Happy Holidays!
CONTENTS - CLICK FOR MORE INFO
Upcoming Events
December 13-14 - Cardinal Classic Cattle Show at the Niewohner Arena at the Boone County Fairgrounds. More information on Facebook.
December 24 at noon to January 4 - Holiday Closedown (UNL offices closed). We will close at noon on December 24 and re-open on January 5.
January 25 - Date for Beef Weigh-In (Snow Date February 1).
Special Garden Project for 2026
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Special Agronomy Project Announced
The Special Agronomy Project for 2026 will be Popcorn. More details will be announced at a later date.
2026 4-H Ambassadors
Applications are being accepted through January 15, 2026 for Boone County 4-H Ambassadors. Ambassadors represent the community, Boone County 4-H, and the Nebraska 4-H Program, and are role models to all 4-H youth. This is a time commitment and leadership role.
The 4-H Council may select up to three individuals who best represent the Boone County 4-H Program. The ambassadors should be well spoken and carry themselves with poise, a sense of self-worth, and respect. They should be a leader who shows initiative and a sense of pride and commitment to promote and represent the Boone County 4-H Program.
To apply:
You must be 4-H age 14-18 by January of the current year and have completed a minimum of two years in 4-H not including the current year, and be currently enrolled.
You must complete an application and turn it in to the Extension 4-H Office by January 15, 2026.
Applicants will be interviewed on their 4-H experience by a panel of judges after applications have been reviewed. Applicants should be available for an interview at this time.
Applicants must supply two references with contact information (non-family member).
Expectations of Ambassadors are as follows:
Must be willing to represent 4-H throughout the year including participation in local community events and 4-H county activities (some activities outside your comfort zone).
Follow the 4-H Code of Conduct at all times.
To be selected as a Boone County 4-H Ambassador is both an honor and a responsibility. Some of the rewards are:
$500 Scholarship to college of choice
Recognition at County Fair Livestock Premium Sale and Achievement Day
Two 4-H polo shirts to wear at events
Resume/scholarship building experience
Applications are available at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/boonenance-county-4-h/4-h-clubs-materials, at the Extension Office, or an application can be emailed to you upon request.
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4-H Online Enrollment Now Open!
Boone County 4-H Clubs
Boone County 4-H Shooting Sports (BB gun and Air Rifle begin in late-January or early-February, so be sure to enroll prior to that time!)
Boone County Junior Leaders
Boone County 4-H Robotics (Meetings have already started, call for info)
Canine Cadets ( Dog Club)
Clever Clovers
Country Kids
Junior Pirates 4-H Club
Levi's 4-H Club (Horse Club)
Rolling Hills
4-H members can also enroll as an independent member.
More information about these clubs is available at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/boonenance-county-4-h/4-h-clubs-materials/
Feel free to call the Extension Office if you have questions.
Just for Volunteers
A Virtual Volunteer Training series will take place monthly from December – April. Each month will have a new topic. The first session is scheduled for December 9 at 6:30 pm CT. The target audience is any adult supporting youth while completing the state-eligible Achievement Application.
Any adult (staff, parent, volunteer) supporting youth completing the state-eligible 4-H Achievement Application is welcome to participate. Training is free of charge and will be recorded. The training format will consist of 30 minutes of content, followed by question and answer. Must register to receive the virtual connection details. Register by visiting: https://go.unl.edu/achievementapplicationtraining
Look for more 4-H Virtual Volunteer Training series topics in the coming months!
Showmanship, Market, and Breeding Cattle Show in Albion, NE Sat 12/13 - 12/14/2025.
Show Information Contacts:
Greg Christo 402-920-2901
Kurtis Rasmussen 402-750-1770
Cody Rasmussen 402-640-2486
Online entry and more information on the Showman App at https://showman.app/shows#/cardinal-classic-cattle-show-34e8/
Beef Weigh-in
The Beef Weigh-in in Boone County is January 25 at 1:00 pm at Town & Country Vet, with a snow date of February 1. 4-H and FFA members in Boone and Nance County are welcome to have their animals tagged, weighed, and a DNA sample taken. This is necessary if the animal is to be eligible for Rate of Gain at the County Fair.
The DNA sample will be needed if you are considering taking your animals to the Nebraska State Fair.
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Fed Steer Challenge
The Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is an opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the cattle industry and is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska cattle industry.
The goal of the Fed Steer Challenge is to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H beef projects by providing an affordable option that rewards production merit and carcass value of the market animal, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and producer engagement by the 4-H member.
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 click the image above.
Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort
A Farrowed and Owned Breeding and Market Swine division for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry is available for youth statewide in 2026! The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member. In order to participate, youth must be 4-H age 8-18 as of January 1, 2026, complete YQCA, farrowed their project animal(s) and participate in monthly virtual educational meetings.
For more information, contact Nebraska Extension Swine Specialist Benny Mote at bmote8@unl.edu.
Register by January 30, 2-26 by clicking the above image.
Presidential AI Challenge
The Presidential AI Challenge is a national challenge where K-12 youth, educators, mentors, and community teams come together to solve real-world problems in their communities using AI-powered solutions with an opportunity to showcase their solutions at a national level. Students and educators of all backgrounds and expertise are encouraged to participate and ignite a new spirit of innovation as we celebrate 250 years of independence and look forward to the next 250 years.
Student participants will complete a project that involves the study, development, or use of an AI method or tool to address community challenges. Entries are due January 20.
Virtual and in-person training will be available to registered participants at https://www.ai.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge
For more information and to register, go to https://orise.orau.gov/ai-challenge/index.html
UNTIL NEXT MONTH!
Steve Pritchard - Extension Educator
Sonya Glup - Extension Associate