Adams County Awards Guidance Sheet

Q: Who should complete the Awards Applications?

A: Any Adams County 4-H member that is interested in receiving County Project Medals, scholarships, or other honors. This is a great way for 4-H members to track their experiences, projects, and awards throughout their years. In return, once the youth is of age of scholarships, they have a great resource allowing them to report projects & years in 4-H, types of community involvement – pieces to make a scholarship application that much stronger. 

Q: When are the applications due?

A: They are due First Monday in October by 5:00 PM

Q: Are the applications the same for applying for county and state awards? 

A: No, there are two different applications. A 4-H’er will need to complete the application that fits the awards that they would like to be considered.

1. Adams County Award Application – is for the County Project Medals and older youth awards. Any youth 8 to 18 years old can fill this out to apply for the County Project Medals. It is focused on the current year’s achievements. For those older youth (ages 14 – 18), with a click on the second page they may select that are interested in applying for the Chamber 4-H Event Scholarship, Outstanding Leadership, and Adams County Tribland candidate. There is an additional question to complete to apply for Golden Clover. 
2. Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application – is for youth (ages 15 -18) that are applying for Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships, National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference. Check State 4-H website: https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application This is submitted directly to the State 4-H Office via email and due usually in early January.

Q: Prior to deadline day and turning in applications, is the 4-H staff willing to review the application for improvements?

A: Absolutely!  We are here to help you! 

Q: Is the Awards Entry Sheet required for all application pieces?

A: The Awards Entry Sheet is required for the Adams County Award Application.

Q: Do you have a sample of the Adams County Award Application?

A: No – Each person has such unique experiences that they could highlight. Please do reach out if you have questions on what could/should be included.  Think about the overall year experience(s) for what you do in the area(s) you are applying for.

Q: Can I use one Award Application to apply for several county medals?

A: Yes – You may add pages as needed per section if you need to add more projects or experiences then on the initial page. Be sure to select all that you want to be considered for on the Awards Cover Sheet. 

Q: What are the project areas that I can apply for?

A: There is a big list of project areas. If you were enrolled in a 4-H Project or exhibited in that project area, you can report that in this Award Application.  Review the Awards Entry Sheet to mark the areas you wish to be considered for.

Q: What do I get for completing the Award Application?

A: Outside reviewers, will review your application to decide if you deserve to be awarded a county medal in the project area that you have marked, such as Beef, Shooting Sports, Home Environment, Foods & Nutrition, or Environmental Stewardship.

Q: How many years do I need to be in a Project Area before I can apply for a medal?

A: You must be enrolled in the project or exhibited in that project during the current year that you apply for the medal. It may be your first year or your 6^th year or 10^th year in the project area.

Q: Are there any special awards besides the Project Area Medals?

A: Yes! We are excited to recognize our 4-H Members in their achievements! The other awards are:

1. Overall Curriculum Area – this combines the youth that applied for the project area medals all under a specific Curriculum. Examples would be:
   1. Overall Animal Science – this is selected from those who applied for the project areas of Beef, Sheep, Swine, Horse, Goats, Poultry, Rabbits, Pets.
   2. Overall Healthy Lifestyles – this is selected from those who applied for the project areas of Foods & Nutrition, Food Preservation & Conservation, Safety, Health/Physical Fitness, Lifetime Sports
2. Outstanding 1st Year 4-H Member – This is for any 4-H Member between the ages of 8 and 18 that the current year was their first year to belong to 4-H. This is selected based upon their Adams County Award Application.
3. Outstanding Junior 4-H Member – This is for 4-H Members between the ages of 8 – 10 in the current year. This is selected based upon their Adams County Award Application.
4. Outstanding Intermediate 4-H Member – This is for 4-H Members between the ages of 11 – 13 in the current year. This is selected based upon their Adams County Award Application.
5. Outstanding Senior 4-H Member – This is for 4-H Members between the ages of 14 – 18 in the current year. This is selected based upon their Adams County Award Application.

Q: Can a person win an Outstanding 1st Year 4-H Member and an Outstanding Age Division?

A: Yes, if the volunteers who review the applications believe the 4-H member deserves both awards, it is allowed. 

