Scotts Bluff County 4-H

• 4HOnline is UP and now ready for your 2026 enrollment application! v2.4honline.com

  
  

  If you registered your child last year, you still need to register on 4HOnline for this year!

  
  

  For returning families, please do not create a new account; instead, use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member

  Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member

• Project selection is optional, please still choose projects so that you will receive project specific emails. By successfully completing the 4-H member enrollment by the June 15th deadline, youth will be eligible to participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county and state fairs.
  Shooting Sports and Horse participants must sign up for a least one project to agree to the consents to participate.

The Receipt of Notification is due February 2nd to the office.

Form can be downloaded at https://go.unl.edu/receiptofnotification2026 or picked up at the office.

• Nebraska 4-H has implemented Volunteer Orientation, which is part of the volunteer screening process.

• Direct volunteers are required to complete the 4-H Volunteer Orientation during enrollment as a new volunteer and/or during the re-screening process every five years.

• The volunteer orientation link is located in the direct volunteer screening information in 4honline.

• Upon completion, the county office the volunteer selected during the orientation will receive a confirmation email.

• The volunteer also receives an email confirming their completion.

• The volunteer orientation can also be found on the public website: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation Starting Monday, January 5th the Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Orientation will be implemented through 4-H Online.

• The volunteer orientation will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Users are not required to complete the orientation in one session.

Beef weigh-in will take place at the UNL PREEC Feedlot on February 21 and March 28, 2026 from 1:00-2:30p.m. The UNL Feedlot is located north of Scottsbluff off of Experiment Farm Road. Call 632-1480 if you need directions!

County tags are $1 each and we will have all the paperwork needed. If you are interested in showing market beef, breeding beef, or feeder calf at State Fair you will need an EID tag ($3) and MUST submit a DNA kit for these animals. DNA kits will be available at the weigh-in and are due to the Nebraska Extension Office before June 15. To finish your nomination for State Fair you must submit nomination info and fees online.

Contact the Extension Office if you have questions

Mark your calendars!!! December 1-4, 2026. Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds-Mitchell.

Online entries are now open!! Follow the link https://showman.app/shows

Entry Deadlines:

12/17 - Regular Pricing Entry Deadline

1/04 - Online Entries Close at Midnight (MST).

*You are able to edit your entries online up until entries close or you are checked in at the show.

Is your 4-H member looking for a new way to be involved in 4-H? We now have a Junior Leaders Club for 4-Hers 12 and up! Come to the informational meeting on January 13th to see what is is all about! 🍀

Congratulations to our 4-H members that participated in state competition in October!

Laney Bohl

Karsyn Chesley

Caden Closson

Jack Closson

Lilian DeWitt

Mackenna Quick

Emily Nelson

Laney, Karsyn and Makenna have the opportunity to participate on the national CMP Rimfire team.

The Special Garden Project is a way to offer Nebraska youth the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens.

The 2026 Special Garden Project will focus on the Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold. This marigold produces creamy, yellow flowers on compact plants. This variety not only has a unique color, but it also has a very long bloom time.

Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will then need to reach out to the Extension Office to sign up and order the seeds.

Let us know if you want to plant seeds so we order a good supply!

The 2026 Special Agronomy Project will be POPCORN! More information will be available after the first of the year.

Your County Fair ribbon premium money will not be mailed this year. Please come by the Extension Office to pick it up. We'll hold onto it until the December 19 and then return the balance to the Ag Society.

There are a few county fair projects left at the office, please come and pick them up!

Club leaders are required to submit a year end treasurer’s report to your local Extension Office by the end of January for each bank or savings account your club or council has. Year End Report

paperwork needs to be filled out and returned to our office by January 31. Paperwork will be

sent to Organizational Club Leaders or forms are also available at the Extension Office or

online at: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/volunteers/training-community-club-leader/.

Thank you to all of our families who joined us in celebrating the end of our 2024-2025 4-H year! A special shoutout to the Committee Julie Lane and Laurie Zitterkopf! For those 4-H members and familis that did not make it to the Achievement Celebration - Don’t forget to stop by the Extension Office and pick up your Premium Money.

The 2025 Scotts Bluff County 4-H Achievement Program was held on October 19 at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. The event recognized the progress and growth of 4-H members and encouraged them to continue their development in life and leadership skills to become productive citizens. Adults were also recognized for providing youth development experiences and leadership to our clubs and members.

