

Adams County 4-H Newsletter
December, 2023 Issue
In this Issue
- Note from the Extension Office
- Leaders & Parents Corner
- 4-H Council
- Youth Information
- Project Information
- 4-H Calendar
A Note from the Extension Office
Oh....What a wonderful time of the year! It is full of a few of our favorite things... Christmas lights and decorations, presents, hot chocolate, wonderful holiday foods, family and friends. I can't forget our 4-Hers, they are such a blessing to Adams County.
HEADS UP INFROMATION:
- Premium Checks
4-H members exhibiting at the Adams County Fair or participated in a county event were mailed out in September and need to be cashed by 12/15/23.
- 4-H Enrollment is now open for 2024!
Please see how to enroll in the Youth Information.
- Extension Office Closed
New Years - Jan. 1st
Martin Luither King Day - Jan. 15th
Congratulations!
Congratulations to all the 2023 Award Winners that were recognized at the 4-H Celebration.
2024 T-Shirt Designs Requested
Adams County 4-H Council is requesting and accepting t-shirt designs for the 2024 Early Bird Incentive T-shirt and the 2024 Adams County Fair T-shirt. Designs may be created by youth or adults and submitted via online at https://go.unl.edu/adamsdesign or dropped off at the office by end of day on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
Leaders & Parents Corner
Ways to Communicate with us!
Communication Tool: Remind App
Adams County 4-H would like to improve our communication and outreach with our 4-H families, volunteers, and partners. Therefore, we invite you to join Adams County 4-H in the Remind App! https://www.remind.com/join/adamsco4h Join today and be caught up on everything happening. Already have the Remind App? Look up for the Class Code: @adamsco4h
Checkout the Facebook Page
Follow our 4-H Facebook Page that allows us to focus on 4-H content for our 4-H families. You may review it at: https://www.facebook.com/AdamsCo4H
We still have the UNL Extension in Adams County Facebook page for all the Adams County Extension information.
Junior Leader News
The Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders re-organizational meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. on Jan 7th, 2024. The meeting will be held at the Adams County Extension Office. Anyone is welcome to join the Junior Leader’s Club that is 12 by January 1, 2024, or older. You must be an active member of the Adams County 4-H program by being a member of an organized 4-H club or an independent member. Junior Leaders do a lot of fun, learning and leadership activities, this year focus will be Youth Arise. Some of the Jr. Leader activities are: pancake feed and food booth at the county fair, along with helping members and younger 4-H’ers with 4-H projects and being positive role model for younger 4-H’ers. Bring a friend and make new friends. Also, you are eligible to earn a scholarship. If you have any questions, please contact Julie at the Adams County Extension Office (402-461-7209).
4-H Leader and Volunteer Enrollment
We depend on and use 4-H leaders and volunteers throughout the Adams County 4-H program.
Thank you for being an Active volunteer in 2023. We would love to have you continue to be a leader in 2024!
Nebraska State 4-H requires all the Volunteers and 4-H Leaders have an “Active” status in 4-H Online every year. They have requested that volunteers complete this process by March 15, 2024, or before you work with youth for the current 4-H year. We would appreciate it if you could complete it sooner.
2024 is Adams County’s Year that requires all our Volunteers to be rescreened and complete the Volunteer Orientation.
As a part of this re-screening volunteers, we need all volunteers to select Volunteer Type ‘Program Volunteer – Selected for Required Screening’ in addition to your other volunteer roles. In 2024 you will need to complete the DHHS Background Check and the new 4-H Volunteer Orientation videos. Both items must be completed prior to 4-H Volunteer Approval, which you must have before serving in your volunteer role.
Step by step instructions to help with the process can be found at:
please read first the Adams County Tips - https://go.unl.edu/adams-volunteers
before following the Re-Enrolling Volunteer Instructions at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-club-leader
Please visit https://v2.4honline.com to begin your Volunteer Enrollment.
