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COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

VOTING RESULTS FOR 4-H COUNCIL

HORSE BOWL IN DENVER

2026 4-H AMBASSADORS

4-H ONLINE OPEN NOW!

BOONE COUNTY 4-H CLUBS

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

VOLUNTEER ROAD SHOW TRAINING

BEEF WEIGH-IN

FED STEER CHALLENGE

CALLING ALL TEEN ARTISTS!

NATIONAL 4-H AI CHALLENGE: AI IN AG

PRESIDENTIAL AI CHALLENGE

MARTHA & DON ROMEO SCHOLARSHIP

4-H COUNCIL MINUTES

LATEST 4-H NEWS LINK

November 11 - Office closed for Veterans' Day

Nov 15-16 - Nebraska State Poultry Association Show, Sandhills Event Center, Lincoln.

https://www.nestatepoultryshow.com

November 27-28 - Office Closed for Thanksgiving.
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 18 - Tentative date for Beef Weigh-In (Snow Date January 25).

During National 4-H week in October, 4-H members completed a service project. Pumpkins and decorating kits were delivered to local residents in the Nursing Homes. 4-H members also wrote cards to the residents. Supplies were provided by the Boone County 4-H Council.

Boone County 4-H families enjoyed an ice cream social, compliments of the Boone County 4-H Council at the Annual 4-H Achievement Party held on Sunday, October 19th at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Albion. Many local 4-H members, leaders, and volunteers were recognized for their special efforts and years of participation in the 4-H program.

Other awards presented included: Beef Herdsmanship - Naber Family; Sheep Herdsmanship - Neidhardt Family (Rellah and Vienna); Swine Herdsmanship - Werner Family; Goat Herdsmanship - Addison Family; Horse Herdsmanship - King Family; Poultry Herdsmanship - Molt Family; Rabbit Herdsmanship - Malander Family.

Camp Scholarships were presented to Jase Bittner, Jaida Bittner, Morgan Cumming, Laramie King, Kamryn Knott, Keegan Knott, Allison Molt, Sawyer Sauser, Luke Smith, Pearl Smith, and Stella Smith.

First Lego League Tournament: Luke Smith, Lucas Moeller, Rhett Jarecki, Stella Smith, Isabella Moeller, and Pearl Smith.

4-H Horse Bowl: Laramie King and Clara Brengelman - Res Champion Junior Team; Dorothy Smith, Aidan Choat, Tinsley Neidhardt, and Kate Maricle - Champion Sr Team, also going to the National 4-H Horse Bowl Contest in Denver in January!

Special Recognition for State Fair contests were: 4-H Weed and Grass ID contest: Aidan Choat, Mackenzie Fleer - 10th Place Intermediate; Mallorie Fleer; Kendall Fleer - 3rd Place Junior.

Premier Communication event: Allison Molt - Junior Video Communication.

State Fair Fashion Show: Geneva Smith, Sarah Smith, and Laramie King.

State 4-H Horticulture ID contest: Aidan Choat - 5th Place Senior; Mackenzie Fleer - 2nd Place Intermediate; Mallorie Fleer - 5th Place Intermediate; Kendall Fleer - 1st Place Junior.

State Fair Tree ID Contest: Mackenzie Fleer, Mallorie Fleer; and Kendall Fleer.

State Fair Insect ID Contest: Aidan Choat - 6th Place Senior.Serving as Boone County 4-H Ambassadors during 2025 were Aidan Choat, Kahnen Pelster, and Kate Maricle.

Clover Kids receiving 1st year pins were: Brooks Hamling, Magnolia Hamling, Lane King, Sawyer Krohn, Moxon Meyers, Julia Molt, and Olivia Molt.

Receiving 1st year pins (youth members) were: Lynn Christiansen, Caleb Krohn, and Bode Meyers.

3rd Year pins awarded (youth members); Henry Brengelman, Drew Frey, George Frey, Jase Frey, Lucas Frey, Allison Molt, Rellah Neidhardt, Evelyn Rose, Hadley Schriver, and Braelyn Thieman.

