Wednesday What-Nots 10/1

All County Fair awards are in and available for pick-up at the Extension Office!

The 4-H Achievement Application is an organized presentation of what has been learned and accomplished in 4-H. When accurately and carefully assembled, it is a useful tool for determining progress and personal growth. Careful planning and recording of facts and the selection of only the most important information is essential to preparing a neat, complete, and organized application.

Otoe County 4-H members of 4-H age (8+) are eligible to apply for a variety of special county awards, along with state awards. Available below or on our website at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/otoe/awards-recognitio. Questions? Reach out to Tracy at tensor2@unl.edu or 402-269-2301

If your club is applying for the Club of Excellence Award, please submit the application to the Extension Office by October 3rd.

Please make arrangements to pick up your State Fair projects from the Extension Office as soon as possible. Due to limited space, any projects not picked up by Achievement Night will be taken to the thrift store. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us stay organized!

From October 1 – November 4, 2025, Casey’s and 4-H are joining forces to strengthen the communities they call home. Support 4-H at Casey’s in two easy ways:

• October 1-10: Round up your in-store purchase to donate to 4-H
• October 1-November 4: add a donation to any order made online or in the Casey’s app

Every donation benefits Nebraska 4-H programs. Casey’s will match up to $150,000 of donations.

On Monday of National 4-H Week, Go GREEN and show your 4-H spirit! Wear a green shirt, clothing, face paint – anything green goes. Help paint the USA GREEN, on Monday, October 6 with others from around the nation! Share your Go Green moment on social and tag Otoe County 4-H, National 4-H (@4H), the Nebraska 4-H program (@Nebraska4H), and use #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek.

Is your teen passionate about AI, computer science, or STEM? Nebraska 4-H has a funded opportunity for youth (ages 13–19) to attend the 2026 Ignite by 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. - including travel, registration, hotel, and meals!

Teens & a parent/guardian must complete the Interest Form by Oct. 27: https://go.unl.edu/ai-igite26

Districts run North-South and are divided by region: West district runs from western county line to 22nd rd, Central district is 22nd rd to 46th Rd, and East district is 46th Rd to the eastern county line. Council meets monthly to provide 4-H program guidance and helps shape the future direction of the program. If you’re ready to add your name to the ballot (or maybe you just need a few more details before you decide), call or email Tracy.

Join us on November 2nd for the 2025 Achievement Night in the Kimmel Ag-Expo Center at 5 P.M. More details to come!

Please remember to complete your annual instructor report by October 31. The instructions and link were emailed to you by Steve Pritchard last week, but if you did not receive them, please reach out to Tracy for assistance.

You can access the on-line reporting form by going to: 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Annual Instructor Report - DUE OCTOBER 31, 2025

On behalf of the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, attached is the Martha & Don Romeo Scholarship application. Return to the Extension Office by Nov. 30.

Visit https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-road-show for more specific information and registration link. Registration closes one week prior to each Road Show session. Registration is $15 per person and includes a meal and all supplies for in-person attendees. Registration for Virtual attendees is $10, they will receive a packet of supplies to use during the program.

Utilize the links below to sign up for the Take & Make Project! Plan to pay when you pick them up from the Otoe County Extension Office.

Yarn Trees

Wood Block Turkeys

Tracy Ensor, 4-H Youth Development Associate Extension Educator, tensor2@unl.edu

Kristen Herrick, 4-H Extension Assistant, kherrick3@unl.edu

Ben Jewell, Rural Prosperity Nebraska Associate Extension Educator, bmcshane-jewell2@unl.edu

Cheryl Goff, Office Manager, cheryl.goff@unl.edu

Website: www.otoe.unl.edu

Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County