Burt County 4-H Hotline Newsletter

FEBRUARY - Nebraska 4-H Month

• TBA: 4-H Achievement/Kick-Off Event
• Feb 3: Special Garden Project Seed (Goldie Husk Cherry) request to office DUE
• Feb 17: Office Closed - Presidents’ Day
• Feb 23-Mar 1: Burt County 4-H Week
• Feb 26: Special Agronomy Project Seed (Sunflowers) request to office DUE
• Mar 1: 2025 Burt County Fair Foundation Kickoff Event (Lyons Auditorium)
• Mar 1: 4-H Snow/Snowless Entries DUE
• Mar 1: Burt County 4-H Enrollment Incentive DEADLINE
• Mar 21-22: First Lego League Robotics Challenge (Lincoln)
• Mar 22: 4-H Presentation Contest @ 10am (Craig Fire Hall)

• April 1: Scholarships DUE

• April 5: Burt County Beef Preview
• April 21: 4-H Speech & PSA Contest @ 5:30pm (Presbyterian Church, Tekamah)

If you didn't get on the original list to get our 4-H newsletter mailed to you and you're missing that hard copy, please contact the office and we'll get you back on the list. Otherwise, we'll stick to digital communications!

Please sign up for REMIND!! We want to have a quick, easy, instant way to contact you all! If you would like to receive text reminders, text @burtco4h to the number 81010. Or to use go to this link https://www.remind.com/join/burtco4h. Hopefully this way we all don’t forget the fun 4-H things happening!

Don’t want to wait for the newsletter to come out to learn the upcoming information? No worries! We post the most recent and updated information on the local Facebook page as soon as we get new information of upcoming events and opportunities. @BurtNeExt

Statewide Celebration Days

• 4-H Spirit Day on Thursday, February 6

• 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Day on Thursday, February 13

• 4-H Supporters and Donors Appreciation Day on Thursday, February 20

• Day of 4-H Service or Give Back to Your Community on Thursday, February 27

• Pop into 4-H – Get Enrolled on 4-HOnline on Friday, February 28

Show all the support and promotion for Burt County 4-H in all the creative ways you can think of. Take a picture, post it, share it, let everyone know how amazing 4-H is in Burt County and why they should enroll!

As an enrollment incentive, just in time for Burt County 4-H Week, IF you get enrolled in 4honline by March 1st ALL youth and volunteers will get the old black Burt 4-H t-shirts before they disappear forever! Just a heads up, we’re out of some common sizes and have lots of the big ones!
Already enrolled? Awesome, you’ll get one too!
4-H Online 2.0 ready for you and so are we! To enroll, visit https://v2.4honline.com/

• For returning families: Do Not create a new account; rather use your existing log-in credentials from 4-H online as used in previous years. Find instructions at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member
• For new families, find instructions here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member

Document what you do for 4-H Week/Month and submit it to the office for a chance at the CLOVER CRAZY AWARDS and a chance to win money for your 4-H Club from the 4-H Council!

Don’t forget to take part in the perfect 4-H promotion activity! The 4-H Snow/Snowless Challenge is a wintertime favorite!

You don’t need to be talented to do a snow/snowless sculpture, but we do want you to have fun and use your imagination! Make sure 4-H members are in the picture you submit! If there isn’t snow available for your project, see what you can do with something “snowless” to promote 4-H. All the 4-H Council is looking for is some creative 4-H promotion along with giving something 4-H fun to win cash awards for the 4-H Club and/or members.

Here are a few quick reminders:

• Make sure you have a 4-H connection with your sculpture, a sign or whatever so anyone going by gets the full 4-H message.
• Try to locate your sculpture where people will actually see it. IDEA!! Outside nursing home, assisted living, elderly homes – then they can enjoy you making it and seeing it!
• Keep in mind the three themes: “Best 4-H Message”, “Most Creative” and “Greenest”.
• There are three participation categories: 4-H Group; Small Team and Individual.
• If you have any questions please call the Burt County Extension Office 402-374-2929 and make sure you email/text a picture of the sculpture and the creator(s) names and club name(s) to stacey.keys@unl.edu on or before March 1st.

