4-H News in Keith/Arthur Counties

• 4-H Calendar
• Save the Dates - Weigh Ins
• 2024-2025 4-H Enrollment
• Shooting Sports Updates
• Keith Premium Money and Champion Awards
• Modern Pioneers Update
• Our Experts Feature
• State 4-H Updates/Events
• 2025 Special Garden Project
• Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
• Swine Farrowed & Owned
• Zoom in to CASNR
• 4-H Horse Stampede

January 6: BB Gun & Air Rifle Registration Night, Fairgrounds, 6 pm

January 9: OFFICE CLOSED - Jimmy Carter Mourning Day

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

January 13: BB Gun & Air Rifle Registration & Practice, Fairgrounds, 6 pm

February: NEBRASKA 4-H MONTH!

February TBD: Arthur 4-H Council Meeting

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

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

Deadlines:

January 31: 4-H Club & Council Treasurer's Reports due! (Leaders - information and documents were put in the mail today)

February 1: Special Garden Project Interest (the office will have to order seeds)

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

BB Gun & Air Rifle registration will be Monday, January 6th and 13th at 6:00 pm at the Keith County Fairgrounds in the Activity Building. Practice will start on January 13th. Anyone who is 8-18 years old as of January 1, 2025 is welcome. 4-H Online registration will be required as well as paying dues for 4-H and to the club.

Archery - There will not be archery practices at this time.

KEITH:

Premium Money - We still have the 2024 fair ribbon premium cash in our office. This is your last reminder to pick up this money. If not picked up by end of January, it will go back to the Ag Society.

Ribbon Premium Money to pick up:

• Avery Jones
• Brantley Moorhead
• Chloe Schure
• Carter VanWinkle
• Jacob Wendell
• Sara Stevens

Champion Cash & Awards - Fair Champion awards (plaques and trophies) and cash are still in our office.

Champion Cash or Awards to pick up:

• Avery Jones
• Payton Nance
• Carter VanWinkle
• Heidi Turner
• Jacob Wendell
• Audrey Moorhead

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.

Did you know in addition to Tessa, the 4-H Educator, and Amanda, the Office Manager - there are 8-9 people accountable for Keith and Arthur Counties?

brian.cox@unl.edu

randy.saner@unl.edu

baufdenkamp1@unl.edu

dlott2@unl.edu

ben.dutton@unl.edu

ssand2@unl.edu

cgrasmick2@unl.edu

Chuck Burr who served in this role for several years retired part-time this month. The position to refill is advertised.

There is currently no Educator that serves our counties for Early Childhood. There is a chance this could change in 2025!

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.

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 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!