the 4-H Code of Conduct at all times.
Ambassadors will be expected to carry out their duties as per contract with the 4-H Council.
If you are interested in applying to be a Boone County 4-H Ambassador, pick up an application at your local Extension Office, or get the fillable form here.
All 6 pages of the form must be returned to the Extension Office by January 15, 2025.
2025 Youth Preparedness Council
Youth in Grades 8-11 who are interested in making a difference in their communities are encouraged to apply to join the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council!
The Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) brings teens together from across the country who are passionate about emergency preparedness and making a difference in their communities. Council members are selected based on involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and interest in preparedness and emergency management.
Students in Grades 8-11 are eligible to apply.
YPC members share ideas and feedback with FEMA, collaborate to develop preparedness project proposals, and build their leadership and emergency management skills. Youth leaders who are interested in applying to the YPC must submit a completed application form and provide two letters of recommendation.
The application is open January 7 – March 3, 2025.
Learn more and apply today at https://ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council.
More details at: https://ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council
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 wellbeing, 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.
A Chemigation training and Private Pesticide Applicator training will be held in Albion at the Casey's Building on January 27. Register at https://pears.io/events/unl/31/. Call the Extension office for assistance at 402-395-2158.
A Private Pesticide Applicator training will be held in Fullerton at the Nance County Fairgrounds on January 31. Register at https://pears.io/events/unl/28 . Call the Extension office for assistance at 308-536-2691.
Other training dates are:
- January 22nd (Wednesday) – Platte – Ag Park – 1:30pm. Register at https://pears.io/events/unl/34 or call 402-563-4901.
- January 28th (Tuesday) – Polk – Polk Co Fairgrounds – 9:30am. Register at https://pears.io/events/unl/32 or call 402-352-3821.
- January 30th (Thursday) – Colfax – Colfax Co Fairgrounds – 1:00pm. Register at https://pears.io/events/unl/35 or call 402-352-3821.
- February 14th (Friday) – Butler – Fairgrounds in David City – 1:00pm. Register at https://pears.io/events/unl/36 or call 402-352-3821.
- February 25th (Tuesday) – Platte – Columbus Innovation Center – 9:00am. Register at https://pears.io/events/unl/38 or call 402-563-4901.
Special Garden Project
This project is open to all youth of 4-H ages 5-18 and it will give them the opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting, and exhibiting this unique fruit. The Special Garden Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new and different while letting those new to gardening get their feet wet in this project area.
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 something new, please call the Extension Office by February 14th to reserve seeds for your project.
Connect with Us
Cash Rent Workshop in Norfolk
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension will present a series of workshops across the state 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.
More information about upcoming locations and dates is available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/land25.
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 2024" (updated March 2024) at Cornhusker Economics.
To view other articles, go to https://agecon.unl.edu/cornhusker-economics
FARROWED & OWNED SWINE COHORT
Registration is now open for the 2025 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort. Project animals may be shown at the county fair. Nebraska State Fair exhibition is optional. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair. Join the first session in February for more details! Register by February 1 at https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned. For questions, contact Benny Mote at bmote8@unl.edu, or 402-310-9878
