Upcoming Events in Merrick County
Nebraska Fed Steer Challenge applications now open!
- Last chance for applications, please apply by December 15th, 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
2025 Jr. Leader Program
- Jr. Leaders are 4-H members current age 13 up to 4-H age 18. They come together to develop their leadership skills and learn how to work in teams. They mentor younger members and assist adult volunteers. Plus, they can gain long-lasting friendships with other members.
- Interested in joining 4-H or the 4-H Jr. Leader program? Contact Us at 308-946-3843.
- Join the Junior Leader Remind by texting @merrickcoj to 81010
Jr. Leader Lock in
- For ALL teen 4-H members (ages 13-18)
- Experience great friendships, learn leadership lessons and life skills, win the CHOPPED! Challenge and have fun!
- January 2nd-3rd , 7 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Merrick County Fairgrounds
- Register by Thursday, December 26th go.unl.edu/jrleaderlock-in
Nebraska 4-H Senior Achievement
Nebraska 4-H recognizes and awards individuals for outstanding achievements and contributions to their community, club, and their own personal development. Recognition and awards are available throughout all levels and programs of 4-H.
- As a reminder, the Nebraska 4-H Senior Achievement Applications are DUE Sunday, January 5, 2025. As long as the time stamp comes in no later than 11:59PM CT/MT, it will be accepted.
- This application enables eligibility for National 4-H Conference in Washington DC in the spring, National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in the fall, and/or the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships.
- More detailed information can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application.
- The Nebraska 4-H Foundation does have several scholarships that can be applied and/or received multiple years.
2025 Hoodie Design Contest
- DUE, SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2025!
- Champions design winner will receive a FREE HOODIE designed by them!
- https://go.unl.edu/championshoodiecontest
- HOODIE
- Step 1. Choose HOODIE color
- Step 2. Choose 1 or 2 graphic colors
- Step 3. Must include 'Merrick County', '2025', 'Champions Club', 4-H emblem
Scholarship Applications
- DUE MIDNIGHT, JANUARY 31, 2025 to the Merrick County Extension Office emailed to merrick@unl.edu, or hard copies may be turned in by 5PM!
- Merrick County 4-H Council offers TWO (2) scholarship opportunities for graduating Merrick County 4-H SENIORS!
- *4-H Council Scholarship
- *4-H Dan and Susan Monaghan Scholarship
- Interested in applying? For full details check out the link below and scroll down to the correct links as titled above, or contact the Extension Office, at 308-946-3843. https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/merrick/merrick-county-4-h-resources/
4-H enrollment is open - be sure to get re-enrolled!
- You may begin re-enrolling now!
- Instructions are attached or just click on the link https://www.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
- Youth participating in shooting sports MUST be enrolled and sign the electronic code of conduct prior to attending a practice!
Archery practices
- Practices will be every Tuesday
- 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. 4-H age 8-11
- 7:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m. 4-H age 12-18
- Youth must be enrolled/re-enrolled in Merrick County 4-H and have signed the required shooting sports consent in 4-HOnline.
Stem Backpacks
- Backpacks feature STEM activities for youth and their families to do together.
- 12 Ways to STEM
- The Magic of Yeast
- Bugs
- Butterflies
- DNA
- Engineer It
- Food for Animals
- Let's be an Engineer
- Plants
- Pollinators
- Tornados
- Volcanoes
- Cloud in a Jar
- It's Free!
- Keep the backpack for up to two weeks and then return it.
- Checkout a backpack by scanning the QR code or visiting go.unl.edu/stembackpacks
4‑H Youth Development
One in three age-eligible young Nebraskans take part in 4‑H, America’s largest youth development organization. Through 4‑H, these young people gain experiences that help them become skilled employees, creative thinkers and good citizens. Nebraska Extension not only brings 4‑H to Nebraska; we bring a vast array of University resources and research—partnering with schools, after-school programs and youth organizations to provide curriculum and educational content. The result? Young Nebraskans inspired to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Underserved populations with more opportunity to create and contribute. More kids discovering their true passions, talents and career opportunities. And the next generation of Nebraskans ready to enhance our workforce and become responsible community leaders.
