Morrill County 4-H Update
January/February 2024
Important Dates
March 4 - Feeding & Caring Workshop via Zoom (6:30 PM)
March 5 - 4-H Council Meeting @ Morrill County Extension Office (6:30 PM)
March 8 - Spring Sewing Workshop @ First Baptist Church (9:00 AM)
March 10 - YQCA Training @ Cheyenne County Fairgrounds (2:00 PM)
March 10 - YQCA Training @ Deuel County Fairgrounds (5:00 PM)
March 15 - 4-H Scholarship Due
April 9 - Bruno Ramos Memorial Scholarship Due
April 26 - Office Closed (Arbor Day)
April 28 - Swine/Sheep/Goat Weigh-In @ Morrill County Fairgrounds (3:00-5:00 PM)
May 22 - Communications Contest
May 27 - Office Closed (Memorial Day)
June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline
June 15 - Livestock Affidavits Due
June 15 - YQCA Due
July 4 - Office Closed (Independence Day)
July 5 - Pre-Fair Entry Forms Due
July 20-27 - Morrill County Fair
Remind App
To receive updates throughout the year in a quick and easy manner, sign up for the REMIND class: Morrill County Fair Updates.
To do that, text @mocofair to the number 81010!
4-H Enrollment
4-H Enrollment
It’s time to get enrolled in 4-H for the 2024 4-H year! To enroll, click on the button below.
For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member. Please note the enrollment fee for Morrill county is $5 per 4-H member/ $0 for Clover Kid member and is paid either online or at our office.
Please contact Katlyn at (308) 262-1022 or krosas2@unl.edu with any questions.
Workshops
Feeding & Caring Workshop
We have had a request for more livestock focused workshops so we are going to kick off this year with a great workshop with our local Livestock Systems Educator, Aaron Berger. Aaron will walk families through how to care for animals through proper feed rations, shelter and basic care for livestock. This workshop will be limited to the first 30 families that register so register today at https://go.unl.edu/36us. (Please don’t register each youth, just register your family. Clubs could even get together and watch together!) You will receive the Zoom link for the meeting if your registration was successful. If you have any questions about enrolling, please contact the Garden County Office at 308-772-3311.
Spring Textiles Workshop - March 8th
In the morning, join us as we take our sewing to the next level learning how to put in a zipper! Bring your own fabric (1/2 yard, two fat quarters, or can use leftovers from another project) or take your chances choosing from our stash.
In afternoon, we will be working on a Beyond the Needle project. You can choose any fabric item you want to work with - t-shirt, shorts, pants, bag, etc. You bring the item! Must be dark colored and over 70% cotton fabric. The easiest is t-shirt but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box! Must be pre-washed!
To register, call the office at 308-262-1022!
Communications Contest
YQCA
YQCA is a mandatory training for all youth interested in showing livestock and small animals at the county and state fair. There are two ways to complete. Check out the flyer below for more information.
If you didn't make it to the in-person training in Bridgeport but would still like to attend one, there are two in-person trainings taking place in March! Both will be on March 10th, with one in Sidney at 2:00 PM and one in Chappell at 5:00 PM. You must be signed up and have the pre-test completed in order to attend.
Go to https://yqcaprogram.org to sign up. And the How to Video can be found below.
Let us know if you need help!
Swine/Sheep/Goat Weigh-In
Citizenship Washington Focus Travel Opportunity
Citizenship Washington Trip
Scholarships
Morrill County 4-H Scholarship
The Morrill County 4-H Council annually awards three scholarships to high school seniors who have been in 4-H a minimum of three years and who have participated in the Morrill County 4-H program the previous year. This year one scholarship in each of the amounts $1,000; $750; and $500 will be awarded.
The three scholarships will be paid directly to the school upon proof of registration in an educational program being presented to the Extension Office prior to semester end. The applicant may declare any major or enroll in any type of educational program that is taught in a formal setting. Acceptable programs include: study at universities, colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, trade schools and cosmetology schools. Correspondence courses and short-term special interest programs, such as artificial insemination schools, are unacceptable.
For more information, refer to the attachment below. Applications are due March 15, 2024.
Bruno Ramos Memorial Scholarship
The Bruno Ramos Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Bruno and the things he loved most. He loved working and agriculture and spent his free time with his animals or dreaming up ways to restore and repair his vehicles. It is our hope to keep Bruno’s memory alive by supporting students as they pursue trades and careers they have a passion for.
Preference will be given to students pursuing a technical trade or a career in agriculture.
Attached below is the scholarship application. Applications are due April 9, 2024.
