Celebrate National 4-H Week in Seward County:

Wear a 4-H T-shirt to school Share a favorite 4-H photo

Use #sewardco4H and #NE4H on social media Put a 4-H Family sign in the yard-available at Extension Office

Deliver green & white candy to someone who has helped you

Send a thank you note to someone who has impacted your life

4-H ActionLineSEWARD COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER

Nebraska Extension Seward County322 S. 14th St.

Seward, NE 68434

402.643.2981seward.unl.edu

@NebraskaExtension-SewardCounty

October 2020

Dates & Deadlines

October1 Achievement & Award

Applications due

4 Jr. Leader Meeting4 p.m., Extension Office

4-10 National 4-H Week!

6 Awards Judging 9 a.m. & 6 p.m., Extension Office

10-11 Shotgun Leader Training, Ashland

12 Columbus DayExtension Office Closed

19 Harvest Apron CC2-5 p.m., Extension Office

20 Apples Apples Apples! CC4 p.m., Extension Office

24 Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop, Broken Bow

28 Meet the Educator8 p.m., Virtual

Trophies, buckets, coolers, oh my! Stop by the Extension Office to pick up your awards from county fair. If you earned a Champion, Reserve Champion, Outstanding, Grand or Supreme honor, we have your awards waiting. Thank you for your patience as we tried awards a little differently this year.

County Fair Premium Checks must be picked up by Dec. 31 or will be forfeited. They are available at the Exten-sion Office.

NOTE: Please be prepared to wear a mask and observe COVID-19 protocols when coming into the office.

Member enrollment opening soon for 2020-21 4-H yearThe 4-H year is coming to an end, which means it’s time to plan for the next year. 4-H Enrollment for 2020-21 opens on October 20. Please go ahead and begin the process following the 20th. You may make changes up through the spring. This will help us make sure our records are kept up-to-date and that we are sending infor-mation to the correct addresses. All 4-H members and volunteers need to re-enroll each year. The website is ne.4honline.com. The website will be unavailable between October 1 and October 20 for mainenance.

County Fair awards ready For piCk up!

Volunteers need to enroll, tooAll 4-H volunteers need to re-enroll in 4HOnline every year. Please make sure your club organizational leaders, as well as anyone who helps in any way with your club, is enrolled. You may re-enroll for the 2020 year after Oc-tober 20. Go to https://ne.4honline.com.

Club information due: send us yoursYear End Treasurer’s Report Due December 31As we reach the end of the 2020 4-H year, 4-H clubs will need to prepare a Year Ending 4-H Club Treasurer’s report. Even if your club does not have a treasury and does not have an EIN number, please complete the Year Ending 4-H Club Treasurer’s Report and submit it to the Extension Office. Extension staff will then forward the information to the IRS for the Form 990 or Form 990 EZ. This is important so that Seward County 4-H and the Nebraska 4-H Foundation can maintain their tax exempt status.

Leadership Changes?Let us know as soon as possible if your club will be changing organizational leaders so we can update our address lists. Thank you to all of the 4-H club leaders who do the important work of positive youth development.

Meeting Minutes4-H Club meeting minutes are needed for each organized meeting your 4-H club holds. Thank you to those clubs who have been turning them in after each meeting. If your club has not turned them in yet, please do so before the end of the year.

Seward County 4-H will award scholar-ships to deserving 4-H’ers in the 2021 graduating class. To be eligible for these scholarships, 4-H’ers must have submitted their Achievement Application (due Oct. 1). Letters for the 4-H scholarships will be mailed out in Novem-ber to eligible seniors.

Scholarship info comingin November

Harvest Apron

Clover College

Where: UNL Extension Office, 322 S 14th St. Seward

Date: Monday, October 19

Time: 2PM-5Pm

Instructor: Rebecca McKay

Fee: $10

notes:

All 4-H programs will follow proper procedures to reducethe spread of COVID-19, including physical distancing,wearing of face coverings, and enhanced sanitation.

Youth needs to bring their own

thread and Fabric: 1 yd for the body, 1

yd for the body and belt.

pattern, Cord, and Cord stopper will be

provided in black.

Sewing machines available for

checkout.

Beginning Sewers will need a helper.

Use your sewing skills to create a handy way to harvest your garden vegetables.

limit 6 spots in person.

can be a take it and make it project!

*Make checks payable to UNL. * payments are not refundable. *Call the office at (402) 643-2981 or email Rebecca at rmckay3@unl.edu to register.

APPLES APPLES

APPLES!

Attention Clover Kids

For children 5 - 8 years of age

Do not have to be in 4-H

OCTOBER 20 , 2020

4 :00 P .M .

SEWARD COUNTY

EXTENSION OFFICE

322 S 14TH ST

SEWARD , NE 68434

Children will taste different kinds of apples, learn how

apples are grown and how to make apple cider.

