CENTRAL SANDHILLS AREA 4-H NEWS
January 2024 Newsletter
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 148 - Thedford, NE 69166
Email: mandersen16@unl.edu or s.albertus@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/centralsandhills/
Location: 503 Main Street, Thedford, NE, USA
Phone: (308)645-2267
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralsandhillsarea/
January Edition
In this edition:
- Enrollment
- Activity of the Month
- Setting Spring Dates
- Jarvis Memorial Scholarship
- Workshops
STAY INFORMED ABOUT 4-H AND EXTENSION NEWS!
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Nebraska Extension in the Central Sandhills
Don't forget to visit our Extension website at:
Nebraska Extension in the Sandhills
PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR NEWS so it can be included in our newsletters! Forward any 4-H news, events, or activities to Marcy at mandersen16@unl.edu
4-H Enrollment 2023-2024
Have you enrolled for 2024?
The opening date for statewide 4-H enrollment was October 16th.
Starting in the 2023-2024 program year, project selection is now optional. By successfully completing the 4-H member enrollment by the June 15th deadline, youth will be eligible to participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county and state fairs. While project selection is optional, it is encouraged for youth to select projects they are interested in exploring.
Please note:
o Youth are only eligible to exhibit in a project area or contest in a single county.
o Horse and shooting sports projects will continue to require project enrollment due to the parental consent required to participate in these projects.
All leaders and volunteers also need to be enrolled on 4honline. There is no fee for adults to enroll. All volunteers in our 4 counties will need to be screened through the DHHS. Call the office if you need more information.
4-H Activity of the Month
Spring Contest Dates TBA
We are working on setting spring dates for workshops and the Communications and Expressive Arts Contests. Be on the look out for an announcement early next year!
Jarvis Memorial Scholarship
The Jarvis Memorial Scholarship is open. Attached are the eligibility guidelines. Besides the forms, there is a map of Nebraska highlighted in yellow for an easier way to find the boundary of eligibility.
The intent of the scholarship is to assist women who live 3 or more hours drive from Lincoln but wish to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Applicant must reside in Love Memorial Cooperative Residence Hall on East Campus.
If you have questions email Gloria Turnbull at gloria.turnbull@windstream.net.
Application deadline: postmarked or email a PDF file no later than March 15, 2024.
- State achievement applications are due Friday, Jan. 5! These applications are used to select National 4-H Congress delegates, National 4-H Conference delegates, and Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship recipients. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/achievement-application.
**New for 2024** With the changes to 4-H Online, youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will have to reach out to their local Extension Office to sign up and order the seeds. It will be up to the county office to keep track of the youth signed up and share the educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation (also in the shared folder on the Special Garden Project website).
County Offices will be responsible for ordering the seeds. Seed packets will cost $0.50 each. Please let the Central Sandhills Area Extension office know by February 12, 2024.For more information clickon on the following link https://4h.unl.edu/special-gardening-project.
Registration is NOW OPEN!
Data Driven: A Statistics and Data Field Day
Date: March 16, 2024
Location: Dinsdale Family Learning Commons on UNL East Campus
Who: Teams of four 10th-12th graders!
Why: Win Scholarships! Make Connections! Meet Industry Leaders!!
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of data science and statistics! We're thrilled to invite you to "Data Driven," a unique and engaging competition that will challenge your data skills and spark your passion for numbers.
Additional Information:
• Teams will compete in 5 unique games with a focus on probability, data science, and a little bit of luck.
• Additional rewards include Nebraska swag, time with industry professionals, and more!
• Team Members should be in 10th – 12th grades, with occasional exceptions allowed for exceptional 9th graders; and all members on a team should be from the same or neighboring counties.
BONUS: Registration costs for the first 20 teams is sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Use code CASNR at checkout!
- The 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is a unique opportunity for members looking to take their 4-H beef project to the next level. Applications for next year’s program are due Dec. 1 and are available at 4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge.
- 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.
