Clover Kids and 4-H bloom at camp

Clover Kids and 4-H bloom at camp

Tee Bush, far right, describes the parts of a plant to Clover Kids and area youth at the NCTA greenhouse. (Nebraska Extension-Frontier County photo)
Tee Bush, far right, describes the parts of a plant to Clover Kids and area youth at the NCTA greenhouse. (Nebraska Extension-Frontier County photo)

June 21, 2017

By NCTA News/Nebraska Extension-Frontier Co.                                                                                               

CURTIS, Neb. – Budding 4-H youth learned all about plants, flowers and grasses during a recent day camp in Curtis.

Youngsters enjoyed horticulture and natural resources at the camp sponsored by Frontier County Extension and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, said Kathy Burr, extension educator.

“Twenty-four youth ages six to 13 had a fun educational time at the Clover Kid/Junior 4-H Horticulture Camp,” Burr said. Area youngsters not yet in 4-H also learned about the popular youth program.

Campers gained insights and hands-on projects from instructors Tee Bush, NCTA horticulture associate professor, and Turena Ehlers, a Nebraska Master Gardener of Moorefield.

A morning session in horticulture featured the scientific names of plants, the Latin words for various plant colors, parts of a plant, and how the vascular system of a plant works, said Burr.

A highlight is touring the NCTA greenhouse, finding plants in a scavenger hunt and creating chia grass animals to enter as exhibits in the Frontier County Fair.

Jill Patel, Nebraska Extension 4-H summer helper, assisted with lunch and playing games outdoors.

The camp’s afternoon focus was on selection of produce and flowers, and criteria for county fair exhibits, Burr said.

“Tee and Turena used our county fair manual to instruct how to prepare and register 4-H garden and flower exhibits,” Burr said. Each youngster went home with several handouts as guides.

Students also gained tips by referring to the Nebraska Extension publication, “Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruit for Exhibits at County Fairs and the Nebraska State Fair.”

A nature walk led by Bush around the 104-year-old NCTA campus saw the youth investigating many types of trees and their shapes. The campus is part of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

For additional information, contact Nebraska Extension-Frontier County at (308) 367-4424.

Download a PDF of this press release