Gage 4-H News

Announcements

• 4-H Enrollment
• Clover Kids
• Scholarship Update
• Governor's Ag Excellence Award - Due April 1
  
• Youth at Work Grant - Due April 1
• Thank you from 4-H Inc.

Upcoming Events

• Save the Date: Gage County Fair
• Public Speaking & Presentation Contest
  
• Registration open for Data Driven Statistics Field Day at UNL for High Schoolers
• 4-H Robotics Expansion Event
  

Notes to 4-H Members

• State Fair Eligibility Update
  
• NAYI
• Camp Renegade
• Camp Renegade- Counselors
• Top Dog 4-H Club- Jefferson County

Notes to 4-H leaders & volunteers

• 4-H Horse Judging School
  

Notes to Livestock Members

• Gage County Livestock Showdown
• Gage County Fair- Clover Kid Livestock Show
• State Fair Livestock- Entry Info
• Pen to Plate
• YQCA
• YQCA Instructor- Led Options
• 2024 Cornhusker Livestock Judging Championships
  
• Livestock Achievement Program
  
• Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit
• Tack Swap

Calendar Events

Enrollment is open for the 2023-2024 Gage County 4-H year. The enrollment website is v2.4honline.com. All 4-H youth (ages 8-18), Clover Kids (ages 5-7), and leaders/volunteers are required to enroll online every year. Enrollment deadline is June 15. We encourage all members to enroll using a computer and not your mobile device. Call or email Jacie or Rachel at 402-223-1384 with any enrollment questions.

Please make sure to include or update your child's t-shirt size! This is the sizing guide we use to order the Exmark t-shirts for county fair! It is not a required field so can often be missed.

Updated help guides can be found on our website.

Enrollment fee is $12 for each 4-H youth to be paid online or in the office. There is no fee for Clover Kids or adults. We will not be accepting enrollments until we have received payment.

Clover Kids is a special program for youth ages 5-7 who want to participate in 4-H. The program offers a variety of educational and recreational experiences in non-competitive environments. These opportunities are ideal for developing confidence, creativity, and competence during this stage of youth development.

Clover Kids have special opportunities to participate during the Gage County Fair by exhibiting Clover Kids static exhibits. To be eligible to participate, Clover Kids need to enroll through our 4HOnline system at v2.4honline.com

Gage County 4-H Juniors and Seniors, it's time for you to start looking at scholarships! There are numerous agricultural companies, organizations, and colleges that offer scholarships to students who have long-term career goals in agriculture. There are also a lot of local and county-wide scholarships for 4-H youth. Now is the time to put together a good resume-it helps!

At a loss for where to begin with scholarships and financial aid? We have multiple resources available for you! Check out the Scholarship Update Newsletter for resources and a list of local and statewide 4-H Scholarships.

Nebraska 4-H Foundation’s Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards sponsored by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) is a prestigious award designed to recognize 4-H clubs for their efforts to serve their communities. This grant is intended to provide funding for 4-H Clubs to complete projects that will have a lasting impact on their communities. Projects should be intentional and impactful, growing club members as leaders and fulfilling a need in their community. Recognition is in the form of a $500 grant issued to the club’s treasury to be used as described in the award application form completed by the club. Examples of fundable programs include mentorship programs, intergenerational programs, attending educational experiences, hosting workshops/educational events and service-learning opportunities.

Funded by the Gage County 4-H Council, youth (age 12+) and 4-H clubs are encouraged to apply for a grant designated for a club or county project, workshop, or community project. A maximum of $200 is awarded per grant application. Applications are due April 1 and can be filled out online at: https://go.unl.edu/gagecoyouthatwork A final report is due on October 15 and funds will be awarded at the 4-H Achievement program in the fall.

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Recognition Awards honors adult and youth volunteers, as well as and multi-generational families, who have provided meaningful contributions to Nebraska 4-H. One Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award and One Emerging Adult Volunteer Award winner will be chosen for each of the state’s 10 Nebraska Extension Engagement zones. One statewide winner will be named in the each of the youth volunteer and multi-generational family categories.

“Our 4-H volunteers go above and beyond to serve Nebraska’s youth every year,” said Jill Goedeken, 4-H Youth Development Extension educator. “We are looking forward to another opportunity to recognize 4-H volunteers for their contributions to youth in Nebraska.”

The nomination period runs through March 15, 2024. Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter, or Extension staff member. Nominees must fit the award categories and can be a volunteer for any Nebraska 4-H experience. Some examples may include 4-H club leader, project leader, junior leader, county or State Fair volunteer, special interest volunteer (such as robotics or shooting sports), afterschool club volunteer or 4-H camp volunteer. More information, along with the nomination form, is available online at: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-recognition.

