Dakota County 4-H News

DAKOTA COUNTY OFFICE STAFF

Angela Abts—4-H & Youth aabts2@unl.edu

Julie Boyle—Food Nutrition and Health julie.boyle@unl.edu

Tammy Dunn—Office Manager tpeterson3@unl.edu

Brenda Sale—SNAP-ED bsale@unl.edu

Email: dakota-county@unl.edu
Website: https://dakota.unl.edu
Location: 1505 Broadway Street, Dakota City, NE, USA
Phone: 402-987-2140
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLDakotaCounty
Twitter: @NEDakota4HExt

Facebook: Nebraska Extension in Dakota County

Instagram: NE Extension Dakota County

SEPTEMBER

9 - Dakota~Thurston Joint 4-H Council (Pender Fire Hall - 7:00PM) followed by Dakota County Council

21-24 Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show Fonner Park Grand Island

OCTOBER

4 - Dakota County Extension hosting South Sioux City Chamber Coffee Hour

7-12 National 4-H Week

7 - Extension Board Meeting

31 - Happy Halloween

NOVEMBER

4 - Extension Board meeting

11 - Office closed, Veterans Day

28-29 - Office closed - Thanksgiving

DECEMBER

2 - Extension Board Meeting

24- January 1st - office closed for holiday break

Thank you everyone for your hard work, participation and camaraderie that made for a wonderful fair event!

Big round of applause to the Dakota~Thurston County Fairboard for all the work they do in making sure the buildings and grounds are ready to go. The support they provide is so very much appreciated. Make sure you thank them.

Thank you to the many volunteers that help with the livestock shows, entry day, keeping youth and animals wrangled, and just generally being of assistance. Please thank a volunteer.

Did you receive a trophy or Bonus Auction premium? Send them a thank you note. Donors want to know their funds are well spent.

Congratulations to all the 4-H'ers that participated at the Nebraska State Fair. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to attend and represent Dakota County.

Results from the State Fair can be found here: https://nebraska4hresults.com/

Static: Benjamin Albrecht, Isaac Albrecht, Halle Cain, Audric Cavenee, Payton Hermelbracht, Rylie Hermelbracht, Gemma Kramer, Sawyer Krause, Brooke Raymer, Carson Schooley, Connor Schooley, Carter Twito, Emma Urwiller.

Livestock: Beau Thomsen, Gauge Thomsen, Finn Thomsen, Lyla Carlin, Alexis Jessen, Rylie Hermelbracht, Payton Hermelbracht, Drayden Nielsen, Kinleigh Estochen, Aiden Estochen, Karson Roeber,

Way back in July Dakota County had youth attend the State Horse Expo at Fonner Park in Grand Island.

Congratulations to Dakota County 4-H Youth that made the trek and competed.

Payton Hermelbracht

Rylie Hermelbracht

Looking for a great opportunity to build your skills and resume' Apply to become a 4-H Ambassador.

You can travel to UNL campus for training and meet other Ambassadors across the state. Help with camps, represent 4-H at Community events, and be an excellent role model for younger 4-H'ers.

Eligibility requirements:

• Youth age 14-18 (Age on January 1st).
• Youth will serve a two year term (can reapply for another term).
• Enrolled as a 4-H member (Dakota or Thurston county).
• Must be an active member for at least two years prior to application.

Applications are due to the Nebraska Extension Office Dakota County by October 15th.

Applications have been sent age eligible 4-H youth in Dakota County.

Is your club a club of excellence?

The overall goal of 4-H Clubs is to develop enthusiastic young people who boldly take action to demonstrate life skills as capable, caring, competent kids of character thus contributing to the improvement of themselves, their family, their club, their community, and their world. One way clubs might choose to measure their success in meeting that goal is their ability to gain status as a Nebraska 4-H Club of Excellence. To receive the designation as a Nebraska 4-H Club of Excellence, clubs must meet a certain set of criteria and document how this criterion was met. Clubs meeting the requirements will initially receive a certificate. In subsequent years clubs successfully meeting the requirements will receive a special insignia to place on their certificate. Clubs must apply annually to receive this recognition.

