Nebraska 4-H News

Nineteen Nebraska 4-H members traveled to the 100th National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA, held November 26 to 30. This year’s conference theme — “A Century of Empowering Youth” — focused on leadership, citizenship, global awareness, and inclusion.

National 4-H Congress is the premier leadership event for 4-H members between the ages of 15 and 19 years of age. Nebraska delegates are selected for the trip to National 4-H Congress by submitting an Achievement Application for state competition.

Nebraska 4-H members joined youth from 37 other states which brought together over 800 4-Hers from across the country. Youth participated in service-learning projects, international education, and a variety of workshops to expand their skills while being inspired to make an impact on their club, community, and country.

“It was amazing to learn what an impact 4-H can have on the clubs, communities, surrounding countries, and the world. Leadership may be declining statistically, but seeing over 800 other leaders in Atlanta really gives me hope that we can change those numbers,” Aleyna Cuttlers of Lancaster County said. “Being able to experience the National 4-H Congress is a moment in my life I will treasure for a very long time, whether it was the friends I made from all over the states or the leaderships skills I was able to gain from this truly amazing experience.”

The group, made up of high school students and a few college freshmen, attended numerous educational workshops, cultural events, and completed service-learning projects while in Atlanta. Attendees heard nationally known speakers, including Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau, and Dr. Carrie Castille, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture among others. Each speaker challenged the 4-Hers to continue to be leaders and to be a catalyst for change within their communities.

“I had an amazing time at congress making new friends and I learned a lot! I plan to take things that I learned back to my county to inspire and empower youth to become the best leaders and people that they can be,” Paige Wood from Nance County said. “I plan to do so through teaching fun workshops and speaking at 4-H club meetings.”

Hunter Wiese of Dodge County shared about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone and how the National 4-H Congress empowered him to be more confident while building new skills.

“I learned to get out of my comfort zone because the faster you do that the more you get to know people. This has been the best experience I have ever had.”

Highlights of the five-day trip included a tour of Atlanta, visits to the Atlanta History Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitor Center, Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, World of Coke, the College Football Hall of Fame, and other attractions.

Youth were accompanied by Nebraska 4-H Extension Educator, Dawn Lindsley, along with Julie Kreikemeier, Colfax County 4-H Extension Educator; Lindsay Shearer, Nebraska 4-H Foundation; and Martin Wiese, a 4-H volunteer from Dodge County.

For more information National 4-H Congress, please visit 4h.unl.edu/congress.

Nebraska 4-H is pleased to partner with Omaha Fashion Week (OFW) to showcase the work of 4-H members during the Spring Showcase Student Night. OFW Student Night, scheduled for Wednesday, February 23, 2022, exclusively features student designers, including a 4-H collection. The 4-H collection will consist of 10 to 12 garments modeled by the 4-H members who made them.

In order to create a complete and dynamic collection, current 4-H members are invited to apply to participate in the show. Garments must be constructed by the 4-H member. Garments should be fashion-forward, runway appropriate, and display high-quality construction. Creativity and attention to detail are highly scrutinized in garment selection. Online applications are open now through January 3, 2022. 

Nebraska 4-H teams and individuals claimed top awards in the National 4-H Livestock Contests held November 15-16th in Louisville, Kentucky.

The livestock skillathon team from Buffalo County received 1st place overall. Team members included:

• Taylor Lewis
• Jaylea Pope
• Noah Summers
• Skyler Summers

Team members also claimed top individual awards, including Skyler Summers receiving 1st place overall, Noah Summers with 2nd place overall, and Jaylea Pope receiving 11th place overall. 4-H volunteer, Dean Batie, coached the team.

The livestock quiz bowl team from Dawson County claimed 3rd place overall. Team members included:

• Emma Peterson
• Jacie Wolfinger
• Greg Treffer
• Spencer Walahoski

Team members also claimed individual awards. Spence Walahoski received 4th place overall, and Greg Treffer received 8th place overall. 4-H volunteer, Shannon Peterson, coached the team.

The livestock judging team from Lincoln County claimed 8th place overall. Team members included:

• Blake Bruns 
• Ashley Robinson
• Tayton Lucas
• Matt Bruns

Team member, Blake Bruns, also received 19th place overall.

The Nebraska 4-H Horse Advisory Committee provides guidance, support, and assistance in carrying out program activities in the interest of the 4-H Youth Development and horse program. This committee is made up of 4-H volunteer leaders and Extension personnel from across Nebraska who are interested in promoting positive youth development and the 4-H horse program.

4-H leaders, parents, and trainers can serve up to a 3-year term on the committee. All members are expected to attend and participate in 75% of meetings in a calendar year of which there are typically 4. Committee members are also expected to serve on a sub-committee which may meet at a higher frequency. Committees include sponsorship and fundraising, awards and apparel, rule book, youth activity, and volunteer relations. Members are also asked to volunteer at one or more state 4-H events. 

Applications are accepted from November 1st through December 3rd at 5:00 PM CT. New committee members are selected based on location, skills, and reasons for wanting to join. Those selected will be contacted directly.

The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership. 

The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including:

• beef
• sheep
• meat goat
• swine
• dairy cattle
• dairy goat
• rabbit
• poultry

The program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence.

At the beginning of the 4-H year, youth must apply to participate in the program. Upon acceptance into the program, participants plan what to accomplish. At the end of the 4-H year, they report on their completed accomplishments. Additionally, participants must complete their annual 4-H Online enrollment process, YQCA requirements, and project record books in order to receive a Member of Excellence distinction.