Q: Can a 4-H member win a County Project Medal multiple times throughout their 4-H Career?

A: Yes – each year is a fresh start as the application focuses on the current year only.

Q: Can a 4-H Member win the Overall Curriculum Area multiple times throughout their 4-H Career?

A: Yes – it is a clean slate each year. If those reviewing believe the 4-H Member deserves to win the Overall Curriculum Area, then it will be awarded.

Q: Can a 4-H Member win the Outstanding age division award multiple times?

A: Yes, as long as you fit the age group requirement within that division. 

Q: What awards are possible for an older 4-H’er to receive?

A: There are four unique and special awards. They are:

1. Chamber 4-H Event Scholarship
2. Outstanding Leadership
3. Golden Clover (Requires an added question & 1 more year of 4-H eligibility)
4. Adams County Tribland Candidate

Q: What is the 4-H Event Educational Scholarship?

A: This is a scholarship (value up to $150.00) awarded to 4-H members and is sponsored by the Hastings Area Chamber awards that can be used to help pay for a 4-H Event. Examples of type of event that this may be used for include but not limited to are State 4-H camp, leadership or career development workshop, statewide event such as Big Red Camp. This may be awarded multiple times throughout their 4-H career but be used prior to aging out of the program. 

Q: What is the Outstanding Leadership

A: This is a special honor to be the 4-H member named as the recipient for Outstanding Leadership. This is a tradition within Adams County 4-H Program to recognize an older youth on a yearly basis.  This youth is then highlighted with a special “booth” during the following Adams County 4-H Fair among all the other Outstanding Leaders throughout the years. A 4-H Member can only receive this award once in their 4-H career. 

Q: What is the Golden Clover Award?

A: This award is an honor given to one or two youth per year. The 4-H member(s) will serve and represent the Adams County 4-H Program at a variety of events.  The youth must be at least 15 years and have at least one more year of 4-H eligibility. This recognition can only be awarded once in their 4-H career. Throughout their one year of service, they will:

• Serve on the Adams County 4-H Council as a Youth Representative with full voting rights.
• Be prepared to represent Adams County 4-H Program at various functions such as the Adams County 4-H Soup Supper Fundraiser, Adams County 4-H Achievement Celebration, Adams County Fair, and others on an as needed basis. 

Q: What is the Adams County Tribland Candidate?

A: If selected to represent Adams County, this 4-H member receives a packet from the Hastings Tribune and must complete their application by the Hastings Tribune Deadline. The Hastings Tribune picks two 4-H members to be the Outstanding Tribland Members from the Tribune Area. This is a very special and unique honor if selected overall Tribland. A 4-H Member may be nominated to be a candidate multiple times, if needed, but can only be awarded the “Outstanding Tribland Member” one time in their 4-H Career. 

Q: Who is recommended to complete the Nebraska Achievement Application?

A: Any 4-H Member that is between the ages of 15 and 18 years old?

Q: Where can I find the Nebraska Achievement Application?

A: All information can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application. 

Q: How does a 4-H member submit their Nebraska Achievement Application?

A: The completed application is submitted directly to the State 4-H Office.  For specific emails and instructions, visit NE State 4-H Website  or call the Adams County Extension Office. 

Q: What is the deadline for submitting the Nebraska Achievement Application?

A: The deadline is in early January (see website for specific day). 

Q: What awards are possible for a 4-H’er to receive if they complete the Nebraska 4-H  Achievement Application?

A: There are three unique and special awards. They are:

1. Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarship (for seniors)
2. National 4-H Congress
3. National 4-H Conference 

Q: What is the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships?

A: The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for 4-H members each year. To learn more, visit the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Website  

Q: What is National 4-H Congress?

A: National 4-H Congress is an award program which provides recognition to 4-H youth for their outstanding performances and achievements in 4-H. Nebraska 4-H awards 23 delegates each year with partial scholarships, as well as additional alternates who may attend at their own expense. View more information at National 4-H Congress  

Q: What is National 4-H Conference?

A: National 4-H Conference is the annual premiere national civic engagement opportunity for 4-H members across the country. Nebraska 4-H may send two delegates each year. View more information at National 4-H Conference