The awards and recipients are as follows:

4-H Diamond Clover Program

• Level 1 – Amethyst Clover is designed for youth ages 8-9. Amethyst winners include: Lucian Brownlow, Madison Cleays, Bailey Duffield, and Kayson Keithley
• The Level 2 – Aquamarine Clover is anticipated for members 10-11 years, and they must complete at least four accomplishments. Aquamarine clover winners include: Gage Creech, Ashlyn Duffield, Daisy Myers, and Tatum Pittman
• Level 4 – Sapphire Clover winners must accomplish at least six requirements that challenge 4-H members to move from participation to taking an active leadership role in their 4-H program. Sapphire Clover winners include: Hunter Creech, Lillian Debus, Bryson Gaul, Madisyn Murphy, and Mariella Myers
• Level 5 – Emerald winners must accomplish at least seven requirements that require more 4-H event involvement and evidence of high leadership skills. Winner is Allura Helphingstine

Achievement Application

The 4-H Achievement Application is the annual record-keeping system used by Nebraska 4-H youth. It is a composite of all 4-H and non-4-H projects and activities throughout the individual's 4-H career. The Achievement Application is required for members to be eligible for the county awards given today and for state awards.

Junior Achievement Application Recognition

Gage Creech

Daisy Myers

Harper Stephens

Hadlee Stephens

Intermediate Achievement Application Recognition

Corbin Anderson

Mattie Brown

Brooklyn Creech

Bryson Gaul

Mariella Myers

Madisyn Murphy

Senior Division members are eligible to apply to win a trip to represent Nebraska 4-H at National 4-H Congress, in Atlanta, Georgia, or National 4-H Conference at the nation’s capital.

Hunter Creech

Sheridan Ferguson

Jake Wilkinson

Overall Achievement Awards

The overall portfolio award recognizes two members at each level who have done an outstanding job in documenting their 4-H career. These members receive certificates and cash awards of $50 for 1st, and $25 for 2nd.

Junior Overall

1 - Gage Creech

2 - Daisy Myers

Intermediate Overall

1 - Brooklyn Creech

2 - Corbin Anderson

Senior Overall

1 - Hunter Creech

2 - Sheridan Ferguson

Herdsmanship Awards

This year, an award was given daily. The recipients received a banner hung on their pens. Individuals can receive the award more than once. If the pen is shared, the award was given to the club or family.

In the large species, this year’s awards went to:

• Beef: Riley Stricker, Lillian Debus, Mattie Brown, Armstrong Family, Zane & Chase Keller
• Swine: Karlee Hinman, Bryson Gaul, Leah Urbanek, Alivia Relka, Emma Hayward
• Meat Goat: Tenzley Libsack, Eli Allen, Jace Allen, Alexee Lohr, Fayth Engel
• Sheep: Eddisyn Urwiller, Lyndie Fillingham, Jace Johnson, Parker Dudden
• Dairy Goat: Shawnie Mason, Eain Peterson, Landen Heine, Blake LaTowsky, Heidi LaTowsky

Volunteer Recognition

Leaders are the foundation of the 4-H program. We take great pride in the quality of our Leaders.

• 5 Year - Laura Button, Montana Button, William DeWitt, Brianne Hubbard, Jayson Keller
• 10th Year - Samuel Mark, Tyson Marker, Lori Peterson, Ryan Schmidt, Ashley Shlutz, Sharisa Spehar
• 15 Year - Joseph Huckfeldt, Alan Weinhold
• 31 Year - Janelle Anderson, Patty Pittman, Carolyn Thomas
• 37 Year - Val Baker, Cindy Schmidt
• 43 Year - Corlyus Treffer
• 44 Year - Michael Treffer
• 57 year - Juanita Baker

Volunteer of the year

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in giving service to the 4-H program. The recipient does not need to be an enrolled 4-H volunteer leader. This year’s award was received by Amie Hessler.

The Friend of 4-H Award

The Friend of 4-H award recognizes someone who has been a true friend in providing support to the 4-H program. This year's award went to Regional West Medical Center.

Outstanding Leader of the Year

The Outstanding Leader of the Year Award recognizes an enrolled 4-H volunteer leader. This person or persons may be a club leader, project leader, special interest leader, community leader or a resource leader. Janeene Brown received the outstanding leader award this year.

New Horizons – 4-H Alumni Award

Jessica Wilkinson recieved the 4-H alumni award.

Tom Holman Spirit of 4-H Award

Tatum Pittman and Gage Creech both received the Spirit of 4-H Award in memory of Tom Holman.

I Dare You Award

Landen Heine recieved the I Dare You Leadership Award Recipients receive a certificate and a $200 college scholarship.

Outstanding 4-H Member Award

Sheridan Ferguson was awarded the Outstanding 4-H Member Award. Sheridan is planning on pursuing a degree in Early Education with a minor in Special Education.

Registration for the 2026 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is now open until January 30, 2026.

Youth may exhibit their Farrowed and Owned project animals at a 2026 Nebraska county fair or the Nebraska State Fair. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2026 Nebraska State Fair. Exhibiting your animal at the Nebraska State Fair is not a requirement for the record book and interview portion of the cohort.

