Nebraska State Fair Starts Friday!

August 24, 2015 Leave a comment


Get ready for the 2015 Nebraska State Fair – it’s just around the corner! The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is putting the finishing touches on several exciting new features this year including an outdoor meandering steam, which has been added along the edge of the outdoor playground just outside the Nebraska Building. The seven-foot-wide stream stretches 115 feet and features waterfalls, stonework and landscaping inspired by the Niobrara River Valley Corridor and constructed by Greenworks of Grand Island. Visitors are invited to grab a seat, relax and enjoy the scenery.

Also new is a multi-screen exhibit detailing the reintroduction of bighorn sheep in Nebraska and a NEBRASKAland Magazine photo display will feature prints of wildlife, landscapes and beautiful scenes from outdoor Nebraska.

These features are in addition to the archery and air gun ranges, aquarium, kids’ games and outdoor playground that made last year’s exhibit a big success. For more information on our fair exhibit, visit our website.

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New Features Coming to the Nebraska State Fair

August 17, 2015 Leave a comment


The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is gearing up for this year’s Nebraska State Fair. We’ve added several exciting new features this year including an outdoor meandering steam, which runs along the edge of the outdoor playground just outside the Nebraska Building. The seven-foot-wide stream stretches 115 feet and features waterfalls, stonework and landscaping inspired by the Niobrara River valley and constructed by Greenworks of Grand Island. Visitors are invited to grab a seat, relax and enjoy the scenery.

Also new is a multi-screen exhibit detailing the reintroduction of bighorn sheep in Nebraska. The exhibit showcases how the sheep were captured and released into Nebraska and allows guests to follow the path of a migrating bighorn using data collected from a GPS radio collar. Additionally, a NEBRASKAland Magazine photo display will feature prints of wildlife, landscapes and beautiful scenes from outdoor Nebraska.

These features are in addition to the archery and airgun ranges, aquarium, kids’ games and outdoor playground that made last year’s exhibit a big success. For more information on our fair exhibit, visit our website.

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Burt County 4-H Members Show Outstanding Exhibits

August 10, 2015 Leave a comment


These Burt County 4-H members proudly display some of the outstanding exhibits they will be sending to the Nebraska State Fair later this month.

Front row: Cody Bachtell, Riley Davis and Ryan Braniff.

Front standing: Madison Enstrom, Miranda Bracht, Hayley Niewohner, Lacey Petersen, Alex Davis, Hannah Rief, Emma Wakehouse and Garret Lindberg.

2nd standing: Justice Rempe, Gavin Enstrom, Layne Miller, Arianne Brokaw, Caleb Schlichting, Elise Anderson, Katheryn Gregerson, Maggie Braniff, Greta Lindberg and Leia Farrens.

Back: Lucas Niewohner, Michael Bracht, Jacob Unwin, Brayden Anderson, Jadyn Fleischman, Amelia Schlichting, Ellie Glup, Anna Wakehouse and Brett Miller.

This group of 4-H members won many awards at the Burt County Fair, and some will move onto the state fair. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

This group of 4-H members won many awards at the Burt County Fair, and some will move onto the state fair. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

 

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Burt County 4-H Updates

June 1, 2015 Leave a comment


By Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant

4-H & FFA LIVESTOCK QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Both the Nebraska and the Burt County 4-H programs have mandated the Quality Assurance Certification for 4-H member and FFA students exhibiting beef, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, bucket calves, goats, rabbits, and/or poultry at the Burt County Fair, the Fremont 4-H Fair, the Nebraska State Fair and the Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock Exposition. Exhibitors are required to be Quality Assurance Certified through online certification or testing no later than June 15, 2015. FFA exhibitors over the age of 18 will need to be certified by a veterinarian as the on-line program is not equipped to handle post-4-H age exhibitors. Read your 4-H Newsletter for all the details on how to take care of this requirement, or call your local Nebraska Extension office if you have questions.

 

County Fair Pavers – An Opportunity to be a Permanent Part of the Fairgrounds!

If your 4-H Club, business or family would like to become a permanent part of the fairgrounds you will want to check out this opportunity. Two new improvements are being made on the fairgrounds. One is a full size windmill which will be just to the north of the 4-H Kitchen and the other is a permanent grill installed by the Bill Larson Building. To create a decorative and memorable area around them the Burt County Ag Society is selling granite pavers you can personalize with your club, family or business name. The sizes available are 8”x 8”, 8X 16” and 16” x 16” pavers available. The large size has the capability of having a logo or artwork on it. In order to make sure the pavers are completed and installed by the county fair the deadline to purchase your paver is Friday, June 5. Information sheets including pricing details and the engraving line set-up are available from any Fairboard member or at the Extension Office.

 

A Pottery Workshop, actually 2 Sessions of a workshop are being offered for the price of one! The first session will be: Tuesday, June 9– Participants will learn how to make two or more hand-built pottery pieces using coil, slab or pinch methods. You may choose from two time slots for the workshops. A morning session will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m.; and the afternoon session is from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Workshops held at the studio of Marilyn Tenney at 415 Grant, in Lyons.