6th year pins awarded: Preston Hooker, Laramie King, Vincent Malander, Baylor Neidhardt, Sarah Smith, and Ali Werts.

9th year pins awarded: Clara Brengelman, Nick Groeteke, Kasey Krohn, Dorothy Smith, and Geneva Smith.

10th year pins awarded: Tinsley Neidhardt and Joslyn Schrad.

11th year pins awarded: Kate Maricle and Ashlynn Naber.

14th year pin awarded: Cassidy Maricle.

Leaders recognized were: 1st year - Chad Carlson, Dorie Rose, and Dakota Rose; 5th year - Margaret Valladao; 10 years - Delilah Potter; 30 years - Dianne Young; 35 years - Sharon Baker.

Adam Wies and Mark Hooker received the 2025 Boone County Friend of 4-H Award.

Jessica Kurpgeweit, Cornhusker Public Power District, provided photographs to 4-H members who received a purple ribbon during the county fair.

AKRS Equipment Solutions donated an award to each 4-H exhibitor.

Elected to the Boone County 4-H Council for their second term are Jaclyn Frey, Mitch Koch, Nick Krohn, and Matt Schriver. Two youth members were elected to 1-year terms: Clara Brengelman and Dorothy Smith. Congratulations to all!

Other members of the Boone County 4-H Council are: Dave Hilmer, Kally King, Chris Nelson, Brenda Pelster, Susan Staub, Scott Brengelman, Mike Werner, and Crystal Werts.

Four Boone County 4-H members are going to Denver in January to compete in the National 4-H Horse Bowl Contest. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we are proud of these ladies. Best of luck to Dorothy Smith, Aidan Choat, Tinsley Neidhardt, and Kate Maricle!

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.
Follow the dress code.
Ambassadors will be expected to carry out their duties as per contract with the 4-H Council.

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.

Each year, 4-H members and leaders must re-enroll in the 4-H program. Access the enrollment form at https://v2.4honline.com. If you are a returning member, enter your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, click “Reset Password” to receive an email with a link to set a new password. Do not create a new profile if you have registered before!

For NEW members! We can’t wait for you to join us! Please visit https://v2.4honline.com. If you have never enrolled in 4-H using 4-H Online, select “Don’t have an account?” Select your state, “Nebraska 4-H Youth Development”, and your county. Each household will have a profile, and individual members will be added under one profile. Choose a club or clubs. If taking a shooting sports project, be sure to select the 4-H Shooting Sports Club as one of your clubs, and then select your project areas.

Projects should be selected if families would like to receive additional information regarding project-specific reminders, such as upcoming deadlines. If you forget to choose a project, no worries, you can still take exhibits from any project area to the fair.

If enrolling in Horse and Shooting Sports, you are required to select these projects due to the consent forms that are required. The goal is to enroll as a 4-H member now. Then when you turn in your fair entries in June, you can add all the exhibits you want.

If your 4-Her plans to attend 4-H camp or participate in any state or national events, you must complete the health section. All other 4-Hers may skip over the health information. Then complete the consent section.

Additional instructions for enrollment can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/4-h-enrollment-information/. Feel free to come to the office if you need assistance! If you need help enrolling, please contact the office and we can help you.

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.

1. All 4-H Volunteers must enroll annually in 4-H Online at https://v2.4honline.com.This will provide UNL liability insurance coverage.

• 4-H Council members should choose Program Volunteer, then County Volunteer.

• Club leaders and Project leaders should choose Club Volunteer, then either Organizational Leader or Project Leader.

• Club leaders and Project leaders should also choose Project Volunteer, then Project Leader. You will be prompted to select projects. Choose the ones beginning with “Volunteer”.

2. All 4-H Volunteers must complete the Volunteer Orientation found at https://go.unl.edu/6que every 5 years, beginning last year.

