Congratulations 4 Star Hamilton Heroes 4-H Club!
This month, Nebraska 4-H and the Nebraska 4-H Foundation would like to congratulate the 4 Star Hamilton Heroes 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month for October 2019. This club from Aurora, NE in Hamilton County, has truly made a difference in its community. Members of the 4 Star Hamilton Heroes take community service very seriously. Each member is involved in a variety of activities that give back to the community throughout the year.
The club has 19 members that are involved in all areas of 4-H. Many of the members have livestock projects. When the devestating floods were taking place this spring, members knew they needed to help fellow 4-H members in neighboring counties. Members looked for ways to raise funds to go towards flood relief. They chose to sell Hurts Donuts to community members with all proceeds going towards flood relief. Some members also raised funds from their friends and family. Together, the club sold 118 dozen or 1,416 donuts! Altogether, the club was able to donate over $2,200 to families in Nance County.
Earlier in the year, the club donated $200 worth of food to a local backpack program. Members also collected several boxes of supplies for young children in a local shelter. Supplies were collected during the holiday season and delivered in January. Each month members call bingo at the local assisted living facility as well as run the concessions stand for the local nonprofit movie theater.
The members of the 4 Star Hamilton Heroes enjoy spending time together, as well as living out the 4-H motto, "making the best, better." This busy club from Hamilton County has truly earned this month's 4-H Club of the Month award! Congratulations, 4 Star Hamilton Heroes!
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation awards the 4-H Club of the Month. The award is open to any Nebraska 4-H Club. Clubs may nominate themselves by emailing ne4hclubofthemonth@gmail.com and sharing why their club should be chosen. A different Club will be selected 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.
Deadline Extended for Fed Steer Challenge Applications
The application deadline for the 2020 Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge has been extended to December 1, 2019. The Fed Steer Challenge is a unique opportunity for young people interested in learning more about the Nebraska cattle industry. The contest is designed to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H beef projects by providing an affordable option that rewards production merit and carcass value of the market animal, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and producer engagement by the 4-H member. The contest is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska cattle industry.
Applicants must be enrolled 4-H members and at least 14 years of age as of December 1, 2019. Youth must have the financial ability to purchase a market steer at the current market price in January 2020 and obtain insurance for the animal. Participants must provide adequate facilities and adhere to YQCA practices while caring for the animal. Youth must be able to participate in online and face-to-face educational programming and events held throughout the year.
Celebrate National 4-H Week with Nebraska 4-H!
Join over 6 million young people, 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4-H professionals in celebrating America’s largest youth organization during National 4-H Week held October 6-12. Everyone, including youth, parents, alumni, volunteers and professionals are invited to join in on this nationwide celebration!
Monday: 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Day
On Monday, October 7th, Nebraska 4-H will be celebrating our amazing volunteers! Over 12,000 caring adults volunteer their time to help grow the next generation of true leaders here in Nebraska. And we can’t thank them enough! We’re asking youth across the state to celebrate with us and show their own appreciation for the volunteers in their lives. 4-H’ers are encouraged to go above and beyond by writing thank you cards, baking treats or sharing shout-outs on social media.
Tuesday: 4-H Spirit Day
Show your 4-H pride on Spirit Day! Wear your favorite 4-H shirt and other 4-H swag on Tuesday, October 8th. This day is for everyone, from 4-H’ers and volunteers, to alumni and professionals! Show us your 4-H spirit using #NE4H!
Wednesday: 4-H Professional Appreciation Day
On Wednesday, Nebraska 4-H will be celebrating our 4-H Professionals across the state! Over 200 professionals deliver and support 4-H programming in Nebraska and not only during the summer months. These individuals are working hard throughout the year delivering school enrichment programs, planning special interest opportunities, supporting afterschool programs, and much more! 4-H’ers are encouraged to celebrate by thanking their local 4-H professionals with thank you cards, delivering gift baskets or treats to their local Extension office, or sharing shout-outs on social media.
Thursday: 4-H Throwback
On Thursday, October 10th, we’ll be celebrating with a classic throwback – Throwback Thursday that is! Join us by sharing your own throwback photos and using #NE4H! 4-H alumni of all ages are invited to share throwback of their “good ole days” in 4-H!
