Gibson Recognized as Volunteer of the Year
Jana Gibson is being recognized as the Nebraska 4-H Volunteer of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have served less than 10 years as a 4-H volunteer.
Jana is a devoted, dedicated 4-H volunteer. 4-H has played a significant role in her life, from being a 4-H member to a club leader to a fair superintendent. For the past 7 years, Jana has been a true example of 4-H leadership. She gives time and energy to youth by leading 4-H club meetings and guiding youth to be successful in their endeavors.
Jana's nominator says “Jana has made a great impact on our local program. Not only does she encourage her 4-H’ers to excel in their project areas but encourages community service by helping youth create Quilts of Valor that are donated to active and retired military men and women.”
Glaubius Recognized as Lifetime Volunteer of the Year
Ina Glaubius from Cuming County is being recognized as the Nebraska 4-H Lifetime Volunteer of the Year. This award recognizes individuals who have served more than 10 years as a 4-H volunteer.
Ina has been an active 4-H volunteer for 56 years! Having benefited from all that 4-H had to offer her as a young person, she now strives to help youth reach their full potential. Ina has given leadership to all areas of the 4-H program at the local, county, and state levels. She is involved in many areas of the 4-H program but is known statewide for her expertise in photography and teaching young people the art.
Ina's award nominator says “Ina bleeds 4-H green. She has the highest character and others look to her for guidance. She is a lifelong learner and is willing to encourage youth to reach their highest levels.”
Simulation Program Helps High School Students Connect the Dots
Nebraska 4-H is helping high school students across Nebraska understand the steps they need to take in order to reach their career goals. One way Nebraska 4-H is doing this is through the Connecting the Dots program which was recently featured on IANR News. The program offers an interactive career exploration experience for ninth- and tenth-grade students across Nebraska. Youth participate in a simulation activity to learn how their decision now may impact their post-secondary study and their workplace experiences. Participants also learn more about their favorite careers, network with representatives from postsecondary institutions and local employers, build readiness skills, and explore career options in Nebraska. In 2018, the Connecting the Dots program engaged over 4,700 students across the state. As a result of the Connecting the Dots program:
- 97% of participants think it is important that they do their job well,
- 84% learned how to act professionally, and
- 80% say 4-H has helped them identify things they are good at and explore their future career options.
4-H'ers Helping 4-H'ers
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation has announced the new 4-H'ers Helping 4-H'ers program devoted to helping 4-H members and their families in times of need. Through generous donations made by 4-H families and friends, support is available to Nebraska 4-H families that have been affected by an emergency or disaster. The campaign allows 4-H members and families to give back to 4-H. When a 4-H member is in need, we want them to know that Nebraska 4-H cares.
4-H'ers Helping 4-H'ers seeks contributions from 4-H members, families, alumni, clubs, and councils. The contributions are primarily used for major disasters, such as flood, tornado, loss of home due to fire, or serious illness. When disaster strikes, no matter how large or small, 4-H'ers Helping 4-H'ers will be there to help!
4-H'ers Helping 4-H'ers funds are available to any Nebraska 4-H family who has been impacted by a disaster and has been recommended for support by a 4-H parent, guardian, volunteer, or alumni. Grants are limited to $100 for an individual and $500 for a family. There is no deadline to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a continual basis. Applications must be submitted electronically.
Raise Your Hand for Nebraska 4-H!
Only one in three kids say they have the skills to handle what life throws their way. If we don't give our kids the opportunity to succeed, we all fail. That's where 4-H comes in – programs that meet youth and families where they live, serve community needs and build critical life skills young people need to thrive.
To address this concern, National 4-H Council created the Raise Your Hand initiative – a nationwide call-to-action for 4-H alumni, supporters, and friends to vote for their state to win funding and help more kids in their community benefit from 4-H experiences. The three states with the most hands raised will receive $5K, $10K, and $20K.
Join us today and Raise Your Hand for Nebraska 4-H, because every child deserves a chance to succeed. Voting is easy, and even if you have raised your hand in the past, your vote will still be counted this year!
