Nebraska 4-H News

Nebraska 4-H awarded sixty-one youth with the Members of Excellence distinction at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair. 4-H members earned the award for engaging in livestock-related learning experiences throughout the year in addition to caring for and exhibiting their 4-H livestock projects. Nebraska 4-H recognized Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas.

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

• Bo Prospichal, Holt County
• Trapper Wilcox, Antelope County
• Ella Miller, Cass County
• Grant Miller, Cass County
• Calley Stewart, Cedar County
• Brayden Griess, Clay County
• Katelyn Griess, Clay County
• Dayton Pohlmann, Gage County
• Jolie Kreifels, Saline County
• Titus Hemje, Saline County
• Tatum Wright, Sarpy County
• Violet Nuss, Sarpy County
• Trevor Lindquist Sarpy County
• Mattielyn Brown, Scotts Bluff County
• Emma Hackbart, Seward County
• Mckinley Stoller, Hayes County
• Troy Lindquist, Sarpy County
• Olivia Beel, Brown County
• Ava Stewart, Cedar County
• Nathan Griess, Clay County
• Kyle Rote, Garden County
• AJ Prospichal, Holt County
• Lilee Chevalier, Lancaster County
• Justus Kreifels, Otoe County
• Tristan Wright, Sarpy County
• Addison Rist, Sarpy County

4-H members recognized as Members of Excellence in the dairy goat project area included:

• Grace Chevalier, Lancaster County
• Hannah Chevalier, Lancaster County
• Lilee Chevalier, Lancaster County
• Madalyn Chevalier, Lancaster County

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

• Grant Meister, Sarpy County
• Jackson Luethje, Douglas County
• Kate Wagner, Sarpy County
• Drew Luethje, Douglas County
• Arabella Rolfsmeyer, Buffalo County
• Graham Mueller, Dodge County

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

• Elsa Castillo, Douglas County
• Marcus Schultz, Madison County
• Franklin Polacek, Madison County
• Hadley Bakan, Otoe County
• Mallory Beethe, Sarpy County
• Janae Oberg, Frontier County
• Anne Nygren, Saunders County

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

• Jocelyn Schmoll, Lancaster County
• Tenley Bauman, Lancaster County
• Marcus, Madison County
• Violet Nuss, Sarpy County
• Andrew Frain, Lancaster County

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

• Arabella Rolfsmeyer, Buffalo County
• Ella Crumbliss, Clay County
• Wyatt Cook, Kimball County
• Lena Gropp, Saline County
• Cora Maggie Roth, Boyd County
• Marshall Humphrey, Clay County
• Kaelyn Littrell, Clay County
• Eboney Tripe, Clay County

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

• Trey Cook, Kimball County
• Allie Cook, Kimball County
• Kirsten Knake, Otoe County
• Lilee Chevalier, Lancaster County
• Kaden Knake, Otoe County

Youth received the Member of Excellence distinction through the Livestock Achievement Program, which launched in 2021. Youth applied to participate in the program at the beginning of the year. Accepted participants set goals for their 4-H project experience and reported on their accomplishments. Participants were also required to complete quality assurance requirements and project record books. To learn more about the Livestock Achievement Program, visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement.

One hundred teens across Nebraska recently embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime civic engagement experience through the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) program. Youth spent five days in Washington, D.C., learning our nation’s history and developing the civic engagement skills they need to be leaders in their communities.

CWF is the premier leadership and civic engagement event for Nebraska 4-H members and teen leaders. During their time in Washington, D.C., the high school students toured the White House and Arlington National Cemetery. They explored national monuments and memorials, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., World War I, and US Marine Corps Memorials. During a day on Capitol Hill, the Nebraska delegation attended the Nebraska Breakfast and connected with state senators and representatives. Youth engaged in workshops on media literacy, local government, advocacy, active listening, and civil discourse.

Using the nation’s capital as their classroom, the young leaders gained the skills and experiences to become effective change agents. Teens used what they learned to refine action plans to improve their local communities back home.

