4-H Friday NewsBlast

👈Our Summer Workshop lineup is out! Click the picture to view all our workshops. Registration will open May 13, 2024.

YOU MUST RE-ENROLL EVERY YEAR!

By completing the 4-H member enrollment by the June 15th deadline, youth can participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county, and state fairs.

Here is the link: https://v2.4honline.com/

Email Tammy @tcavanaugh2@unl.edu with questions

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR MAILING AND EMAIL ADDRESS WHEN YOU ENROLL!

Nebraska 4-H Foundation’s Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards is a prestigious award designed to recognize 4-H clubs for their efforts to serve their communities. This grant is intended to provide funding for 4-H Clubs to complete projects that will have a lasting impact on their communities. Projects aim to be intentional and impactful, growing club members as leaders and fulfilling a need in their community.

Successful applicants will be awarded a $500 grant issued to the club’s treasury to be used as described in the award application.

At the conclusion of the project, clubs will submit a report detailing the outcomes of the intended project.

For additional information and full application instructions, please see the Nebraska 4-H Foundation’s website. https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/governers-ag-excellence-award/

Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 7-21, 2024 at: http://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest

More information about the Nebraska State contest along with a list of study materials can be found in the Fairbook https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/45 . Here you can find the written study materials for the knowledge portion, follow links to plant pictures for help with identification, and read how judging of plant material is done.

We have the 2024 Fairbook done! Here is the link: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/cass/cass-county-fair/

Hard copies will be available at the Extension Office for $3.00 each. If you need more than 5 copies please email Tammy @tcavanaugh2@unl.edu to make your request.

Cass County dates are May 30 & 31, More information and registration can be found here: https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html

Did you know the Nebraska 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships available for Nebraska 4-H Summer Camps? You can apply here: https://4h.unl.edu/camps-discounts

Calibraska Arts Initiative registration is open for summer 2024 in-person and virtual art programs for youth ages 5 years old and up.

True to the ‘Cali-braska’ name, this initiative brings specialized arts offerings from the California industries to Nebraska communities where access is limited to technology, cultural or arts institutions, professional mentorship and resources to the creative industries. The fun begins June 3 - July 26, 2024!

Let's do a Senior Spotlight! Send us a few paragraphs about you and your future plans along with your favorite senior picture! We will share this with the Cass County 4-H community! Please email your submissions to Tammy @ tcavanaugh2@unl.edu

Exciting News! Big Red Summer Academic Camps Registration is NOW OPEN! Don't miss out on the opportunity to develop new skills, prepare for college, explore career paths, and make lasting connections. Register today: 4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps. REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY MAY 20TH!

How to Elevate Community Service to Service-Learning:

1. Give Youth a Voice in Planning: Youth input, leadership and decision-making will aid in the success of a service-learning experience.

2. Fill a Community Need: Does the project address a real need in the community and is positive, meaningful and real?

3. Youth Learn from the Project: Planning for what is to be learned through the experience is an important component and should be clearly identified.

4. Reflect on the Experience: Reflection should occur before, during and after the experience and is essential to service-learning.

5. Celebrate a Job Well Done: A celebration can bring closure to the experience and help youth look forward to their next project.

Use these tips for elevating your efforts while putting "your hands to larger service"!

If you have completed an in person YQCA training please email your certificate to Tammy @tcavanaugh2@unl.edu

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Orientation serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska. As part of the screening process, the orientation covers a variety of foundational and essential topics. Any interested individuals including current or prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the orientation. However, all new volunteers serving in direct roles, such as club leader, project leader, or workshop presenter, are required to complete the orientation. Volunteers are also required to complete the orientation as part of the re-screening process. Here is the link: Volunteer Orientation | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu) Please email Tammy @tcavanaugh2@unl.edu with questions.

Let us know if your Cass County 4-Her's is doing great things! Just email Tammy @tcavanaugh2@unl.edu the details and of course pictures! We will put "shout outs" in the NewsBlast and possibly on our social media.

4-H Calendar

1. May 20, 2024 - 4-H Family Fun Night 4pm-5:30pm
2. May 27, 2024 - Cass County Extension Office Closed Memorial Day
3. June 15, 2024 - Statewide 4-H Enrollment Deadline
4. June 15, 2024 - ID Sheets, YQCA and Horse Level Testing due for County Events
5. June 15, 2024 - State Fair Nominations & DNA Envelopes due

Lauren Neels, Extension Educator and Unit Leader, lauren.stohlmann@unl.edu

Carol Waters, Extension Educator, cwaters3@unl.edu

Mirissa Scholting, 4H Extension Assistant, mscholting2@unl.edu

Tammy Cavanaugh, 4-H Staff, tcavanaugh2@unl.edu

Email: cass-county@unl.edu

Website: www.cass.unl.edu
Location: 8400 144th Street, Weeping Water, NE, 68463
Phone: 402-267-2205
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLCassCounty/
Twitter: @UNLCassCounty