Burt County 4-H Hotline Newsletter

• Sept 25-28: Aksarben Stock Show
• Oct TBA: 4-H Horse Planning Meeting
• Oct 5-11: National 4-H Week
• Oct 13: Office Closed – Columbus Day
• Nov TBA: 4-H Static Planning Meeting
• Nov TBA: 4-H Livestock Planning Meeting
• Nov 11: Office Closed - Veteran’s Day
• Nov 27-28: Office Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday

There are some new laws and Remind can no longer send text messages to certain carriers. So, for the Remind App MAKE SURE that you have the setting marked to send you notifications through the app and/or email. And that you’re getting those app notifications.

To sign up: go to this link https://www.remind.com/join/burtco4h. Hopefully this way we all don’t forget the fun 4-H things happening!

It may have been a while since you were last in 4-H, or you may still be a 4-H’er doing amazing things. We want to know how your 4-H experience started and how it’s going. Share a photo of yourself from early on and one of you today and a short description of how 4-H has made you Beyond Ready in your life and career.

Share your photo at: https://4-h.org/events/how-it-started-how-it-s-going/

Mark your calendars and make plans to celebrate National 4-H Week with us on October 6-11!

https://4-h.org/resources/professionals/marketing-resources/4-h-week-toolkit

Burt County 4-H had a big year at the Nebraska State Fair! Youth exhibited 106 static projects, with 11 earning special recognition, including two chosen for the prestigious Design Gallery and two selected for a special East Campus exhibition. In the Fashion Show, 8 members represented Burt County with style and confidence. On the livestock side, 57 entries filled the barns—earning champions in beef, swine, sheep, and more (including the most swine entries in the barn and 2nd most beef!). To top it all off, LilyAnn Willing was honored as the 2025 Outstanding 4-H Youth Volunteer, showing how 4-H grows not just strong competitors but also leaders who inspire others.

These achievements highlight the talent, hard work, and leadership of Burt County youth—proving once again that 4-H isn’t just about projects and ribbons, it’s about developing skills, confidence, and community impact that last a lifetime. View ALL RESULTS at: https://nebraska4hresults.com/

Static Honors

• McKinley Goodwin, Rainbow Paper Quilling Elephant - Design Gallery
• Taylor Brummond, Silverware Raven Sculpture – Design Gallery
• Elizabeth McElmuray – Photo selected for special exhibition on East Campus
• LilyAnn Willing – Watercolor Jellyfish selected for special exhibition on East Campus

Livestock Honors

• Haylee Jo Hansen: Champion Chianina Steer, Overall Reserve Champion Registered Steer
• Ivy Johnson: Champion Maine-Anjou Steer
• Graham Johnson: Champion shorthorn Plus Breeding Heifer
• Jaxon Logan: Third Place Feeder Heifer, Fourth Place Champion Feeder Calf
• Brylee Ahrens: Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer – Division I
• Brody Ahrens: Third Place Division II Crossbred Steer, Third Place Champion Market Beef
• Trey Logan: Third Place Chianina Heifer
• Dean Johnson: Third Place Commercial Heifer
• Georgia Johnson: Third Place Division II Crossbred Steer
• Paisley Peterson: Third Place Mainetainer Steer
• Ryanna Bacon: Third Place Shorthorn Plus Steer
• Miley Daugherty: Third Place All Hair Breeds Ewe
• Ava Karnopp: Champion Division I Market Gilt
• Emersyn Pagels: Reserve Champion All Other Breeds Swine
• Tate Pruess: Third Place Division II Market Gilt

Get those thank-you notes sent out! Just a few sentences about your fair experience go a long way in showing appreciation and keeping our donors engaged and supportive of 4-H.

📝 Who to Thank

• Fair Premiums – Thank the Burt County Ag Society

• Blooming Bucket Premiums – Thank the Burt County 4-H Council

• Selected for State Fair Premiums – Thank First Northeast Bank of Nebraska

• Bedding for Beef Exhibitors – Thank Tom & Jon Weitzenkamp

• Livestock Auction Premiums – Thank your 4-H Buyers individually

💵 Fair Premium Checks

Be on the lookout! Fair premium checks will be mailed out soon from the Burt County Ag Society. Once you receive yours, you’ll have 90 days to deposit it — so don’t delay!

(We'll send out a Remind when they're in the mail 📬)

Thank you again for being part of an amazing fair season. Let’s keep the momentum going with gratitude and community spirit! 💚

If you still have a bill from the 4-H Kitchen or a sponsorship payment from this year’s fair, please send it in soon.

Your timely payments don’t just help us wrap up fair season—they make it possible to provide scholarships, workshops, and hands-on learning for Burt County 4-H youth all year long.

If you’re unsure about your balance or need another copy of your invoice, just contact the Extension Office.

Thanks for investing in the future of our kids and community!

Fair lost & found items are ready to go home—come claim yours today!

👩‍⚖️ Interested in Judging 4-H Projects?

We’re looking for adults interested in judging county or state 4-H projects — including live animal shows, static exhibits, and contests!

