SHERIDAN COUNTY NEWSLETTER

Sept. 2 - Office Closed - Labor Day

Sept. 4 - State Fair Projects Back in the Office

Sept. 5 - Rushville Robotics Meeting - Extension Office - 5 pm

Sept. 6 - Office Closed - Appointment

Sept. 9 - Gordon Robotics Meeting - Gordon Presbyterian Church - 5 pm

Sept. 23 - 4-H Council Meeting - Extension Office - 6:30 pm

Oct. 6-12 - National 4-H Week

DEADLINE DATES:

Sept. 15 - Nominations for Outstanding Awards due to the office

Sept. 30 - Achievement Application, Project Record Sheets, Diamond Clover Applications

Sept. 30 - Deadline to register to be listed at State Judge

State Fair exhibits will be ready for pick up, except those selected to be displayed on campus, on Wednesday, September 4th. State Fair premiums will also be available for pick up at this time as well.

The Junior Livestock Sale would not be possible without our buyers, we want to make sure they are adequately thanked. Livestock Photo Frames are ready to be picked up and given to your buyer. Please get a photo with them and send the photo to Wendy or Melissa.

Sale Checks are in and can also be picked up at this time.

The Post Fair newspaper insert is being worked on. Check it out in September for fun recaps from the 2024 Sheridan County Fair.

Congrats to all our State Fair exhibitors. Sheridan County had a great showing!!

Special Recognitions:

• Kashlyn Krebs - Photography Creative Composition
• Abigail Nelson - Visual Arts Mediums - Media Not Listed
• Payton Scott - Reserve Champion Angus Heifer
• Harper Scott - Reserve Champion Junior Goat Showmanship

Contests:

• Elizabeth Thompson - Shopping in Style Fashion Show - Blue

Animal Shows:

• Payton Scott - Angus Heifer - Purple
• Harper Scott - Crossbred Steer - Purple
• Harper Scott - Commercial Doe Kid - Purple
• Payton Scott - Commercial Doe Kid - Purple
• Harper Scott - Market Meat Goat - Purple
• Payton Scott - Intermediate Beef Showmanship - Purple
• Payton Scott - Intermediate Goat Showmanship - Blue
• Harper Scott - Junior Goat Showmanship - Purple

Static Results:

• Braylee Campbell - Abstract Photography - Purple
• Payton Scott - Abstract Photography - Purple
• Kennedy Kearns - Candid Photography - Purple
• Kynsleigh Krebs - Candid Photography - Blue
• Kashlyn Krebs - Creative Composition Photography - Purple
• Mikaylee Campbell - Creative Techniques Photography - Purple
• Hattie Williamson - Creative Techniques Photography - Purple
• Kashlyn Krebs - Expression Through Color Photography - Purple
• Braylee Campbell - 3D Accessory - Blue
• Abigail Nelson - 3D Accessory - Blue
• Aliyah Bear - Accessory made from Glass - Blue
• Lily Rosane - Accessory made from Metal - Blue
• Alyna Davis - 2D Textile Accessory - Red
• Kaylee Kaiser - Sample of Original Product - Blue
• Kinley Tausan - Human Development book - Purple
• Hazel Anderson-Beguin - Barn Quilt - Purple
• Maverick Graham - Barn Quilt - Red
• Kaytee Kaiser - Embellished Garment - Red
• Kirsten Heck - Shopping in Style - Blue
• Kirsten Heck - Revive Your Wardrobe - Blue
• Tenley Ostrander - Wildlife Tracks - Blue
• Keeley Tausan - Wildlife Tracks - Blue
• Natalia Dolezal - Creative Mixes - Red
• Gracie Williamson - Creative Mixes - Red
• Kaisyn Hooper - Loaf Quick Bread - Blue
• Madison Dolezal - White Bread - Purple
• Colton Archibald - Dried Herbs - Purple
• Hazel Anderson - Beguin - 1 Jar Jelled - Purple
• Preston Kelly - 1 Jar Tomato - Blue
• Janessa Dieriex - Cooking Recipe File - Red
• Abigail Nelson - Charcoal Drawing - Blue
• Kinley Tausan - Original Mixed Media - Purple
• Emily Nelson - Original Pencil Drawing - Blue
• Kinley Tausan - Original Sculpture - Red
• Abigail Nelson - Original Single Media Not Listed - Purple
• Kashlyn Krebs - Original Art Inspired by Artist's Choice - Purple
• Jane Gaswick - Original Art Inspired by Animals - Red