For more information and form submission: https://4h.unl.edu/clubs-excellence

The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program encourages 4-H youth to engage in a variety of programs, projects, and activities that will enable youth to acquire skills and abilities that will prepare them for success in the future. The program is designed to reach and recognize all youth engaged in 4-H, from club members and campers to school enrichment, afterschool, and special interest program participants.

The program consists of six levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover 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 Diamond Clover program.

https://4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover

County and State Fair are over for 2024, but that doesn't mean your 4-H experiences have come to a close. You have another step to complete. Get working on your 4-H awards & achievement records. While the Achievement Celebration will not be held until the first part of 2025, you can start compiling the needed information so its ready to go.

To find the application and other resources go to: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/careerportfolio/

You can find more information for other awards, scholarships and opportunities at: https://4h.unl.edu/awards-recognition

Adults interested in judging county and state 4-H projects, including live animal shows, static exhibits, and contests, are invited to complete the Judges Sign Up Form. By completing the online process, you agree to be screened according to the 4-H Youth Safety Policy, verify your receipt of the UNL Activity Worker Guidelines, and sign the 4-H Code of Conduct. Once the screening process is complete, your information will be made available to county Extension offices and State Fair 4-H superintendents. Those interested in hiring you to judge will contact you directly.

The 2025 registration will open on July 1 and close on September 30, 2024.

Looking for a unique way to engage and inspire young people in your club or classroom? Check out this year’s 4-H STEM Challenge. The 2024 STEM Challenge was developed by 4-H educators from LSU AgCenter, North Dakota State University, Penn State Extension, and University of Nebraska–Lincoln. This year's kit will provide fundamental knowledge on food security, how people are impacted locally and globally, and how youth can co-create more food secure communities. Learn more at 4-H.org/programs/stem-challenge/

Building a ready generation in a world of change, 4-H equips youth with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Becoming Beyond Ready encompasses opportunities and experiences, connections and discovery, shaping youth into their true and authentic selves.

Dakota County staff is working on ideas for promotion of National 4-H Week. How can you and your club be a part? Stay tuned for more information.

It’s that time of year again and we’ll be hosting the 20th annual Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS) here at the Animal Science Complex on November 8 – 10, 2024. More details about the symposium, the 2023 recap video and the application link can be found at go.unl.edu/nybls. Please note the application deadline of September 15th. If an individual is selected to participate, a $75 registration fee will be collected at that time. I have attached social media content for you to share if you wish as well as a flyer that can be distributed. Please contact me at araymond2@unl.edu with any questions that you have.

The University of Nebraska will be hosting its 2nd annual Husker Youth Meats Workout on Friday, Oct. 11 & Monday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m.‑4 p.m. The UNL Animal Science Complex will be open for this event both days; participants may come and go as they please!

The workout will include Beef, Pork and Lamb carcasses, Cuts classes and Retail ID for students to practice on and learn. The workout will be self-guided with no formal instruction, though there will be collegiate students and Extension Professor Bo Garcia available to guide youth and their educators on site.

This event is open for all youth 3rd grade and up. Attend this event to prepare for the upcoming national 4‑H and FFA Meat Judging competitions coming up in October and November, respectively.

Participants are required to bring their own PPE, including:
• Hardhat
• Hairnet/beard net
• Frock
• Long pants
• Closed‑toed shoes.

https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/stories/96511#:~:text=The%20workout%20will%20include%20Beef,and%20their%20educators%20on%20site.

Explore the "Power of Red" at the 4-H Campus Visit Day! 🌟 Join us on Saturday, November 9th, for a half-day college visit experience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dive into academic interests, enjoy a campus tour, and get all your questions answered about admissions, financial aid, and more. Complimentary lunch included! Register now at go.unl.edu/casnrvisitday24. #PowerOfRed

🚀 High School Seniors, Your Future Starts Here! 🚀 Apply for FREE to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln by November 1st using code HUSKER. Don’t miss out on scholarship notifications!

Discover Nebraska during Red Letter Days! 🌟 High school juniors and seniors, join us for a full-day campus visit experience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Explore academic opportunities, engage in student and parent sessions, and enjoy a campus tour. Available on select Mondays and Fridays. Register now at go.unl.edu/visit.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.