Webster County 4-H Newsletter
January 2024 Edition
Happy January!
2024, here we are! We hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year! Webster 4-H has so many amazing things lined up for the year, so be sure to check it out and get registered soon! We hope everyone has a great 2024 and lets make it the best yet!
-Webster 4-H Team
Important Dates & Events
- January 1st: Office Closed in Observance of the New Year
- January 10th: BRAG Applications Due
- January 15th: Office Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- January 22nd: All About Art 4-H Workshop in Red Cloud
- January 22nd: YQCA in Red Cloud
- January 22nd: Youth Council Meeting in Bladen
Webster County Events
Webster 4-H 2024 Workshops
Webster County 4-H has an incredible line-up of workshops and camps happening for 2024! With that being said, check them out and get registered here before spots are filled! https://www.smore.com/sx52h We are excited to send this out as families can visit about workshops during the holiday break. Please let us know if you have any questions. Spots are filling fast!
All About Art 4-H Workshop
Red Cloud registration is closed. You still may sign up for Bladen and Blue Hill!
Needing Supplies
Our office is in search of some supplies for our upcoming 4-H workshop. We are looking for yarn and buttons! If anyone has any that they would like to donate for our workshop, please let our office know. It is greatly appreciated!
YQCA Winter Dates Announced
Please see the picture above of the first round of in-person dates of YQCA training. We have a training in Red Cloud on Monday, January 22nd from 11:00-12:00 at our office in the courthouse. Take advantage of this date since there is no school! You must pre-register first online. Any youth 4-H ages 8-18 showing livestock such as poultry, rabbit, swine, sheep/goat, and beef are required to complete YQCA by June 15th. You may sign up for an in-person training (you must ask me for a code first) by going here: https://yqcaprogram.org/ If you are unable to attend an in-person training, you may complete online.
4-H Scholarships
Highschool seniors- check out the available scholarships to you here: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/4-h-scholarships-3/
BRAG
Seeking Class of 2024 BRAG - Accepting applications for Big Red Ag Growers. This is open to any Adams/Webster County youth ages 12-15. Applications are due January 10th, 2024. Apply here: https://go.unl.edu/brag
Enroll for the 2024 4-H Year!
4-H Online is now open for re-enrollment for the 2024 year! Nebraska has done some updates to the system and the enrollment process should be much simpler for families to enroll. Remember to select your projects you may do in the year. Start enrollment here: https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
T-Shirt Sign Up
Every year, we ask 4-H members to fill out the t-shirt section on 4-H Online to select your size for county fair. New this year, we are having families fill out a separate survey form to help make our t-shirt order more efficient. If you enroll on 4-H online and plan to exhibit at the Webster County fair, please sign up for your t-shirts here: https://go.unl.edu/tshirtsforcountyfair If you do not sign up for your shirt size by April 15th, you will not receive a shirt for county fair. We will not be going off of 4-H Online for shirt sizes, only this survey.
NCC Livestock Judging Contest
The NCC Livestock Judging Contest is set for Saturday, February 17th in Kearney, NE. The cost to judge is $50.00 per person. Age Divisions are Junior (8 β 11), Intermediate (12 β 15), and Senior (16 β 18). The official contest attire is a Jacket & Tie. An official awards reception is held at the conclusion of the contest. Parents and family members that wish to attend must purchase additional tickets of $20/ticket. Clay Mead is willing to be the Webster County contact in compiling those interested in participating in this contest. Please text or call Clay (402-480-3425) no later than January 26th to state your interest in participating. Clay must have all money (judging fee and/or extra banquet ticket) in hand by Monday, January 29th to be included in the team entry process.
Recruitment for 2025 CWF Fundraising Opportunity:
Open to both Adams and Webster youth interested in the 2025 CWF experience. Our 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. You 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. Please see the attached pages regarding more information on each item from the last weekly email. 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 do limit like cakes\baskets so sooner you let us know the more likely you will be able to pick you cake/basket theme.
T-Shirts
2024 New Youth Council Members
We are excited to announce our newly added Youth Council members who will start January 2024! Congratulations to:
- Jennifer Himmelberg
- Sara Macklin
- Megan Macklin
- Anna Mean
- Heath Zuellner
STATE WIDE EVENTS
Omaha Fashion Week
Weβre 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 details or to apply,
State Achievement Application
State achievement applications are due Friday, Jan. 5! These applications are used to select National 4-H Congress delegates, National 4-H Conference delegates, and Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship recipients. Learn more at
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. If you are a parent or someone who wants to help our 4H youth with the dog project, please consider taking the training. This is also a good opportunity for local dog project leaders and older 4-H members to observe the training and better understand how they will be judged at the Nebraska State Fair 4-H Dog Show and local county fairs. 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.
This training will likely be best suited for youth 14-18 years old regarding learning materials.
