Nebraska 4-H News

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation is accepting applications for 2022 Governor's Agriculture Excellence Awards through April 1. This program recognizes 4-H Clubs with $500 grants. This grant is intended to provide funding for projects that will have a lasting impact on communities. Projects should be intentional and impactful, growing club members as leaders and fulfilling a need in their community. 

Examples of fundable programs include mentorship programs, intergenerational programs, attending educational experiences, hosting workshops/educational events, and service-learning opportunities. Priority consideration will be given to clubs that integrate community engagement and educational components into their projects while furthering the mission of Nebraska 4-H to empower youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

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.

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.