Nebraska Extension - Thurston County
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
MAY
12 Thurston Extension Board Meeting - Thurston Extension Office; 6:30 pm
26 Office Closed – Memorial Day
27-29 Building Better Babysitters Workshop (Registration Deadline: May 23)
JUNE
1 Horse State & County ID’s DUE
3 From Farm to Circuit Workshop (Registration Deadline: May 30)
3 Crafted Creations Workshop (Registration Deadline: May 30)
4 Photography Workshop (Registration Deadline: May 30)
5 Adventure Day Camp, Neligh Park West Point, NE (Registration Deadline: May 29)
9 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting TBD
10 Let's Paint Run-A-Ways Workshop (Registration Deadline: June 6)
10 YQCA Training (In-Person) - Pender Fire Hall; 1:30 - 3:30 pm
12 Color Chaos Workshop (Registration Deadline: June 9)
15 All Livestock Affidavits (including Horse County) DUE
15 State Fair Beef, Sheep, Swine, & Goat DNA & Nominations DUE
15 4-H Enrollment ABSOLUTE DEADLINE
17-18 Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) at UNL East Campus, Lincoln, NE
17 Little Green Thumbs workshop (Registration deadline: June 13)
17 The Garden Lab workshop (Registration deadline: June 13)
19 Clover Kid Camp (Registration deadline: June 16)
19-20 Premier Communications Event (PCE) at UNL East Campus, Lincoln, NE
24 Baking with a Twist workshop (Registration deadline: June 20)
26 Stars & Stripes Workshop (Registration deadline: June 23)
JULY
4 Office Closed – 4th of July.
14 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting
12-16 State 4-H Horse Expo at Fonner Park, Grand Island
16 ALL Dakota-Thurston County Pre-Fair Entries (including YQCA) DUE
26 Pre-Fair Clean Up
28 4-H Clothing Day Judging at fairgrounds
30 - Aug 3 Dakota- Thurston County Fair
August
10 4-H State Fair Animal & In-Person Entries DUE
18 Extension Board Meeting - Thurston Extension Office
20 Take 4-H Static Exhibits to State Fair
22-24 4-H Weekend @ Nebraska State Fair
22- Sept 1 Nebraska State Fair; Grand Island, NE
September
1 Office Closed; Labor Day
8 Joint 4-H Council Meeting (Dakota County Extension Office)
10 Farm Safety Day, Pender, NE
25-28 Aksarben Stock Show
4-H Online Enrollment deadline June 15!
For those who have not enrolled in 4-H for 2025 (or started an enrollment but not completed it), it's not too late! Visit https://v2.4honline.com/ to enroll. Our county has a $5 enrollment fee. Please contact us at 402-385-6041 with any questions.
Deadline Day - June 15th! (Reminder this is a Sunday)
Before Sunday, June 15th please make sure you have all these things checked off...
EVERYONE:
- Enrolled at https://v2.4honline.com (all youth and leaders)
- Projects selected on 4honline
LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS:
- Tags from office (Beef, Swine if State Fair)
- ID Sheets/Affidavits (Beef, Dairy, Goats, Sheep, Rabbits, Swine, Horses)
- Going to State Fair? DNA for ALL animals & Online nomination https://showstockmgr.com
- If going to AKSARBEN, they have a different online nomination system, but can use the same DNA envelope for State Fair. Check out their website for more information on that.
Livestock ID/Affidavit sheets, livestock tags, EID tags, and DNA envelopes are available at the office. Contact us at: 402-385-6041 or stop by and pick them up! Reminder that tags are $3/each.
PAY YOUR DUES!!
If you are a member of Rosalie Feeders or Thurston County Independent, please remember to pay your $5 dues to our office ASAP so we can complete your enrollment. Mail checks to: Thurston County Extension, PO Box 665, Pender, NE 68047. (Youth members 8-18+, Clover Kids do not have dues.)
2025 DAKOTA - THURSTON CO. FAIRBOOK IS UP!!
Our 2025 Fairbook is posted online and ready to view!
Visit our website to either view a PDF copy or to find the links to the areas you're interested in!
Click on this link to view: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/4-h/dakotathurston-county-fair/
Come join us this summer at the following workshops listed below! Remember, the Thurston County 4-H Council covers up to $40 in workshop expenses for Thurston 4-H Members. Contact our office for more information!! 402-385-6041.
View our flyer - FINAL 2025 4-H Summer Workshop flyer.pdf
- May 27, 28, 29th - Building Better Babysitters
- June 3rd - From Farm to Circuit
- June 3rd - Crafted Creations
- June 4th - Photography Workshop
- June 5 - Adventure Day Camp
- June 10 - Let's Paint Run-A-Ways
- June 12th - Color Chaos
- June 17th - Little Green Thumbs
- June 17th - The Garden Lab
- June 19th - Clover Kid Camp
- June 24th - Baking with a Twist
- June 26th - Stars & Stripes
YQCA
YQCA is available as an online or face-to-face program for youth everywhere in the United States. Any 4-H or FFA member planning to show livestock must be certified (beef, dairy, goat, poultry, rabbit, sheet, and/or swine projects.)
