State fair encourages participation, recognition among members

Nebraska

The 2006 Nebraska State Fair will feature a variety of events to teach youth and their parents about 4-H and the opportunities the organization has to offer.

The 139th Nebraska State Fair Aug. 25 to Sept. 4 at the Nebraska State Fair Park in Lincoln will recognize youth from across the state. Events are scheduled to promote 4-H and increase awareness among non-members.

"The state fair is a time for youth to celebrate the work they have done throughout the past year," said Kathleen Lodl, 4-H youth development specialist. "It also gives the general public the opportunity to see what youth have been doing through projects in areas such as computers, science and technology and livestock. It's a great time to come and see all that's going on in 4-H."

This year will mark the debut of Nebraska 4-H's new mascot, Lil' Green, said Tracy Pracheil, 4-H extension educator. Lil' Green, along with former 4-H members, will be present at the 4-H All Stars Celebrity Autograph session. The event will be Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the 4-H Exhibit Hall.

"Lil' Green was designed according to youth suggestions. The mascot's mission is to increase the recognition of 4-H and reinforce 4-H's connection to the university," Pracheil said.

An ice cream social, open to the public, will follow at 2 p.m.

"4-H has developed a new vision and direction for the next five years," Lodl said. "The ice cream social is planned to present this new strategic plan and celebrate achievements of the past."

This year's Cyber Fair will be open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Farmland Building. This year's Cyber Fair will spotlight entrepreneurs Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 and Sept. 2 to Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the patio adjacent to the Farmland Building. The event will introduce entrepreneurship to 4-H members and give them the opportunity to visit with practicing entrepreneurs.

"The purpose of this event is for youth to get inspired, investigate what it takes to become an entrepreneur and explore what is involved through the different project areas," said Patricia Fairchild, curriculum specialist in 4-H youth development. "All community members are invited to come support young entrepreneurs."

The event also will introduce 4-H members and leaders to the new curriculum and manuals available this spring. Videos on entrepreneurship and hands-on activities will be featured as well, Fairchild said.

The Cyber Fair also will feature 14 booths from various departments in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and College of Education and Human Sciences. Faculty and students from each department will be present to answer questions. The booths will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Farmland Building.

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will hold a recruitment event on Sept. 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the presentation rooms of the 4-H Youth Complex. High school students and their families are invited to attend.

"The primary goal of this event is to show youth how their 4-H projects tie into majors in CASNR and eventually careers," said Pracheil. Food, activities and a message from Dean Steve Waller are planned for the evening.

New to this year's livestock scene is the meat goat show Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. in the 4-H Swine Arena.

"Meat goats are an up and coming industry in Nebraska," said Rosie Nold, animal science youth specialist. "There were only a handful of counties that had meat goat programs three years ago. Last fall the number had grown to nearly half of Nebraska counties. It's an appealing project to youth because the animals are relatively easy to work."

Discover 4-H: Free Fun Activities for Kids! will return this year Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 at 12:30 p.m. and Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. in the 4-H Exhibit Hall. The event offers a time for families to learn what is available through 4-H by participation in a variety of hands-on activities for kids.

Other exhibits will be on open to the public throughout the fair weekdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Labor Day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the exhibit building.

For more information or a complete schedule of events visit the Web http://4h.unl.edu/pdf/schedule.pdf.

Date: 8/23/06

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