Anyone is welcome to submit a design, and our 4-Her's can even enter their design as a project for fair next year!

After the submission due date, there will be a vote conducted to select a design winner. Whoever's design is selected will also receive a free t-shirt.

Submission for designs is due FEBRUARY 27, 2025.

Feel free to call the Burt County Extension Office with any questions. Use the link below to submit your design.https://go.unl.edu/tshirtdesignsubmission

A virtual training for 4-H Council Treasurers will be held on February 10th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

Topics covered:

• Responsibilities of the 4-H council treasurer role
• 4-H financial policies for 4-H Councils
• Best practices for 4-H council treasurers

• 4-H Council Treasurers
• Optional: 4-H Club Treasurers
• 4-H club volunteers who are welcome to attend as well.

• Registration is required. The zoom link will be sent immediately following registration.
• Registration is free. Everyone should register separately.
• Participating in the live session is encouraged. The training will be recorded and will be sent to registered participants.
• Register here: https://go.unl.edu/treasurertraining

Nebraska 4-H has launched a new volunteer orientation! This online training serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska and covers a few essential topics for volunteers. While the orientation is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the course.

Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.

Congratulations!! Meet your 2025 Burt County 4-H Council…

• President – Brooke Ahrens
• Vice President – Megan Unwin
• Secretary – Breanne Evasic
• Treasurer – Alana Pearson
• 4-H Kitchen Liaison – Jessica Fleischman

Adult Members – Adrienne Timm, Brooke Peterson, Dave Uhing, & Jadyn Fleischman

Youth Members - Madison Enstrom, Isabella Evasic, Parke Loftis, Elijah Schlichting, Alexander Timm, & Madeline Person

Thank you to outgoing members Julie Brehmer, Laura McElmuray, Camryn Brehmer, and Sydney Olsen for serving our 4-H Program as Council Members.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/burt/4-h-burt-county/contest-events/#tab-presentation-contest

The date is set for Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 am held at the Craig Fire Hall, Craig. Pre-registration is due by NOON on Friday, March 21st! Come teach us something you know or show us how you do something you love.

Presentation Class:

• It is divided into Clover Kid (5-7), Junior (ages 8-11) and Senior (ages 12-18).
• For traditional 4-Hers (8+) the presentation can be given as an individual (6-8 minutes) or as a team of two (8-10 minutes). If two team members are in different age divisions, they would compete at the older age division.
• All presentation topics should be related to what the 4-H youth is learning through 4-H educational experiences.
• Presentations should include an introduction (the "why" portion of the topic), a body (the "show and tell" portion of the topic), and a conclusion/summary (the "what" portion of the topic).
• Presenters using computer-based visuals may bring files on a USB drive that is PC formatted. Participants may also provide their own computer or other equipment as needed; however, participants must be able to connect their computers to an HDMI cord.
• Live animals are NO LONGER permitted in a presentation.

Video Communication Class

• The video communication contest allows youth to create a multi-media video around a theme related to 4-H. Judges will be evaluating both the organization of information as well as the audio and video production.

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.

We are looking for a new leader to take the charge for our Burt County shooting sports 4-H Club! While we have the interest, we need the leader! If one is not found, we will sadly have to dissolve the club and wait for it come back someday.

If you are interested or know of someone who might be, PLEASE have them contact the office!