Photos to be Displayed in Animal Science Complex:

• Kynsleigh Krebs - Candid Photography
• Payton Scott - Abstract Photography
• Kashlyn Krebs - Creative Composition Photography

Photos to be Displayed in East Campus Visitor's Center:

• Mikaylee Campbell - Creative Techniques Photography

The Achievement Applications are applications that give youth the opportunity to share with others about their 4-H experiences. These applications are judged for $25 cash prizes that are presented at the Achievement Banquet. These applications are not based on awards won at the County Fair but how the youth grow and learn from their projects. These are due September 30th. Those who complete the applications and are in the Senior age division, are eligible to submit their application to the state level for an opportunity to win a scholarship to attend National 4-H Congress. To be eligible for this award students have to designate a curriculum area. Senior High School students can also receive scholarships from completing these applications by January 15th.

To complete the Achievement Application, youth have a maximum of 3 pages to include the following information: collective 4-H experiences, 4 -H experiences within the last year, 4-H Leadership Experiences, Non 4-H Leadership Experiences, Community Involvement, and Career Spark. For those interested in applying for state awards, they need to complete additional pages.

4-H members have the opportunity to win additional cash awards by filling out (up to 3) Project Record sheets. Project Record sheets explain the youth's goals, costs, and what they learned. These forms are due September 30th with the Achievement Applications. Members do not have to complete the Achievement Application in order to be eligible for this award. Winners will be announced at the Achievement Banquet.

As another 4-H year comes to an end, it is time to recognize all that go above and beyond to help the Sheridan County 4-H program. These individuals will be recognized at the Banquet at the end of October. We want to hear from you for who should win the following awards. To nominate someone it is easy, submit a paragraph of why they should win the award, who you are nominating, and the award you are nominating them for to the Extension Office by September 15th. You can email the nominations to mmracek2@unl.edu.

National Leadership Award (formerly I Dare You Award): is open to youth ages 15–18 who have completed their freshman year in high school and show outstanding qualities in servant leadership. Award recipients receive a personalized award certificate, a copy of William H. Danforth’s classic motivational book I Dare You! and are eligible to apply for the “I Dare You” Scholarship.

4-H Alumni Award: A 4-H Alumni who has continued to be a contributing member of 4-H in Sheridan County. If you have questions about whether or not a leader or volunteer is an alum, please contact the office.

4-H Business Appreciation: A business that really goes all out for 4-H. They may be a major sponsor for awards or just always donating time, energy or their employees to help the 4-H program succeed.

Jane Beguin Award: This award is to honor someone who embraces the 4-H motto like Jane Beguin did. This award is designed to recognize that special someone who goes out of their way time and time again to ‘make the best better’. This award is a great way to honor someone who truly embodies the heart of Sheridan County 4-H.

Adults interested in judging county and state 4-H projects, including live animal shows, static exhibits, and contests, are invited to complete the Judges Sign Up Form. By completing the online process, you agree to be screened according to the 4-H Youth Safety Policy, verify your receipt of the UNL Activity Worker Guidelines, and sign the 4-H Code of Conduct. Once the screening process is complete, your information will be made available to county Extension offices and State Fair 4-H superintendents. Those interested in hiring you to judge will contact you directly.

The 2025 registration will open on July 1 and close on September 30, 2024.

Deadline to submit Diamond Clover is September 30. Forms are available on the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover website.

The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program encourages 4-H youth to engage in a variety of programs, projects, and activities that will enable youth to acquire skills and abilities that will prepare them for success in the future. The program is designed to reach and recognize all youth engaged in 4-H, from club members and campers to school enrichment, afterschool, and special interest program participants. The program consists of six levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments.

