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The
Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards sponsored by the
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) recognize 4-H clubs
for the work of the individuals in the club and the community
service work of the entire club. Twenty five clubs have been recognized
each year since 1997. Recognition is in the form of $500 checks
issued to the club's treasury to be used as described in the award
application form completed by the club. A public presentation
is made to representatives of the club by the Governor of Nebraska
and NIFA officials.
Clubs can use the award dollars for many different programs. Conferences
or workshops for others in the community, trips or tours for club
members, community improvement projects in their home town, campus
visits, fair grounds enhancement, inter-generational programs,
and the development of a youth council are just a few examples
of the ways the award can be used. While the majority of the clubs
choose a project that benefits many others in their community
some have chosen to celebrate their success by providing more
experiences for club members.
Applications are available online on the 4-H website. Any club
that hasn't received a Governor’s Agriculture Excellence
Award for the past two consecutive years is eligible to apply.
Clubs must e-mail their application with Governor’s Ag Excellence
Award in the subject line to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation office
(pyoung3@unlnotes.unl.edu)
by March 31, 2008. All district applications
will be e-mailed to the District offices on April 4, 2008.
Each district office will select four winners and notify the 4-H
Foundation of their selections by April 18, 2008.
A minimum of four clubs will be chosen from each district with
nine of the awards being selected from clubs remaining after the
top sixteen are chosen. Counties and clubs will receive award
notification by May 5, 2008. In 2007, the Governor’s
Agriculture Excellence Awards will be presented during the evening
picnic of the PASE/Life Challenge Event. This will be held on
June 23 at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s
East Campus.
Please consider "Agricultural" in the broadest terms
when you are discussing this program. The intent is to increase
4-H'ers' awareness of agricultural careers and entice some of
them into such careers. Individuals interested in a broad range
of subjects including: Food Science, Chemistry, Economics, Animal
Science, Biology, Law, Sociology and many others may not realize
that an agricultural career is a viable option. This is an opportunity
for 4-H to support our agricultural roots while we help 4-H members
expand the career possibilities they are considering. Clubs are
eligible regardless of their geographic location. Clubs in urban
and rural areas of Nebraska should be encouraged to apply.
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