Some background on what it takes to be in compliance as a 4-H Club:

4-H Clubs in good standing are structured as follows:

• Enrolls at least 5 youth members from at least 3 families.
• Is advised by adult staff or volunteers who have been screened and trained in accordance with the Nebraska 4-H Policy and Procedure Handbook. Shooting Sports must have a Certified Leader.
• Conduct a minimum of 6 regular club meetings (virtual or face-to-face) per year, with many holding 9-12 regular meetings throughout most or all of the year, and often supplemented by project meetings, camps, fairs, and other 4-H learning activities.
• Selects youth officers or youth leaders to provide leadership to the club.
• Meets in any location — a home, community center, military installation, library, public housing site, school, afterschool program, and/or many other places.
• Helps youth and parents/guardians adapt in cases of mobility — linking them to 4-H programs in other counties and states. Meets interests and needs of youth in same-age or cross-age groupings and using single project or multiple project formats.

If these components are no longer able to be maintained, clubs will not be allowed to hold funds in the name of 4-H.

2025 State 4-H Events

• 4-H Horse Stampede – March 29-30, 2025
• State 4-H Premier Communication Event – June 19-20, 2025
• Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) – June 20-21, 2024
• State 4-H Horse Expo – July 12-16, 2025

2024 Burt County 4-H Events

• March 22: 4-H Presentation Contest @ 10am (Craig Fire Hall)
• April 21: 4-H Speech & PSA Contest @ 6:00pm (Presbyterian Church, Tekamah)

Mark your calendars! On March, 1st 2025, the Burt County Fair Kickoff returns! The Burt County Fair Foundation invites you to join us for the 2025 Fair Kickoff. It's always a great time as we look forward to another amazing Burt County Fair in July! Join in on an evening of fun, live music by Highway 6, and supporting the Burt County Fair!

$30/Ticket. Tickets available at: First Northeast Bank of Nebraska Tekamah, Lyons, & Oakland Branches

Deadline to order through the office is February 3rd!

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. (I assure you the husk cherry is different than a groundcherry, which is a weed in Nebraska, that looks very similar, but isn’t edible)

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. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live in. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. This year, we will be exploring a crop that can be marketed different ways depending on the variety.

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.

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. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. Please have your order placed prior to March 1st.

For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.

New for 2025 the deadline for Horse Level Testing to show at the Burt County Fair will be June 30.

If you are planning to participate at the State Level, the deadline for entry and Horse Level Testing has not changed from the June 1 deadline.

Burt County ONLY showing - June 30 deadline

State Level showing - June 1

Feeder Calf-Bull Class

• A feeder calf must be born during the current year but before June 1.

Bottle Goat & Bottle Lamb Classes

• These classes will be similar to our Bucket Calf class with a record book, interview, and showing the animal at fair. More clarification will be coming, as soon as I get it written for the fair book.
• If you are interested in a bottle goat - Holly Loftis would be willing to connect you to your potential project!

Looking to support our 4-H youth and the great successes they have at the Burt County Fair?

We are in need of sponsors for the following awards:

• Supreme Champion Swine ($50)
• *NEW FOR 2025* Supreme Champion Beef ($50)
• *NEW FOR 2025* Reserve Supreme Champion Beef ($50)

Contact the office (402-374-2929) if you are interested!

YQCA is excited to announce the 2025 Scholarship Program available to high school seniors and students enrolled in a 2-4 year university or certification program. In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must be a high school senior up to 21 year of age and In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must

• Be a high school senior or a high school graduate up to 21 years of age
• Have an active YQCA certification at the time of application (2025).
• Have had active YQCA certification the previous two years (2023, 2024).

As a high school senior, the essay question regarding your future plans toenter the agriculture industry or commitment to a university will be considered for eligibility. If you are selected, you must provide proof of enrollment to receive the award.

If you are a high school graduate, you must be currently enrolled in a 2-4 year university agriculture program or enrolled in a certification program to meet the scholarship requirements. If selected, scholarship funds will be sent directly to your school.

Applications open January 1, 2025 and close February 17, 2025.

To Apply: Download the PDF Application and send all required documents to programmanager@yqcaprogram.org and the application should include the subject line: "YQCA Scholarship Application".

