Otoe County 4-H Wednesday What-Nots

4-H aged youth are encouraged to participate in this year's Special Garden Project!

The Special Garden Project is a way to offer Nebraska youth the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens.

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).

4-H members participating in the Special Garden Project will:

• Receive a ‘packet’ of Goldie Husk Cherry (one packet per youth) in March/April
• Receive a newsletter about:
• Planting & growing husk cherry
• Husk cherry problems & insects
• Harvesting & using husk cherry
• Be able to exhibit this unique fruit at County and State Fair State Fair Special Garden Project Educational Exhibit Class G-775-001 State Fair Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers or Harvested Vegetables & Herbs Class G-775-002

DIRECTIONS:

-Enroll your 4-Her in the 2024-2025 4-H Year.

-Enroll them in the Horticulture Project Area.

-Register them for the Event titled 2025 Special Garden Project in 4-H Online by January 31st.

-Pick up the seeds (paid for by the 4-H Council!) when you receive notice that they are in.

-Plant them & love them!

-Look for workshop opportunities to make the most out of your experience.

The Class of 2025 should have received the Otoe County 4-H Foundation's scholarship applications in the mail. If you did not receive a packet, please contact the office at 402.269.2301 or otoe-county@unl.edu.

If you are a Senior level 4-H member and interested in applying to be an Otoe County 4-H Foundation board member, please complete the linked digital application form and submit it by Tuesday, January 7, 2025. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxR3zQEzZN0gnVR8ocYgtvUbKQIBqivOtZ8wekd1f6_kiKbg/viewform

Adults

Rustin Brooks

Trisha Volker

Jacki Stubbendick

Youth

Avery Aden & Family

Izabel Aufenkamp

Jaxson Babbel

Brooke Badberg

Nathan Bailey

Addison & Garret Bates

Charles Zane Bausch

Grace Behmer

Nolon Beccard & Family

Abigail, Makayla, & Valerie Bennie

Mason & Hadyn Berner

Max & Ivan Bowen

James & Levi Brandt

Payton & Charlie Brandt

Tyren Brezina

Maxwell Cary

Kyle Cavanaugh

Mackenna Crook

Gavin Cumro

Bridget & Kathleen Donovan

Hailey Dowding

Piper & Tinley Dowding

Lillian & Kyle Dunster

Shawnee & Marcus Ensor

Maverick & Laramie Epp

Deacon Evertson

Gus & Maggie Falcone

Katherine Frerichs

Addison Gilkey

Carsyn Gregory

Taylor & Kaden Griepenstroh

Cameron Hall

Quinn & Gabby Harpham

Brayleigh Halvorsen

Liatris Hay

Kymber Hein

Josie Hippen & Family

Ellie Hodges & Family

Sydney, Tatum, & Carter Hoffmann

Kyle & Carson Holz

Emma Houghton

Bodie, Harper, & Walker Janssen

William Janssen

Brandy Johnson

Stella Keim

Emma Krichhoff

Emma Kreifel

Harper Kreifels

Owen Kuzak

Will Lessmann

Addisyn & Ian Lorenson

Chloe Masters

MacKenzie McCoy

Naia McKelvey

Issac Patton

Nora Pearson

Brittany Pfeiffer

Allison Renken

Maggie Roberts

Emma Royal

Preston Rumery

McKenna Schmitt

Baker & Gage Seelhoff

Charlie Simon

Kadyn Sisco

Rosalee Sisneroz Swanigan

Weston Smith

Mardy Stedman

Reese & Maddox Stubbendick

Henry & Madison Stubbendick

Levi Stukenholtz

Abby & Sharley Thompson

Sloan Vollertsen

Oliver Wallen

Drake Walters

Lorelei Walters

Macy Wheatley

Lillie Whyman

Brenley Widick

Brya Willms

The total for reenrolling as a direct volunteer is $17, not $16.

Also, if your birthday is 1900, you will need to call or email the office & give us your actual birthday. The background check system will not let it go forward if it is 1900.

February 8, 2025: Horse Judges School held at the UNL Animal Science Complex in Lincoln, NE

• Youth: Great opportunity for youth planning to compete in the horse judging contest at Stampede to learn more about judging and get in some practice judging

• Adults: Learn what goes into becoming a 4-H Horse Show Judge as well as the opportunity to recertify as a 4-H judge

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8, the 2025 Nebraska Crop Production Clinics will feature live presentations and present research updates and information tailored to regional crop issues and grower interests. Sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the programs will be held on eight days throughout January, with the final clinic offered on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The clinic on Jan. 28 will be in partnership with the Nebraska Agribusiness Association Expo and will include free admission to the Expo tradeshow.

2024 Clinic Dates and Locations:

· Jan. 8 — Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center, Scottsbluff

· Jan. 9 — West Central Research Extension and Education Center (WCREEC), North Platte

· Jan. 14 — Northeast Community College, Norfolk

· Jan. 15 — Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC), Ithaca

· Jan. 17 — Holiday Inn Express, Beatrice

· Jan. 22 — Lochland Country Club, Hastings

· Jan. 24 — Holthus Convention Center, York

· Jan. 28 — Younes Conference Center, Kearney at the Nebraska Agribusiness Association Expo

Individual clinics will be customized to address topics specific to that area of the state, allowing attendees to engage with research-based information on the issues that may be faced locally. Visit the Crop Production Clinics 2025 website for the most up-to-date information. Registration is available online for each location. Pre-registration is required and costs $95.