You are not an “Approved” Volunteer until the Newly required Volunteer Orientation and 2024 DHHS Volunteer Screening is completed, and we have verification. This is a State 4-H Policy for the safety of our Youth and their own.
- Once the Volunteer Orientation and new DHHS Volunteer Screening steps are completed and approved (these are good for 5 years), we will be able to approve your enrollment.
- If you have any questions please give us a call.
2024 Nebraska 4-H Dog Judges Training
The 2024 Nebraska 4-H Dog Judges Training will be held in Lincoln in the Animal Science Complex on East Campus on Saturday, January 20th. New judges are always needed! Participants will be trained in showmanship and obedience. Participants must be 19 years old and up to be listed as a 4-H Dog Judge who is trained in showmanship and obedience. The training will include hands-on and classroom sessions. Early Bird Registration (to Dec 15th) is $25, Registration (December 16th to January 20th) is $35. Register today at: https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9vn9N5fWu452bMW
Club Resources
Needing some ideas for your 4-H Club? There are a ton of resources on our State 4-H page to assist you. Please check out the links below. Topics covered but not limited are:
· Club Leader Resources— https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders
· Meeting and Officer Resources—https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders#officer
· Club Activities and Projects—https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders#teaching
Save the dates for 2024 Adams County Fair July 17 - 21
4-H Council
ANNUAL SOUP SUPPER FUNDRAISER
Mark Your Calendars!
The 4-H Council will be holding their annual fundraiser on January 14, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars now and plan on attending.
Agenda & Happenings
The November meeting focused on the committee recommendations.
The December meeting focused on wrapping up the year, with selecting new members and officers.
2024 4-H Council Officers
We would like to thank the 2023 4-H Council for their dedication and support to the Adams County 4-H Council. We are happy to announce the 2024 4-H Council Officers. They are:
President: Michelle Burnham
Vice President: Dan Klammer
Treasurer: Kiley McCoy
Secretary: Jamee Bockerman
Executive Board: Tammy Cecrle & John Scheideler
Youth Information
Online 4-H enrollment is open
Time to do the online enrollment for 2024! Visit https://v2.4honline.com to complete it. Enroll early to receive the early bird incentives.
Recruiting for 2025 CWF
Seeking youth interested in a unique experience to attend Citizenship Washington Focus, a National 4-H Program held in the Washington DC area. Youth who are currently 12 to 16 years old are eligible for this upcoming experience. Youth must be 14 to 18 years old while on the experience. A zoom meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16th at 7:00 pm to discuss opportunities, preparation, and deadlines for committing to the 2025 Experience. Please reach out to Beth to receive the direct Zoom link to attend the meeting.
2025 and 2028 CWF Fundraiser Opportunity
Open to both Adams and Webster youth interested in the 2025 CWF experience. The next fundraiser opportunity is Sunday, January 14th at the Adams County 4-H Soup Supper from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Participation is limited to youth that are attending the 2025 or 2028 CWF Trip. Youth may prepare a themed basket to be raffled off (composed of all new items) and/or a decorated cake to be auctioned. These cakes can be as fancy or simple as you wish. Contact Nebraska Extension - Adams County if you are going to participate in this opportunity by calling (402)461-7209 before January 8th at 5pm. Let us know your basket theme and\or you cake flavor. We limit similar cakes\baskets. The sooner you let us know the more likely you will be able to pick you cake/basket theme.
Seeking Class 2024 BRAG
Youth ages 12 to 15 are invited to submit their application to participate in the 2024 BRAG Class. Application deadline in January 10, 2024. Participants are to have an interest in Nebraska Agriculture. Visit go.unl.edu/brag to learn more.
