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