The Nebraska delegation left home on June 5, participated in the CWF program in Washington, D.C., from June 11-16, and returned to Nebraska on June 18. A group of 14 teens and four chaperones from Cherry County joined 14 youth and two chaperones from Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, and Richardson Counties. A group from West Nebraska consisted of 72 youth and eight chaperones from the following counties:

• Arthur
• Buffalo
• Custer
• Dundy
• Franklin
• Gosper
• Hayes
• Hitchcock
• Kearney
• Keith
• Lincoln
• Phelps
• Red Willow

"Being a part of this conference helped me realize that being a good citizen isn't necessarily just sitting around, waiting for change,” said one participant. “You have to go out and let it be known that change is necessary; otherwise, it won't happen."

“Youth spent time during the conference working on their own local action plans that they will hopefully implement in their communities,” said Molly Brandt, Nebraska Extension Educator who accompanied this year's group. “Youth started brainstorming on these ideas before the conference and were able to get more ideas and suggestions from others during the conference.”

Brandt believes one of the most valuable benefits of CWF is the opportunity for youth to interact with peers from their community and other young adults from across the country. “Youth learn the importance of being a good citizen and having respectful conversations with those who might think differently than they do,” said Brandt.

"It engaged me firsthand with people different from me or who had different views,” said one participant. “Learning how to effectively communicate with everyone is an invaluable skill needed in various parts of my life.”

“The conference gave the youth a newfound sense of energy, confidence, and purpose to be able to make local change,” said Brandt.

Coordinated by National 4-H Council, CWF is a national program designed as the premier leadership and civic engagement event for 4-H members and teen leaders ages 14-19. Weeklong sessions are offered through June and July each summer. Trips are coordinated regionally by local Extension Offices. For more information about CWF, please visit 4h.unl.edu/cwf.

4-H members from across Nebraska convened in Lincoln on June 21 and 22 to take part in the annual Premier Animal Science Event. Youth competed as individuals and teams in state-level 4-H contests, including Poultry Judging, Meats Judging, Livestock Skillathon, Livestock Quiz Bowl, and Livestock Judging contests. 

64 youths participated in the Poultry Judging Contest. Gold medals were awarded to:

• Team: Saunders County - Anne Nygren, Hannah Strizek, Joseph Ondracek, and Tony Ondracek
• Intermediate Individual: Rachel Spawn, Platte County
• Senior Individual: Noah Jelinek, Lancaster County

68 young people participated in the Meats Judging Contest. Top awards winners included:

• Team: Dawson County - Parker Walahoski, Barton Beattie, and Preston Beattie
• Intermediate Individual: Paige Walahoski, Dawson County
• Senior Individual: Parker Walahoski, Dawson County

27 teams competed in the Livestock Skillathon Contest. Gold medals were awarded to:

• Senior Team: Dawson County - Bart Beattie, Jacie Wolfinger, Jaelin Wolfinger, Parker Walahoski, and Spencer Walahoski
• Intermediate Team: Buffalo County - Graden Forbes, Arabella Rolfsmeye, Kaitlyn Meints, and Laurynn Andrews

13 teams competed in Livestock Quiz Bowl, with top awards going to:

• Senior Team: Buffalo County - Gracie Wagoner, Justine Pope, Mason Janda, and Skyler Summers
• Intermediate Team: Boone/Nance County - Kahnen Pelster, Katernia Maricle, Dorothy Smith, and Emilyn Kurz

190 4-H members participated in the Livestock Judging Contest. Gold medal award winners included:

• Senior Team: Buffalo County - Justine Pope, Jaylea Pope, and Mason Janda
• Senior Individual: Justine Pope, Buffalo County
• Intermediate Team: Lincoln County - Allyson Kemp, Cauy Robinson, and Arian Gilmore
• Intermediate Individual: Allyson Kemp, Lincoln County

The highest-ranking eligible poultry judging, meats judging, quiz bowl, and skillathon teams now have the opportunity to participate in the National 4-H Contests. The top three senior livestock judging teams can participate in one of three national competitions, including the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, the American Royal 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, or the National Western Roundup. 

