Happy Hustlers Awarded June Club of the Month
This month we would like to congratulate the Happy Hustlers 4-H Club from Dawes County for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the month! Together this club is helping its members develop strong citizenship and teamwork skills through a variety of activities. In fact, the Happy Hustlers keep themselves busy all year long!
During the winter months, the Club completes a variety of community service projects. This year, the group shopped for toys which they donated to their local Shop with a Cop program. Club members also traveled around their community collecting canned goods for the local soup kitchen. More recently, members made tray favors which they delivered to a local nursing home. The Happy Hustlers also visited a local retirement home and played games with residents. Together they created spring bonnets out of newspaper and decorated them with flowers and ribbons. The Happy Hustlers had a great time and enjoyed sharing their creativity and laughter with the residents.
With spring here now, the Happy Hustlers 4-H Club has started preparing for some outdoor community service projects. Soon the club will clean up over ten miles of county roads as part of their annual roadside cleanup project. Club members will also take part in two upcoming city cleanups. The Happy Hustlers are even looking forward to participating in their community's 4th of July Flag Raising program. This year's theme is "What America Means to Me." Each member will be sharing what America means to them personally in front of over 60 people.
There is no doubt that the Happy Hustlers are dedicating to improving their community. In doing so, they have earned the this month's Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month award. Congratulations, Happy Hustlers 4-H Club!
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month program to all any 4-H Clubs across the state. Clubs may nominate themselves by sharing why their Club should be selected. A different Club is selected each month and will be awarded a certificate and $50 cash card. For more information, visit the Nebraska 4-H Foundation site or email ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com.
State Fair 4-H Dog Show Update
Due to facility changes at Fonner Park, the 2019 State 4-H Dog Show will be held on Saturday, September 7 starting at 8:00 AM CST at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus in the Animal Science Building. More information will be shared as show details are finalized. Please stay tuned to the State Fair 4-H Fairbook Dog page for more updates.
Join us for a 2019 State 4-H Dog Show Informational Webinar on June 4th at 5:30 PM CST. We will provide background on the 2019 changes, as well as information on the new location, show schedule, and plan for the event. We will also seek input regarding the 2020 show. This webinar is open to all!
Plymouth Cloverleaf 4-H Club Recognized as May Club of the Month
This month we would like to congratulate the Plymouth Cloverleaf 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month. Together, this club is helping its members develop strong citizenship and teamwork skills.
So far this year, Plymouth Cloverleaf 4-H Club members have been busy with a multitude of projects. Together, they have stuffed over 1000 Easter Eggs for the annual Plymouth Easter Egg Hunt, created centerpieces and tray favors for the Norfolk Veterans Home through the Legion Auxilary, and participated in a local highway cleanup. As the year continues, the group looks forward to being able to serve the community in other ways. They are excited to help prepare for the Jefferson County Fair, host a show pig clinic, and fill shoe boxes with gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Program. Club members are hopeful that their giving spirit continues well beyond this year.
In the past, the group has worked concessions for the Plymouth Consignment Sale and Plymouth Tractor Pull. The club has even donated money to various projects including the Plymouth Light Project, Plymouth Splash Pad, and Plymouth Ball Park playground. This impressive club from Jefferson County has truly made a difference in its community and earned this month's Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month award. Congratulations, Plymouth Cloverleaf 4-H Club!
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers the 4-H Club of the Month recognition opportunity to all organized 4-H clubs across the state. A new club will be chosen each month and will be awarded a certificate and $50 cash card. Clubs may nominate themselves. For more information, visit the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website or email ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com.
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.