Dakota County 4-H News

DAKOTA COUNTY OFFICE STAFF

Angela Abts—4-H & Youth aabts2@unl.edu

Julie Boyle—Food Nutrition and Health julie.boyle@unl.edu

Tammy Dunn—Office Manager tpeterson3@unl.edu

Brenda Sale—SNAP-ED bsale@unl.edu

Email: dakota-county@unl.edu
Website: https://dakota.unl.edu
Location: 1505 Broadway Street, Dakota City, NE, USA
Phone: 402-987-2140
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLDakotaCounty
Twitter: @NEDakota4HExt

Facebook: Nebraska Extension in Dakota County

Instagram: NE Extension Dakota County

MARCH

3 - Extension Board meeting

3 - Dakota County 4-H Council meeting (TBD)

17 - Dakota~Thurston All Contest Day Registration DUE by 12:0PM

21 - 4-H Robotics Expansion Event (UNL)

22 - All Contest Day, United Church of Pender

22 - Siouxland Garden Symposium (Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, SC, IA)

29-30 - 4H Horse Stampede, Lincoln

31 - Dakota County 4-H Scholarship due

31st - Dakota County Senior Scholarship due

APRIL

5 - big Red Camp Early Bird Camp Registration
7 - Dakota County Extension Board

12 - All Contest Rain Date

14 - Joint 4-H Council (TBD)

20-26 - National Volunteer Week

22 - Easter Sunday

DAKOTA~THURSTON COUNTY FAIR - July 30th - August 3rd, 2025

NEBRASKA STATE FAIR - August 22nd - September 1st, 2025

Dakota County 4-H
4-H Achievement Celebration
2/23/2025

Swimming in February? Why yes! Over 100 youth and adults spent their Sunday evening, swimming, eating, and visiting at the annual 4-H Achievement Celebration held at the Norm Waitt YMCA.

In this annual event Dakota and Dixon County 4-H’ers and their families started joining together to share the event. The kids swim, the adults visit and everybody eats pizza and shares snacks and treats they brought. Plus awards are distributed.

Part of 4-H is the youth telling or reporting about their successes or struggles during the year, what they learned, keeping records and making goals. 4-H’ers fill out an achievement application that asks them to report on their 4-H experiences during the previous year. Youth select different project areas to apply for awards. The award applications and reports are submitted, judged and winners selected. While a formal presentation is not made, the awards are given to the winners at Achievement Celebration.

Youth also have the opportunity to apply for Diamond Clover Awards. There are six levels youth can strive to complete throughout their 4-H career. Each level has a different number of goals or accomplishments to complete, with each level becoming more challenging.

The following youth received recognition for their Achievement applications and their Diamond Clover pins.

Junior awards:
Beef – Payton Hermelbracht
Dog – Drayden Nielsen
Horse – Payton Hermelbracht
Horticulture – Drayden Nielsen
Poultry – Lillian Bousquet
Sheep – Lucas Bousquet
Food & Nutrition – Drayden Nielsen
Heritage/Inter-generational – Payton Hermelbracht
Home Environment - Karlee Duncan
Photography - Leah Bousquet
Public Speaking/Presentations – Payton Hermelbracht
Aerospace – Isaac Albrecht
Wildlife – Isaac Albrecht

Senior awards:
Beef - Rylie Hermelbracht
Horse – Rylie Hermelbracht
Safety – Rylie Hermelbracht
Photography Rylie Hermelbracht
Public Speaking/Presentations – Rylie Hermelbracht