NEW for 2026: virtual tour of the UNL swine facility will be a featured topic!

For more details, refer to the cohort webpage at: https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned.

Nebraska Fed Steer Challenge applications now open!

Please apply by December 15th, 2025 for the 2026 program year. For more information

regarding the Fed Steer Challenge, or to submit an application please visit https://4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge

The Program includes raising a steer purchased at market price, monthly webinars with industry professional and UNL Animal Science Faculty, a special class at the Nebraska State Fair evaluated by a commercial cattle buyer, and harvesting steers to evaluate carcass merit. Monthly content includes: Feeder Cattle Pricing and Starting Cattle on Feed, Winter Feeding & Care of Cattle, Implants & Growth Modifiers, Cattle & the Environment, Risk Management Strategies, Summer Feeding & Care of Cattle, Quality & Yield Grading and Grid Pricing for Carcass Merit.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts is seeking applications for the 29th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards. The deadline for applications in all categories is January 4, 2026.

Submission guidelines and the application is available at https://arts.unl.edu/hlfpa/alumni-engagement/nebraska-young-artist-awards/

To be eligible for the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships, students must submit their Achievement application by email to 4HAchieves@unl.edu. The state-level application submission deadline is January 5, as long as the time stamp comes in no later than 11:59PM CT/MT, it will be accepted. Files should be labeled with the applicants last name, first name, and county. For example: "Walker Robin Douglas-Sarpy.pdf".

For a list of available scholarships visit https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships/.

Engler is an entrepreneurship program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Our mission is to embolden our people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. Rather than sit in lecture halls all day, Engler students engage in entrepreneurship the time-tested, tried-and-true way: learning by doing.

Engler is for the students who recognize that college should be more than just homework and grades — those who are not content waiting four years to start building their future and desire more than the generic college experience. If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship or are interested in pursuing your purpose, you’re in the right place. Our students come from a wide variety of majors and disciplines, and we welcome all kinds of entrepreneurs and businesses. Engler is a place where future engineers, marketers, scientists, artists, programmers, farmers, and many others collaborate to build enterprises and wage war with the status quo. Whether you’re from small-town Nebraska or a big city on the other side of the globe, you can find a home here.

Submit your application by email to engler@unl.edu. Visit https://englerjourney.com/scholarships/.

Deadline to apply is January 15, 2025.

The University of Nebraska—Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will accept applicants for the Elite 11 scholarship program.

This unique scholarship opportunity, which is open to high school seniors from Nebraska, is aimed at increasing the number of veterinarians practicing in production animal practices across the state.

The Elite 11 program offers financial assistance to Nebraska students pursuing degrees in Animal Science or Veterinary Science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who have demonstrated a passion and commitment to the health and well being of production animals. Students who take part in the program will pursue careers as livestock veterinarians in rural Nebraska. The program is a partnership between the state of Nebraska and CASNR.

To apply, students must submit a statement of interest, a two-minute video, a resume, transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and three references. List of references must be submitted by Jan. 10, 2025. All other materials must be submitted by Feb. 2, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be announced March 4, 2026.

2025-2026 Nebraska Poultry Education Scholarship

Nebraska residents, those attending school in Nebraska, or those interested in a career in poultry based in Nebraska, are encouraged to apply for the 2025-2026 Nebraska Poultry Education Scholarship.

You can find application details via https://form.jotform.com/241074264376154.

A total of five $1,000 scholarships can be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year. The five scholarships are awarded based on college credit hours completed (0-26 Freshman, 27-52 Sophomore, 53-88 Junior, 89 or more Senior, Bachelor's Degree as of June 2025, Post-Grad). Please read and follow the instructions carefully before you submit your application. All winners will be notified by February 6, 2025.

If selected, the scholarship will be awarded directly to the educational institution. Applicants and winners are encouraged to apply each year and may be awarded the scholarship multiple times, but not exceeding $1,000 per academic year.

Winners are required to attend the Nebraska Poultry Industries conference on March 5, 2026, in Omaha, to receive the scholarship.

Non-traditional students interested in a career directly related to poultry are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline - December 15, 2025.

The UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is offering Zoom In To CASNR for the 2025-2026 academic year!

Zoom In To CASNR is a virtual visit session where prospective students can talk to department representatives and current students to learn more about CASNR. MOre information on CANR is available at https://casnr.unl.edu/about-casnr/events-casnr/.

The registration link is https://go.unl.edu/vb2s.

Email: abrown132@unl.edu
Website: extension.unl.edu/statewide/scottsbluff/
Location: 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone: 308-632-1480
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottsbluffco4h

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.