4-H News in Keith/Arthur Counties

• 4-H Calendar
• Save the Dates
• 4-H Fundraiser - NEW
• Nebraska 4-H Month!
• 4-H Winter Camp at Eccentric Lamb
• 4-H Volunteer Training
• Macrame Workshop
• 2024-2025 4-H Enrollment
• Shooting Sports Updates
• Modern Pioneers Update
• State 4-H Updates/Events
• 2025 Special Agronomy Project
• State 4-H Summer Camp 2025
• 4-H Livestock Achievement Program
• Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
• Zoom in to CASNR
• 4-H Horse Stampede

February: NEBRASKA 4-H MONTH!

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

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

February 6: 4-H Month - SPIRIT DAY!

February 10: Keith 4-H Council Meeting, Roads Department, 5:30 pm

February 11-March 4: 4-H Winter Camp at Eccentric Lamb, 5-6 pm

February 13: 4-H Month - VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY!

February 17: OFFICE CLOSED - Presidents Day

February 20: 4-H Month - SUPPORTER APPRECIATION DAY!

February 23: 4-H Volunteer Training, Roads Department, 1:30-3:30 pm

February 26 (tentative): Arthur 4-H Council Meeting

February 27: Macrame Workshop, Fairgrounds, 4-6 pm

February 27: 4-H Month - GIVE BACK DAY!

February 28: 4-H Month - POP INTO 4-H & GET ENROLLED!

March 2: Panhandle Best Shoot, Ogallala

Deadlines:

February 19: Registration deadline to sign up for Volunteer Training

February 20: Registration deadline to sign up for Macrame Workshop

February 24: Special Agronomy Project Interest (the office will have to order seeds)

February 28: Keith Modern Pioneer Sponsor Sign Fundraiser Packets due to office

March 3: Fundraiser Sale Sheets due to the Extension Office!

Both active Keith and Arthur 4-H'ers ages 8-18 have the opportunity to fundraise! We have a new fundraiser this year! 4-H'ers have the opportunity to sell pastry puffins, pizza puffins, and butter hearts. Why participate in this fundraiser? Keith and Arthur 4-H offers the opportunity for 4-H'ers to have a individual savings. The money a 4-H'er raises is to be used for 4-H activities such as 4-H projects, camps, state fair, or other sponsored 4-H activities. Keith and Arthur have withdrawal forms that are to be filled out and reviewed by the respective 4-H Council.

Start selling the baked goods starts now until March 3rd! Order forms and money is due to the Extension Office by Monday, March 3rd. The items will be delivered between April 1st-7th.

You can pick up pictures of the items and blank order forms in the Extension Office. Or you can click on the forms below and print from your computer. *Note - all products are $15.00!!! Review the informational sheets. It tells you how many of each item are in a package - this varies.

If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at tessa.reece@unl.edu or (308)284-6051.

February is here and that means it's Nebraska 4-H Month!

Thursday, February 6 - 4-H Spirit Day

• Wear your favorite 4-H shirt or just wear green!

Thursday, February 13 - Volunteer Appreciation Day

• Write a thank you or share a highlight on our Extension Facebook post about a 4-H club leader, superintendent, or other 4-H volunteer that has made an impact on your 4-H program!

Thursday, February 20 - Supporter Appreciation Day

• Write a thank you or personally tell a 4-H supporter Thank you for all they do to help the 4-H Program! Without our donors and supporters we would not have county fair or 4-H educational opportunities.

Thursday, February 27 - Give Back Day

• Ways to give back include picking up trash, writing cards to nursing homes or hospitals, making a tie blanket for the homeless, etc. Ways to give back are endless, but so important.

Friday, February 28 - Pop into 4-H, Get Enrolled in 4-H!

• You can enroll in Keith and Arthur 4-H now until June 15! To enroll in 4-H go to https://4honline.com/

We are excited to partner with Kate at Eccentric Lamb! Eccentric Lamb is offering a Winter 4-H Camp. Youth will choose a crochet or knitting project to create and enter to fair.

Details:

• When: Every Tuesday for 4 weeks starting February 11, February 18, February 25, and March 4 from 5-6 pm
• Ages: 8-18
• Price: $100 plus cost of chosen project ($14.99)
• Kits include yarn, crochet hook or knitting needles, stitch markers, snips, and darning needle
• Skill levels welcome from beginner to advanced!
• Pre-registration is required the day before camp starts. Register with Eccentric Lamb HERE.

If you have questions, let me know.

A Volunteer Training will be held on February 23rd from 1:30-3:30 pm. All 4-H volunteers are invited to attend this opportunity! Volunteers including 4-H Council, superintendents, and even club helpers. 4-H club leaders are expected to attend. Topics will include: essential elements activity, youth engagement, tips & tricks, 4-H updates, and volunteer screening updates! Tessa may also have special 4-H swag and snacks. ;)

Please register by February 19. Training is free. We need a minimum of 3 to offer the training.

Tessa is going to be offering monthly workshops November - May if they have enough interest. Then summer workshops will start! The February workshop will take place on Thursday, February 27th from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Fairgrounds. Youth will learn macrame and create their own keychain and wall hanging.

Please call our office to RSVP by February 20th! The workshop costs $15. The workshop is open to 4-H and non 4-H members ages 8-18.

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 practice is happening every Monday now until end of March at 6:00 pm! 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.

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

Those who signed up to sell promotion signs to Sponsors: Packets will be available soon. Everything will be due back to the office by February 28th!

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

Please let us know if your youth is interested in participating in this project by February 24th. Youth are encouraged to enroll through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project

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

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.