Cloverkids:
Evelyn Albrecht
Wyatt Neilsen

Diamond Clover Awards:
Level 1 - Amethyst
Benjamin Albrecht, Jack Fichter

Level 2 – Aquamarine
Axel Kramper

Level 3 – Ruby
Isaac Albrecht, Avery Kramper, Benjimin Bousquet

Level 4 – Sapphire
Payton Hermelbracht, Audric Cavenee, Matthew Bousquet

Level 5 – Emerald
Rylie Hermelbracht

Level 6 – Diamond
Rachael Bousquet

Leader recognition
15 years serving as a leader 4-H
Cherie Conley

Member year recognition
2-year members
Beckett Barclay, Jaxson Bates, Jace Bottger, Charlee Bylsma, Halle Cain, Hendryx Carlin, Brooks Estochen, Brysten Harrison, Kyliee Kocian, Sydney Kocian, Marshall Krause, Lane Oerman, Jocelyn Overfelt, Bailey Rogers, Cora Schooley, Alexis Scott

5-Year members
Hayes Broders, Lyla Carlin, Caitlyn Church, Jacob Church, Shiloh Church, Hadley Heikes, Alayna Jessen, Axel Kramper, Carter Twito, Ethan Wells, Wyatt Wells

8-year member
Benjimen Bousquet, Makenna Maise, Savannah Overfelt, Jenna Raymer, Jayda Stallbaum, Beau Thomsen, Emma Urwiller

10-Year member
Trent Dunn, Alexis Jessen, Caedan Nelsen, Gauge Thomsen

11-year member
Matthew Bousquet, Natalee Overfelt, Brooke Raymer

12-year member
Rachael Bousquet, Hunter Heikes, Avery Overfelt

We have plaques and metal discs for your years in 4-H. They are not mailed out. Please stop in and pick up yours!

Dakota-Thurston County All Contest Day (Speech, PSA, Presentations, Music and Favorite Foods Revue) will be held on Saturday, March 22nd!

· Scan the QR code to register or click the following link - https://go.unl.edu/dtcontests25

· Location - United Church of Pender, 504 Earl St, Pender, NE 68047

· Start Time - around 9:30 AM

· You must be ENROLLED in 4-H Online to register and participate!

· Registrations are due by Monday, March 17th!!

Need more information or tips click here - https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/4-h/4-h-contests/

Dakota County 4-H Council provides a $250 one time college scholarship to our graduating seniors.

The purpose is to provide assistance to our 4-H'ers that wish to continue their education at a school of higher learning in any course of study.
Applicants must belong to a Dakota County 4-H Club and have actively participated in the 4-H program, including club meetings, workshops, contest, County/State Fair currently and for the 3 years prior (4 years participation total).

The scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $250 to the chosen finalists(s) upon proof of enrolling in an institution of higher learning

Submission deadline March 31st.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Nebraska 4-H requires all members enrolled in a livestock meatanimal project (beef, sheep, swine, goat, poultry, rabbit) to completeannual quality assurance certifi cation through the Youth for theQuality Care of Animals program. The program has recently movedto a new online system available at

YQCAProgram.org. Learn more about YQCA requirements and find help documents at

4h.unl.edu/yqca

.

YQCA must be completed by July 17th.

It's time to get enrolled in 4-H for the 2025 4-H year! There are quite a few families that have not completed their enrollment for the 224-25 4-H year. Please complete this step so we can build our club lists, project lists and more.

Nebraska is using the same platform as last year! To enroll, visit https://v2.4honline.com/
For new families, find instructions here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member

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. Find instructions at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member

Any Direct volunteers such as club leaders, project leaders, workshop presenters and more, must put in their ACTUAL BIRTHDATE into 4-H Online when enrolling so that the volunteer screening can be done.

Please contact us at 402-987-2140 with any enrollment questions.

Nebraska 4-H is now accepting nominations for a new awards program to recognize the outstanding contributions of 4-H volunteers across the state.

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Recognition Awards honors adult and youth volunteers, as well as and multi-generational families, who have provided meaningful contributions to Nebraska 4-H. One Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award and One Emerging Adult Volunteer Award winner will be chosen for each of the state’s 10 Nebraska Extension Engagement zones. Statewide winners will be named in the each of the youth volunteer and multi-generational family categories.