Complete the Judges Sign-Up Form to be considered for the 2026 judging season. This includes agreeing to a background screening, UNL Activity Worker Guidelines, and the 4-H Code of Conduct.

🗓️ Deadline to sign up: September 30, 2025
After that, names will be considered for 2027.

🔗 Sign up and learn more

https://4h.unl.edu/resources/judges/.

In Nebraska 4-H, club leaders are the heart of the program. They provide leadership, organization, and communication for 4-H families, helping youth build confidence, character, and lifelong skills. By guiding club activities and fostering educational opportunities, club leaders help create experiences that young people will carry with them for years to come.

Why it Matters:
When you step into a club leader role, you’re not just coordinating meetings — you’re shaping the learning environment, inspiring youth to explore their interests, and connecting them to their community. The leadership you provide directly impacts the success of the club and the growth of every member in it.

What Club Leaders Do:

• Lead & Organize: Work with members, officers, and volunteers to keep the club running smoothly.

• Build Youth Development: Create a safe, encouraging space where youth can learn, lead, and grow.

• Facilitate Learning: Plan educational experiences, often around project areas.

• Encourage Community Service: Help youth give back to their communities.

• Communicate: Keep 4-H families, volunteers, and the county Extension office connected.

• Ensure Compliance: Follow Nebraska 4-H policies and maintain an active club charter.

Getting Started is Simple:

1. Enroll in 4-HOnline as a volunteer.

2. Complete Volunteer Screening for working directly with youth.

3. Participate in Volunteer Orientation.

4. Apply for a Club Charter if starting a new club.

Ready to Make a Difference?
The new 4-H year begins in October — now is the perfect time to let us know if you’re interested in becoming a club leader or volunteer so we can get you set up for success.

Resources to Support You:

• Nebraska 4-H Club Leader Resources: 4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders

• Your local county Extension office (we’re here to help every step of the way!)

Join us in making a lasting impact on youth and our community — the future starts with you!

A Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Workshop is scheduled for mid-October near Ashland. It will be held October 11-12 at the Ashland Gun Club near Ashland. The early bird deadline to register for the Ashland session is October 1st, 4 pm.
Volunteers have the opportunity to become certified as an adult (21 years and older) or apprentice (14-20 years old) leader in the Shotgun or Archery discipline. There is a minimum number of participants required to offer this workshop. Workshop participants will learn under expert instruction from members of the Nebraska State 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team.
The registration fee is $140 per person for initial certification and those individuals adding an additional discipline. The registration fee for Apprentice Instructors (14 to 20 years of age) is $120 for this workshop. This fee includes meals, supplies, and program materials. Individuals are officially registered when payment is received. Participants must make their own lodging arrangements. Registration on Saturday runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
While participants might need to bring limited, if any, equipment to the in-person discipline training site, there are a series of four National 4-H Shooting Sports online modules which individuals MUST complete prior to the training to become eligible for certification. Information on the modules and how to enroll, 4-H Shooting Sports Online User Guide, can accessed by using the link found on the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports website under Calendar of 4-H Shooting Sports Events at https://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports, under the Ashland Workshop - this provides step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for and complete the entire series of modules before the workshop. Individuals who have already completed the Online modules are not required to complete them again.
As individuals follow each of the instructions in the Online User Guide, they will be asked to choose a payment method. Participants are responsible for the $20 (per person) registration fee. The entire series of modules will take approximately 3-4 hours, so please plan some time accordingly.
Please share this information with volunteers in your county. For more workshop information and registration link, go to the 4-H Shooting Sports web page or contact Steve Pritchard at (402)395-2158 or (308)536-2691. Registration is available only online at the link provided in the brochure or individuals can register directly by clicking HERE.

More details at: https://events.unl.edu/NE4H-Shooting-Sports/

📣 Be on the lookout for upcoming planning meetings for the 2026 Burt County 4-H year! We’ll be hosting three separate sessions—one each for Horse, Static, and Livestock projects.

✨ These meetings are your chance to shape the future of Burt County 4-H. Whether you have requests, ideas for changes, or simply want to better understand how our program works, your voice makes a difference.

📌 To make sure your items are included on the agenda, please contact the Extension Office ahead of time.

👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, share, and help make 4-H even stronger for all Burt County youth!

NYBLS is at the Animal Science Complex, November 21-23, 2025. More details about the symposium and the application link can be found at https://animalscience.unl.edu/extension-outreach/youth-programs/nebraska-youth-beef-leadership-symposium/. Please note the application deadline of October 1. If an individual is selected to participate, a $75 registration fee will be collected at that time.

There is no place like Nebraska and no better time to become a Husker!

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is waiving the $45 undergraduate admission application fee for Nebraskans through November 1. You can apply for FREE at go.unl.edu/apply—enter the code “HUSKER” when prompted for a fee waiver code.

We’re here to help! Contact us at admissions@unl.edu or 402-472-2023.

Don’t want to wait for the newsletter to come out to learn the upcoming information? No worries! We post the most recent and updated information on the local Facebook page as soon as we get new information of upcoming events and opportunities. @BurtNeExt