Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program offers new in-depth learning experience

Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program offers new in-depth learning experience

Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program offers new in-depth learning experience. Photo by Legacy Livestock Imaging.

Nebraska 4-H members across the state were recognized as Members of Excellence for their participation in a new livestock program launched in 2021. The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program was 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, and poultry.

At the beginning of the 4-H year, youth applied to participate in the program. Upon acceptance, participants set goals for their 4-H project experience. At the end of the summer, they reported on their accomplishments. Participants were also required to complete their annual 4-H online enrollment process, YQCA requirements, and project record books to receive a Member of Excellence distinction.

In its inaugural year, 26 youth from 20 counties received a Member of Excellence distinction. The youth chose to participate for a variety of reasons, including to learn more about their project and the ag industry, to grow their leadership skills, and to introduce new people to 4-H livestock project areas.

“I think it is great for my daughter to get a better idea about how much [their project] costs and what goes into it,” said a participant’s parent. As part of their experience, many participants chose to educate others through static exhibits or public speaking presentations. One participant stated, “I learned to present information in a way to help educate others,” while another shared, “I also worked through my fear of presenting and talking in front of people.”

4-H members  recognized as Members of Excellence in the beef project area include:

  • Ella Miller, Cass County
  • Everett Funk, Loup County
  • Faith Miller, Hooker County
  • Greyson Hollopeter Swan, Cherry County
  • Lacey Schmidt, Thayer County
  • Logan Schmidt, Thayer County
  • McKenzie VanDeWalle, Fillmore County
  • Trapper Wyatt Wilcox, Antelope County

4-H members recognized as Members of Excellence in the dairy cattle project area include:

  • Kaitlyn Hanson, Saunders County

4-H members recognized as Members of Excellence in the meat goat project area include:

  • Autumn Hoppe (Holt)
  • Brooke Carey (Holt)
  • Miya Carey (Holt)

4-H members recognized as Members of Excellence in the poultry project area include:

  • Anne Nygren, Saunders County
  • Janae Oberg, Frontier County
  • Jon Oberg, Frontier County

4-H members recognized as Members of Excellence in the rabbit project area include:

  • Adriana Hernandez, Washington County
  • Andrew Frain, Lancaster County
  • Elisa Oberg, Frontier County

4-H members recognized as Members of Excellence in the sheep project area include:

  • Ava Myers, Hamilton County
  • Cora Roth, Boyd County
  • Katelyn Dorsey, Valley County
  • Maggie Roberts, Otoe County
  • Arabella Rolfsmeyer, Buffalo County
  • Trapper Wyatt Wilcox, Antelope County

4-H members recognized as Members of Excellence in the swine project area include:

  • Hunter Creech, Scotts Bluff County
  • Kade Goedeken, Platte County
  • Maggie Roberts, Otoe County
  • Olivia Beel, Brown County

The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is now accepting applications for 2022.

Livestock Achievement Program