Dakota County 4-H News

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

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

Facebook: Nebraska Extension in Dakota County

Instagram: NE Extension Dakota County

OCTOBER

4 - Dakota County Extension hosting South Sioux City Chamber Coffee Hour

7-12 National 4-H Week

7 - Extension Board Meeting

15 - 4-H Ambassador application due

31 - Happy Halloween

NOVEMBER

4 - Extension Board meeting

4 - 4-H Council Meeting

11 - Office closed, Veterans Day

28-29 - Office closed - Thanksgiving

DECEMBER

2 - Extension Board Meeting

24- January 1st - office closed for holiday break

JANUARY

6 - Extension Board Meeting

10 - Award and Achievement applications due

FEBRUARY

2 - Achievement Celebration

Building a ready generation in a world of change, 4-H equips youth with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Becoming Beyond Ready encompasses opportunities and experiences, connections and discovery, shaping youth into their true and authentic selves.

Dakota County staff is working on ideas for promotion of National 4-H Week. How can you and your club be a part? Stay tuned for more information.

Did you know that there is a Dakota County 4-H Council?

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.

Our next meeting will be November 4th, 2024 at 7:00Pm at the Dakota County Extension Office. We plan on doing Council officer elections so we are ready to go for 2025.

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

Looking for a great opportunity to build your skills and resume' Apply to become a 4-H Ambassador.

You can travel to UNL campus for training and meet other Ambassadors across the state. Help with camps, represent 4-H at Community events, and be an excellent role model for younger 4-H'ers.

Eligibility requirements:

• Youth age 14-18 (Age on January 1st).
• Youth will serve a two year term (can reapply for another term).
• Enrolled as a 4-H member (Dakota or Thurston county).
• Must be an active member for at least two years prior to application.

Applications are due to the Nebraska Extension Office Dakota County by October 15th.

Applications have been sent age eligible 4-H youth in Dakota County.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/4-h-ambassadors/

Is your club a club of excellence?

The overall goal of 4-H Clubs is to develop enthusiastic young people who boldly take action to demonstrate life skills as capable, caring, competent kids of character thus contributing to the improvement of themselves, their family, their club, their community, and their world. One way clubs might choose to measure their success in meeting that goal is their ability to gain status as a Nebraska 4-H Club of Excellence. To receive the designation as a Nebraska 4-H Club of Excellence, clubs must meet a certain set of criteria and document how this criterion was met. Clubs meeting the requirements will initially receive a certificate. In subsequent years clubs successfully meeting the requirements will receive a special insignia to place on their certificate. Clubs must apply annually to receive this recognition.

For more information and form submission: https://4h.unl.edu/clubs-excellence

The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program encourages 4-H youth to engage in a variety of programs, projects, and activities that will enable youth to acquire skills and abilities that will prepare them for success in the future. The program is designed to reach and recognize all youth engaged in 4-H, from club members and campers to school enrichment, afterschool, and special interest program participants.

The program consists of six levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals. The accomplishments increase in quantity and difficulty for each level. At the beginning of the 4-H year, participants plan what to accomplish and at the end of the 4-H year, they report on their completed accomplishments. Successful completion of a level's Plan & Report form results in a 4-H youth earning that level of the Diamond Clover program.

https://4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover

County and State Fair are over for 2024, but that doesn't mean your 4-H experiences have come to a close. You have another step to complete. Get working on your 4-H awards & achievement records. While the Achievement Celebration will not be held until the first part of 2025, you can start compiling the needed information so its ready to go.

To find the application and other resources go to: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/careerportfolio/

You can find more information for other awards, scholarships and opportunities at: https://4h.unl.edu/awards-recognition

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:

1. Welcome & Introduction
2. What We Do in 4-H
3. Volunteer Roles & Training
4. 4-H Operations
5. Risk Management for 4-H Volunteers
6. 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.

We know communities across Nebraska need true leaders now more than ever. We also know Nebraska 4-H Clubs and Members are rising to the challenge. Let us know what you're doing to serve your community. Submit your 4-H community service project for a chance to be showcased. Selected community service projects will be showcased on the Nebraska 4-H social media channels, including on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Calling all 4-H volunteers, local fair superintendents, parents and caregivers and any adult who wants to find THEIR spark through volunteering with 4-H! You're invited to join us for one of our upcoming Volunteer Road Show events: Hastings – November 12 Scottsbluff – November 14 Virtual – November 17 Lincoln – November 18 Norfolk – November 19 You'll discover new opportunities for your members, network with other volunteers, and build your skills working with youth. Session topics include: North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Impact Study County Fair Superintendent Training Club Service Activities = Fair Exhibits Animal and Livestock projects opportunities Beyond Ready A $15 registration fee covers a meal and all supplies. https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-road-show

The University of Nebraska will be hosting its 2nd annual Husker Youth Meats Workout on Friday, Oct. 11 & Monday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m.‑4 p.m. The UNL Animal Science Complex will be open for this event both days; participants may come and go as they please!

The workout will include Beef, Pork and Lamb carcasses, Cuts classes and Retail ID for students to practice on and learn. The workout will be self-guided with no formal instruction, though there will be collegiate students and Extension Professor Bo Garcia available to guide youth and their educators on site.

This event is open for all youth 3rd grade and up. Attend this event to prepare for the upcoming national 4‑H and FFA Meat Judging competitions coming up in October and November, respectively.

Participants are required to bring their own PPE, including:
• Hardhat
• Hairnet/beard net
• Frock
• Long pants
• Closed‑toed shoes.

https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/stories/96511#:~:text=The%20workout%20will%20include%20Beef,and%20their%20educators%20on%20site.

Looking for a unique way to engage and inspire young people in your club or classroom? Check out this year’s 4-H STEM Challenge. The 2024 STEM Challenge was developed by 4-H educators from LSU AgCenter, North Dakota State University, Penn State Extension, and University of Nebraska–Lincoln. This year's kit will provide fundamental knowledge on food security, how people are impacted locally and globally, and how youth can co-create more food secure communities. Learn more at 4-H.org/programs/stem-challenge/

🚀 High School Seniors, Your Future Starts Here! 🚀 Apply for FREE to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln by November 1st using code HUSKER. Don’t miss out on scholarship notifications!

Explore the "Power of Red" at the 4-H Campus Visit Day! 🌟 Join us on Saturday, November 9th, for a half-day college visit experience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dive into academic interests, enjoy a campus tour, and get all your questions answered about admissions, financial aid, and more. Complimentary lunch included! Register now at go.unl.edu/casnrvisitday24. #PowerOfRed

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. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.