“Our 4-H volunteers go above and beyond to serve Nebraska’s youth every year,” said Jill Goedeken, 4-H Youth Development Extension educator. “We are looking forward to another opportunity to recognize 4-H volunteers for their contributions to youth in Nebraska.”

The nomination period runs through March 20, 2025. Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter, or Extension staff member. Nominees must fit the award categories and can be a volunteer for any Nebraska 4-H experience. Some examples may include 4-H club leader, project leader, junior leader, county or State Fair volunteer, special interest volunteer (such as robotics or shooting sports), afterschool club volunteer or 4-H camp volunteer. More information, along with the nomination form, is available online at: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-recognition.

Winners will be announced virtually in April 2025. A special awards presentation will take place at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair.

A summer job that makes a difference!

The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is hiring staff and program assistants for the 2025 season. Travel across the state as we bring everything that makes 4-H Camp great to Chadron and Burwell! State 4-H Camp staff will participate in a week of training to help develop the necessary skills for a successful summer. Staff will learn how to teach environmental education lessons, lead games and activities, and how to incorporate Positive Youth Development in their daily work at camp. Not to mention, this is all done in a fun summer camp environment leading and playing large group games, tubing the river, and spending time around the campfire.

Visit go.unl.edu/campjob to learn more about each position and to apply.

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Orientation serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska. As part of the screening process, the orientation covers a variety of foundational and essential topics. Any interested individuals including current or prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the orientation. However, all new volunteers serving in direct roles, such as club leader, project leader, or workshop presenter, are required to complete the orientation. Volunteers are also required to complete the orientation as part of the re-screening process.

Contents

The orientation covers:

1. Welcome & Introduction
2. What We Do in 4-H
3. Volunteer Roles & Training
4. 4-H Operations
5. Risk Management for 4-H Volunteers
6. Resources & Support for 4-H Volunteers

Each topic includes a 4-10 minute video followed by several knowledge check questions. The entire orientation should take approximately 45 minutes to complete and may be completed over multiple sessions.

Confirmation of Completion

Upon successful completion, you will receive a confirmation email. Your county Extension office will also be notified of your successful completion.

Re-Orientation

Volunteer screening and orientation is repeated every five years based on geographic location regardless of when the original screening and orientation was completed. When it is time for re-screening and re-orientiation, volunteers will be prompted with instructions for completing the online processes. See Volunteer Re-Screening Schedule.

Cumming County will be hosting a Cat Showmanship Clinic in West Point on Tuesday, May 27th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Dinklage Building on the Cuming County Fairgrounds. Alicia Nebuda will be the presenter who currently owns Glitter Grooming in West Point and has judged cat shows in the past.

Registration is being handled by Cumming County Extension office so if youth are interested, contact them! It is limited to the first 20 youth and cost will be $5.00 per youth.

Website Link: https://showstockmgr.com/

All livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to complete an online nomination with payment through Show Stock Manager and submit a DNA collector envelope with a hair sample. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves. Each State Fair nomination will be $7.00 per animal in Show Stock Manager. 4-H and FFA livestock nominations are due on June 15, 2025.

Refer to the 4-H State Fair Livestock Identification and Nomination Requirements for additional information on 4-H exhibitor eligibility at the State Fair.

If you have any questions on how to submit your online nominations, you can review the 2025 Step-by-Step Nomination Instructions document.

Special Note: For 4-H/FFA families who are planning on nominating the same animals for the NSF and Aksarben Stock Show, obtain your DNA envelopes from the local Extension Office or FFA Advisor. Turn in your completed DNA envelopes to the local Extension Office or FFA Advisor. Submit the DNA payment and complete the online nomination in Show Stock Manager. 4-H/FFA families will only be required to submit DNA and pay once for an animal. After these steps, complete the online nomination process for the Aksarben Stock Show. The Aksarben Stock Nomination online nomination system will be different than Show Stock Manager. Guidance on how to nominate State Fair animals in the Aksarben Stock Show online nomination database will be provided at a later date.

