4-H Weekly Update 9/13/24

Applications for the 2024 Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS) are due September 15!

Get started here. All 10th-12th grade students interested in the beef industry are welcome to apply. If selected, participants will need to pay a $75 registration fee. NYBLS will be held at the UNL Animal Science Complex on November 8-10, 2024. This year's event will focus on Showcasing Beef: A Culinary Challenge.

Participants will:

• Gain in-depth information about the beef industry

• Interact with faculty and learn about genetic markers, reproduction, environment/manure management, and antibiotic resistance
• Develop and market a beef product and work with a professional chef from Omaha Steaks

• Learn more about career opportunities in the beef industry.

Join us for a 4-H Kitchen Science Workshop!

In this engaging workshop, youth will learn the why and how behind the making of some of our favorite foods. By conducting a series of mini food science experiments, youth will learn the science behind making ice cream, popping popcorn, changes in water density and carbonated fruit (Yes, CARBONATED fruit!) The kitchen science workshop is open to ALL youth. Registration deadline is Friday, September 20th. Sign up today!

Date: Sept. 25, 2024

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Location: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha

Cost: $10

Contact: Ericka Murray at ericka.murray@unl.edu.

Join us for 4-H Day at Vala's Pumpkin Patch on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Good for the whole family! Children must wear their 4-H shirt or show membership to receive $7 off per person.

More information here!

The Diamond Clover Program gives youth a structured opportunity to learn and practice skills that prepare them for success in the future. Participants earn rewards for setting goals, trying new things, and keeping records. All youth are invited to participate, regardless of enrollment. This year's applications are due Sept. 30th. Learn more here!

Any questions, please e-mail: brett.kreifels@unl.edu

4-H Achievement Night

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024

Location: Sarpy County Fair 4-H Building

4-H Premium Checks can be picked up at the event.

• Sept 10 - 4-H Sewing Basics Class: information here
• Sept 13 - Inventure day: Information here
• Sept 15 - Application deadline for 2024 NYBLS: information here
• Sept 17 - 4-H Sewing Basics Class: information here
• Sept 24 - 4-H Sewing Basics Class: information here
• Sept. 25 - Kitchen Science Workshop: information here
• Sept 26 - Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Discount Day at Vala's Pumpkin Patch
• Sept. 30 - Diamond Clover Applications are Due
• Oct 1 - 4-H Sewing Basics Class: information here
• Oct 6-12 - National 4-H Week
• Oct 29 - 4-H Achievement Night

Enrollment for 2025 opens October 1st! Whether you are a new member or a returning member, you will find on the information you need to enroll here!

For information on starting a club, resources for an existing club or information on club leadership change please click here. You can also contact your local county 4-H staff by e-mailing stephanie.thorson@unl.edu.

Adults interested in serving as a county or state fair judge in 2025 are invited to submit their interest via the online registration process. The process captures interest and asks interested individuals to agree to the indirect volunteer application process.

Find more information at 4h.unl.edu/judges. Registration closes on September 30th.

Upcycle those used wine corks to make adorable fall pumpkins that work great as home decor!

Materials:

• Enough wine corks to make a cute little pumpkin (alternatively, you could just purchase craft wine corks) For reference, 34 corks were used to make the pumpkin pictured
• Craft paint (orange acrylic paint) and small paint brush or kids' watercolor paints
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Autumn floral stems of choice
• Floral wire cutter

Instructions:

• Gather your supplies.
• Paint the corks orange or get creative with fall colors, you can use acrylic or watercolor paints. (Try to ensure both sides of the cork are a similar color so your pumpkin looks great from any angle)
• Glue wine corks in pumpkin shape. Go one row at a time, holding them in place a few seconds to allow glue to set. On the top row of your pumpkin, a dab of hot glue can be added to a plain cork in the middle of the row for the pumpkin stem.
• Add Floral Stems to the top of the pumpkin. Use wire cutters to trim the autumn florals, then hot glue to decorate the stem.
• Step back and admire your pretty wine cork pumpkin!

We'd love to hear what your 4-H Club has done, please e-mail aboschult2@unl.edu with your projects to be highlighted in our weekly updates.

Follow the link below to try out this week's highlighted recipe that is perfect for those who love pumpkin spice and all things fall. Great for breakfast or an afternoon snack!

Click here for the recipe!

4-H community service ideas 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.