Morrill County 4-H Update

March 7 - YQCA @ Bayard High School Auditorium (6:00 PM)

March 15 - Jarvis Memorial Scholarship Deadline

March 21 - Extension Board Meeting @ Morrill County Extension Office (7:00 PM)

April 1 - Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center Student Scholarship Deadline

April 3 - Morrill County Scholarship Deadline

April 7 - Bruno Ramos Memorial Scholarship Deadline

April 11 - YQCA @ PWCC (6:00 PM)

May 22 - Morrill County Communications Contest

June 1 - Horse ID Sheets Due

June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline / YQCA Deadline / Animal Affidavit Deadline

To receive updates throughout the year in a quick and easy manner, sign up for the REMIND class: Morrill County Fair Updates.

To do that, text @mocofair to the number 81010!

It’s time to get enrolled in 4-H for the 2023 4-H year! Nebraska 4-H has transitioned to 4honline 2.0. To enroll, click on the button below.

For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member. Please note the enrollment fee for Morrill county is $5 per 4-H member/ $0 for Clover Kid member and is paid either online or at our office.

Please contact Katlyn ­­at (308) 262-1022 or krosas2@unl.edu with any questions.

Projects provide the basis of the 4-H program by offering various educational experiences. Carrying out a project will help the member "learn by doing" as well as learn "why" things happen the way they do.

There are over 200 project areas that youth can enter a project under for the fair. From showing an animal to growing produce in a garden, the opportunities are almost limitless! For more information and some ideas for future projects, click on the button below.

Please contact Katlyn at (308) 262-1022 or krosas2@unl.edu with any questions.

Location: Morrill County Extension Office

Date: May 22, 2023

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Registration Due: May 5th at noon (if we do not have more than 3 live participants, we will either ask you to join Garden County on the 15th either live or via zoom)

PSA and Videos are due to the office by noon on Wednesday, May 10th - email to spaisley3@unl.edu or krosas2@unl.edu - feel free to share through Google!!

To find more information regarding the communications contest, click on the button below.

With each new State Fair season, brings new possibilities and opportunities for 4-H families in Nebraska. The opportunity for 4-H to continue having its own weekend allows more flexibility for new events, entry limits, schedules, and space. We want to continue to take advantage of that!

As part of that process, we continue to explore age eligibility requirements for State Fair participation. After garnering user input, researching data from other events/shows/states, and looking that overall impact on youth development, the decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2023 to be 9 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion shows).

More information will be forthcoming.

College affordability is a priority at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Nebraska offers the lowest tuition in the Big Ten, and students find Nebraska an excellent value. Most families of college-bound students file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for college scholarships and financial aid. The FAFSA is used to determine your aid eligibility and is a requirement for many need-based programs at the University, including the Nebraska Promise. If you are a senior in high school, now is the time to complete and submit your FAFSA. Complete your FAFSA by the June 1 priority deadline to be considered for all available aid.

Here are a few simple steps to get started. Also, you can watch “How To FAFSA” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az9rP7NZ2Hg&feature=emb_title to assist you with the process or you may contact Husker Hub at huskerhub@unl.edu or 402-472-2030.

• Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID: Create an Account
• Complete and submit the FAFSA: FAFSA Form
• List Nebraska’s federal school code 002565 on the FAFSA application and your information will be sent directly to the university.
• Watch your email for a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR).

The intent of the scholarship is to assist women who live 3 or more hours drive from Lincoln but wish to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Applicant must reside in Love Memorial Cooperative Residence Hall on East Campus.

If you have questions email Gloria Turnbull at gloria.turnbull@windstream.net.

Application deadline: postmarked or email a PDF file no later than March 15, 2023.

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for its annual Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center Student Scholarship.

Three scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have attended high school in the Panhandle of Nebraska in one of these following counties: Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux, and Thomas
• Be attending any of the Nebraska University Campuses, including Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
• Majoring in Agronomy, Ag Economics, Animal Science, Vet Science, Agriculture Technology, or a related degree emphasizing agriculture.
• Be a graduating high school senior, or in the first or second year of study.

Applications are available at https://preec.unl.edu/annual-preec-scholarship

Applications close at midnight MST, April 1, 2023.

If there are questions, please contact Deidra McCarthy at dmccarthy2@unl.edu or at (308-632-1230)

The Morrill County 4-H Council annually awards three scholarships to high school seniors who have been in 4-H a minimum of three years and who have participated in the Morrill County 4-H program the previous year. This year one scholarship in each of the amounts $1,000; $750; and $500 will be awarded.

Applications are due in the Morrill County Extension Office by April 3, 2023. Please find the PDF version of the application below.

The Bruno Ramos Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Bruno and the things he loved most. He loved working and agriculture and spent his free time with his animals or dreaming up ways to restore and repair his vehicles. It is our hope to keep Bruno’s memory alive by supporting students as they pursue trades and careers they have a passion for.