Winners will be announced virtually in April 2024. A special awards presentation will take place at the 2024 Nebraska State Fair.

What an amazing turn out we had for the pancake and silent auction event. This events soul purpose is to raise money to help pay the month to month bills of the building to keep it open for you. We couldn’t have held this event without the amazing volunteers from Blue River, Feathers and Fear, Homestead Shooters, Odell Cookies and Southwest Riders 4-H clubs! Also, thank you to all the amazing clubs that may not have been able to help the day of the event but donated silent auction items!

We will be reaching out to clubs in the coming months to help with some spring cleaning. Don’t forget, this building is for you! If your club is needing a place to hold meetings or events please let us know.

-Megan Overbeck- Secretary

Save the date for the Premier Communicator Contest Sunday, April 21st starting at 2 pm.

Registration will open soon on 4HOnline for this event.

Teams of four high schoolers and one or two adult coaches are invited to join the Department of Statistics and Nebraska 4-H to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of data science, statistics, and numerical literacy. This full-day competition will feature interactive head-to-head competitions, providing a platform for teams to showcase their skills. Additionally, participants will have the valuable opportunity to interact with the University recruitment team and industry professionals.

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, (CASNR) is generously sponsoring the registration costs for the first 20 teams.

And, CASNR is sponsoring the top prizes of EIGHT $500 scholarships.

More information and registration information is available at https://4h.unl.edu/data-driven

You are encouraged to share this information with your contacts in local schools and community groups as well - we welcome registrations from 4-H Clubs, School Groups, Community Groups, Homeschool Groups - really any group of 4 high school aged youth ready to engage in some exciting activities! Please direct any questions to Kimberly Stanke at kstanke2@unl.edu

You are invited to expand your knowledge! The 4-H Robotics Expansion Event is an exciting showcase of innovation and collaboration in the field of robotics. Join us on March 15, 2024, for an event filled with thrilling competitions, demonstrations, and networking opportunities. Explore the world of robotics and technology, engage in hands-on learning experiences, and witness the creativity of young minds at the forefront of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) exploration. This opportunity will be in conjunction with the 2024 FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship.

When: Friday, March 15, 2024, from NOON to 5:00 PM CT

Where: Cook Pavilion, UNL City Campus, Lincoln, NE

Who: Activities are targeted for youth ages 8-14 years

Admission: Free

What: There will be walk-up experiences to engage with statewide Industry Partners. Families will not be required to pre-register for walk-up experiences. Information about each of the activities will be found under “Industry Partner” on the 4-H Robotics Expansion Event website. If interested in participating in any of the UNL Showcase Tours or Industry Partner activities that require a sign-up, please contact Brandy Schulze to see availability.

Event Website: https://4h.unl.edu/robotics-expansion-event

Questions: call Brandy Schulze at 402-472-9023

The decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2024 to be 8 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion show) at the Nebraska State Fair.

Don't forget to do the Big 4 in order to participate in the Gage County Fair and the Nebraska State Fair. The Big 4 is a printable resource created to help keep track of usernames, passwords and deadlines.

NAYI will be held July 8-12, 2024, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Students selected to attend NAYI do so free of charge due to generous donations from numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April 15, 2024, to apply. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online.

Save the Date!!

Camp Renegade June 11-12

Camper registrations are due no later than May 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Register for camp at: https://go.unl.edu/24camprenegade

Payments should be sent directly to Jefferson County Extension at 517 F Street, Fairbury, NE 68352. Checks payable to Jefferson County 4-H Council. Camp registration is not confirmed until payment has been received.

Camp Counselor applications are due no later than May 1 – youth ages 14-18 as of Jan. 1 can apply.

Accepted counselors will be required to attend camp counselor training on May 29 in Fairbury.

Direct link to counselor application: https://go.unl.edu/24camprenegadecounselorapp

The new leader of the Top Dog 4-H club is Penny Holtmeier. Her goal is to grow the Top Dog 4-H club and hold practices between Fairbury and Beatrice every other week. Members could catch practices that work for them. Jefferson County’s dog show is Tuesday, July 9, at 10:00 am.

If there is any interest in joining the Top Dog 4-H club or if there is interest in Jefferson County's dog show please contact Penny Holtmeier at penny.holtmeier@unl.edu

Please join Nebraska Extension for their annual Nebraska 4-H Horse Judging School on April 20, 2024, at the Animal Science Complex on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus in Lincoln, NE.

• This event is for horse show judges, aspiring judges, judging team coaches, and senior age youth! We will have classroom demonstrations and live horse judging.
• The main topics covered are Judging 4-H, Rules and Guidelines, Conformation, Ranch Riding and Trail.