Requirements - Choose from these 3 options:
- Online at– https://yqcaprogram.org/ 3 modules @ $12 total (to receive full certification you must complete 3).
- Face-2-Face training @ $3 total scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th 1:30-3:30 PM @ the Pender Fire Hall (register at https://yqcaprogram.org/. You will need to take a pre & post test before their certification is complete & a certificate is issued).
- Test Out for Intermediate @ $36 or Senior @ $48.
Dakota-Thurston county 4-Hers YQCA deadline is Wednesday, July 16th!! Contact our office for coupon codes for in-person or web-based YQCA training!
Adventure Day Camp
We’re joining Burt, Cuming, & Thurston Counties this year for a day of outside fun…
WHAT: Be prepared to have fun! Wear clothes that can get dirty!
BRING: Bug Spray, Sunscreen, Extra Set of Clothes, & Life Jacket (if you have one)
Date: Thursday, June 5
Time: 8 am—3:30 pm
Place: Neligh Park, West Point
Age Range: 8-11
Fee: $40 (Burt 4-Her: $20)
Additional paperwork will need to be completed for full registration at https://go.unl.edu/adventureday.
Adventure Day Camp Counselor Training/Camp
We’re looking for Camp Counselors for Adventure Day Camp on June 5th, to make a day of fun for the campers!
Responsibilities as a counselor will be to work through all the sessions with your group, conduct “get acquainted games”, and assist the session leader when needed. And you get to do all the fun stuff TOO!
Date: Tuesday, June 3
Time: 5pm-7:30pm
Place: Neligh Park, West Point
Age Range: 14+
Fee: FREE!! You don’t have to pay to come to camp!!
Additional paperwork will need to be completed for full registration at https://go.unl.edu/adventureday.
2025 Special Garden Project is Goldie Husk Cherries!
The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables, flowers, fruit, and herbs. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their hands dirty in this project area. 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. This project is open to all youth of 4-H ages 5-18 and it will give them the opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting, and exhibiting this unique fruit. Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will then have to reach out to their local Extension Office to sign up and order the seeds. Project information and materials are available on the website: https://4h.unl.edu/special-gardening-project. SEEDS ARE AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE.
2025 Special Agronomy Project is Sunflowers!
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. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. In the fifth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore sunflowers! There are two types of sunflower production in Nebraska. There are those grown for oil production, and those grown for human food consumption referred to as confectionery seeds. A portion of the oil seed production is used in the bird seed industry. Sunflowers are grown throughout the state of Nebraska with the greatest concentration in western Nebraska. The variety we will be growing is a high oleic hybrid. Its oil profile combined with a nice black seed color ensures multiple market options. To be eligible to enter an exhibit at the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area, enroll for the 2025 Special Agronomy Project through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project. SEEDS ARE AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE.
2025 State 4-H Summer Camp
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.
Heavy Equipment Career Exploration
Register today for the Heavy Equipment Career Exploration day set for Monday, June 23, 2025 at Central Community College - Hastings Campus in Hastings, NE.
Sessions include:
* Navigate and drive virtual heavy equipment simulators
* Behind the wheel experience with a variety of Heavy Equipment Pieces
* Learn about the Hastings CCC Heavy Equipment Program
* Career panel
* Optional campus tours
Check-in is from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Lunch is included. The day ends at 4:30 pm with optional campus tours. Registration cost is $35.00. Register at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment. Registration will close on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 5 pm or until all spots are filled.
This is a joint program with Nebraska Extension, Nebraska 4-H, Central Community College, and Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).
More details at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/adams/4-h/
Cat Showmanship Clinic
Cuming County will be hosting a Cat Showmanship Clinic in West Point on Tuesday, May 27th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Dinklage Building on the Cuming County Fairgrounds. Alicia Nebuda will be the presenter who currently owns Glitter Grooming in West Point and has judged cat shows in the past. Registration is being handled by Cuming County Extension office so if youth are interested, contact them! It is limited to the first 20 youth and cost will be $5.00 per youth.
Corn Yield Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members
We are delighted to announce the Corn Yield 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 Yield 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:
- 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. 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.
4-H Dog Achievement Program
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
Livestock Achievement Program
Nebraska Extension is pleased to announce the another 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. 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)
Engler Scholarship
We are excited to share with you the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Engler Program. Visit the website below to find more information about Engler as well as the scholarship that is available for high school graduating seniors. https://engler.unl.edu
If you have any questions please reach out to Michelle Bassford:
Michelle Bassford, Chief Experience Officer,
Engler Entrepreneurship Program-UNL,
DINS 201AD, Lincoln, NE 68583,
(402) 472-9274, https://engler.unl.edu
Congrats to our 2025 Seniors!
Just wanted to take a moment to recognize our 2025 Thurston County 4-H Seniors! We are so proud of all your accomplishments so far and wish you the best of luck on your future adventures!
- Dylan Mahaney - Pender Public Schools
- Haeden Paeper - Pender Public Schools
- Nathaneal Sanderson - Pender Public Schools
- Jenni Olsen - Emerson/Hubbard Public Schools
