FED STEER CHALLENGE
Nebraska Fed Steer Challenge applications now open! Last chance for applications, deadline extended to December 27th, 2024 for the 2025 program year. For more information regarding the Fed Steer Challenge, or to submit an application please visit https://4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge
Virtual learning session to be held Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m. CT/6:00 p.m. MT. We will discuss the program outcomes, deadlines, and answer any questions you may have. This session will be recorded and posted on our website. Join Zoom Meeting: https://unl.zoom.us/j/94582695213 Meeting ID: 945 8269 5213 or call in at +16694449171,94582695213#
FARROWED & OWNED SWINE COHORT
Registration is now open for the 2025 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort. Project animals may be shown at the county fair. Nebraska State Fair exhibition is optional. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair. Join the first virtual session in February for more details! Register by February 1 at https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned. For questions, contact Benny Mote at bmote8@unl.edu, or 402-310-9878.
SPECIAL GARDEN PROJECT
The focus for the 2025 Special Garden Project will be the Goldie Husk Cherry. This old-fashioned fruit from the tomato family has sweet berries inside golden husks. If you are interested in trying something new, please call the Extension Office by February 14th in order to reserve seeds for your project.
4-H ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN!
Each year, 4-H members and leaders must re-enroll in the 4-H program. If you will be taking Shooting Sports, enrollment must be done prior to the first meeting in January or February. All others must enroll by June 15 to be eligible to exhibit at the County Fair.
Access the enrollment form at https://v2.4honline.com. If you are a returning member, enter your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, click “Reset Password” to receive an email with a link to set a new password. Do not create a new profile if you have registered before!
For NEW members! We can’t wait for you to join us! If you have never enrolled in 4-H using 4-H Online, select “Don’t have an account?” Select your state, “Nebraska 4-H Youth Development”, and your county. Each household will have a profile, and individual members will be added under one profile. Choose a club or clubs. If taking a shooting sports project, be sure to select the 4-H Shooting Sports Club as one of your clubs, and then select your project areas.
If enrolling in Horse and Shooting Sports, you are required to select these projects due to the consent forms that are required. Other projects should be selected if families would like to receive additional information regarding project-specific reminders, such as upcoming deadlines. Then when you turn in your fair entries in June, you can take exhibits from any project area to the fair.
If your 4-Her plans to participate in 4-H camp or in any state or national events, you must complete the health section. All other 4-Hers may skip over the health information. Then complete the consent section.
Additional instructions for enrollment can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/4-h-enrollment-information/. Feel free to come to the office if you need assistance! If you need help enrolling, please contact the office and we can help you.
NEW ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR VOLUNTEERS
The success of Nebraska 4-H relies on the generous contributions of thousands of volunteers each year. We appreciate each individual contribution and value the difference volunteers make in the lives of the youth we serve. That said, we bear a heavy responsibility to ensure that all of the volunteers we engage in 4-H youth development experiences are safe and positive adult role models for young people.
All volunteers must complete and meet a series of requirements based on their role to volunteer for Nebraska 4-H. To do so, all 4-H Volunteers must either annually enroll in 4-H Online or complete the 4-H Volunteer Activity Application appropriate for their role. In our system we define volunteers in one of two ways:
Based on the volunteer role, the following steps must be completed and approved prior to service:
Activity Worker/Direct Volunteer: Includes staff, faculty, club leaders, lead teachers/presenters, student workers, summer interns, Teens as Teachers, chaperones, and any other adults and teens acting as direct supervisors or mentors to youth in a paid, unpaid or volunteer status, as part of a youth activity.
Activity Worker/Direct Volunteer Requirements
Volunteer Screening (Criminal Background includes sex offender registry)
Activity Worker Guidelines Review
4-H Code of Conduct
Volunteer Orientation (https://go.unl.edu/6que)
Activity Support Staff/Indirect Volunteer: Any person who provides support services for Youth Activities such as teaching assistants, superintendents, judges, food service, set-up crews, maintenance, and any other adults and teens providing indirect service as part of a youth activity.