Start planning to attend the State 4-H Horse Stampede this spring. Youth can compete in the following contests: public speaking, demonstrations (individual and team), Art (2D and 3D), photography, horse bowl and new for this year horse judging and hippology.
For more information: https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/horse-program/horse-stampede. Entries must be submitted online by Friday, February 28, 2025.

The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) is a weeklong experience for high school juniors and seniors from across Nebraska to learn more about career opportunities within agriculture. This conference features speakers, workshops, agricultural education, networking with peers and industry leaders, professional development, leadership experience, fun and new friends!

https://nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/

We are delighted to announce the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.

Key Features:

• Team Participation: Teams comprising two or more youth participants will collaboratively embark on the challenge.

• Innovative Practices: Youth will be tasked with implementing a production practice differing from the norm, with the goal of assessing its impact on increasing corn yield.

• Data Collection: The Corn Challenge management summary will systematically gather crucial information, including yields, cropping history, and production details.

• Recognition and Rewards: Outstanding achievements will be duly rewarded with cash prizes and plaques for the top three teams:

• First Place: $1,000

• Second Place: $500

• Third Place: $250

• Special Awards: In addition to the top rankings, commendable efforts will be acknowledged through the "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy" Awards, each carrying a value of $200.

This competition not only fosters a spirit of innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform for recognizing dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to embrace this opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices. Registration deadline is April 1st.

For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

National 4-H Council is looking for a Brand Ambassador for Ignite 2025! This is an incredible opportunity for a passionate 4-H'er to represent and promote Ignite by sharing their experience.

The Brand Ambassador will:
✅ Create social media content highlighting key moments, speakers, and workshops
✅ Interview and engage with other 4-H’ers at Ignite
✅ Represent the voice of 4-H youth and showcase how Ignite fuels their passion and leadership

4-H’ers interested should apply here: https://4-h.org/ignite. We will accept applications until February 19, 2025, at midnight PST.

More details at: https://4-h.org/ignite

Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 10-24, 2025 at: http://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest

Horticulture judging contest consists of three parts. The first is identification of plant material. Participants identify the plants by common name from a plant list. Specimens may be alive or preserved plant parts like stems, twigs, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, bulbs, tubers, or plant products.

The second is a knowledge portion, usually in the form of a true/false or multiple choice quiz. Questions will test the contestant's knowledge of cultural practices for horticultural crops, plant science, pesticides, horticultural careers and other topics related to the production, processing and consumption of horticultural crops.

The last portion is judging or placings. This is where four different plants, plates of vegetables, or containers flowers are ranked from best to worst based on a set of criteria. Classes are judged on the basis of condition, quality, uniformity, true-to-type, and size.

More information about the Nebraska State contest along with a list of study materials can be found in the Fairbook https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/45 . Here you can find the written study materials for the knowledge portion, follow links to plant pictures for help with identification, and read how judging of plant material is done.
More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest

More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest

The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables, flowers, fruit, and herbs. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their hands dirty in this project area.

The 2025 Special Garden Project will focus on the Goldie Husk Cherry. This old-fashioned fruit from the tomato family has sweet berries inside golden husks. The fruits have many uses and can be eaten raw, dried, frozen, canned, or made into tasty treats like pies, desserts, or preserves. This project is open to all youth of 4-H ages 5-18 and it will give them the opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting, and exhibiting this unique fruit.

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

The Public Health Association of Nebraska (PHAN) is thrilled to announce an art contest for elementary school students to commemorate our 75th anniversary! This year's theme is “Thrive 75”, inspired by the Vital Conditions for Health and Wellbeing Framework. The winning designs may be featured on the Public Health Association of Nebraska website at https://www.publichealthne.org/aboutus.

Elementary school students in grades K-6 in Nebraska are invited to create an original piece of artwork (drawing, painting, collage, mixed media - get creative!) reflecting the Thrive 75 theme and the Vital Conditions for Health and Wellbeing.

