March Newsletter
2026
Miss Stacey's National 4-H Week, Thankful Thursday!
During National 4-H Week, 4-H’ers across Nebraska and the nation celebrated Thankful Thursday—a day to recognize and thank the people who make 4-H possible. And while there are so many volunteers, families, supporters, and mentors to thank for the success of this program, the day also reminded me of something a little more personal: how thankful I am for 4-H and the person it has helped me become.
From learning new skills and baking my share of purple-ribbon cookies to finding lifelong friends among fellow 4-H nerds from across the state and nation at 4-H Congress, 4-H has given me so much more than projects and fair memories. I even had the opportunity to work at 4-H Camp, which will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my favorite place in the world—a place filled with friendships, memories, laughter, and the kind of experiences that remind you just how powerful 4-H can be. Camp was more than a place to work; it was a place that helped shape my love for the program and the people who make it so special.
4-H has given me confidence, opportunities to grow, friendships that span miles, and a lifelong appreciation for the power of helping young people discover what they are capable of achieving.
Today, I have the privilege of serving the same program that helped shape me. I get to work alongside incredible families, dedicated volunteers, and amazing young people across multiple counties who remind me every day why 4-H matters. I get to see firsthand how 4-H builds confidence, develops leadership, creates connections, and helps young people find their place in the world.
So, I want to say thank you, 4-H! Thank you to the program that shaped me, to the mentors and leaders who believed in me and provided opportunities along the way, and to the families, volunteers, and 4-H’ers who make the work I get to do today so meaningful.
And a special thank-you to the Burt County 4-H community. You make an already incredible program even better, and I am grateful to be part of a community that cares so deeply about its young people and their futures.
4-H has given me more than I could ever put into words. From purple-ribbon cookies and my favorite place in the world at 4-H Camp to the privilege of serving youth and families today, 4-H has been part of my story at every turn. Getting to give back to the program that gave me so much is a privilege I never take for granted.
And thank you for helping make the best of 4-H even better here in Burt County! 💚
Circa: 1999
Circa: 2000
Circa: 2002
Circa: 2006
Circa: 2007
Circa: 2009
Burt County at the Nebraska State Fair
Burt County 4-H youth made a powerful showing at the Nebraska State Fair, exhibiting 134 static projects, with 13 receiving special recognition—including two selected for the prestigious Design Gallery and one chosen for a special East Campus exhibition. Six members represented Burt County in the Fashion Show, demonstrating creativity and confidence, while 58 livestock entries filled the barns and earned champions in beef, swine, goat, poultry, and more—including having the most beef entries in the barn.
These accomplishments are more than ribbons and recognition; they demonstrate youth building persistence, creativity, communication, responsibility, and confidence through real-world experiences. Burt County 4-H is helping young people discover what they are capable of—and equipping them with skills and confidence they can carry into school, careers, and their communities for a lifetime. View ALL RESULTS at: https://nebraska4hresults.com/
ENROLLMENT IS OPEN-- Please Sign Up Today!!!
The 2026-2027 4-H Year enrollment is open!
Please enroll before you attend club meetings and 4-H activities. If you have the project areas of Horse or Shooting Sports make sure you sign the parental consent forms!
To enroll, visit https://v2.4honline.com/
For returning families: Do Not create a new account; rather use your existing log-in credentials from 4-H online as used in previous years.
For new families: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member
Help on enrollment check out this link or contact us at 402-374-2929 or Burt-County@unl.edu https://4h.unl.edu/resources/enrollment/
Please Sign Up Today!!!
High School Seniors--Apply to UNL for FREE
High school seniors interested in UNL are encourage to apply for free through November 1st! Use go.unl.edu/apply with the code HUSKER to access the application.
Project Help
As you begin thinking about the skills you want to learn and the projects you will use to develop and practice those skills, don't forget that the Extension Office has free materials available to help guide you. We also offer downloadable online curriculum developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Feel free to stop by the office anytime to see what resources are available. Stacey and Lori would love to help you! Also, check out this website for more project ideas: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/projects
Achievement Applications! (1/5) (High School Seniors this is how you get Scholarship Monies from the Nebraska 4-H Foundation)
https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/awards-recognition/achievement-application/
You've had a successful 4-H year! Now to bring everything full circle we want to you to reflect and share. A large part of a truly fulfilling experience is reflecting on what we learned and what we would we would differently and I want to hear all about it and what you've learned! So let's start filling in those Achievement Applications! And don't forget to mark down if you want to apply for county awards.