Volunteer Information
Nebraska 4-H has launched a new volunteer orientation. This online training serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development Program in Nebraska and covers a few essential topics for volunteers. While the orientation is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the course. Learn more at http://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.
Club Leader Resources
Nebraska 4-H offers a variety of resources for 4-H Clubs and leaders. A 4-H Club is an organized group of five or more youth who meet regularly with adult volunteers or 4-H staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences. The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development and foster educational opportunities to meet the needs of young people.
For 4-H Club Leader Resources follow this link https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders
Council News...
We would like to welcome our new 4-H Council members as well as those who are continuing their membership!
Adult Members:
Crystal Batt
Tina Dueker
Nate Edmunds
Heather Spalding
Linda Safford
Kristina Whitney
Roland Whitney
Youth Members:
Leah Cerny
Kelton Whitney
Demi Lapaseotes
Haley Edmunds
Project Information
4-H Projects
Projects provide the basis of the 4-H program by offering various educational experiences. Carrying out a project will help the member "learn by doing" as well as learn "why" things happen the way they do.
There are over 200 project areas that youth can enter a project under for the fair. From showing an animal to growing produce in a garden, the opportunities are almost limitless! For more information and some ideas for future projects, click on the button below.
Please contact Katlyn at (308) 262-1022 or krosas2@unl.edu with any questions.
Project Spotlight - 5 Often Overlooked Projects
We all know about the 4-H livestock, cooking and sewing projects. But with nearly 200 projects to choose from, there are likely some you aren't familiar with. These five often-overlooked projects offer real-world skills and unique experiences: go.unl.edu/2nd8
Or for more information, go to the following link -> https://4h.unl.edu/news/nebraska-4-h-5-underrated-practical-projects
4-H STEM Challenge
This year’s National 4-H STEM Challenge will encourage students to be Power Protectors! Developed by 4-H educators from Cornell University, University of Illinois, Utah State University and West Virginia University, Power Protectors is a collection of three activities that teach kids how to address real-world issues and explore careers in energy. The STEM Challenge kit is perfect for youth ages 8-14.
The 2023 Challenge includes three different activities that allow students to learn about renewable energy, design and build a model of a sustainable energy source, and develop life skills such as problem solving and decision making.
Learn more about this year’s 4-H STEM Challenge and how you and your students can get involved at https://4-h.org/programs/stem-challenge/
Livestock Achievement Program
Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. NEW in 2024: Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement
Special Garden Project
As you begin making plans for 2024, be sure to check out the Special Garden Project. It offers a unique introduction to plant science. Members are given seeds and guided through planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. Members can exhibit a cut flower or harvested vegetable at the fair if all goes well. Otherwise, youth can share their experience through a poster, story, or video exhibit. Next year, members will work with the PRINCESS INDIA NASTURTIUM. Visit 4h.unl.edu/spg to learn more!
Special Agronomy Project
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live in. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. This year, we honor a crop grown in the panhandle! In the fourth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore sugar beets! Sugar beets are a major contributor to the U.S. sweetener industry and occur in a vast range of different food products. Be eligible to enter an exhibit at the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area.
Enroll for the 2024 Special Agronomy Project through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project and contacting your local Nebraska Extension Office to order packets of seeds. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. Please have your order placed prior to March 1st.
For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.
Summer Camps!
Registration for the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp program is now open!
The summer 2024 theme is The Power of Being 🍀 Green. Youth will get to explore and interact with their natural world in six different sessions. Youth will learn how they can use their head, heart, hands, and health to make our natural world a better place for all.
The 2024 sessions offer tailored age cohorts, providing sessions for younger campers between the ages of 8-10, and an older cohort for ages 10-14.
Families can find dates, session summaries, and registration information by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/camps-register.
Big Red Camps
If you are interested in one of these camps, Sarah would love to help with transportation since she is going anyway! Check out the opportunities below. All classes run the same time so you can pick any class not just Sarah's session. Scholarships are available but you need to apply for the scholarship before you register!! Get those scholarship applications filled out now so you don't miss out on these amazing classes!
Wilderness Wonders 4-H Camp
If you are interested in participating, print the second page or come to the office to fill one out. Registrations go to Keith County office but you can bring them to the office and Sarah will send/deliver them all at once.
LOG N Camp - July 1-2
Next Level LOG N Camp
2024 Morrill County Fair
Morrill County Extension Office
Sarah Paisley
4-H Educator / Lead Educator
Garden/Morrill Counties
Katlyn Rosas
4-H Assistant / Office Manager
Morrill County Extension Office
Email: krosas2@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/morrill/
Location: 514 Main Street, Bridgeport, NE 69336
Phone: 308-262-1022
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorrillCounty4H
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination. © 2023