The Second Session will be on Tuesday, June 16 – Students will glaze pieces made, observe throwing on the pottery wheel and learn about the firing process. Fired projects will be returned to the Burt County Extension Office the following week. The cost for the Pottery Workshop is $30. (The Burt County 4-H Council will pay half for Burt County 4-H members) Registrations are due by June 2. 

 

Painting Workshops – Let’s Paint Run Away’s

There are two opportunities for two different mediums! Both workshops will be held at the Vet’s Building in Oakland on Thursday, June 25.

The Acrylic Painting workshop will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

On Thursday evening from 7:00-10:00 p.m. we are offering the Genesis Painting (Heat Set Artists Oil) workshop.

Don’t miss out on one of these great painting workshops! We’ve had this group help us step by step through the painting process for over 10 years. Connie has promised new ideas for her painting ideas, so be prepared to get excited! The acrylic painting workshop will cost $28/painter or $40 with a frame. The evening session will be $28 as the Genesis painting does not need a frame. The Burt County 4-H Council will pay half the registration fee for Burt County 4-H members. Non-4-H members and adults are welcome to attend. Registrations are due Thursday, June 18.

 

Fremont Fair King & Queen Applications

Any boy or girl interested in becoming a Fremont 4-H Fair King or Queen Candidate is required to submit credentials to the Fremont 4-H Fair Board. Counties may have more than one king and queen candidate.  Former King and Queen Candidates can re-apply as long as they have not previously won the honor of being crowned King or Queen.

For more information on requirements and how to apply visit http://dodge.unl.edu/frfourhexhquide All submissions must be mailed to the Dodge County Extension Office in Fremont by June 9.

 

 

 

 

 

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Volunteer at the State Fair

August 21, 2014 Leave a comment


J

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

oin the Fun at the State Fair as a Volunteer!

The Nebraska 4-H program is seeking volunteers to help with exhibit entry day, judging, and serving as 4-H exhibit building hosts and greeters. Volunteers will be needed for educational activities in the 4-H building, serving as the Lil’ Green Mascot and assisting with all 4-H contests and events throughout the fair. State Fair 4-H volunteers will receive a fair pass for the day(s) they volunteer. They are looking for volunteers, parents, teens, anyone familiar with the 4-H program who will donate a little time to support 4-H.

Volunteers can sign-up by visiting http://4h.unl.edu/becomevolunteer or by contacting the Burt County extension office. A complete list of volunteer opportunities is also available on the site. If you have questions about being a 4-H volunteer at the Nebraska State Fair, please contact Cathy Johnston, Extension Educator, at (402) 472-1762 orcjohnston1@unl.edu.

 

Centennial Open House at the State Fair

Join the fun in Grand Island on Saturday, August 30 in the brand new Raising Nebraska Building. UNL Extension will host its final celebration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith Lever Act which provided the establishment of the Extension program nationwide.

The big event will be from 1:00-5:00 p.m. with demonstrations and activities on two stages. There are also additional activities like a Scavenger Hunt and the opportunity to tape an extension testimonial (see bottom of column for extra details on these events.)

Extension Demonstrations and Activities on the Kitchen Stage

1:00 pm Cooking with Local Products

UNL Extension Food & Nutrition Team

1:30 pm 4-H Commodity Carnival: Risk Ranch

UNL Extension 4-H Youth Development Program

2:00 pm Cooking with Local Products

UNL Extension Food & Nutrition Team

3:00 pm Ice Cream Social

UNL Extension

4:00 pm Blender Bike Bonanza

UNL Extension 4-H Youth Development Program

Extension Demonstrations and Activities on the Presentation Stage

1:00 pm Do you want to be a Millionaire?

UNL Extension Community Vitality Initiative

2:00 pm Raising Nebraska Landscaping Preview

UNL Extension Water, Environment, and Community Team

2:30 pm Centennial Celebration Presentation

UNL Extension

3:00 pm Raising Nebraska Landscaping Walkthrough

UNL Extension Water, Environment, and Community Team

3:30 pm Nebraska’s Biggest Storytime

UNL Extension Learning Child Team & NET Kids powered by a Ready To Grant

4:00 pm Whisper Stethoscope

Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center

4:30 pm Automated Weather Data Network

High Plains Regional Climate Center

 

Scavenger Hunt

As part of our centennial celebration at the state fair, we are conducting a centennial emblem scavenger hunt. Several centennial emblems will be hidden across the state fair grounds. If you find one, just tweet a selfie with the emblem to #ext100 and be entered to win some UNL swag.

Testimonial Taping

During the Open House in the Conversation Pit, we will be collecting testimonials from Nebraskans on the impact that UNL Extension has had on their lives. We are asking volunteers to give us just 20-30 seconds of their time in front of the camera.

These testimonials will then be combined and made into a short video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

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