Certified Crop Advisor credits will be available in crop production, nutrient management, integrated pest management, soil and water management.

High school seniors and juniors and college students with an interest and passion for dairy can now apply to be a dairy ambassador in one of eight states across the Midwest including Nebraska. The Dairy Ambassador Program is an educational and leadership opportunity for high school and college students interested in promoting dairy designed to shape future dairy champions who will promote the dairy community. Dairy Ambassadors will have the opportunity to connect with consumers and share dairy’s story while networking with their peers and industry professionals.

Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, including connecting with consumers at the Nebraska State Fair, ag literacy festivals, other partnering organizations’ events, and attending dairy industry meetings as well as participating in leadership opportunities.

To be eligible, applicants must be (1) enrolled as a Nebraska high school junior (11th grade) or senior (12th grade) during the current year of application, or (2) college student enrolled full-time in a Nebraska post-secondary school for the duration of the appointment. Applicants are not required to have an agriculture background but must have a passion for dairy and the resources to communicate effectively through email, text messaging and in-person.

This is a one-year program, running from January through December 2025. During the program, ambassadors will receive stipends and have approved expenses covered upon participation. After successful completion of the one-year program, Dairy Ambassadors are eligible to apply for an educational scholarship up to $1,000.

Eligible students can apply at http://www.MidwestDairy.com, in the Young Dairy Leaders tab/section, under Ambassador Program then select Nebraska. The online application (APPLY NOW) is at the bottom of the Nebraska Ambassador program page. Online applications are due DECEMBER 15, 2024. Selected ambassadors will be notified by JANUARY 10, 2025.

If you have questions, please contact Tracy J. Behnken, Manager, Farmer Relations at tbehnken@midwestdairy.com or 531-207-4291.

More details at: https://www.MidwestDairy.com

YQCA will launch a scholarship program in 2025. The board of directors feels it is important for YQCA to encourage and support youth pursuing careers in agriculture and the livestock industry. In January 2025, YQCA will launch a scholarship program for high school seniors through age 21.

YQCA will provide $30,000 in scholarships in 2025 to selected youth certified in YQCA. This scholarship program will be for youth who are current high school seniors or older, up to age 21, pursuing an agriculture degree or trade. Scholarship applications will open in January 2025 and close on February 17th. Recipients will be announced in May.

Last chance for applications, please apply by December 15th, 2024 for the 2025 program year. For more information

regarding the Fed Steer Challenge, or to submit an application please visit https://4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge

Virtual learning session about the Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge

To be held Wednesday December 11th at 7:00 p.m. CT/6:00 p.m. MT. We will discuss the program outcomes, deadlines, and answer any questions you may have. This session will be recorded and posted on our website. Join Zoom Meeting: https://unl.zoom.us/j/94582695213 Meeting ID: 945 8269 5213 or call in at +16694449171,94582695213#

Nebraska 4-H is excited to participate in the 2025 Omaha Fashion Week Student Night!

4-H members ages 8-18 are invited to apply for the 4-H Collection to be shown at the Omaha Design Center on February 26, 2025. Garments must have been exhibited at the County Fair in 2024 and should be fashion-forward, runway appropriate, and display high-quality construction.

To apply, complete the online application by December 20th. Visit https://go.unl.edu/25ofw for event details and application process.

This scholarship is sponsored by NEBRASKA Women Involved in Farm Economics (NE WIFE). 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. The scholarship may be used at the school of the

recipient’s choice in Nebraska.

Conditions of acceptance:

The scholarships will be awarded in two parts. The first half or $1000.00 will be awarded upon proof of college acceptance by August 15, 2025. The second half or $1000.00 will be awarded upon the completion of the first semester with proof that the recipient has a 3.0 GPA and has had 12 hours or more of classes per semester. The recipient is responsible to notify Nebraska WIFE by February 15, 2026 to receive the second half. If above information is not received by the above dates, your scholarship will be forfeited.

Please email Stephanie or Elizabeth for an application!

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.

The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is seeking students with a passion for entrepreneurship and a drive to turn their purpose into action. Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now being accepted, welcoming both incoming and current students of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who have prior experience in FFA or 4-H. Applications are due by midnight on January 15, 2025. Applications can be found on the Engler website at https://englerjourney.com.

Since 2012 over $2 million has been invested in empowering future entrepreneurs and innovators through this program. The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program is designed to empower enterprise builders. Participation in the program is not restricted to scholarship recipients.

The Engler program began in 2010 with a $20 million gift from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation. The mission of the program is to embolden people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. The program offers an academic minor while serving as an intersection in which students from a diverse array of majors and business interests can come together in pursuit of the American Dream.

For more information, visit https://englerjourney.com or contact Tom Field.

• Monday, December 23rd - January 1st - Extension Office is closed
• Wednesday, February 5th - Leader Enrichment Night [please RSVP to Stephanie!]

Elizabeth Dunn, Youth Development Extension Educator, edunn8@unl.edu

Stephanie Bartels, 4-H Assistant, sstephens9@unl.edu

Ben Jewell, Rural Prosperity Nebraska Associate Extension Educator, bmcshane-jewell2@unl.edu

Cheryl Goff, Office Manager, cheryl.goff@unl.edu

Website: www.otoe.unl.edu

Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County