Register today! https://cvent.me/MPlM03

Presenters will be:

Kathy Anderson (Nebraska Horse Specialist and AQHA Judge)

Kelsey Ebke (Horse Trainer and AQHA Judge)

Brooke Parrish (Former UNL Horse Judging Coach)

Lena Luck (Nebraska Youth Equine Extension Specialist)

3rd Annual Gage County Livestock Showdown

*Junior Nebraska Cattlemen sanctioned beef show

*Nebraska Swine Circuit sanctioned hog show

Gage County 4-H & FFA exhibitors have a discounted rate until April 20th

ALL entries have to be entered into the showman.app

For more detailed information about the show go to:

https://go.unl.edu/gagelivestockshowdown or scan the QR code

*New for the Gage County Fair

• Clover Kid Livestock Show

Please see the flyer below and go to go.unl.edu/gagecloverkidlivestock or scan the QR code for the complete rules & info.

All 4-H/FFA BREEDING livestock, market livestock and FEEDER CALVES will are required to submit a DNA sample/envelope to be eligible to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair. DNA envelopes for the Nebraska State Fair are due on June 15 to the Extension Office. (New Envelopes for 2024)

DNA nominations will all be $7.00 per animal. With this update, animals will automatically be eligible for both breeding and market. Any DNA nomination submitted through Show Stock Manager will also be eligible for exhibition at the Aksarben Stock Show. https://showstockmgr.com/

Breeding livestock: Registration papers must now show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in show stock manager

Check out this new opportunity in Fillmore County. It is a great way to get hands on learning to learn more about the livestock industry from pen to plate

Questions: call Alexis Schmidt at 402-759-3712

4-H (ages 8-18) and FFA (under age 19) exhibitors as of Jan. 1st of the current year who exhibit beef, goat, sheep, swine, rabbit & poultry are REQUIRED to complete YQCA training by June 15, to be eligible to participate at the Gage County Fair and Nebraska State Fair. (Clover Kids are not required to complete YQCA training).

Face-to-Face training participants are REQUIRED TO PRE-REGISTER ONLINE and pay a $3.00 fee. Once you have completed the training you will log back into your YQCA account and retrieve your certificate to turn into the Extension Office by June 15.

Online YQCA training is available for $12.00 per youth. Please make a special note to your 4-H age (as of Jan. 1) when selecting a course to complete.

*If you have any problems with the online website (logging in, online testing, etc.), you have to contact the help desk on the website. We unfortunately have no admin capabilities to help if you have issues.

**Make sure you complete both the pre and post survey before YQCA will let you print off your YQCA certificate.

Saline County is offering instructor led options

• April 1st at 1:00 p.m.
• May 23rd at 9:30 a.m.

Questions contact the Saline County Office at 402-821-2151

Complete the following information to reserve your spot in this year's Cornhusker Livestock Judging Championships. A minimum of 100 participants is needed for this contest to happen-- if we do not get 100 participants registered by March 8, we will not have the contest. This contest will be capped at 400 participants so register TODAY. Walk-Ins welcome. Note: walk-ins will NOT receive a t-shirt.

• $100 per team

Age Divisions

• Junior High 6th-8th Graders Only
• Open: ANYONE (9-12 gr. & Adults)

There is no limit for teams, you can have 5 participants per team but only the top 4 scores will be counted towards the team total.

Where: York County Fairgrounds

When: March 19

Registration 7:30-8:45 am

Judging starts at 9:00 am

Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOAOKshGXZSWl4h15wvYZ0mXq6XgmQ9RQIwyYDOfGsuyYUEA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

See flyer. Questions should be directed to those names on the flyer.

-We are excited to announce the fourth 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. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Junior 8-10 submits pictures, poster, presentation, and other learning activities to receive the distinction of Junior Member of Excellence, no point value, Intermediates, ages 11-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.

-Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 1 via the completion form on the website.

-Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.

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

• Ashley Benes ashley.benes@unl.edu
• Brett Kreifels brett.kreifels@unl.edu
• Cole Meador cmeador2@unl.edu

The Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit is a lineup of contests held throughout the state giving youth the opportunity to perfect their skills in preparation for the Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE). Qualifying youth must attend a minimum of two contests in addition to the PASE livestock judging contest in order to be eligible for awards and scholarships. The top 5 individuals in the Senior and Intermediate divisions will be recognized as part of the All-State Team during the Grand Drive at the Nebraska State Fair.

https://4h.unl.edu/great-plains-livestock-judging-circuit

Blaine French: 402-472-3571 bfrench6@unl.edu

Check out the 8th Annual Tack Swap

New & Used Tack and more!

Questions: Contact Susan at 308-946-3633

Email: Gage-County@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/gage/
Location: 1115 West Scott Street, Beatrice, NE, USA
Phone: 402-223-1384
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionGageCo/