Thurston County 4-H News

Sydney Williams, Extension Assistant, sydney.williams@unl.edu

Bobbie Hingst, Office Manager, bhingst2@unl.edu

Email: thurston-county@unl.edu
Website: thurston.unl.edu
Location: 415 Main Street, P.O. Box 665, Pender, NE 68787
Phone: 402-385-6041
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLExtensionThurston/
Twitter: @UNLThurstonCty

APRIL

4 Thurston 4-H Senior Scholarship Applications Due

10 Butter Braids delivered (To Extension Office)

14 Joint 4-H Council Meeting, (Dakota County Extension Office) TBD

20-26 National Volunteer Week

25 Office Closed – Arbor Day

MAY

12 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting TBD

12 Thurston Extension Board Meeting

26 Office Closed – Memorial Day

JUNE

1 Horse State & County ID’s DUE

5 Adventure Day Camp, Neligh Park West Point, NE

9 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

15 All Livestock Affidavits (including Horse County) DUE

15 State Fair Beef, Sheep, Swine, & Goat DNA & Nominations DUE

15 4-H Enrollment ABSOLUTE DEADLINE

17-18 Premier Animal Science Event at UNL East Campus, Lincoln, NE

19 Office Closed - Juneteenth

19-20 Premier Communications Event at UNL East Campus, Lincoln, NE

JULY

4 Office Closed – 4th of July.

14 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

12-16 State 4-H Horse Expo at Fonner Park, Grand Island

16 ALL Dakota-Thurston County Pre-Fair Entries (including YQCA) DUE

26 Pre-Fair Clean Up

28 4-H Clothing Day Judging

30 - Aug 3 Dakota- Thurston County Fair

August

10 4-H State Fair Animal & In-Person Entries DUE

20 Take 4-H Static Exhibits to State Fair

22-24 4-H Weekend @ Nebraska State Fair

22- Sept 1 Nebraska State Fair; Grand Island, NE

September

1 Office Closed; Labor Day

For those who have not enrolled in 4-H for 2025 (or started an enrollment but not completed it), it's not too late! Visit https://v2.4honline.com/ to enroll. Our county has a $5 enrollment fee. Please contact us at 402-385-6041 with any questions.

If you are a member of Rosalie Feeders or Thurston County Independent, please remember to pay your $5 dues to our office ASAP so we can complete your enrollment. Mail checks to: Thurston County Extension, PO Box 665, Pender, NE 68047. (Youth members 8-18+, Clover Kids do not have dues.)

Livestock Affidavit sheets, livestock tags, EID tags, and DNA envelopes are available at the office. Contact us at: 402-385-6041 or stop by and pick them up! Reminder that tags are $3/each.

Nebraska 4-H requires all members enrolled in a livestock project to complete annual quality assurance certification through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program. The program's online system is available at YQCAProgram.org. Learn more about YQCA requirements and find help documents at 4h.unl.edu/yqca.

We will host an in-person event this summer! YQCA is due for Dakota-Thurston 4-H members on Wednesday, July 16th! Contact us if you have any questions at 402-385-6041.

Remember, enrolled Thurston County 4-H youth can request a coupon code from our office for either the in-person event or the online course!!!

It was a great day for Dakota and Thurston County 4-H members as they showed off their skills for the All Contest Day. All Contest Day includes Public Speaking, PSA, Presentation, Music and Favorite Foods Revue. The Public Speaking and Presentation contests provide the opportunity for the 4-H’ers to advance to a State Competition. The Favorite Foods Revue and Music contest are county only contests.

Public Speaking: Topic must include a 4-H component

PSA: is a 60 second long promotional audio recording focused on a year theme. The 2025 theme is “Ready Through 4-H and beyond…….

Added to All contest Day this year was an Impromptu Speech Contest. Youth drew a random topic then had 15 minutes to prepare a speech. Eight youth participated.

Presentation is a like show and tell, a speech with some type of prop.

Grand Champion Speech Intermediate: Elle Lamplot

Grand Champion Speech Senior: Payton Hermelbracht

Grand Champion PSA Junior: Kate Hansen

Reserve Champion PSA Senior: Logan Hansen

Grand Champion PSA Senior: Rylie Hermelbracht

Grand Champion Impromptu Speech: Logan Hansen

Reserve Champion Impromptu Speech: Benjamin Albrecht

Grand Champion Presentation Junior: Benjamin Albrecht

Grand Champion Presentation Intermediate: Isaac Albrecht

To see the rest of the ribbon placing see our website at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/4-h/4-h-contests/ or you can contact our office at 402-385-6041.

