Feature Programs

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

The Bordeaux Trappers have been very busy this year! They visited the local assisted living center, Prairie Pines, and nursing home, Crest View Care Center, to show the residents the projects they have worked on during the 4-H year. They also networked with local businesses and asked for donations for the yearly giveaway table at their annual Shooting Sports competition held in March.

The biggest project for this club is the annual Parade of Lights event held in December. This is the third straight year the club has participated in this event. The past two years they have decorated a float and handed out stuffed animals along the parade route. This year, they decided to take the project a step further. With the help of several local volunteers and 4-H members, they crocheted and knitted hats and scarves to give away to kids along the parade route. The club wrapped 270 boxes total filled with the hats, scarves, gloves and stuffed animals. They also handed out candy to children after presents were given out. It is very rewarding for this club to know that they are giving back to their community.

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.

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

The Bunker Hillbillies 4-H club is a club that has progressively grown within the 4-H program. It is a very small club, with only 22 members; however the club does many activities, both community and club-related throughout the year so that our members continue to learn new practices. Members of the club are very versatile; there are many different expertise’s within the club.

In the past couple of years the club has picked a focus every year. They make community partnerships that have knowledge in the area of focus that can teach members different skills and tips that make them stand out among their peers. With this learning experience, the club also incorporates a project that tests the mastery of that focus. For example, last year members focused on baking. They had a local baking entrepreneur teach the members skills in cake decorating. The club then held a member “bake-off” to test the knowledge that was learned throughout the experience.

The club is also focused on giving back to the community through service pojects. In the past, they have painted around the county fairgrounds, served ice cream at the local rehabilitation center, and planted flowers at the local library. As stated in the introduction, this club may be small in size but is mighty in drive.

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.

This month we would like to congratulate the Boots ‘N’ Hooves 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month for February 2018. This club from Waverly, Nebraska, in Lancaster County, has truly made a difference in its community. The club is dedicated to building strong citizenship and teamwork through various activities.

Throughout the 4-H calendar year, the club likes to perform a community service project at least once a month. They have done projects that range from bell ringing for the Salvation Army, participating in the March of Dimes, donating to the local animal shelter, and picking up trash in nearby wilderness trails.

Additionally, this year Boots ‘N’ Hooves helped lead the first 4-H horse levels testing prep clinic. This clinic helped other 4-H’ers and parents involved in horse projects– both beginners and experienced–learn what to expect to pass their desired level.

These community service acts all stem from the members’ goals for the club. They pride themselves on presenting good sportsmanship, herdsmanship, and fellowship. They know that there are many people outside of the club that enjoy horses as much as they do. They are also taught that the experiences they make and the people they meet in 4-H will impact their futures.

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 Brush Creek 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month for January 2018. This club from Atkinson, in Holt County, has truly made a difference in its community. The club is dedicated to building strong citizenship and teamwork through various activities.

The Brush Creek 4-H Club from Atkinson has a total of 60 members. Many are third and fourth generation 4-H members. The club leaders, Linda Olson and Barb Shane, have both been leaders for more than 25 years. They served as club leaders when their own children were in 4-H. They began leading the club again in 2010 so that their grandchildren would be able to belong to the same club that their parents did. Since then, the club has seen great growth.

The club has ten regular meetings and does several service projects throughout the year. Their meetings are very traditional, with youth leaders conducting the meeting, saying the pledges, and doing demonstrations. The club continues to clean up the same three miles of road ditches that they have for the past 20 years in the Adopt-a-Highway program. They spend one day each year at the fairgrounds cleaning and getting a building ready prior to the county fair.

The club also helps with BINGO at Parkside Manor, the local assisted living center, each year. During National 4-H Week Brush Creek members work to encourage youth to join 4-H by hosting 4-H trivia on the radio morning show and giving away prizes. Additionally, they serve lunch at a local horse show once a year as a fund raiser, and with that money they have donated trophies each year to the county fair.

Sadly, this year one of the club families lost their mother due to cancer, and another family lost their father. To show its support, the club purchased these families a tree for a memorial.

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 with a certificate and $50 cash card. For more information visit the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website or e-mail ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com.

Nebraska 4-H is proud to recognize the following outstanding volunteers for their commitment to the program.

Dixie Zeigler of Hamilton County is the Nebraska 4-H Volunteer of the Year. Zeigler is a dedicated 4-H mom, club leader, and volunteer. She has served as a Hamilton County club leader for six years and as the home environment co-superintendent at the county fair for two years. Zeigler is committed to keeping the traditional 4-H program strong, while helping youth be engaged in today's society through new and unique activities. 

Christina Lyons of Gage County was named the Nebraska 4-H Lifetime Volunteer of the Year. Lyons has volunteers for the Gage County 4-H program for 13 years. In addition to serving as a 4-H club leader, she helps train 4-H volunteers, serves as a superintendent at the county fair, and is a member of the Gage County 4-H Council. Lyons has expanded the use of 4-H curriculum to local public school educational efforts to help the school meet state educational standards. Her compassion shows through her conviction that 4-H can benefit all youth regardless of income level, family structure, race, religion, or political belief. 

Both Zeigler and Lyons are now eligible for regional awards in the North Central Region.