Activity Support Staff/Indirect Volunteer Requirements
Volunteer Screening (Activity Worker Application)
Sex Offender Registry
Activity Worker Guidelines Review
4-H Code of Conduct
Changes in this process for 2025 will be that:
A new vendor, Sterling Volunteers, will do complete criminal background checks on all direct volunteers.
DHHS will no longer do the checks, so everyone must participate in the screening this year.
Turnaround time will be 24 -48 hours in most cases.
The re-screening must be completed every five years, based on anniversary date of the original screening.
One last change is that the cost is now $16 plus a $1 source fee, to be paid online.
These changes were made to ensure all youth and volunteers are protected through increased volunteer screening level and enhanced user experience.
Screening must be completed by March 15 for all new and returning volunteers, or prior to service. If you are enrolling at https://v2.4honline.com, you will be redirected to the screening site at the end of enrollment. Returning volunteers will receive an email or letter containing more details on the process.
OMAHA FASHION WEEK 4-H COLLECTION
Nebraska 4-H is excited to participate in the 2025 Omaha Fashion Week Student Night! 4-H members ages 8-18 are invited to apply for the 4-H Collection to be shown at the Omaha Design Center on
February 26, 2025. Garments must have been exhibited at the County Fair in 2024 and should
be fashion-forward, runway appropriate, and display high-quality construction.
To apply, complete the online application by December 20th. Visit https://go.unl.edu/25ofw
for event details and application process, or use the QR code.
4-H AMBASSADOR APPLICATIONS
Applications are being accepted through January 15, 2025, for Boone County 4-H Ambassadors. Ambassadors represent the community, Boone County 4-H, and the Nebraska 4-H Program, and are role models to all 4-H youth. This is a commitment and leadership role.
Objective:
The 4-H Council may select up to three individuals who best represent the Boone County 4-H Program. The ambassadors should be well spoken and carry themselves with poise, a sense of self-worth, and respect. They should be a leader who shows initiative and a sense of pride and commitment to promote and represent the Boone County 4-H Program.
To Apply:
Must be age 14 - 18 (4-H age) and have completed a minimum of two years in 4-H, (not including current year), and currently enrolled.
Must complete application and turn into the Extension 4-H Office by January 15, 2025.
Applicants will be interviewed on their 4-H experience by a panel of judges after applications have been reviewed. Applicants should be available for an interview at this time.
Applicants must supply two references with contact information (non-family member).
Expectations of Ambassadors:
Must be willing to represent 4-H throughout the year including participation in local community events and 4-H county activities (some activities outside your comfort zone).
Follow the 4-H Code of Conduct at all times (available at the Extension Office).
Follow the dress code:
Ambassador Polo with jeans or slacks (leggings prohibited). Two shirts will be provided.
Shorts/Skirts: Shorts/Skirts should be no less than two inches above the knee. No underwear should show below or above the garment, even when bending over.
Tightness: No garment should be so tight as to reveal the outline of under garments or body parts.
Shoes: Wear appropriate shoes for the occasion.
Applicant must get dress information for the event they are attending.
Ambassadors will be expected to carry out their duties as per contract with the 4-H Council.
4-H Ambassadors will promote 4-H to potential members and volunteers, demonstrate the impact 4-H has on the lives of young people and the community, and promote 4-H to potential donors.
The rewards are:
$500 Scholarship to college of choice
Recognition at County Fair Livestock Premium Sale and Achievement Night
Two 4-H polo shirts to wear at events
Resume/Scholarship building experiences
Application can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/4-h-clubs-materials/, or stop in at the Extension Office and pick one up!
CYNTHIA THOMSEN SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is sponsored by NEBRASKA Women Involved in Farm Economics (NE WIFE). Nebraska WIFE is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving profitability in production agriculture.
The one-year $2000 scholarship is available to any woman who lives in Nebraska who will begin her FIRST year in a University/Technical/Trade/Community College in a field related to agriculture. The scholarship may be used at the school of the recipient’s choice in Nebraska.
The scholarships will be awarded in two parts. The first half or $1000.00 will be awarded upon proof of college acceptance by August 15, 2025. The second half or $1000.00 will be awarded upon the completion of the first semester with proof that the recipient has a 3.0 GPA and has had 12 hours or more of classes per semester. The recipient is responsible to notify Nebraska WIFE by February 15, 2026 to receive the second half. If above information is not received by the above dates, your scholarship will be forfeited.