Estimated Time Frame: 9 am-4 pm (Lunch is included) REGISTRATION LINK :https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9vn9N5fWu452bMW
Fees:
Early Bird Registration (Now to December 15th, 2023): $25
Registration (December 16th to January 20th, 2023): $35
All checks should be made out to UNL and mailed to:
Grace McCarthy 3940 Fair Street- C204g
Lincoln, NE 68583-0908
*No Refunds will be given. Checks with insufficient funds will be charged a $25 fee.
*Registration is not finalized until checks are received.
If registrations are fewer than 10 participants by January 13th, the training will be canceled due to low participation. All registration fees that have been mailed in will not be deposited/will be shredded. All registered participants will be notified via email.
For further questions please contact Lisa Karr at lisa.karr@unl.edu
Attention Highschool Youth
We are so excited that you are interested in becoming a part of the 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)!
Special Garden Project
As you begin making plans for 2024, be sure to check out the Special Garden Project. It offers a unique introduction to plant science. Members are given seeds and guided through planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. Members can exhibit a cut flower or harvested vegetable at the fair if all goes well. Otherwise, youth can share their experience through a poster, story, or video exhibit. Next year, members will work with the PRINCESS INDIA NASTURTIUM. Visit
Project Spotlight
We all know about the 4-H livestock, cooking and sewing projects. But with nearly 50 projects to choose from, there are likely some you arenβt familiar with. These five often-overlooked projects offer real-world skills and unique experiences:
https://4h.unl.edu/news/nebraska-4-h-5-underrated-practical-projects
Corn Yield Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members
We are delighted to announce the Corn Yield Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.
Key Features:
- Team Participation: Teams comprising two or more youth participants will collaboratively embark on the challenge.
- Innovative Practices: Youth will be tasked with implementing a production practice differing from the norm, with the goal of assessing its impact on increasing corn yield.
- Data Collection: The Corn Yield Challenge management summary will systematically gather crucial information, including yields, cropping history, and production details.
- Recognition and Rewards: Outstanding achievements will be duly rewarded with cash prizes and plaques for the top three teams:
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
- Special Awards: In addition to the top rankings, commendable efforts will be acknowledged through the "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy" Awards, each carrying a value of $200.
This competition not only fosters a spirit of innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform for recognizing dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to embrace this opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices.
For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
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
Registration for the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp program is now open!
The summer 2024 theme is The Power of Being π 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.
Congratulations to one of our own 4-Her's, Libby Macklin! π
Thirteen Nebraska 4-H members traveled to the 102nd National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA, held November 24-28, 2023. National 4-H Congress is the premier leadership event for 4-H members between the ages of 15 and 19 years of age. Nebraska delegates are selected for the trip to National 4-H Congress by submitting an Achievement Application for state competition. Learn more about this year's adventure to 4-H Congress at https://4h.unl.edu/.../nebraska-4-hers-participated-102nd...!
UNL Extension in Webster County January Newsletter
Happy Birthday to those Celebrating in January!πππ₯³
Our office will be closed January 1st in observance of the New Year. π
Our office will be closed January 15th in observance of MLK Day. πΊπ²
Meet Our Team!
Alexa Pedersen
Office Manager
Alexa Pedersen is the Office Manager for the Webster County Extension Office. Alexa provides help in assisting clientele with questions that can be forwarded to a specific educator. She assists educators in programs that are put on in Webster County, such as pesticide training, and beef programs. She also provides knowledge in the 4-H world by helping families with any 4-H questions that come in. She is skillful in 4-H Online, ShoWorks, and helps prepare for 4-H programming, county fair, and state fair. Alexa is also a part of the 4-H Data Dream Team for Nebraska 4-H as well as the State Fair 4-H Beef Team.
Email: alexa.pedersen@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402-746-3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Katie Bolte
4-H Programming Assistant
Katie Bolte is the 4-H Programming Assistant for the Webster County Extension Office. Katie is at the extension office on Mondays and Tuesdays. Katie provides programming in school enrichment, after-school programs, and 4-H workshops. She is knowledgeable when answering any 4-H questions that comes in and helps prepare for programs, county fair, and state fair.
Email: katie.bolte@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402-746-3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Beth Janning
Beth Janning is a 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator. She provides programming in school enrichment, after-school, and traditional 4-H Programs. Her topic areas include but not limited to animal science, science, engineering and volunteer development.
Photo and Bio from UNL Extension
Email: elizabeth.janning@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 2975 South Baltimore Avenue, Hastings, NE, USA
Phone: 402-461-7209
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead
Beef Systems Educator, DVM
Lindsay Waechter-Mead is the Beef Systems Educator in Webster County and serves surrounding counties in this region. She is excited to bring her interests surrounding cow/calf health and preventative medicine to the Beef Team. Her current work involves looking at environmental effects on neonatal calf immunity and colostral transfer. She is also passionate about rural agriculture and what the veterinary profession can do to positively influence rural communities to ensure that generations can continue to enjoy the life that she loves.
Email: lindsay.waechter-mead@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402-746-3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCBeefExtensionUNL