4-H Weekly Update 11/29/24

• Dec 10: Clover Kids Holiday Kickoff!
• Dec 20: Omaha Fashion Week Application Deadline
• Dec 25: Christmas, Office Closed
• Dec 31: Application deadline for Douglas/Sarpy 4-H Council
• Jan 25: Nebraska State 4-H Indoor Archery Championships
• Feb 26: Omaha Fashion Week 4-H Collection

Premium Checks are available for pick up at the Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Office. Please stop in between 8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday to pick those up. The 4-H Council asks that you cash those checks immediately. Also, any youth showing livestock (Beef, Swine, Meat Goat, Dairy Goats) also have a Livestock Booster check to pick up.

When: Tuesday, December 10th from 5:30-7 pm

Where: Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 W Center Rd

Join us for an evening of fun, including holiday activities and delicious treats!

Nebraska Fed Steer Challenge applications are now open! This is the last chance for applications, please apply by December 15th for the 2025 program year. For more information on the Fed Steer Challenge, or to submit an application, please click here.

Applicatons are open for the Regional Youth Leadership Advisory Team (RYLAT)! The focus of Regional Youth Leadership Advisory Team (RYLAT) is to increase the understanding and awareness of career and employment pathways in agriculture and food systems and improve culturally responsive positive youth development practices to reach and welcome more diverse audiences into Land Grant University youth development programming. The application is open to all youth ages 14+ with a focus on bipoc (black, indigenous, people of color) participants. Applications are due December 15th. For application, click here.

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.

Registration is now open for the 2025 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort! New for 2025: you may exhibit your Farrowed and Owned project animals at any Nebraska county fair. Exhibiting a the 2025 Nebraska State Fair is options. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair. Follow the link here to the cohort webpage and join the first session in February for more details!

Looking for exciting activities to enhance your current curriculum? 4-H in the Classroom, as delivered through the Nebraska Extension, offer experiential learning programs aligned with the Nebraska State Board of Education Content Area Standards in the areas of English language arts, mathematics, and science. Programs are also offered in social studies and career education. For information on programs offered and registration, click here.

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. It allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their feet wet in this project area. The focus of the 2025 project is 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. For more information on participating in this project, click below.

The 4-H Heritage project helps you learn about the past, connect with your family's history, and share stories about where you come from. You can create an exhibit that shows your family's or community's heritage using things like pictures, maps, charts, recordings, drawings, or even writings that tell the story of your family or the history of 4-H. For more information on this project, click here!

Involving children in preparing meals is a great way to teach them food preparation skills and the importance of healthy eating. This week, we are highlighting a recipe for a beverage to keep you warm and cozy this winter season. Cheers!

Click here for the recipe!

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 hound here.

Nebraska 4-H recognizes and awards individuals for outstanding achievements and contributions to their community, club, and their own personal development. Recognition and awards are available throughout all levels and programs of 4-H. The Nebraska 4-H Senior Achievement Applications are DUE Sunday, January 5, 2025. As long as the time stamp comes in no later than 11:59PM CT/MT, it will be accepted. This application enables eligibility for National 4-H Conference in Washington DC in the spring, National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in the fall, and/or the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships. More detailed information can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application.

Seniors are encouraged to apply to be eligible to be a Nebraska Delegate to these national 4-H events! Questions can be directed to Brett at bkreifels3@unl.edu or 402-444-1799

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers 4-H members the opportunity to apply for scholarships. The Nebraska 4-H Foundation awards up to $22,000 worth of scholarships each year to 4-H'ers from across the state. The deadline to submit an application is January 5th. For more information on this program, click here.

This scholarship is a component of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program.

The only requirements to apply for an Engler scholarship – declare a CASNR major and have participated in 4-H or FFA. For academic year 2025-2026, the application will open on October 1st and close on January 15, 2025. Find the application here.

The Nebraska Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) is pleased to offer the Cynthia Thomsen Scholarship. 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. Applications must be postmarked by March 25, 2025.

Please refer any questions to Donna: donnab6519@windstream.net or Pam: 308-737-7840

This year, we are proud to recognize Karen Kelley as the 2024 Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Volunteer of the Year! Karen has generously volunteered over 95 hours this past year (October 2023-October 2024), contributing to 4-H sewing classes and assisting with both the 4-H Fashion Show and Table Toppers contest. Her impact on the youth she serves is immeasurable, and we are so grateful to have her as part of the 4-H family!

4-H Enrollment is now open for 2024-2025, click here!

4-H Community service ideas and resources click here!

4-H Club Leader information and resources click here!

Submit your community service project here!

4-H Volunteer Connection resources click here!

Steps to start a 4-H Club click here!

Share your 4-H pictures or ideas with us by e-mailing: aboschult2@unl.edu

Location: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha, NE, USA

Phone: 402-444-7804

Email: douglas-sarpy4h@unl.edu
Website: www.douglas-sarpy.unl.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/douglassarpy4h

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.