Feature Programs

Every 4-H member has a story, and those stories are worth telling! Sharing your 4-H story could earn you a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington D.C. for National 4-H Council's Legacy Awards! The 4-H Youth in Action program recognizes four confident young leaders in our core pillar areas: agriculture, citizenship, healthy living, and STEM. Each Pillar Winner will experience an exciting year of telling their 4-H story and celebrating their leadership. Winners receive:

• A $5,000 higher education scholarship
• A promotional video showcasing their 4-H impact story
• An all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. for National 4-H Council's Legacy Awards
• Networking opportunities with 4-H celebrities and other prominent alumni
• Recognition as the official 4-H youth spokesperson for their pillar

The application are now open through October 22, 2018! 

This month we would like to congratulate the Driftwood Feeders 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month for July 2018. This club from McCook, Nebraska, in Red Willow county, has truly made a difference in its community. The club is dedicated to building strong citizenship and teamwork through various activities.

The Driftwood Feeders 4-H Club members recently got busy with the paint brushes at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. When the fair board was asked if they had a community service project for a 4-H’er, they replied that the 19 letter boards for the grandstand needed to be replaced. The fair board provided the materials and the 4-H members got busy painting. Because the boards were new, it involved priming both sides of the board before the letters could be painted on. The 4-H'ers can be proud at fair time that their efforts contributed to sprucing up the grandstand.

The Club also hosted the Dog Days in McCook show in June to provide the dog project members–ranging from Imperial to Kearney to Hastings–a chance to practice their show ring skills in a show format prior to the county and state fair shows. The money raised from the show will be used to purchase the agility equipment needed by the members. The club also provides agility equipment to the Nebraska State Fair 4-H dog show.

Members plan on recording public service announcements at both local radio stations. These announcements will be used to promote the various 4-H shows, contests, and activities before and during the county fair.

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation provides the 4-H Club of the Month program to all Nebraska 4-H clubs throughout the state. Clubs can nominate themselves by telling why their club should be chosen as Club of the Month. A different club will be chosen each month and will be awarded a certificate and $50 cash card. For more information visit the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website or e-mail ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com.

This month we would like to congratulate the Round ‘Em Up Cattle Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month for June 2018. This club from Gretna, Nebraska, in Sarpy County, has truly made a difference in its community. The club is dedicated to building strong citizenship and teamwork through various activities.

What started out nearly 20 years ago, with only a few kids, the 4-H club has grown in size and diversity. The Round ‘Em Up Cattle Club, founded by Monte Stauffer, has been active in many projects that represent what 4-H in Nebraska stands for.

The kids take on the huge responsibility of caring for their animals, which is a challenging and rewarding experience. Many kids take care of and show several different animals at the local fairs.

Not only are the kids active with their animals but also in their community. Meetings begin in late January to start planning for the upcoming year. One of the many community service projects members are involved in is making and passing out Valentine’s Day cards and treats to the residents at the local community living center.

In addition to this service project, the kids raise money throughout the year and vote on local charities that are important to them to give the donations to. In 2017, the funds raised were donated to buy craft supplies for the Omaha Children’s Hospital. The second organization the money was used for was to prepare care packages that included essentials daily items. These were then donated to Least Of My Brethren, a charity for the homeless located in Elkhorn. After a tornado caused severe damage to the Town and Country Humane Society in Sarpy County, donations such as food, toys, and beds were taken to the Humane Society for the animals.

Funds were also used to purchase plaques that were presented to the winners at the Sarpy County Fair. Finally, blankets, scarves, and hats were made and taken to Open Door Mission Lydia House in Omaha, which is an emergency shelter for women and families.

The Round ’Em Up Cattle Club represents how our heads, hearts, hands, and health are committed to our clubs, communities, country, and the world.

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation provides the 4-H Club of the Month program to all Nebraska 4-H clubs throughout the state. Clubs can nominate themselves by telling why their club should be chosen as Club of the Month. A different club will be chosen each month and will be awarded a certificate and $50 cash card. For more information visit the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website or e-mail ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com.

Nebraska has claimed second place in the National 4-H Raise Your Hand campaign. With over 14,000 hands raised, Nebraska 4-H is being awarded $10,000 to help provide hands-on learning experiences to more youth across the state. Thank you to all the 4-H alumni and friends who raised their hands for Nebraska!

This month we would like to congratulate the Lucky Sprouts 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month for March 2018. This club from Aurora, Nebraska, in Hamilton County, has truly made a difference in its community. The club is dedicated to building strong citizenship and teamwork through various activities.

The Lucky Sprouts 4H Club works hard on community service projects. In December 2017 they decorated a Christmas tree at the Plainsman Museum in Aurora, Nebraska. The Plainsman invites community organization to decorate a tree each year and then hosts an Open House displaying all the trees. Each year that the Lucky Sprouts decorate a tree, they choose a theme for their tree that supports their current community service project. This year the Lucky Sprouts supported the Backpack Program in Hamilton County which provides school supplies for needy families. The program also sends a backpack of food home with students on Fridays to ensure that they have food to eat over the weekend when school lunch is not available to the student. The backpack provides food the student’s entire family.

To decorate our tree, each member brought some school supplies that they used to decorate the tree including rulers, crayons, pencils, pens, and paperclips. Each member also brought specific food items to be used by the Backpack Program which were wrapped up as gifts under the tree. Once the tree came down in January, the food items and school supplies were donated to the Backpack Program. The Lucky Sprouts also serve concessions at the 12th Street Cinema in Aurora every second Friday of the month. The 12th Street Cinema is operated primarily by volunteers in Aurora, which allows them to keep the prices very low and provide a way for families to have fun in Aurora.

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation provides the 4-H Club of the Month program to all Nebraska 4-H clubs throughout the state. Clubs can nominate themselves by telling why their club should be chosen as Club of the Month. A different club will be chosen each month and will be awarded a certificate and $50 cash card. For more information go to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website or e-mail ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com.