The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables, flowers, fruit, and herbs. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their hands dirty in this project area. The 2025 Special Garden Project will focus on the Goldie Husk Cherry. This old-fashioned fruit from the tomato family has sweet berries inside golden husks. The fruits have many uses and can be eaten raw, dried, frozen, canned, or made into tasty treats like pies, desserts, or preserves. This project is open to all youth of 4-H ages 5-18 and it will give them the opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting, and exhibiting this unique fruit. Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will then have to reach out to their local Extension Office to sign up and order the seeds. Project information and materials are available on the website: https://4h.unl.edu/special-gardening-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 the fifth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore sunflowers! There are two types of sunflower production in Nebraska. There are those grown for oil production, and those grown for human food consumption referred to as confectionery seeds. A portion of the oil seed production is used in the bird seed industry. Sunflowers are grown throughout the state of Nebraska with the greatest concentration in western Nebraska. The variety we will be growing is a high oleic hybrid. Its oil profile combined with a nice black seed color ensures multiple market options. To be eligible to enter an exhibit at the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area, enroll for the 2025 Special Agronomy Project through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project and contacting your local Nebraska Extension Office to order packets of seeds.

Register today for the Heavy Equipment Career Exploration day set for Monday, June 23, 2025 at Central Community College - Hastings Campus in Hastings, NE.

Sessions include:
* Navigate and drive virtual heavy equipment simulators
* Behind the wheel experience with a variety of Heavy Equipment Pieces
* Learn about the Hastings CCC Heavy Equipment Program
* Career panel
* Optional campus tours
Check-in is from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Lunch is included. The day ends at 4:30 pm with optional campus tours. Registration cost is $35.00. Register at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment. Registration will close on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 5 pm or until all spots are filled.
This is a joint program with Nebraska Extension, Nebraska 4-H, Central Community College, and Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).

More details at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/adams/4-h/

The 2025 What’s the Buzz? season of the Nebraska State 4-H Camp will share the importance of pollinators in Nebraska- why they’re important, how they impact agriculture, and what youth can do in their own communities to support the various native pollinators we have in Nebraska. From bees and butterflies to hummingbirds and bats- it’s going to be a week full of learning and fun!

The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is returning to Chadron and Burwell for summer camp 2025! Youth new to camping can attend a shorter camp session designed to let them experience all the best parts of summer camp in a 3 day/2 night session. Choose from one of two 5 day/4 night sessions for youth 10-14 years old and returning this year is the Leaders in Training camp for high school youth 15-17 years old! Campers will focus on developing leadership skills with an opportunity to put those skills into practice by volunteering at one of our other camp sessions!

Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp.

Spring into 4-H judging! A training series for 4-H project judges will take place in April 2025:

• Thursday, April 10th (5:30 - 6:30 pm CST): Introduction to Judging 4-H Projects
• Audience: Adults interested in learning about judging 4-H projects at county and state fairs.
• Topics: Ensuring interview judging is a positive experience, the role of Positive Youth Development in the judging process and more!
• Tuesday, April 14th (5:30 - 7:00 pm CST): 4-H Visual Arts & Foods Judges Training
• Audience: New and experienced judges for Visual Arts and Foods projects.
• Topics: Class changes to 4-H Visual Arts department; Refresh on foods department judging including the new trends of sourdough and updates.

Participation is optional, and while live attendance is encouraged, the sessions will be recorded and available at: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/judges/.

Visit https://go.unl.edu/judgestraining2025 to register!

The 54th annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) will be held July 7-11, 2025, on UNL’s East Campus. Applications are now available to students who are currently high school juniors and seniors on our website at: www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi As always, applications will be due on April 15th.

NEW THIS YEAR - For those that have previously provided a letter of recommendation for a student applying, we have changed our process this year eliminating the letter of recommendation and switching to a recommendation form. It is our hope that the recommendation form will help streamline the process for both you and our scoring committee. The recommendation form can be found on the NAYI website as well as here

Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 10-24, 2025 at: http://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest

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:
• 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.