One recipient - $10,000

Two recipients - $5,000

Four recipients - $2,500

The Nebraska Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) is pleased to offer the Cynthia Thomsen Scholarship. Nebraska WIFE is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving profitability in production agriculture. The one-year $2000 scholarship is available to any woman who lives in Nebraska who will begin her FIRST year in a University/Technical/Trade/Community College in a field related to agriculture and must be postmarked by March 25, 2025. The scholarship may be used at the school of the recipient’s choice in Nebraska.

You'll find the application here.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/burt/continuing-education/

Burt County 4-H Seniors in High School! Tis the season of scholarship applications. Be looking for more information to come directly to you but this should give you a start! Good luck!

• Beverly Weiland Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1st
• Burt County 4-H Council Scholarship - Due April 1st
• Burt County Cattlemen's Association Scholarship - Due April 1st
• East Oaks 4-H Club, Jacob Johnson Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1st
• Phillip Hennig Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1st
• Burt County Pheasants Forever Scholarship - Due April 1st

YQCA is available as an online or face-to-face program for youth everywhere in the United States. We will be using the same website as last year (even with all of it’s glitches) https://yqcaprogram.org/.

Requirements:

Online – 3 modules @ $12 total (to receive full certification you must complete 3)

OR Face-2-Face training @ $3 total (Club leaders-book Stacey to come to a club meeting or TBD at the Extension Office the week of June 9th)

OR Test Out for Intermediate @ $36 or Senior @ $48

Any tradition 4-H member (8-18) in your family that is enrolled in a beef, goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and/or swine project must be certified to show at county and state fair! The deadline for completion to be eligible to show at the Burt County Fair is June 15th! If you have questions please contact us!

Here are some assistances for completing the process. https://yqcaprogram.org/local/youth_parents.php

• Remember, we learned last year that you have to register for the course. And then take a post-course survey before you can access your certificate (which is the part we need).

The Nebraska 4-H Horse Stampede offers a variety of 4-H horse contests that do not require live animals, including public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, and photography contests. Youth have the opportunity to display their equine knowledge through these contests both as an individual and as part of a team. The 4-H Horse Stampede is held annually at the UNL Animal Science Complex in Lincoln, Nebraska. This year's event will be held Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, 2025.

There is a $10 entry fee per participant, a $20 office fee per exhibitor, and a $5 fee for lunch for those participating in horse judging and hippology. Event shirts are also available for pre-order. All orders, fees, and entry forms must be submitted online by Friday, February 28, 2025. All art and photography exhibits must be dropped off at check-in on the day of the event (see schedule for details).

Nebraska 4-H Horse show dress code is required for all in-person contests. Please see pages 23-24 of the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide for details. Exception: No hats or headgear are permitted.

Online Entry Procedures
Entries for 2025 utilize 4-H Online. Login to your 4-H Online account and click on the events tab, then select the 2025 Horse Stampede event. Or utilize the following link to register (be sure to utilize the same email account used when enrolling in 4-H): https://horsestampede2025.4honline.com/#/public/ins_11/evt_191

We are delighted to announce the Innovative Youth Corn 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 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. Registration deadline is April 1st.

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.

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.

NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 7–11, 2025. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending must apply online at: nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/ All applications must be submitted by the April 15, 2025, deadline. NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their interest in agriculture, leadership skills and involvement.

“NAYI is the best event for high school juniors and seniors wanting to learn more about agriculture and discover career opportunities in the industry,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “NAYI is a great way for the next generation of ag leaders to connect with today’s ag industry. It’s a remarkable experience.”

NAYI features motivational speakers, discussions on agricultural issues, career development, networking opportunities, leadership activities, a farm management game, a formal banquet and awards presentation, and a dance. In its 54th year, NAYI is the longest running agricultural youth program of its kind in the nation. More than 225 students attended NAYI last year.

Students attend NAYI free of charge due to generous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring NAYI, visit nda.nebraska.gov/NAYIsponsors/ for more information.

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 https://tinyurl.com/NAYIRecommendation and will also be due on April 15th.

We are excited to announce the fifth 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)

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