The application can be found HERE and is due by March 15, 2025.
4-H YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAM
Teens aged 14-19 are encouraged to apply to the 4-H Youth in Action Program for the chance to tell their 4-H impact story and win a $5k educational scholarship. 4-H’ers interested in applying are encouraged to attend the information session on February 21 from 6:00-7:00pm to learn about the benefits of the program and how to become a competitive applicant.
Applications will re-open in January and will be due April 1. To register for the information session, go to https://4-h.org/programs/4-h-youth-in-action-program
DIAMOND CLOVER PROGRAM
The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program encourages 4-H youth to engage in a variety of programs, projects, and activities that will enable youth to acquire skills and abilities that will prepare them for success in the future. The program is designed to reach and recognize all youth engaged in 4-H, from club members and campers to school enrichment, afterschool, and special interest program participants.
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 Diamond Clover program.
For more information about the requirements for each level, see https://4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover
NEBRASKA 4-H FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation utilizes the Achievement Application for awarding scholarships. Youth interested in applying for these scholarships must make that designation on their application, as well as complete the additional section titled “Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships.” Additional materials are required for youth applying for scholarships, including a copy of current transcripts and ACT/SAT scores. These materials must be submitted digitally along with the completed Achievement Application, which is due January 5th. Scholarship applicants must follow the state-level completion and submission procedures. For more information and a list of available scholarships, please see https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships/
*Note for Scholarship Applicants:
Only the application review committee will have access to transcripts and test scores.
REGIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP
ADVISORY TEAM
Become a Regional Youth Leadership Advisory Team member and make an impact! Participate in action research with youth from seven other states. The target objective is to increase understanding and awareness of career and employment pathways in agriculture and food systems.
The application is open to all youth ages 14 and up. Participants can potentially be in this group for the next 3 years on this grant. Expectations include meeting as a state group 4-6 times a year where they work together on a project and attend regional meetings with all participating North Central Region youth via zoom quarterly. Members also travel twice a year, fall and spring, to meet as a RYLAT and have educational opportunities as a group. Spring will be March 14-17 in Washington DC at 4-H Ignite Conference.
Applications are due December 15th and can be found at this link: https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9uCebZftkPtJpe6
BOONE COUNTY QUIZ BOWL TEAM
GOES TO LOUISVILLE
Four Boone County 4-H youth represented Nebraska at the National 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl Competition in Louisville, KY on November 17-20 during the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Aidan Choat, Cassidy Maricle, Ryan Cumming, and Nicholas Groeteke. The team placed Third in the competition with 15 other teams. Aidan Choat was the 10th high individual.
Congratulations to all! We are proud of you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 5 - Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop at Norfolk. Register at https://cap.unl.edu/land25
December 14 & 15 - Cardinal Classic Cattle Show. More information on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cardinalclassic/
December 24 to January 1 - Extension Office closed for UNL Holiday Close-down.
January 25, 2025 - Nebraska State 4-H Indoor Archery Championships, Aurora Cooperative Pavilion, Fonner Park.
January 26 - Tentative date for Beef Weigh-in in Albion, with Feb 2 as a snow date. More info later.
January 27 - Chemigation and Private Pesticide Applicator training in Albion at the Casey’s Building. More information at https://pested.unl.edu.
March 18, 2025 - My Health, My Choice Day. Watch for more details to come!
March 22, 2025 - Data Driven: a Data Science and Statistics Field Day and Competition, Dinsdale Family Learning Commons, UNL East Campus. More information available soon!
April 23, 2025 - Ag Safety-Literacy Day (Nance). More information to follow.
May 1, 2025 - Ag Safety-Literacy Day (Boone). More information to follow.
June 17-18 - PASE event held at UNL on East Campus. More details at https://4h.unl.edu/pase
July 12-16, 2025 - Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo, Grand Island.
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!
Steve, Ashton, Pam, Sonya, Ashley, Josie, Carrie
Until Next Year!
Steve Pritchard Sonya L Glup
Extension Educator Education Assistant