Nebraska Extension is pleased to announce the another year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This additional opportunity for enrolled livestock project youth is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership. The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry. The program consists of three levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website.

For more information or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)

Show Stock Manager is open for livestock nominations for the 2025 Nebraska State Fair!

Website Link: https://showstockmgr.com/

All livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to complete an online nomination with payment through Show Stock Manager and submit a DNA collector envelope with a hair sample. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves. Each State Fair nomination will be $7.00 per animal in Show Stock Manager. 4-H and FFA livestock nominations are due on June 15, 2025.

Refer to the 4-H State Fair Livestock Identification and Nomination Requirements for additional information on 4-H exhibitor eligibility at the State Fair - https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/state-fair/livestock-exhibitor/livestock-identification/

If you have any questions on how to submit your online nominations, you can review the 2025 Step-by-Step Nomination Instructions document.

Special Note: For 4-H/FFA families who are planning on nominating the same animals for the NSF and Aksarben Stock Show, obtain your DNA envelopes from the local Extension Office or FFA Advisor. Turn in your completed DNA envelopes to the local Extension Office or FFA Advisor. Submit the DNA payment and complete the online nomination in Show Stock Manager. 4-H/FFA families will only be required to submit DNA and pay once for an animal. After these steps, complete the online nomination process for the Aksarben Stock Show. The Aksarben Stock Nomination online nomination system will be different than Show Stock Manager. Guidance on how to nominate State Fair animals in the Aksarben Stock Show online nomination database will be provided at a later date.

Cuming County will be hosting a Cat Showmanship Clinic in West Point on Tuesday, May 27th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Dinklage Building on the Cuming County Fairgrounds. Alicia Nebuda will be the presenter who currently owns Glitter Grooming in West Point and has judged cat shows in the past. Registration is being handled by Cuming County Extension office so if youth are interested, contact them! It is limited to the first 20 youth and cost will be $5.00 per youth.

The program consists of levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Dog Achievement program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals. The accomplishments increase in quantity and difficulty for each level. At the beginning of the 4-H year, participants plan what to accomplish and at the end of the 4-H year, they report on their completed accomplishments. Successful completion of a level's Plan & Report form results in a 4-H youth earning that level of the Dog Achievement program. More information can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/dog-achievement-program

• Hustler Progress Show - June 8, 2025 (Cuming County Fairgrounds, West Point, NE)
• Wayne County 4-H Timed Event Rodeo - July 26, 2025 (Wayne County Fairgrounds, Wayne, NE)
• 4-H Small Animal Progress Show - June 7, 2025 - (Phelps County Fairgrounds, 1308 2nd St. Holdrege, NE)

Application is available on the county website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/scholarships/

2025 Thurston County 4-H Council Senior Scholarship Application.docx

Applicant Criteria:

1. Applicant must be a current High School Senior.
2. Applicant must currently be an enrolled member of the Thurston County 4-H Program. And have been enrolled in 4-H for at least the past two years.
3. Application must be completed and returned to get proper signatures to the Club Leader by April 4th of the current calendar year. Club Leaders will then turn all collected applications to Nebraska Extension in Thurston County. After submission, applications will not be returned.

Scholarship Information:

1. One $150 will be awarded to all applicants who meet the criteria.
2. Scholarship will be awarded after receiving written notification of scholarship recipient’s second semester enrollment. For those students enlisting with the military, notification of basic training completion will be the equivalent.
3. Scholarship monies will be sent directly to the scholarship winner.

If interested please contact Thurston County Extension for an application or call (402) 385-6041 for more information.

Check out the website to learn more and find past program recordings - https://hles.unl.edu/lawn-garden/gro-big-red/

We are excited to share with you the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Engler Program. Visit the website below to find more information about Engler as well as the scholarship that is available for high school graduating seniors. https://engler.unl.edu

If you have any questions please reach out to Michelle Bassford:

Michelle Bassford, Chief Experience Officer,

Engler Entrepreneurship Program-UNL,

DINS 201AD, Lincoln, NE 68583,

(402) 472-9274, https://engler.unl.edu

High school seniors planning to attend the University of Nebraska in Fall 2025 are encouraged to submit their Enrollment Deposit to gain access to the housing application and New Student Enrollment registration!