Livestock Systems
Nebraska is the global epicenter for beef production. That’s why it makes sense that Nebraska Extension has a team devoted solely to supporting every step of the beef industry—from pasture management to nutrition, from disease prevention to developing innovative cuts of beef. Backed by University research and resources, Nebraska Extension partners with cow-calf producers, backgrounding operations, feedlots and processors to help create a robust Nebraska beef industry that consistently produces high-quality beef safely, responsibly and profitably.
Visit the Livestock Systems Website See Our Other Animal Science Programs
Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems
Extension professionals work shoulder-to-shoulder with Nebraskans to sustainably manage community green spaces, protect natural resources, improve their landscapes and grow safe, nutritious food. Through Extension experts and resources, Nebraskans have what they need to make well-informed decisions related to their businesses, their health, their families and their hometowns. Nebraska Extension is an integral partner in helping Nebraska live up to its well-earned reputation as “The Good Life.”
Visit the Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems Website
Agricultural Profitability
Nebraska agriculture is not just about producing more. It’s about being profitable doing it. Thanks to Extension, Nebraska producers gain a realistic understanding of their actual cost of production by analyzing each enterprise in their operation in order to reduce input costs and make better-informed decisions. That knowledge helps producers leverage everything from decisions about marketing and risk management to crop and livestock insurance, from land prices to federal farm programs—even navigating the transition of an operation from one generation to the next. Nebraska Extension has had a positive financial impact on millions of acres of farm and ranch land in our state, helping ensure the sustainability of Nebraska agriculture by making it more profitable.
Visit the Agricultural Profitability Website
Food, Nutrition & Health
The health and wellbeing of Nebraskans is crucial for strong healthier communities, lower healthcare costs and better lives for all. Through Extension, Nebraskans are addressing the challenge of childhood obesity, improving their access to safe, nutritious food, and simply making better decisions when it comes to feeding themselves and their families. Extension brings University research and resources to all Nebraskans through school-based nutrition education, food safety training for foodservice workers and even connecting local farmers with school lunch programs. Nebraska Extension is creating consumer confidence in our food systems and nourishing the overall wellbeing of Nebraskans all across the state.
Visit the Food, Nutrition & Health Website
Early Childhood
There is no greater responsibility or greater reward than supporting the development of young children and promoting family well-being. Nebraska Extension leverages well-designed University research and relevant resources to enhance high-quality learning experiences for children, families and early childhood professionals. Nebraska Extension’s experts foster partnerships with child-focused organizations across the state, nation and globally to enrich the field of early child care and education— with the ultimate goal of helping children and families grow and thrive in safe, healthy and supportive relationships.
Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Vibrant rural communities are essential to the economic health of the entire state. Through Extension, rural communities find ways to engage citizens of every age, interest and background in reimagining the trajectory of the place they call home. Nebraska Extension links people across our state with University resources and research. Encouraging diversity, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment. Helping communities discover their strengths and transforming them into vitality and prosperity. Nebraska Extension convenes community stakeholders and facilitates discussions as they envision the future of their hometown—and turn that vision into reality.
Visit the Rural Prosperity Website
Water and Cropping Systems
Nebraska Extension is the go-to resource for Nebraskans as they seek unbiased research, proven science and just plain good advice. Nebraska Extension helps farmers adopt new technologies that reduce input costs, improve water quality, and increase production and profitability. Extension research on Nebraska farms helps producers evaluate the effectiveness of crop inputs and innovative management practices. From exploring the viability of diverse crops to managing the threats of pests, disease and weather extremes to protecting public lands and waterways—Nebraska Extension brings University resources to and has its imprint on millions of acres (and acre-feet) across Nebraska.