The Premier Animal Science Event, also known as PASE, is a two-day event held each June at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Participants explore issues related to the animal industry, discover college and career opportunities, and test their livestock skills and knowledge. To learn more, visit 4h.unl.edu/pase.

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of its annual scholarships. Nineteen recent high school graduates were selected to receive higher education scholarships based on their outstanding accomplishments in 4-H, dedication to community service, and high scholastic achievement.

Scholarship winners include:

• Ashley Abrahams, Dodge County
• Paige Bunn, Dodge County
• Sierra Cain, Lincoln County
• Alexa Carter, Butler County
• Addison Cotton, York County
• Aleyna Cuttlers, Lancaster County
• Evan Hartman, Dodge County
• Jaci Larsen, Garfield County
• Creyton Line, Buffalo County
• Caleb Most, Keith County
• Abigail Owens, Dawson County
• Thomas Perrin, Keith County
• Kaylee Powell, Hall County
• Kyle Rote, Garden County
• Carson Sullivan, Hall County
• Gregory Treffer, Dawson County
• Olivia Vanderford, Lancaster County
• Spencer Walahoski, Dawson County
• Paige Wood, Nance County

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation provides up to $22,000 worth of scholarships each year to graduating seniors who have been actively involved in 4-H. To learn more about Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships, please visit Ne4HFoundation.org/Scholarships.

Three Nebraska 4-H members shared their voices with federal officials at the 96th annual National 4-H Conference, held April 14-19 in Arlington, Virginia. Nebraska's delegation included Lexi Johnson from Dawson County, Autumn Lindsley from Butler County, and Sarah Treffer from Dawson County.

During the Conference, federal partners presented Challenge Questions to delegates which were designed to provoke critical thinking about current issues. In roundtable groups, youth investigated and discussed the agency's current efforts and generated new ideas to bring about positive change. After working together for two days, the teams presented their recommendations to federal partners during 45-minute Youth Perspective Briefings. 

"My favorite part of the Conference was the roundtable discussions where my group worked with the Smithsonian Institution," shared Autumn Lindsley. Lindsley and her team develop ideas for teaching more accurate and inclusive history education in classrooms and community settings. "I hope the suggestions my group made are able to help many people in the future," said Lindsley.

Lexi Johnson's group developed and presented recommendations for the 4-H program to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee of Agriculture, and Sarah Treffer's team presented a campaign against food waste to the Environmental Protection Agency. "[T]hey were very intrigued by the ideas that we presented to them and even talked about implementing some of our ideas as soon as they could," shared Treffer. 

The experience empowers delegates to apply their learning and create positive change in their local communities. Treffer has already begun by informing her peers about food waste issues and challenging them to reduce waste. "Even though informing people about the issue will make a difference, I want to create a composting system at my school and do what I can to help prevent food waste," said Treffer.

"They have a unique opportunity to truly see how their voice matters, and even as young people, they can make a difference from their local club and community to our country and our world," said Dawn Lindsley, Nebraska Extension Educator who accompanied this year's delegation.

While at the National 4-H Conference, youth also made an impact through community service projects. Nebraska Delegates worked with the U.S Forest Service to plant over 400 native trees at the Woodend Sanctuary. 

Nebraska Delegates had the opportunity to meet, listen, and speak with the Nebraska Congressional delegation during the Nebraska Breakfast and at the National 4-H Council Congressional Breakfast hosted on Capitol Hill. They also explored volunteer, internship, fellowship, and career opportunities across the federal government at the first-ever 4-H Youth Career Fair held in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution.

National 4-H Conference is the USDA's flagship youth development opportunity to develop the next generation of leaders. Each year, the event brings together over 300 young people, volunteer leaders, country and state Extension staff, Land-grant University faculty and administrators, and state and federal government officials from across the United States and its Territories. 

The Conference serves as the premier civic engagement event for Nebraska 4-H members between the ages of 15 and 19. Nebraska delegates are selected through state-level Senior Achievement Applications and a thorough interview process. Delegates also receive funding for trip expenses through the Nebraska 4-H Foundation. For more information about National 4-H Conference, please visit 4h.unl.edu/conference.