4-H News in Keith/Arthur Counties

• 4-H Calendar
• Save the Dates - Weigh Ins
• 2024-2025 4-H Enrollment
• 4-H Holiday Maker Day
• Keith Premium Money and Champion Awards
• Arthur 4-H Achievement Banquet Pictures
• Keith 4-H Council Election Results
• Modern Pioneers Update
• State 4-H Updates/Events
• Fed Steer Challenge
• 2025 Special Garden Project
• Swine Farrowed & Owned
• Omaha Fashion Week 4-H Night
• Zoom in to CASNR

December 19: 4-H Holiday Maker Day, Keith Fairgrounds, 4-6 pm

December 22: 4-H Holiday Maker Day Snow Date

December 24-26: OFFICE CLOSED - Christmas Break

December 31-January 1: OFFICE CLOSED - New Year's

January 13: Keith 4-H Council Meeting, Roads Department, 5:30 pm

February TBD: Arthur 4-H Council Meeting

February 1: Keith Beef Weigh Ins, 9-11 am

February 2: Arthur Beef Weigh Ins, 1-2 pm

Deadlines:

December 6: 4-H Holiday Maker Day Registration EXTENDED Deadline

4-H Enrollment for the 2024-2025 year is NOW OPEN! Deadline for 4-H Enrollment will be June 15, 2024.

https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

We EXTENDED the deadline for Holiday Maker Day. We would love a few more registrations!

This will be held on Thursday, December 19th at the Keith County Fairgrounds from 4-6 pm. This event is open to ALL youth ages 5-18, so tell your friends to join us for a fun filled time! Youth may select up to 5 projects to complete. We will also have a free hot coca station and cookie decorating station!

Registrations are now due December 6th! If you can't make it in to drop off registration and payment, you can email the form and pay later.

KEITH:

Premium Money - We still have the 2024 fair ribbon premium cash in our office. If you haven't picked it up, please do before the end of the year.

Champion Cash & Awards - Fair Champion awards (plaques and trophies) and cash are available in our office now! If you aren't sure if you have something to pick up, please reach out.

The Arthur 2024 4-H Achievement Banquet was held on November 10th. Congratulations to all!

*Note - you can click on the photos to view them bigger.

Congratulations to our elected Keith 4-H Council Members!

Adult Council Members:

Jeremy Spurgin - President

Rachel Walker - Vice President

Brooke Namuth - Treasurer

Melissa Franken - Secretary

Amanda Harger - Modern Pioneers

Anita Perrin

Shad Harger

James Martin

Youth Members:

Audrey Moorhead

Ruby Schow

Taryn Namuth

For those who have individual accounts within the 4-H Council under Modern Pioneers, leadership for Modern Pioneers accounts have changed. Amanda Harger is now taking over the Modern Pioneers accounts. You can submit your Modern Pioneers Withdrawal Form to Amanda Harger. hargers42509@hotmail.com

Thank you to Lora Barnhill who has graciously been in charge for years! Lora's term of service on the 4-H Council has ended.

Nebraska Fed Steer Challenge applications now open!

Last chance for applications, please apply by December 15th, 2024 for the 2025 program year. For more information regarding the Fed Steer Challenge, or to submit an application please visit https://4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge

Virtual learning session about the Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge

To be held Wednesday December 11th at 7:00 p.m. CT/6:00 p.m. MT. We will discuss the program outcomes, deadlines, and answer any questions you may have. This session will be recorded and posted on our website. Join Zoom Meeting: https://unl.zoom.us/j/94582695213 Meeting ID: 945 8269 5213 or call in at +16694449171,94582695213#

The Special Garden Project is a way to offer Nebraska youth the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens!

The Special Garden Project for 2025 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.

Please let us know if your youth is interested in participating in this project by February 1st. Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online.

The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort is an opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry. The program is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska swine industry. The goal is to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H swine projects by focusing on swine production, accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member.

Youth participating in the Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort will:

1. Network with 4-H members across the state who are also participating in the cohort experience.
2. Participate in learning opportunities hosted by Extension Swine Specialist Benny Mote about nutrition, feeding, genetics, and more.
3. Gain knowledge related to their project and the swine industry as a whole.
4. Maintain records related to swine management and basic care.

**NEW for 2025**: Exhibit their Farrowed and Owned project animals at any Nebraska county fair. Exhibiting at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair is optional. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair. Join the first session in February for more details!

Nebraska 4-H is excited to participate in the 2025 Omaha Fashion Week Student Night!

4-H members ages 8-18 are invited to apply for the 4-H Collection to be shown at the Omaha Design Center on February 26, 2025. Garments must have been exhibited at the County Fair in 2024 and should be fashion-forward, runway appropriate, and display high-quality construction.

To apply, complete the online application by December 20th. Visit https://go.unl.edu/25ofw for event details and application process.