Burt County 4-H Hotline Newsletter
December 2024
Office Closed for Holidays
The Burt County Extension Office will be closed December 24th - January 1.
Leave us a message at 402-374-2929
OR email
Marina Duarte de Val (Crops): mduartedeval2@unl.edu
Stacey Keys (4-H): stacey.keys@unl.edu
Lori Wachter: lwachter3@unl.edu
Remind – PLEASE sign up to be in the know!
Please sign up for REMIND!! We want to have a quick, easy, instant way to contact you all! If you would like to receive text reminders, text @burtco4h to the number 81010. Or to use go to this link https://www.remind.com/join/burtco4h. Hopefully this way we all don’t forget the fun 4-H things happening!
Like and Follow the Facebook page!
Don’t want to wait for the newsletter to come out to learn the upcoming information? No worries! We post the most recent and updated information on the local Facebook page as soon as we get new information of upcoming events and opportunities. @BurtNeExt
Voting - Burt 4-H Council Ballot - BY JAN 1
Vote Here by JANUARY 1ST!!: https://go.unl.edu/20254hcouncilballot
Current members include:
Adults: Brooke Ahrens, Breanne Evasic, Jessica Fleischman, Alana Pearson, Brooke Peterson, Adrienne Timm, & Megan Unwin
Youth: Madison Enstrom, Isabella Evasic, Parke Loftis, Elijah Schlichting, & Alexander Timm
The mission of Burt County 4-H is to empower youth to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults (Nebraska 4-H) and/or through self-discovery, technology and community service. The phrase “learning by doing” sums up the educational philosophy of the 4-H program. Young people learn best when they are involved in their learning.
NEW Burt 4-H T-Shirt Design Submission - DUE JAN 27
Anyone is welcome to submit a design, and our 4-Her's can even enter their design as a project for fair next year!
After the submission due date, there will be a vote conducted to select a design winner. Whoever's design is selected will also receive a free t-shirt.
Submission for designs is due JANUARY 27, 2025.
Feel free to call the Burt County Extension Office with any questions. Use the link below to submit your design. https://go.unl.edu/t-shirtdesignsubmission
4-H Enrollment IS OPEN!
It's time to get enrolled in 4-H for the 2025 4-H year! 4-H Online 2.0 ready for you and so are we! To enroll, visit https://v2.4honline.com/
- For returning families: Do Not create a new account; rather use your existing log-in credentials from 4-H online as used in previous years. Find instructions at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member
- For new families, find instructions here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member
NEW Volunteer Orientation!
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 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.
Special Garden Project - DUE Feb 3
Deadline to order through the office is February 3rd!
The 2025 Special Garden Project will focus on 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. (I assure you the husk cherry is different than a groundcherry, which is a weed in Nebraska, that looks very similar, but isn’t edible)
Burt County Photography Theme: "Good Time"
Horse Level Testing DUE June 30
New for 2025 the deadline for Horse Level Testing to show at the Burt County Fair will be June 30.
If you are planning to participate at the State Level, the deadline for entry and Horse Level Testing has not changed from the June 1 deadline.
Burt County ONLY showing - June 30 deadline
State Level showing - June 1
Announcing a New YQCA Scholarship Program! - DUE Feb 17
YQCA will provide $30,000 in scholarships in 2025 to selected youth certified in YQCA. This scholarship program will be for youth who are current high school seniors or older, up to age 21, pursuing an agriculture degree or trade. Scholarship applications will open in January 2025 and close on February 17th. Recipients will be announced in May.
To stay informed about this scholarship opportunity, make sure you are subscribed to the YQCA newsletter, where we will announce when scholarship applications are open. You can also visit the YQCA website in January for more information. Direct questions to help@yqcaprogram.org.
Senior Scholarships - DUE Apr 1
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/burt/continuing-education/
Burt County 4-H Seniors in High School! Tis the season of scholarship applications. Be looking for more information to come directly to you but this should give you a start! Good luck!
- Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships - Due January 5th (with Achievement Applications)
- Beverly Weiland Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1st
- Burt County 4-H Council Scholarship - Due April 1st
- Burt County Cattlemen's Association Scholarship - Due April 1st
- East Oaks 4-H Club, Jacob Johnson Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1st
- Phillip Hennig Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1st
- Burt County Pheasants Forever Scholarship - Due April 1st
2025 Beef Weigh In Day - Jan 4
The Burt County 4-H/FFA Market Beef Weigh Day will be held Saturday, January 4, 2024 from 8:30-11:00 am at Johnnie Johnson’s Farm, 1340 County Rd E, Craig, NE. All animals weighed at this weigh day will be eligible for the county rate of gain contest. Eartags will cost $1-$3/each so bring some cash or a check to take care of that little detail. DNA will be taken for State Fair/Aksarben at this time, if desired.
2025 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Cohort - DUE Feb 1
Registration is now open for the 2025 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort! Click here to register by February 1, 2025 - https://go.unl.edu/2025farrowedandowned
A Farrowed and Owned Breeding and Market Swine division for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry is available for youth statewide in 2025! The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member. In order to participate, youth must be 4-H age 8-18 as of January 1, 2025, complete YQCA, farrowed their project animal(s) and participate in monthly virtual educational meetings.
Youth participating in the Farrowed and Owned Cohort will:
- Network with 4-H members across the state who are also participating in the cohort experience.
- Participate in learning opportunities hosted by Extension Swine Specialist Benny Mote about biosecurity, meat science, economics of raising swine and more.
- The cohort will meet virtually the first Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. CT, the months of February, March, April, May and June.
- Gain knowledge related to their project and the swine industry as a whole.
- Maintain records related to swine management and basic care.
**NEW for 2025**: Exhibit their Farrowed and Owned project animals at any Nebraska county fair. Exhibiting at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair is optional. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair. Join the first session in February for more details!
Refer to the cohort webpage at: https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned.
Innovative Youth Corn Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members - DUE April 1
We are delighted to announce the Innovative Youth Corn 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.
Key Features:
- Team Participation: Teams comprising two or more youth participants will collaboratively embark on the challenge.
- Innovative Practices: Youth will be tasked with implementing a production practice differing from the norm, with the goal of assessing its impact on increasing corn yield.
- Data Collection: The Corn Challenge management summary will systematically gather crucial information, including yields, cropping history, and production details.
- Recognition and Rewards: Outstanding achievements will be duly rewarded with cash prizes and plaques for the top three teams:
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
- Special Awards: In addition to the top rankings, commendable efforts will be acknowledged through the "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy" Awards, each carrying a value of $200.
This competition not only fosters a spirit of innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform for recognizing dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to embrace this opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices. Registration deadline is April 1st.
For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
4-H Livestock Achievement Program - DUE June 15
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership.
The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.
The livestock achievement program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related educational, leadership and citizenship accomplishments.
Youth completing the application, plan & report, and the project record for their designated species receive member of excellence distinction for their project area. Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement to get started.
4-H Dog Achievement Program
The program consists of levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Dog Achievement program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals. The accomplishments increase in quantity and difficulty for each level. At the beginning of the 4-H year, participants plan what to accomplish and at the end of the 4-H year, they report on their completed accomplishments. Successful completion of a level's Plan & Report form results in a 4-H youth earning that level of the Dog Achievement program.
More information can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/dog-achievement-program