Preference will be given to students pursuing a technical trade or a career in agriculture.

You can find the application attached below.

Applications due April 7, 2023.

The Special Garden Project is a way to offer 4-H members the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. The 2023 Special Garden Project will focus on Mrs. Burns’ Lemon Basil. This herb can be used multiple ways. Lemon basil has a unique lemon flavor can be added to any recipe or used as a cut flower in arrangements to add scent and interest.

Seeds have been ordered and will be available at the office. Contact the office at (308) 262-1022 if planning on entering the Special Garden Project this year! For more information, go to: https://4h.unl.edu/special-garden-project

The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different.

In its third year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore tepary beans. Tepary beans are a traditional Native American food crop and are a drought-tolerant crop. Tepary Beans are among the most drought-tolerant legume crops in the world, but at one time, they were almost an endangered species in the United States. Tepary beans are an ancient crop native to the northern part of Mexico and the southwestern part of the U.S. Beans can be multiple sizes and colors, like pinto or black beans, but they offer drought tolerance other legumes don’t have. For more information, go to: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/special-agronomy-project.

We’re so excited to announce Adventure Together, the new Nebraska 4-H Camp series for 2023! Registration information will be coming soon. In the meantime, mark your calendars:

• Chadron – June 5-9
• Cozad – June 16-20
• Ashland – June 26-29
• Burwell – July 16-20
• Louisville – July 27-30.

NAYI 2023 will be held from July 10th-14th, 2023 on UNL's East Campus in Lincoln, NE.

Please complete this application form. Additionally, you must have an official (a high school superintendent, principal, counselor, county extension agent, FFA advisor, or 4-H club leader) complete the recommendation form: https://forms.gle/DH9oGsrGM5j3456r9

This application can not be submitted unless ALL of the questions are filled out. Unless you are planning on completing this application at one time, we suggest you write out your answers on a separate document and paste your answers in when you're ready to submit.

A headshot photograph (think senior picture) of yourself will have to be uploaded in order to submit this application. Please submit it in .jpeg format with a file title: firstname_lastname_photo (e.g. Jadyn_Fleischman_Photo) for our NAYI yearbook (size limit 10 MB).

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THIS APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 15th, 2023 AT 11:59PM CT. You should immediately receive a notification of your submitted responses. Please reach out to the head counselors if you do not receive this. (Additionally, you will also receive a confirmation email from one of the head councilors within 1-2 business days to confirm we received your application. Please reach out if you do not receive this confirmation email.)

Make sure the email you provide is one you will check AND continue to have access to in the summer as you will receive information regarding NAYI!

This year’s National 4-H STEM Challenge will take students to be Explorers of the Deep! Explorers of the Deep focuses on the mysteries and adventures of ocean exploration—with robots! Young people learn how to use science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to explore Earth’s Ocean and how it relates to all life on the planet.

The 2022 Challenge helps young people develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnected nature between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. They will learn about the incredibly complex relationship between Earth’s oceans and the global climate. According to a recent survey, 84% of teens would like to be involved with shaping the future of our environment.

Explorers of the Deep can help empower young people to innovate and take action to drive positive change.

Learn more about this year’s 4-H STEM Challenge and how you and your students can get involved at 4-h.org/parents/4-h-stem-challenge.

Have you heard of the FarmBits Podcast? The FarmBits Podcast is a product of Nebraska Extension, focusing on digital agriculture.

The realm of digital ag is ever evolving at a pace that can be challenging to keep up with. Our mission is to help navigate these technologies by discussing current and honest information. The FarmBits Podcast will explore topics in digital agriculture in a well-rounded and accessible way, taking the shine off of new technologies through interviews with academic experts, farmers, and industry specialists.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, YouTube and iHeart Radio.

Find more information here: https://unlcms.unl.edu/.../exte.../on-farm-research/farmbits

Spark your imagination and passion! Ignite by 4-H is an inclusive teen event held in Washington, D.C., for four days of inspiring and engaging panels, respected speakers, workshop sessions, entertainment, and creating amazing connections. Explore the best 4-H has to offer in STEM, Agriscience, Healthy Living, and Emotional Well-Being. Discover exciting career paths and create an actionable plan to help create real change in your community. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss! Visit 4-h.org/parents/ignite-by-4-h to learn more.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination. © 2023

Email: krosas2@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/morrill/
Location: 514 Main Street, Bridgeport, Nebraska, USA
Phone: (308) 262-1022
Facebook: facebook.com/MorrillCounty4H/

4-H Assistant / Office Manager

Email: krosas2@unl.edu
Phone: (308) 262-1022

4-H Educator - Morrill/Garden Counties

Lead Educator - Morrill/Garden Counties

Email: spaisley3@unl.edu
Phone: (308) 262-1022