What is Thrive 75?
Thrive 75 encourages us to think about what makes our communities healthy and happy. Your artwork should reflect the important elements that contribute to a thriving life, such as:
- Thriving Natural World: Show a healthy and beautiful Nebraska.
- Basic Needs for Health & Safety: Depict the importance of nutritious food.Show how healthcare keeps us healthy and strong.
- Humane Housing:Think about the comfort and security of a home.
- Meaningful Work & Wealth: Illustrate how having resources helps us thrive.
- Lifelong Learning: Show how learning helps us grow.
- Reliable Transportation: Show how getting around helps us connect and participate in society.
- Belonging & Civic Muscle: Illustrate the importance of friends, family, and community.

A Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Workshop is scheduled for early April in Bassett, NE. It will be held April 12-13 at the Rock County Fairgrounds in the Bassett Community Building. The early bird deadline to register for the workshop is April 2nd.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to become certified as an adult (21 years and older) or apprentice (14-20 years old) leader. Five project areas will be offered at the Bassett Workshop – rifle, pistol, shotgun, coordinator, and archery.

There is a minimum number of participants required to offer these disciplines at the workshop. Workshop participants will learn under expert instruction from members of the Nebraska State
4-H Shooting Sports Training Team.

More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/shooting-sports-program/

Spring into 4-H judging! A training series for 4-H project judges will take place in April 2025:

• Thursday, April 10th (5:30 - 6:30 pm CST): Introduction to Judging 4-H Projects
• Audience: Adults interested in learning about judging 4-H projects at county and state fairs.
• Topics: Ensuring interview judging is a positive experience, the role of Positive Youth Development in the judging process and more!
• Monday, April 14th (5:30 - 7:00 pm CST): 4-H Visual Arts & Foods Judges Training
• Audience: New and experienced judges for Visual Arts and Foods projects.
• Topics: Class changes to 4-H Visual Arts department; Refresh on foods department judging including the new trends of sourdough and updates.

Participation is optional, and while live attendance is encouraged, the sessions will be recorded and available at: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/judges/.

Visit https://go.unl.edu/judgestraining2025 to register!

You may also include the QR code:

The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is excited to announce the 2025 season! Youth can join us for an un-BEE-livable summer and learn all about What’s the Buzz? In 2025. Please share the following message and attached graphics with your 4-H families.

The 2025 What’s the Buzz? season of the Nebraska State 4-H Camp will share the importance of pollinators in Nebraska- why they’re important, how they impact agriculture, and what youth can do in their own communities to support the various native pollinators we have in Nebraska. From bees and butterflies to hummingbirds and bats- it’s going to be a week full of learning and fun!

The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is returning to Chadron and Burwell for summer camp 2025! Youth new to camping can attend a shorter camp session designed to let them experience all the best parts of summer camp in a 3 day/2 night session. Choose from one of two 5 day/4 night sessions for youth 10-14 years old and returning this year is the Leaders in Training camp for high school youth 15-17 years old! Campers will focus on developing leadership skills with an opportunity to put those skills into practice by volunteering at one of our other camp sessions!

Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp.

This webinar series, sponsored by Nebraska Extension and delivered via Zoom, is a great opportunity to join experts from Nebraska Extension to learn and ask questions! All programs are on the second Wednesday of the month from Noon-1 pm CT.

Check out the website to learn more and find past program recordings - https://hles.unl.edu/lawn-garden/gro-big-red/

High School Seniors/families planning to attend Nebraska in Fall 2025 are encouraged to register for Admitted Student Day on Saturday, March

High school seniors planning to attend Nebraska in Fall 2025 are encouraged to submit their Enrollment Deposit to gain access to the housing application and New Student Enrollment registration.

High School Juniors planning to attend Nebraska in Fall 2026 are encouraged to register for Junior Jumpstart Visit days.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.