MARCH 2024

2024 DEADLINES AND EVENTS - Downloadable sheet

• 4-H KICKOFF - Connect at the Coffee House
• ENROLL IN 4-H
• SIGN UP FOR SPORTSYOU
• 2024 SPIRIT DAY
• QUILTS OF VALOR
• 2024 4-H COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST
• SHEEP/GOAT WEIGH DAY.
• IN-PERSON YQCA TRAINING
• SAVE THE DATE - County 4-H Horse Show
• 2024 COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT THEME
• MARCH BIRTHDAYS

STATE SCOOP

• SAVE THE DATE - 4-H Regional Camp
• STATE FAIR CHANGE - age of eligibility
• INNOVATIVE YOUTH CORN CHALLENGE
• 2024 NEBRASKA AG YOUTH INSTITUTE
• BIG RED CAMPS

14 - Connect at the Coffee House

APRIL

1- Quilt of Valor Work Day

26 - Office Closed for Arbor Day

29 - 4-H Communications Contest

MAY

5 - Sheep/Goat Weigh Day

5 - Youth Quality Care of Animals - YQCA

27 - Office Closed for Memorial Day

Download the 2024 Deadlines and Events sheet today! This information is provided to help our 4-H families stay on task and not miss out on any of the important 4-H happenings.

If you have enrolled in Polk County 4-H by March 14th, come enjoy a FREE SMOOTHIE compliments of Polk County 4-H Council. Extension staff will be there to help you with the enrollment process and answer any 4-H questions. COME CONNECT WITH US at 4th Street Coffee House!

It is time to enroll for the 23-24 4-H year! Log onto your account and 4HOnline 2.0 guides you through the enrollment process.

CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

All 4-H Volunteers need to re-enroll in 4-HOnline every year. Please make sure your club organizational leaders, 4-H Council Members and anyone who helps in anyway with 4-H is enrolled. You may re-enroll for the 23-24 year now!

CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

NEW - Polk County 4-H will be using the SPORTSYOU app (in addition to email & social media) to communicate important 4-H news, events & deadlines to 4-H families. Get information for Polk County 4-H right on your phone through the app! We are able to share a 4-H Calendar with you along with short helpful videos and any schedule changes or updates quickly. It is optional, but we hope you will find out the benefits of using this app!

Options to sign up for SportYou:

• Download the SportsYou app through your app store if you do not already have it.
• Once downloaded it, then to sign up select the "join group" at the top right-hand side.
  
• The access code is: M5MMBAR6

WOWZA! Polk County 4-H'ers turned our county into a "SEA OF GREEN" on February 1st for Nebraska 4-H Spirit Day! Thank you to the many who represented our local 4-H program by participating in this year's Spirit Day!

YQCA is an important part of any livestock project. Learning more about safe and effective ways of caring for your livestock is the aim of YQCA.

IMPORTANT!! Each participant that completes either in-person or online YQCA MUST complete a pre-test and post-test. The system will not mark your session complete or generate your certificate without both tests.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE HELPFUL, SHORT VIDEO TO HELP LOGIN AND COMPLETE YOUR YQCA.

WANT TO GET A HEAD START ON YQCA? USE THE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE BELOW TO BE A YQCA EARLY BIRD!

Each year, Polk County Extension creates a themed photography project exclusive to our county 4-H members. This year's selection is ABANDONED BUILDINGS.

All three levels of photography have the option to enter a photo based on that year's theme. The winner from each photography level will have their photo displayed in the Polk County Extension Office for a year immediately following the Polk County Fair.

Get your cameras out and keep your eyes peeled for abandoned buildings such as barns, houses, and deserted commercial buildings. Capture the beauty in things left behind. We can't wait to see what you will shoot!

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.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications to attend one of the biggest ag youth outreach events in the state. The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) brings together hundreds of high school juniors and seniors for a week to learn more about agriculture, Nebraska’s number one industry.

NAYI will be held July 8-12, 2024, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Students selected to attend NAYI do so free of charge due to generous donations from numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April 15, 2024, to apply. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online. This year’s theme is “Leading Your Legacy.”

Are you ready to take the next step towards a successful future? Join us for an immersive and empowering college and career ready experience through Big Red Camps 2024! Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, skill-building, and preparation for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We believe that every young person has the potential to achieve greatness. Our comprehensive program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in postsecondary education and beyond. Whether you're exploring potential career paths, preparing for college admissions, or seeking guidance on how to navigate the professional world, our camp provides the tools and resources you need to succeed. Through this experiential learning opportunity, you will work alongside UNL faculty and staff as well as business and industry professionals. Incoming freshmen through seniors during the 2024-25 school year are welcome. Whether you're a first-time camper or a returning veteran, we guarantee an unforgettable experience filled with learning and fun! Don’t delay, reserve your spot today! For more information and to register, visit our website 4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps or contact us at BigRedCamps@unl.edu. We can't wait to see you at camp!

Email: polk-county@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/polk/
Location: 400 Hawkeye Street, Osceola, NE, USA
Phone: 402-910-1640
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PolkCountyNebraska4H