3. Direct Volunteers must also complete the Volunteer Screening at the end of the 4-H Online enrollment every 5 years, based on the initial screening, beginning last year. The fee of $16 for the screening will be reimbursed by the Boone County 4-H Council if requested.

(If you completed the Orientation and Screening last year, you will NOT need to do this again this year.)

Screening must be completed by March 15 for returning volunteers, or prior to service. New volunteers can enroll at any time.

4. Indirect Volunteers need only complete steps 1 and 2 above and do not need to do the Volunteer Orientation or Screening.

Indirect volunteers are persons who provide support services for Youth Activities such as teaching assistants, superintendents, judges, food service, set-up crews, maintenance, and any other adults and teens providing indirect service as part of a youth activity.

If you are a parent and not enrolling in 4-H Online, but still wish to volunteer, please come to the Extension Office to sign paper copies of the Code of Conduct and Activity Workers Application and Guideline Review.

If you have questions about this process, please call the Extension Office.

The tentative date for the beef weigh-in in Boone County is January 18, with a snow date of January 25. 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.

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 visit https://4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge

Calling all artists, creators, and performers! We'd love to see what YOU do best. Submit your work for a chance to be featured at upcoming National 4‑H events.

We're looking for singers, dancers, instrumentalists, as well as visual artists and creators of all kinds. Enter today to showcase your unique talent on this national stage!

Applications from students ages 14–19 are accepted from October 1 through December 1.

More details at: https://4-h.org/youth-artists

The 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge invites youth to explore how artificial intelligence can solve real-world agricultural problems. Participants will identify a challenge within the agriculture industry and design an innovative AI-based solution. Students will showcase how technology can enhance the future of farming. This challenge empowers youth to think critically, apply STEM concepts, and imagine a better agricultural future powered by AI.

Open to youth innovators nationwide, this challenge combines STEM creativity, real-world problem solving, and the future of agriculture. Together, let’s imagine how artificial intelligence can grow a brighter future for agriculture.

The challenges is open to two categories of youth, ages 13-15 and 16-18 (age is as of November 15, 2025). It is FREE to enter; entries must be received by November 15. Winners receive national recognition, prizes, and opportunities to showcase their work.

Learn more and register today at https://events.projectboard.world/4HAIinAg

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

This Scholarship is awarded during the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers Convention Banquet, which will be held in Kearney, Nebraska, on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Must be present at the convention to receive the Scholarship. Winners will be notified by January 6, 2026. Return completed application, along with 2 letters of recommendation, to your local County Extension Office by November 30, 2025.

Application can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/boonenance-county-4-h/scholarships-and-opportunities/

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for 4-H members each year. To apply for any of the scholarships offered this year, 4-H members must submit the Achievement Application by January 5.

The following requirements apply to all scholarships awarded by the Nebraska 4-H Foundation unless otherwise noted. Additional scholarship-specific eligibility requirements may apply. Please see Available Scholarships at https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships/ for more details.

Must be a current high school senior, graduating in Spring of the current year and attending college in the Fall of the current year or a current Freshman at an accredited university (see specific scholarship school regulations). ***Exception: Grand Island Horse Scholarship applicants may apply after their sophomore year in high school.
Must have completed one (1) year of 4-H and be current 4-H member unless otherwise stated in the scholarship-specific eligibility requirements.

Scholarships Available:

Donna Wampler Endowed Scholarship
Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Scholarship
Women in STEM Scholarship
Rose and Guy Richard McDonald Scholarship
Kimberly Family Memorial Scholarship Fund *Keith County only*
Joe Citta, Jr. Scholarship for Outdoor Stewardship
Horse Scholarship — Grand Island Saddle Club
Horse Scholarship — R.B. Warren 4-H Horse Educational Scholarship
Horse Scholarship — Audrey Olsan Memorial Horse Scholarship

See website for more information about each scholarship.

Steve Pritchard - Extension Educator

Sonya Glup - Extension Associate