Ag Innovators Experience
Nebraska 4-H is seeking 20+ teen facilitators from across the state to facilitate the Ag Innovators experience in their local communities. The 2024 4-H Ag Innovators Experience, “Protect the Plate” explores how different technologies have transformed agriculture and how farmers, government and consumers must continue to innovate, learn, and adopt to grow more food in a sustainable manner while focusing on food safety. An official training for the Teen Facilitator will be held in February. To apply as a Facilitator Application Form: https://go.unl.edu/2024aginnovatorsapp Applications to serve as a teen facilitator are closing soon. For more information visit: https://4h.unl.edu/ag-innovators-experience
Nebraska 4-H Youth Leadership Experience Ambassador Team
As a part of this group, we hope you can be a voice on the youth perspective, develop & practice leadership skills that you can take back to your communities, and collaborate with Extension Staff and 4-Hers across the state to plan & implement a 4-H Youth Leadership Experiences!
The deadline for applications for the Ambassador team is Friday, January 5, 2024!
If selected our first meeting will be Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 4-6pm CT (via Zoom). From there we'll meet monthly to create an amazing experience for you and other high schoolers across the state! The 4-H Youth Leadership Experiences will be a combination of working with state level 4-H events and contributing with your own leadership ideas across the state. Apply here: https://go.unl.edu/2024yleamb
If you have questions or would like to know more please contact Julie Schultz (jschultz28@unl.edu) or Stacey Keys (stacey.keys@unl.edu)!
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Engler Program
What is Engler? Engler is an entrepreneurship program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Our mission is to embolden our people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. Rather than sit in lecture halls all day, Engler students engage in entrepreneurship the time-tested, tried-and-true way: learning by doing. Scholarships are available to graduating seniors who are 4-H or FFA members. Visit englerjourney.com
Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers 4-H members the opportunity to apply for scholarships. The Nebraska 4-H Foundation awards up to $22,000 worth of scholarships each year to 4-H’ers from across the state. All scholarship applications must be submitted via the Annual Achievement Application and are due January 5, 2024. For guidelines and more information, go to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website: www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships.
State Achievement Application
The Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application (https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application) is a standard application form used for the selection of state award winners, including Nebraska delegates to National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference, as well as Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship award recipients. Only Senior Achievement Applications are accepted for state-level awards and recognition. 4-H members ages 15-18 as of December 31 of the current year are eligible to participate in the state-level awards application process regardless of the delivery mode in which they participated. Please note, the deadline date is January 5, 2024.
More 4-H Opportunities
Keep current with statewide opportunities posted on Facebook at https://facebook.com/Nebraska4H
Keep current with local opportunities posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AdamsCo4H
Fun Opportunity for all Creative 4-Hers
Calling all artists, creators and performers! Submit your work for a chance to be featured at upcoming National 4-H events. We’re looking for singers, dancers, instrumentalists as well as visual artists and creators of all kinds. Enter today to showcase your unique talent on this national stage! Applications from students ages 14-19 will be accepted through January 1st. Apply at https://4-h.org/story-submission/. Questions? Contact Mary Clayton Murphy at mmurphy@fourhcouncil.edu.
Registration for the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp program is now open!
The summer 2024 theme is The Power of Being 🍀 Green. Youth will get to explore and interact with their natural world in six different sessions. Youth will learn how they can use their head, heart, hands, and health to make our natural world a better place for all.
The 2024 sessions offer tailored age cohorts, providing sessions for younger campers between the ages of 8-10, and an older cohort for ages 10-14.
Families can find dates, session summaries, and registration information by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/camps-register.
Communications & Performing Arts Contests
Save the Date for Tuesday, April 16th to participate in Adams County 4-H’ers Got Talent. Youth may participate in the categories of Speech, PSA, Presentation and Performing Arts Contest. We hope to see you there!
Project Information
Questions about Projects?
There are project manuals available for almost every 4-H project. These written manuals provide hands on lessons & ideas to help youth acquire new skills and knowledge. The manuals are not required, but can be very helpful. Manuals may be purchased at the Extension office or directly through UNL Marketplace or National Shop 4-H
Shooting Sports
Always looking for Volunteers and Instructors!
Adams County Shooting Sports Program is in need of Instructors for next year! If you are interested please contact Julie at the Adams County Extension Office.
