4-H Blast
August 29, 2024
A BIG "Thank You!" to all of our families!
We wanted to send a "Thank you" to all of our 4-H families for all of your hard work, dedication, and assistance in making this year's fair one of the best! Every volunteer and assisting hand did not go unnoticed - without you, the fair would not be as smooth as it was!
An additional thank you to all of our families who helped in the 4-H Food Stand. For a second year, we served a record number of people, and we appreciate everyone who took a few ours out of their day to help where they could.
We should have our photo albums updated on Facebook. Please feel free to utilize any picture in there that you would like. The link to the page can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
Extra exhibitor shirts available at the Ext. Office. First come, first serve!
4-H Achievement Night
All 4-H families and friends are welcome to join us for a night of celebrating the 2024 4-H year! We will have food, fun, and awards!
4-H Families: Please consider filling out a Diamond Clover Application, Achievement Application, or a Clover Kid Record Book. These are simple forms to fill out that help highlight youth accomplishment and can be added on to each year. Awards are due to the Extension office by October 1st!
4-H Clubs: All clubs are welcome to fill out a Club of Excellence Award. Review all requirements, fill out an application, and return completed by October 1st!
4-H Club of Excellence
ALL CLUBS THAT MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE ELIGIBLE:
- Have at least five members from at least three different families.
- Recite the 4-H Pledge at meetings.
- Meet at least six times per year.
- Choose/Elect youth officers.
- Have youth serve in leadership roles.
- Have one club project, related to curriculum, which they do together.
- Have an adult role model involvement.
- Be facilitated by organizational project leaders who have successfully completed the volunteer screening.
- Have members who perform a presentation or public speaking at the club level or above.
- Complete one community service project.
- Have members who participate in County, District, or State Events.
- Celebrate member and club activities.
If your club meets these criteria, then you are eligible to fill out a simple, one-page application verifying the above information, signed by club leaders, then turned into the Extension Office by October 1st. Find more information at the link above.
Outstanding Senior Award
Available to any current York County 4-H youth in their Senior year of High School. To be considered for this award, youth must complete the Nebraska 4-H Senior Achievement Application.
For application completion, you will need:
- Select "State Level Awards and Scholarships"
- Create a narrative of your 4-H Experiences, Leadership Experiences, Community Involvement, and Career Spark.
- Fill out the supplemental information page, including attaching your current transcript and a copy of your ACT results.
Both applications/forms must be returned to the Extension Office by October 1st. Applications will be evaluated for award potential and the top selection from the county may continue onto the State Evaluation for further scholarship potential. If you apply, and receive this scholarship, you will not be eligible for other 4-H Council based scholarships.
Diamond Clover Program
Available for any 4-H Youth ages 8-18. This program contains attainable accomplishments for any 4-H youth to complete over their year in 4-H.
Some criteria to follow:
- Youth can only receive recognition at each level once and only apply for one level per year.
- Youth should begin at Level 1 and progress through Level 6. However, youth who are older when beginning may opt to start at a higher level (2-4).
- 4-H youth may begin participation in the Diamond Clover program at any time of the year.
Find more rules and eligibility - as well as applications - here.
- Youth will need to complete the plan portion of the Plan & Report Form for the level they pursue. Parents/Guardians, along with a 4-H Leader, will need to confirm and sign their plan and report throughout the year.
Completed Plan and Report forms must be turned into the office by October 1st.
Achievement Applications
Achievement Applications (formerly Record Books) can be found here and be filled out as either a PDF, Word, or Google Doc. All 4-H members can enter for these awards in the areas of (pick ONLY 1) Agriculture, Leadership & Entrepreneurship, Healthy Living, and STEM.
To complete the application, youth are asked to:
- Fill out the About Me Page.
- Create a short (maximum 3 [Juniors] or 4 [Seniors]) narrative of 4-H Experiences, Leadership Experiences, Community Involvement, and Career Spark.
There are also Clover Kid Record Books available to be filled out as well.
Printed copies of applications must be turned into the Extension Office October 1st.
Champion sweatshirts will be available for pick-up beginning October 20th.
Please pick up September 6th.
4 - State Fair Exhibits ready to be picked up from the Extension Office
30 - Achievement Awards due October 1st!
14 - Extension Office Closed for Columbus Day
20 - 4-H Achievement Night
28-29 - Extension Office Closed for Thanksgiving
Virtual Opportunities
STEM at Home
Classroom Connection
We’re proud to launch the new 4-H Classroom Connection, a collection of life enrichment experience designed for groups of youth in school classrooms, home school co-ops, afterschool programs, and families looking for supplemental learning experiences. All the programs are supported by a statewide network of positive youth development experts, bringing the education of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln straight to your classroom. 4h.unl.edu/classroom-connection
UNL Extension - York County
Jenny Rees - jrees2@unl.edu
Amanda Hackenkamp - amanda.hackenkamp@unl.edu
Macee Parrish - macee.parrish@unl.edu
Laurie Linabery - llinabery2@unl.edu
Email: york-county@unl.edu
Website: https://york.unl.edu
Location: 2345 North Nebraska Avenue, York, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 362-5508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unlextensionyork/?ref=bookmarks