Rules

• Youth may only receive recognition at each level once.
• Youth may only receive one level of recognition 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) as is mutually agreeable to the participant and the parent/guardian or leader. In order for older youth to begin at level 5 or 6, the Extension staff must also be in agreement.
• Approval: Levels 1–4 require the approval of a 4-H youth’s parent/guardian. If the 4-H youth belongs to a 4-H club, club leader approval is also required (if 4-H youth belongs to more than one club, choose one leader to work with). Levels 5 and 6 require the approval of a local county extension staff member.
• Accomplishments: Each level requires participants to complete a specified number of accomplishments. The 4-H participant may choose accomplishment listed for each level. The accomplishments are age appropriate and increase in quantity and difficulty for each level. Parents/guardians, leaders, and Extension staff may suggest other accomplishments — comparable to those provided — to improve the individual learning experience of each 4-H youth.

Did something not go as planned this year in 4-H? Write a story about it for a chance to be selected as the Hard Luck Award winner. Turn in the story by September 30th for your opportunity to win a $25 cash prize.

The 4-H Council implemented 4-H Bucks program to help active 4-H members pay for workshops and 4-H camps.

Every year, 4-H members can earn up to $50 by participating in different activities such as speech contests, horse level testing, workshops, progress show, being a club officer, etc. Each activity you participate in, you receive a number of points.

If 4-H members who are Juniors earn 5 to points they receive $10, 10 to 15 points they receive $25, and 16 or more points they receive $50. Intermediate members must earn 7 to 12 points to earn $10, 13 to 19 points for $25, and 20 or more points for $50. Senior members must earn 9 to 15 points to receive $10, 16 to 23 points for $25, and 24 or more points to earn $50. Youth can utilize the 4-H Bucks to help pay for 4-H workshops, camps, etc. It is a scholarship program for youth being actively involved in 4-H throughout the year. These sheets need to be turned in on September 30th to help the Council budget for the upcoming year.

We have a couple of 4-H Council members positions up for re-election and a couple needing replacements. We elect members by region. Our two members who have completed their terms are Ryan Paul and Clint Vincent. We have 2 members for re-election, EJ Frink and Candence Nelson.

Youth members play a vital role on the 4-H Council. As they are a way to ensure youth voice is heard in making decisions about the 4-H program. Youth members serve one year terms and can only be elected to serve two terms. Youth members must be between the ages of 14-18. We have 2 members who have completed two terms - Kyler Vincent and Wyatt Feddersen. Jaxon Kearns and Kirsten Heck are able to be re-elected. Please contact Melissa by October 1st if you are interested in running.

The 4-H Volunteer Connection is a monthly e-newsletter for 4-H volunteers to get exclusive tips, tricks and support to help volunteers excel in their role, all delivered straight to their inbox. Volunteers subscribe to this e-newsletter at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-connection.

These people are YOUR voice! Please contact any of them if you have an idea for a new or existing event or activity, have concerns with the program, or just want to have input in the decision-making process.

David Russell, Wendy Andersen, Michelle Heck, Nicole Janssen, Jake Scott, Kami Scott, Valerie Beel, Tim Campbell, Kris Stumpff, Melissa Mracek

4-H Council:
President - Zach Kearns

Vice President - EJ Frink

Secretary - Brad Beguin

Treasurer - Jackie Simonson
Members - Candace Nelson, Clint Vincent, Jace Stumpff, Brain Nelson, Ryan Paul
Youth Members: Kirsten Heck, Jaxon Kearns, Wyatt Feddersen, Kyler Vincent

Extension Board:
President - Matt Albrecht
Vice President - Caleb Peters
Secretary/Treasurer - Paige Stumpff
Members - Trevor Ginkens, Morgan Weyers

Sheridan County Extension Office:

Office Manager - Wendy Andersen

4-H Extension Educator - Melissa Mracek

Email: sheridan-county@unl.edu
Location: 800 S Loofborrow Street, PO Box 329, Rushville, NE 69360
Phone: 308-327-2312
Twitter: @SheridanCounty