Shooting Sports Kick-Off
Are you interested in Archery, Firearms (BB Gun, Air Rifle & Air Pistol) and Shotgun or 22 Rifle & Pistol? The 2024 Shooting Sports Kick-Off will be held at the Extension Office Tuesday, January 2nd thru Thursday, January 4th during regular business hours. Extended hours will be offered on Wednesday, January 3rd we will be open from 8:00 AM through 7:00 PM. All past and new 4-H participants that want to participate in the Adams County 4-H Shooting Sports program must currently be enrolled in 4-H Online and the Shooting Sports Project you are interested in selected. Then need to stop by the Adams County Extension Office during this time frame and sign up & pay for your discipline and class time. Class numbers are limited. Each discipline will be charged a fee of $20 to participate in these 8 week classes. Again this year Archery fees - will be an additional $24.00 Facility fee in 2023. Shotgun fees will be the $20 as the other disciplines are charged and at each session you will be expected to pay a $5 fee per round shot. Shooting Sports classes will be starting the week of January 22nd.
Calendar for Adams County Shooting Sports Activities
- Shot Gun parents meeting, January 21, Extension Office @ 3:00 PM
- Starts (Archery, BB Gun, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Shotgun, .22 Pistol & .22 Rifle) – Week of January 22nd
- Shooting Sports Celebration – April 7th, Fairgrounds East Activity Building @ 5:00 PM
Checks
Adams County 4-H Shooting Sports Participants - you also received premiums, please cash your check by December 15, 2023.
Floriculture, Horticulture & Plant Science
2024 Special Garden Project is Princess of India Nasturtium
The Special Garden Project is a way to offer Nebraska youth the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. The 2024 Special Garden Project will focus on Princess of India Nasturtium. This Victorian-era heirloom flower can be grown in a variety of ways including in containers. It provides a splash of color from its scarlet flowers and much of the plant can be eaten. When enrolling youth in 4-H, please select Horticulture/Plant Science as the project area for the Special Garden Project. Please call 402-461-7209 to sign up and to get your seeds ordered. Seeds will be $1.00 per packet. Educational materials and a growing newsletter will be given to all participants when seeds are picked up.
Family & Consumer Science
Omaha Fashion Week
We’re seeking applications for the Omaha Fashion Week 4-H Collection! Selected applicants will model their garments during the Omaha Fashion Week Student Night on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Applications are due Tuesday, Jan. 2. For more information: https://4h.unl.edu/omaha-fashion-week
Livestock
PASE
The 2024 Dates are announced! Save Thursday, June 20th and Friday, June 21st for Animal Science livestock focused contests. If interested – please let Beth know. New for 2024, there will be three age divisions. Juniors are ages 8 to 10, Intermediate are 11 to 13, and Senior is 14 to 15 years old. An Organizational Meeting is set for Saturday, February 3rd at 4:30 pm at the Adams County Extension Office.
Nebraska 4-H Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort
Check out the 2024 Farrowed & Owned program. The program is designed for those youth 10 years and up. Apply for the upcoming Cohort today! Learn more at: https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned
Livestock Achievement Program
Livestock Achievement Program
Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. NEW in 2024: Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement to get started. More information: https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement
Horse Stampede
Save the Date for Saturday, March 23, 2024 to participate in the Nebraska 4-H Horse Stampede at the Animals Science Complex on UNL East Campus in Lincoln. Youth may participate in public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, and photography contests. Practices for the Horse Quiz Bowl and formation of Adams County teams will be forming soon. This event is open to all youth 8 to 18 years old as of January 1, 2024.
Clover Kids
What is Clover Kids?
The 4-H Clover Kid program is designed to provide 5 to 7 year old's with a variety of educational and recreational experiences in a non-competitive environment. The program fosters the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical maturation of young children. Clover Kids may participate in activities led by an adult that will help them:
· Explore different interests
· Build self-confidence
· Practice communication skills
· Get along and share with others
· Be a part of a group
· Explore science with simple experiments
· Strengthen motor skills through arts and crafts
· Make friends
Announcing Clover Kid Saturday Fun!
