Thurston County 4-H News

Jennifer E. Hansen, Extension Educator, jhansen6@unl.edu

Sydney Williams, Extension Assistant, sydney.williams@unl.edu

Bobbie Hingst, Office Manager, bhingst2@unl.edu

Email: thurston-county@unl.edu
Website: thurston.unl.edu
Location: 415 Main Street, P.O. Box 665, Pender, NE 68787
Phone: 402-385-6041
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLExtensionThurston/
Twitter: @UNLThurstonCty

NOVEMBER

11 Office Closed – Veteran’s Day

12 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting - 6:30 pm @ Extension Office

18 Thurston Extension Board Meeting - 6:30 pm @ Extension Office

28-29 Office Closed – Thanksgiving Holiday

DECEMBER

6 Thurston County 4-H Achievement Applications DUE

9 Thurston County 4-H Council - TBD

24 Office Closed – Christmas Eve

25 Office Closed – Christmas Day

JANUARY

5 State 4-H Achievement Applications DUE

20 Martin Luther King Day; Office Closed

4-H youth member enrollment is open for the 2024-2025 program year. Please note this is for Clover Kids and youth member enrollment only. The enrollment instructions found online for youth members are still current.

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

Would you like to help promote 4-H in Dakota and Thurston Counties?

Apply to become a 4-H Ambassador.

Learn leadership skills, meet 4-H'ers from across the state, serve as a role model, help with workshops, member recruitment and more!

Link to the application is below. Contact the Extension Office for more information.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/4-h-ambassadors/

It's that time of year again!! Let's reflect, review, and reward yourself for all the hard work you've put into your 2024 4-H year! That means we want to hear all about it, so we're encouraging you to fill our the Achievement applications! And don't forget to mark down if you want to apply for county awards. Award applications will be due on Friday, December 6, 2024!!

(Seniors this is how you get Scholarship monies from the Nebraska 4-H Foundation)

1. Write your story (add pictures if you want)

• Clover Kid (5-7): https://go.unl.edu/ckachapp24

• Junior Novice (8-12, preferably first year members): https://go.unl.edu/jrnoviceachapp24

• Junior (8-12): https://go.unl.edu/jrachapp24
• Jr & Jr. Novice Achievement App Rubric: https://go.unl.edu/rubricjr24
• Senior (13-18): https://go.unl.edu/srachapp24
• Sr Achievement App Rubric: https://go.unl.edu/rubricsr24
• Junior Novice (8-12, preferably first year members): https://go.unl.edu/jrnoviceachapp24

2. Fill out County Award Sheet - https://go.unl.edu/ctyawardsheet24

3. Print or email to sydney.williams@unl.edu or jhansen6@unl.edu

Click the links for more information: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/4-h-achievement-application/

Reach out to us if you have any questions!!

State achievement applications are due Friday, Jan. 5! These applications are used to select National 4-H Congress delegates, National 4-H Conference delegates, and Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship recipients. Learn more at https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application

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.

It’s awards and recognition season! In 4-H, we recognize and award individuals and groups for outstanding achievements and contributions to their community, club, and their own personal development. 4-H recognition and awards are available throughout all levels and programs! Explore the statewide opportunities at https://4h.unl.edu/awards-recognition

Community service is an important part of the 4-H experience. Not only do communities benefit from these projects, but young people do, as well! Youth learn valuable life skills like citizenship, leadership, and respect for others. They are also more likely to do well in school, graduate, and vote. So, it’s easy to see why we want to celebrate all the 4-H community service projects! Share your project with us at 4h.unl.edu/community-service-showcase.

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/

We all know about the 4-H livestock, cooking and sewing projects. But with nearly 50 projects to choose from, there are likely some you aren’t familiar with. These five often-overlooked projects offer real-world skills and unique experiences: https://4h.unl.edu/news/nebraska-4-h-5-underrated-practical-projects

Calling all 4-H volunteers, local fair superintendents, parents and caregivers and any adult who wants to find THEIR spark through volunteering with 4-H!

You're invited to join us for one of our upcoming Volunteer Road Show events:
Hastings – November 12
Scottsbluff – November 14
Virtual – November 17
Lincoln – November 18
Norfolk – November 19

You'll discover new opportunities for your members, network with other volunteers, and build your skills working with youth. Session topics include:
North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Impact Study
County Fair Superintendent Training
Club Service Activities = Fair Exhibits
Animal and Livestock projects opportunities
Beyond Ready

A $15 registration fee covers a meal and all supplies.

Learn more and register at https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-road-show .

Please let your families know about the upcoming 4-H State Rodeo to be held on Nov. 8th and 9th at the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln, NE. Families can find more information about the rodeo and entering at: https://4h.unl.edu/horse-rodeo.

Nebraska Fed Steer Challenge applications now open! The 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is a unique opportunity for members looking to take their 4-H beef project to the next level.

Applications are open and due December 1, 2024 for the 2025 program year. For more information regarding the Fed Steer Challenge, or to apply to participate in 2025, visit https://4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge

The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program 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 livestock achievement program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related educational, leadership and citizenship 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.

• Intermediates, ages 10-13, 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.

Youth completing the application, plan & report, and the project record for their designated species receive member of excellence distinction for their project area. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement to get started.

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

For any questions, contact Grace Kim at Grace.kim@unl.edu

It is recommended on the program page that Plan & Report Forms should be to county offices at least 1 month prior to the county awards night for youth to be recognized.

The Nebraska Association of Fair Managers will award a $500 scholarship to one qualifying 4-H male and a $500 scholarship to one qualifying 4-H female who are graduating seniors in the state of Nebraska and who plan to continue with post high school education. The scholarship will be awarded at the annual NAFM convention in January. Please share the application, found at https://www.nebraskafairs.org/newsletters.php, with high school seniors in your county.

Application must be typed. Do not exceed the space provided.

You will be submitting three (3) pages of information along with 2 letters of recommendation.

Page 1…Personal info.

Page 2…List your top 10 school and 4-H accomplishments.

Page 3…List your top 5 community experiences, and your essay.

Include two letters of recommendation.

No photos.

Applications should be submitted to local Extension Offices by Thursday, November 30th. Extension Offices in Nebraska are asked to return finalists to the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers (ATTN: Ricky Gennrich, PO Box 223, Bertrand, NE 68927 or rickygennrich@gmail.com). Winners will be notified by January 7, 2025. This Scholarship is awarded during the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers Convention Banquet, which will be held in Kearney, Nebraska, on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Must be present at the convention to receive the Scholarship.

Application for Scholarship

The goal of the Nebraska Beekeepers Association Youth Scholarship is to support and encourage young Nebraskans who have a passion for beekeeping. By providing financial assistance through educational tuition and equipment, the scholarship aims to help young beekeepers expand their knowledge and learn new skills and experiences in beekeeping.

The application form and candidate essay must be submitted to the Nebraska Beekeepers Association no later than December 1.

More information about candidate requirements and the application process can be found at https://www.nebraskabeekeepers.org/scholarship.

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.

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

For all you new members and for our previous ones, to keep up with all the latest updates and information as soon as possible! Follow us on Facebook @UNLExtensionThurston!