State 4-H Market Beef ID Deadline Extended
Due to the widespread flooding and challenging winter weather across the state, the State Fair Market Beef nomination deadline has been extended to June 15 to coincide with all other species. This deadline will be for both 4-H and FFA State Fair Market Beef animals. We hope this change will help support many of our families whose decisions may be in flux during the recovery.
Congratulations to the 2019 Congress Delegates
National 4-H Congress is an award program which provides recognition to 4-H youth for their outstanding performances and achievements in 4-H. It is held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. Each year, Nebraska 4-H can send delegates to National 4-H Congress. Nebraska delegates are selected for a trip to National 4-H Congress by submitting their 4-H Career Portfolio or Annual Achievement Application for state competition. This year, 23 Nebraska 4-H delegates were chosen to receive a partial scholarship to attend the 2019 National 4-H Congress. An additional 12 alternates were selected who may attend the 2019 National 4-H Congress at their own expense.
Nebraska 4-H Flood Response & Resources
Nebraska is a True Leader. The state has more miles of river than any other state in the nation and is home to the largest aquifer. Due to recent rain, snow, and natural snowmelt occurring on top of frozen ground, our state has recently experienced historic flooding in numerous counties. The need for assistance is growing.
4-H, America's largest youth development organization, empowers young people to be true leaders who can endure through challenges, who know how to work well with others, and who will stick to a job until it gets done.
Nebraska 4-H calls all True Leaders to use their confidence, independence, resilience, and compassion, to assist in the flooding recovery efforts that are currently taking place across the state.
Please visit Nebraska 4-H Flood Response to find resources to help you, your family, and community members, as you recover from the flood, assist with the recovery efforts, raise funds for disaster relief, or inspire kids to do more during the time of need.
Nebraska 4-H Represents at Omaha Fashion Week
Over the last 10 years, Omaha Fashion Week has grown to the nation's 5th largest fashion event. In addition to supporting more independent fashion designers than any other organization in the region, Omaha Fashion Week supports young fashion designers by providing mentoring, educational opportunities, and a professional platform to showcase work.
Nebraska 4-H once again partnered with Omaha Fashion week during their Spring Showcase. Omaha Fashion Week Student Night, featuring student designers, including a 4-H collection, took place on Tuesday, February 26. This collection consisted of 13 garments from across the state, each modeled by the 4-H member who made it.
Explorer 4-H Club Recognized as Club of the Month
This month we would like to congratulate Explorer 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month for February 2019. This club from Omaha, NE, in Douglas/Sarpy County, has truly made a difference in its community. The club is dedicated to building strong citizenship and teamwork through various activities.
Using the Pennsylvania Plant 4-H Curriculum, the Explorer 4-H Club built raised beds to use the 130-day Nebraska growing season to work on food crops for county and state fairs. The students are going to do the 2019 Special Garden Project Carmine Splendor Okra as one of the food crops.
So many 4-H and scout adventures work on plants, but in an urban area, there is a difficult problem of space to plant. Our project is open to any 4-Her or person in a scouting adventure so they have a place to grow their plant for their awards with the bonus of any food crop have a place to go with the Stephen Center. By doing this, the 4-Hers or scouts have a service project helping to feed members in the community with the fruits of their labors. The project has a group of 70 made up of youth from Explorers 4-H, Aquatic Society of Omaha INC, and various scouting students across Sarpy and Douglas County. With Aquatic Society of Omaha INC, their work is shared across twelve states with North Central Regional Aquaculture Center electronic drop box on NCRAC-YEA website. Also with Aquatic Society of Omaha INC, the project becomes 18-02-4P Applying 4-H and scout knowledge for the community to be published with Nebraska Academy of Science and Nebraska Environmental Trust. With friends of 4-H, the Stephen Center Project for their use to assist 4-H students across the state. Any volunteering or donating at the Stephen Center will be shown on their social media sites.
Explorers 4-H is a student-led organization with six student officers. This empowers youth to be more active in learning and civic activity since they are in charge of development.
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 email ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com.