Join Julie on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. for some fun while learning! You must pre-register a week prior to each session by calling the Extension Office at 402-461-7209. Each workshop session is $5.00 to attend. Workshops are as follows and will feature:
- Jan 6th – Making Foods for Me
- Feb 3rd – Needle & Thread
- Mar 2nd – A Space for Me
- April 6th – Just Outside my Door
- May 4th – Bicycle Adventures 1
Calendar of 4-H Events
January
Jan 1 Extension Office Closed – New Year’s Day observed
Jan 2 - 4 Shooting Sports Registration, Extension Office during reg. business hours, with extended hours on Jan 3rd until 7:00 PM
Jan 4 Extension Board, Extension Office @ 6:00 PM
Jan 6 Clover Kid Fun Saturday, Extension Office @ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Program “Making Foods For Me”
Jan 7 Jr Leader Meeting, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM
Jan 8 4-H Council, Extension Office @ 7:00 PM
Jan 9 Ag Society, Fairgrounds @ 7:30 PM
Jan 13 4-H Council Prep for Soup Supper, Fairgrounds @ TBA
Jan 14 4-H Council Soup Supper, Fairgrounds @ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Jan 15 Extension Office Closed – Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed
Jan 21 Shotgun Parent Meeting @ Extension Office, 3:00 PM
Jan 22 - 27 Shooting Sports Class Starts
Jan 30 BInterested (FCE) (Adults), Extension Office @ 7:00 PM
Program – “Whats so scarry about yeast”
February – Nebraska 4-H Month
Feb 1 Extension Board, Extension Office @ 6:00 PM
Feb 3 Clover Kids Fun Saturday, Extension Office @ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Program – “Needle & Thread”
Feb 3 4-H Kick Off, Extension Office @11:30AM – 3:00PM
Feb 4 Jr Leader Meeting, Extension Office @ 5:00 PM
Feb 5 4-H Council, Extension Office @ 7:00 PM
Feb 13 Ag Society, Fairgrounds @ 7:30 PM
Feb 14 Love 4-H Enrollment – Free manual incentive deadline
Feb 19 Extension Office Closed – President’s Day observed
Feb 25 Beef Weigh In, Animal Clinic @ 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM
Feb 27 BInterested (FCE) (Adults), Extension Office @ 7:00 PM
Program – “Creating order amidst chaos”
2023 Adams County 4-H Council
Michele Burnham – Pres.
Heather Mohling – V.Pres.
Jamee Bockerman – Sec.
Kiley McCoy – Tres.
Paul Bankson
Tamara Cecrle
John Copple
Terry DeVries
Jenny Hartman
Dan Klammer
Andrea Marker
Will Rathje
John Scheideler
Jr. Leader Rep – Mikeyla Samuelson
Youth Reps – Kassie Kimle & Abigail Klatt
Chamber of Commerce Rep – Bekah Moeller
Ag Society Rep – Patrick Niles
Please take time to THANK these above individuals for their
hard work and dedication to the Adams County 4-H Program!!!
Adams County 4-H Staff
Elizabeth "Beth" Janning
Julie Ochsner
Nebraska Extension Adams County Staff
Ronald C. “Ron” Seymour, Ph.D. ron.seymour@unl.edu
Lynn DeVries – lynn.devries@unl.edu
Elizabeth “Beth” Janning – elizabeth.janning@unl.edu
Julie Ochsner – julie.ochsner@unl.edu
Gwen Rodocker – gwen.rodocker@unl.edu
Twila Bankson – twila.bankson@unl.edu
Alise Verhage – alise.verhage@unl.edu
Angie Katzberg – akatzberg8@unl.edu
Nebraska Extension in Adams County
Email: adams-county@unl.edu
Website: adams.unl.edu
Location: 2975 South Baltimore Avenue, Hastings, NE, USA
Phone: 402-461-7209