Add a little bit of body text

Cost $5.00 per childPayment made to UNL

RSVP to 402-643-2981 by October 16, 2020Or follow link: https://forms.gle/vXsiijCPSUp9bmNr9t

Proper sanitation will be followed, face coverings are mandatory.

Thinking about college? From Oct. 1 to Oct. 18, you can apply to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for free.

Yep, you read that right.Nebraska will waive the $45

application fee for all resident first-time freshmen and transfer stu-dents who wish to apply for the Fall 2021 term. To apply to Nebraska for free, you should enter NUforNE in the Application Fee Waiver Code field at the end of Nebraska’s appli-cation at go.unl.edu/apply-now.

This year, we know that it may be difficult for you to take the ACT or SAT because of public health concerns. To support students, the

University of Nebraska–Lincoln is test-optional for both university admission and scholarships.

Don’t wait to move your future forward—take the next step toward

creating your future by completing your application at go.unl.edu/ap-ply-now. We’re excited to see what you’ll discover, what you’ll create and who you’ll become as a Husker.

Apply to University of Nebraska-Lincoln for free through Oct. 18

4-HClovers

Club

Like a traditional 4-H Club and Clover Colleges, but tailored to a

younger audience.

Pledges and age appropriate learning activities

Club members will learn by doing and enjoy new experiences with

science, animals, healthy lifestyles, citizenship and more!

4:00-5:00 P.M., First Thursday of the month (December - July)

Seward County Extension Office, 322 S 14th Street, Seward

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend meetings.

Meetings will be led by Extension staff and teen and parent volunteers.

Extension staff will provide guidance, curriculum, activities, and

information about working with 6-8 year-olds.

ne.4honline.com

Enrollment information will be covered at the first meeting.

There may be a small fee (~$3-5) for some meetings depending on the

activity.

WHAT WILL CLOVER KIDS LEARN?

MEETING STRUCTURE

ENROLLMENT

COST

FOR MORE INFORMATION:go.unl.edu/sc4hcloversKara Kohel, Extension Educator, The Learning Child

kara.kohel@unl.edu - 402.643.2981

Open to all youth who turn 6, 7, or 8 in the 2021

calendar year.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate

based upon any protected status.

Please see: https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination

COVID 4-H Meeting Guidelines The health and safety of all 4-H members, volunteers, parents, guests, and staff is the top priority of Nebraska 4-H. To help reduce the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19, the following guidelines from the Nebraska Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should be followed to protect yourself and others during 4-H Club meetings and other 4-H programs:

1. Stay home when sick and avoid contact with other people unless you need medical attention. 2. Follow common-sense steps such as washing your hands often and well; covering your coughs and

sneezes; and cleaning and disinfecting. 3. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 5. Avoid close contact with people by staying at least 6 feet apart. 6. Wear cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain. 7. Wipe down all common surfaces as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Common surfaces include tables, counters, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, chairs, etc.

To help safeguard the health and safety of our members and volunteers, the following guidelines should be followed for all 4-H meetings. Before Your 4-H meeting:

� I know the recommended number of attendees in the space I plan to use. o Ensure that no more than ____ people are in attendance. This number should follow the

guidance of the current local Directive Health Measures. o The number needs to include everyone (volunteers, parents, members, siblings, guest

speakers, etc.) � I have encouraged participants to stay home if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, have had

contact with someone with COVID-19 positive test or symptoms or are at risk of exposure o This includes:

§ Considered at high risk themselves or if they live or work with individuals at high risk. (age 65+, are immunocompromised, or have other health factors identified by the CDC that increase risk if being exposed)

§ Exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath § Have had known contact with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms in the 14 days prior

to the meeting � I have provided signage to educate those at my meetings

o Create and prepare any signs or documents that will be used at the event communicating procedures like, checking in, information for parents, expected times, reminders to wash hands/sanitize, etc.

o Contact your local extension office for signage. Preparing facilities for a 4-H meeting:

� I have ensured the size of the room or facility is large enough to allow for the number of expected attendees and to allow for social distancing.

o This should be in accordance with current guidelines of the local Health and Human Services Department.

o Keep in mind what would be developmentally appropriate for the ages in your club. For instance, clover kid age level youth may have more of a challenge understanding distancing and sanitizing.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination. © 2019

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination. © 2020

o Space tables, chairs, shooting points, etc. farther apart to ensure social distancing (at least 6 ft. apart).

� I have properly sanitized the space and all areas we plan to use. o Wipe down all common surfaces as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

See number 7 in the previous guidelines. When everyone arrives:

� I reminded participants of meeting expectations like maintaining appropriate distancing and reducing the items in the room they touch.

o Have a “check-in” process in place and follow it - include providing hand-washing location, hand sanitizer, and directions for where to wait until activity starts to ensure practicing social distancing, etc.

� To support safety practices, I collected information and I did not ask participants to pass papers and share pens.

o Take attendance. Be sure to write down the names of EVERYONE that attended and the date. File this, and any meeting attendance list, in an easy to find location.

