Nebraska Extension - Dakota County
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
Dakota County 4-H
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
EARLY ENROLLMENT DEADLINE 2/15/25
Enrollment for the 2024-2025 4-H year is now open. Please enroll early. This helps your 4-H Extension staff prepare for the upcoming year. We need to update our mailing list and make sure we are sending information to you that pertains to projects you will be working on.
To enroll: https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
PLESE ENROLL BY FEBRUARY 15TH!
4-H VOLUNTEER SCREENING CHANGES FOR 2025!!!!
Beginning with the 2024-2025, there are changes to the Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening policy and procedures. Beginning October 2024, all 4-H volunteers serving in a direct volunteer role, such as a club leader, project leader, workshop presenter and more, will screen every five years based on their anniversary date. With this change, ALL volunteers serving in a direct role will screen during the 2024-2025 program year.
When enrolling in 4-H Online, volunteers will be redirected to the new screening vender, Sterling Volunteers. The new screening is a criminal background history check and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. The cost of the screening is $16 and is paid during the screening process online. Volunteers must successfully pass their screening in order to serve in a 4-H volunteer role.
All returning volunteers need to re-screen by March 15, 2025.
These changes were made to ensure all youth and volunteers are protected through increased volunteer screening level and enhanced user experience!
2025 DAKOTA~THURSTON ALL CONTEST DAY
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
DAKOTA COUNTY COUNCIL WILL BE MEETING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH, AT 7PM. WE WILL ALSO BE MEETING JOINTLY WITH THURSTON COUNTY
Does your club have a representative on the Council? There should be 1 adult and 1 youth from each club.
We only meet a few times a year to discuss our local 4-H programming, finances, fundraising and how we can best serve the 4-H program.
All 4-H club members and an adult representative are welcome attend.
Please check with your club leader and make sure your club is represented
YQCA SCHOLARSHIP
YQCA is excited to launch a new scholarship program for certified youth, ranging from high school seniors to age 21, pursuing an agriculture degree or trade.
We will provide a total of $30,000 in scholarships to selected youth in 2025! Individual scholarships will be awarded in the following amounts:
· One recipient - $10,000
· Two recipients - $5,000
· Four recipients - $2,500
How to Apply
Scholarship applications are open from January 1st – February 17th. Recipients will be announced in May.
Click Here: https://yqcaprogram.org/local/scholarship-program.php
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
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:
- Welcome & Introduction
- What We Do in 4-H
- Volunteer Roles & Training
- 4-H Operations
- Risk Management for 4-H Volunteers
- 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.
4-H COUNCIL TREASURER TRAINING
Topics covered:
- Responsibilities of the 4-H council treasurer role
- 4-H financial policies for 4-H Councils
- Best practices for 4-H council treasurers
Who should attend?
- 4-H Council Treasurers
- County staff working with 4-H Council Treasurer
- 4-H club volunteers who are welcome to attend as well.
Registration information:
- Registration is required. The zoom link will be sent immediately following registration.
- Registration is free. Everyone should register separately.
- Participating in the live session is encouraged. The training will be recorded and will be sent to registered participants.
- Register here: https://go.unl.edu/treasurertraining
INNOVATIVE YOUTH CORN CHALLENGE FOR 4-H AND FFA MEMBERS
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.
SPECIAL AGRONOMY PROJECT
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live in. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. This year, we will be exploring a crop that can be marketed different ways depending on the variety.
In the fifth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore sunflowers! There are two types of sunflower production in Nebraska. There are those grown for oil production, and those grown for human food consumption referred to as confectionery seeds. A portion of the oil seed production is used in the bird seed industry. Sunflowers are grown throughout the state of Nebraska with the greatest concentration in western Nebraska. The variety we will be growing is a high oleic hybrid. Its oil profile combined with a nice black seed color ensures multiple market options.
Be eligible to enter an exhibit at the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area.
Enroll for the 2025 Special Agronomy Project by contacting your local Nebraska Extension Office to order packets of seeds. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. Please have your order placed prior to March 1st.
For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.
More details at: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/special-agronomy-project/
2025 SPECIAL GARDEN PROJECT - GOLDIE HUSK CHERRY
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.
2025 YOUTH PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL APPLICATION
Youth in Grades 8-11 who are interested in making a difference in their communities are encouraged to apply to join the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council!
The Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) brings teens together from across the country who are passionate about emergency preparedness and making a difference in their communities. Council members are selected based on involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and interest in preparedness and emergency management.
Students in Grades 8-11 are eligible to apply.
YPC members share ideas and feedback with FEMA, collaborate to develop preparedness project proposals, and build their leadership and emergency management skills. Youth leaders who are interested in applying to the YPC must submit a completed application form and provide two letters of recommendation.
The application is open January 7 – March 3, 2025.
Learn more and apply today at https://ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council.
More details at: https://ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council
2025 STATE 4-H SUMMER CAMP
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.
