4-H Newsletter

In this edition:

• 4-H Enrollment
• Volunteer Information
• Winter Break 4-H Take and Make Kits
• Statewide Opportunities

4-H Online is now open and ready for re-enrollment. I know many of you are wasting no time getting involved in 4-H activities. If you are in shooting sports, robotics or planning to volunteer, please don't hesitate to get enrolled for this year. Check out the attachments for step-by-step instructions on how to re-enroll.

Enrollment is now open. If you serve as a 4-H Council member, Club Leader, Shooting Sports Instructor or plan to lead a workshop, please take the time to re-enroll before January 5th if possible.

The state 4-H office has implemented the volunteer orientation videos into the 4-H Online enrollment process, making it easier to start and stop the orientation at your convenience rather than having to do it all in one sitting. However, if you enroll before January 5th, you will not have to go through the video orientation this year.

Thank you for your willingness to serve the betterment of our young 4-H'ers!

Please refer to the calendar if you are planning to stop by or reach her by her mobile number (308) 675-8539.

Thank you to everyone that registered for a Winter Break Take & Make Kit! Kits will be available for pick up at the following locations on December 8th by noon.

• Blaine Co.- call to make arrangements
• Thomas Co.- CSA Extension Office
• Hooker Co.- CSA Mullen Office
• Grant Co.- Commissioner's Room in the Grant Co. Courthouse

Grant County, if other arrangements need to be made, please let Brittney know.

The 4-H Shooting Sports season is right around the corner. 4-H shooting sports is a great opportunity for youth to learn marksmanship, the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting, and much more. The activities of the program and the support of caring adult leaders provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth, and discipline. 4‑H Shooting Sports promotes positive youth-adult interaction and peer leadership. The Central Sandhills Area is lucky enough to have three shooting sports clubs! Contact the shooting sports instructors to learn more on how to get involved!

• Grant County Sharpshooters-Karel Hebbert
• Mullen Marksmen-Kyle Hoyt
• Sandhills Thedford Sharpshooters-Nicholas Werner

Call or email Brittney if you need help getting connected with your desired club.

The Nebraska Fed Steer Challenge is a hands-on livestock education program that includes raising a steer purchased at market price, monthly webinars with industry professional and UNL Animal Science Faculty, a special class at the Nebraska State Fair evaluated by a commercial cattle buyer, and harvesting steers to evaluate carcass merit. Monthly content includes: Feeder Cattle Pricing and Starting Cattle on Feed, Winter Feeding & Care of Cattle, Implants & Growth Modifiers, Cattle & the Environment, Risk Management Strategies, Summer Feeding & Care of Cattle, Quality & Yield Grading and Grid Pricing for Carcass Merit.

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

The Special Garden Project is a way to offer Nebraska youth the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens.

The 2026 Special Garden Project will focus on the Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold. This marigold produces creamy, yellow flowers on compact plants. This variety not only has a unique color, but it also has a very long bloom time.

We are now accepting registrations for the 2026 Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort! Registration closes on January 30th!

This opportunity is designed to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H swine project by focusing on swine production, accurate record keeping, and industry knowledge and engagement by the 4-H member.

Exhibit their Farrowed and Owned project animals at any Nebraska county fair or the Nebraska State Fair. Exhibiting at the 2026 Nebraska State Fair is optional. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2026 Nebraska State Fair. Exhibiting your animal at the Nebraska State Fair is not a requirement for the record book and interview portion of the cohort. Join the first session in February for more details!

Visit 4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned to get started.

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

More information on how to get involved will be coming next month. For now, snack on some popcorn to prepare for this year's agronomy project!

Please be sure to like us on Facebook at Nebraska Extension in the Central Sandhills

Don't forget to visit our Extension website at: Nebraska Extension in the Sandhills

PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR NEWS so it can be included in our newsletters! Forward any 4-H news, events, or activities to CentralSandhills@unl.edu.

Mailing Address: PO Box 148 - Thedford, NE 69166

Email:

Brittney Walker: bemerson4@unl.edu

Terri Thomas: tthomas39@unl.edu

Location: 503 Main Street, Thedford, NE, USA
Phone:

CSA Office: (308)645-2267

Brittney Walker: (308)675-8539

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. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.