During the 4-H meeting:

� The meeting was planned and formatted to allow for social distancing and limiting potential exposure.

o Maintain social distancing (6 feet) throughout the meeting or activity by households. You may need to be creative with different ice-breaker activities, roll-calls, etc.

o Ensure a protocol is in place and followed for use of any type of equipment. This may require planning of sanitizing equipment between uses. This is especially important for shared equipment like sewing machines, firearms, clippers, pencils, crayons, etc.

After the 4-H meeting:

� I have a plan in place for youth who have not yet left the space. o Provide activities for individual youth to do while awaiting their pick-up. These could be

handouts, games, etc, that do not involve contact with each other. � I have properly disinfected the entire space utilized and properly prepared it to be used again.

o Think about the additional spaces that may have been used such as bathrooms, walkways, trashcans, any panels/additional buildings or equipment, etc. and ensure all are cleaned and disinfected properly.

o Wipe down all common surfaces with a disinfectant as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). See number 7 in the previous guidelines.

Should you have food at your meeting? At this time we recommend food or snacks not be provided as part of 4-H meetings. Summary As a volunteer, your health and that of our youth members is of utmost importance and as such some engagement may be minimized at the request of a Nebraska 4-H staff and/or volunteers based on a health concerns associated with COVID-19. By following the above best practices, we hope to offer more opportunities for youth to interact face-to-face, within the parameters provided by your county health officials. If you have any questions, please contact your local extension office.

COVID 4-H Meeting Guidelines (continued)

W E D N E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 8

T H U R S D A Y , N O V E M B E R 1 2

T U E S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 8

8 : 0 0 P M C E N T R A L

MEET THE EDUCATOR

J O I N K A R A F O R A V I R T U A L

G O . U N L . E D U / M T E _ S E 6

F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N ,

A N D T O R E G I S T E R V I S I T

Are you curious about what the Learning Child Educators

and Team do in your county and across Nebraska? Do you

have questions, suggestions, or need resources for early

childhood care and education in your community? Kara

Kohel, Learning Child Educator for Seward, York, Hamilton,

Merrick, Polk, and Butler counties, is hosting three virtual

Meet The Educator events to get to know parents,

providers, caregivers, teachers, and stakeholders, share

information about The Learning Child, and talk about her

passion for intergenerational relationships! Please register

to attend and receive additional information.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination.

6 WEEK ONL INEPROFESS IONALDEVE LOPMENT SER I ES

PROBLEM SOLVINGCHALLENGING BEHAVIORS

Reg i s te r by Wednesday , Sep tember30 th : GO .UNL . EDU/PROBLEMSOLV ING

Monday EveningsOctober 5 - November 9

7:00-8:30 PM Central Time

The University of Nebraska does notdiscr iminate based upon any protectedstatus. Pleasesee go.unl .edu/nondiscr imination.

Cos t : $50 .00 , Checks Payab le to ESU 161 22 1 W 1 7 t h S t ree t , No r th P la t te , NE 69 10 1

A ce r t i f i ca te fo r c l ock hou rs you pa r t i c ipa te i n w i l l be awarde dfo r con t i nu ing educa t ion c red i t s .

4-H ActionLine 322 S. 14th St. Seward, NE 68434

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Staff AAnnnn DDoobbeesshh, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development ann.dobesh@unl.edu

KKaarraa KKoohheell,, Extension Educator, The Learning Child kara.kohel@unl.edu

EEmmiillyy HHeemmpphhiillll, Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development emily.hemphill@unl.edu

CCiinnddyy WWoollvveerrttoonn,, Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development cynthia.wolverton@unl.edu

RReebbeeccccaa MMccKKaayy, Administrative Assistant rmckay3@unl.edu

LLoorrii HHaammlliinngg, Support Staff & 4-H Afterschool Coordinator lori.hamling@unl.edu

JJuulliiee RRooeebbkkee, Support Staff jroebke2@unl.edu

4-H ActionLine 322 S. 14th St. Seward, NE 68434

AAcchhiieevveemmeenntt AAwwaarrdd nnoommiinnaattiioonnss dduuee OOcctt.. 11 —— DDeettaaiillss iinnssiiddee!!

Staff AAnnnn DDoobbeesshh, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development ann.dobesh@unl.edu

KKaarraa KKoohheell,, Extension Educator, The Learning Child kara.kohel@unl.edu

EEmmiillyy HHeemmpphhiillll, Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development emily.hemphill@unl.edu

CCiinnddyy WWoollvveerrttoonn,, Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development cynthia.wolverton@unl.edu

RReebbeeccccaa MMccKKaayy, Administrative Assistant rmckay3@unl.edu

LLoorrii HHaammlliinngg, Support Staff & 4-H Afterschool Coordinator lori.hamling@unl.edu

JJuulliiee RRooeebbkkee, Support Staff jroebke2@unl.edu

Fall Clover College & Achievement Party information inside!