Friday: Give 4 for 4-H
Finally, on Friday, consider paying it forward by donating $4 for 4-H. Gifts to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation support specific 4-H programs areas, teen and adult leadership education, volunteer programs, member recognition, project clinics, camps and much more! With private support from individuals, the Nebraska 4-H Foundation is able to fund new 4-H programs and improve existing programs at the county, district, and state levels. Consider donating $4 for 4-H, and pay it forward through the Nebraska 4-H Foundation.
State Fair 4-H Results Now Available!
State Fair 4-H static exhibit results are now available online and on the 4-H at State Fair mobile app. Check back regularly for updates, including contest and livestock show results.
Download the 4-H at State Fair App
Keep up-to-date with everything Nebraska 4-H has to offer at the 150th Nebraska State Fair by downloading the 4-H at the State Fair app. Get early access schedules, show programs, results, and more! You won't miss a minute of the fun with everything this app has to offer.
Tumbleweeds 4-H Club Awarded Club of the Month
Congratulations to the Tumbleweeds 4-H Club for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month!
The Tumbleweeds 4-H Club is a diverse group consisting of 14 members, and together, they strive for excellence in community service. Earlier this year, the Club made blankets and distribute them to the homeless following natural disaster that hit Nebraska. Club members delivered the blankets to individuals and families in need. Currently, the Club is working to make more blankets and even restock their supply so they can help more people in their community. The Tumbleweeds 4-H Club loves lending a helping hand. The Club believes they are as strong as their weakest member, and together they are unbeatable in any task that they set for themselves. The Club has members ages 5-16 and are under the guidance of club leaders, Paddi Mack and April Waters.
This dedicated Club from Hall County has truly made a difference in its community and earned this month's Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month award. Congratulations, Tumbleweeds 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 Entry Open for 4-H Livestock Exhibitors and Contest Participants
The online entry system is now open for 4-H'ers planning to exhibit livestock or participate in a contest at the Nebraska State Fair. Entries must be submitted via ShoWorks by August 10 at 8:00 pm. This includes youth participating in any of the following shows or contests:
- Beef
- Sheep
- Swine
- Meat goats
- Poultry
- Rabbits
- Dairy Judging Contest
- Digital Video - 4-H FilmFest
- Presentations Contest
- Public Speaking Contest
- Fashion Show
- Culinary Challenge Contest
- Insect ID Contest
- Tree ID Contest
- Horticulture ID Contest
- Weed & Grass ID Contest
Entry must be completed by the 4-H family and must be paid for using a credit card. There are no other options for payment. For more information about exhibiting in 4-H at the State Fair, please visit the 4-H Live Animal Exhibitor Resources or 4-H Contest Participant Resources.
Sterling Livestock 4-H Club Awarded July Club of the Month
This month, we would like to congratulate the Sterling Livestock 4-H Club from Johnson County for being awarded the Nebraska 4-H Club of the month!
Community service is a significant part of 4-H, and the Sterling Livestock 4-H Club holds this as an important part of its activities. Last spring and fall, the Sterling Livestock 4-H Club worked together to picked up trash along Highway 41. Members also visit local nursing homes to spend time with residents. The Club regularly supports local veterans by participating in the Quilts of Valor program and by sending holiday packages to active service members. For Memorial Day this year, members set up a missing soldier table as part of the community Memorial Day lunch hosted by the Sterling Cemetery Association.
Recently, 4-H members and their parents gathered with drills, screwdrivers, and saws and built birdhouses. The lumber for the project was donated by Kenneth Wentz owner of Sterling Lumber Company. The project was also supported by funding through a Thrivent Action Team. 4-H leader Chris Salberg organized the project and had the houses in different stages of construction for different age groups. Older members had to construct their projects from start to finish, under his guidance, while the pieces were already cut out for younger members in order to avoid having them run saws. Some of the birdhouses will be placed for the birds now and others will be taken to the fair as 4-H projects. Youth were excited to be able to work together and build something that everyone in the community could enjoy.
This busy Club from Johnson County has truly made a difference in its community and earned this month's Nebraska 4-H Club of the Month award. Congratulations, Sterling Livestock 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.
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!