AWARD APPLICATIONS DUE (Burt & State): Tuesday, January 5, 2027
Step 1: Write your story (add pictures if you want) – No “My Year in Burt County!” Just put all the things you participated in into your Achievement Application!
Step 2: Fill out County Award Sheet
Step 3: Print or email to stacey.keys@unl.edu
Available Achievement Applications & Forms (*NOTE AGES – they’re a bit different)
- Clover Kid (5-7) [doc]
- Junior Novice (8-12, preferably first year exhibitors) [doc]
- Junior (8-12) [doc]
- Senior (13-18) [County: doc] [State: https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/awards-recognition/achievement-application/]
- (if you’re a Senior in High School completing this application is the only way to apply for Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships)
I can’t wait to hear all your stories! If you need help, please reach out! These applications can lead to great things and it’s all about what you learned in 4-H!
Diamond Clover (1/5)
https://4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover
And if you’re filling out the “Achievement Application” you’ve probably already accomplished the requirements for Diamond Clover. The Diamond Clover consists of six levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals. The accomplishments increase in quantity and difficulty for each level. At the beginning of the 4-H year, participants plan what to accomplish and at the end of the 4-H year, they report on their completed accomplishments. Successful completion of a level's Plan & Report form results in a 4-H youth earning that level of the Diamond Clover program. This is the epitome of 4-H involvement and a great way to document your growth through your experience. Just get the paperwork of your accomplishments submitted by Tuesday, January 5, 2027 Let me know if you have any questions!
Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium
Applications are Open!
Who: 10th, 11th, & 12th graders interested in the beef industry
When: November 6 - 8, 2026
Where: University of Nebraska - Lincoln Animal Science Complex
More details: go.unl.edu/nybls
Turn the Card Livestock Judging Classic
The West Point FFA Alumni & Supporters will be hosting Turn the Card Livestock Judging Classic on Saturday, January 2, 2027, in Fremont at Christensen Field. More details to come in the upcoming months!
2027 State 4-H Horse Expo Dates
The 2027 State 4-H Horse Expo will be July 10-14th in Grand Island at Fonner Park.
Please note that updates to the UNL Horse website are currently in progress, and some information may not yet reflect the most current details. If you or your families have questions about information posted on the website, please contact me directly at cwolverton3@unl.edu.
2026 Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Road Show
Nebraska 4-H is excited to bring the 4-H Volunteer Road Show to volunteers statewide this November! All registered participants will go in a drawing for a Shop 4-H digital gift card! Please see the attached picture for details regarding the dates, locations and times. The Volunteer Road Show is a great opportunity to experience project training and new ideas to bring back to your 4-H community. All 4-H volunteers, parents/caregivers and any adult wanting to find THEIR spark while volunteering with 4-H is welcome!
Visit https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-road-show for more specific information and registration link. Registration closes one week prior to each Road Show session. Registration is $15 per person and includes light refreshments and all supplies for in-person attendees. Registration for virtual attendees is $10, which includes program materials. Learn more and register at www.go.unl.edu/4hvrs.
Road Show Dates
- Nov 1 - Virtual (3-5pm)
- Nov 2 - Eastern NE Research & Extension Center, Ithaca (6-8pm)
- Nov 8 - Neligh (3-5pm)
- Nov 17 - Virtual (6-8pm)
- Nov 19 - Lexington (6-8pm)
Session Topics
- Artificial Intelligence for 4-H Volunteers; Tools to Work Smarter, Not Harder
- Telling the 4-H Story
- Beyond Ready
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Fairbook Feedback
Like and Follow the Facebook Page!
Don’t wait for the next newsletter to stay informed! We share the most recent updates, upcoming events, and new opportunities on our local Facebook page as soon as we receive them. Follow us there to stay up‑to‑date between newsletters. https://www.facebook.com/BurtNeExt
Get Reminders!
Please sign up for REMIND!! We want to have a quick, easy, instant way to contact you all! If you would like to receive text reminders, text @burtco4h to the number 81010. Or go to this link https://www.remind.com/join/burtco4h. Hopefully this way we all don’t forget the fun 4-H things happening!
