Thurston Co. 4-H News

Jennifer E. Hansen, Extension Educator, jhansen6@unl.edu

Sydney Williams, Extension Assistant, sydney.williams@unl.edu

Bobbie Hingst, Office Manager, bhingst2@unl.edu

Email: thurston-county@unl.edu
Website: thurston.unl.edu
Location: 415 Main Street, P.O. Box 665, Pender, NE 68787
Phone: 402-385-6041
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLExtensionThurston/
Twitter: @UNLThurstonCty

FEBRUARY – Nebraska 4-H Month

2 Butter Braids Sales Begin (pick up materials at the Extension office)

10 NACEB Meeting – Lincoln, NE

16 Office Closed – Presidents’ Day

17 Thurston Extension Board Meeting – 6:30 PM

18 D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Fire Hall; 7:00 PM

MARCH

1 Thurston County Early Enrollment Incentive Deadline!

1 4-H Achievement/Kick Off Party-Pender Lanes; 12-3 PM

3 Pesticide Training – Pender Fire Hall; 1 – 3 PM

9 4-H Council Meeting; 6:30 PM

11 Butter Braid Sales are DUE by 4:30 PM!!

15 Jarvis Memorial Scholarship Application DUE

18 D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Fire Hall; 7:00 PM

23 Butter Braids delivered (To Extension Office)

26 4-H Horse Stampede entries DUE

APRIL

3 Thurston 4-H Senior Scholarship Applications Due

13 Joint 4-H Council Meeting, (Dakota Co. Extension Office)

15 D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Fire Hall; 7:00 PM

19-25 National Volunteer Week

20 D-T All Contest Day Registration is DUE by 12:00 PM!!

25 Dakota- Thurston All Contest Day, 9:30 AM Location TBA

25-26 4-H Horse Stampede, Lincoln, NE

Thurston County 4-H'ers will again have the opportunity to sell Butter Braids this year starting Monday, February 2, 2026!

Thurston 4-H Members can pick up their fundraising materials prior to or on February 2th from the Thurston County Extension Office! (If materials aren't picked up in a timely manner, we will bring them to Achievement/Kick Off Party on March 1st!)

Online options are available again for 2026. Butter Braids are available in a variety of flavors! Thurston County 4-Hers will be taking orders from February 2 to March 11. Orders will be delivered to the 4-Hers on March 19 at 4 pm at the Thurston County Extension Office. Proceeds from this fundraiser help fund 4-H activities throughout the year!

On behalf of Thurston County 4-H Council, any adult or youth that gets enrolled into 4-H Online by March 1st will be rewarded with a t-shirt with "Thurston County 4-H" and the official 4-H Clover Emblem on it. Once designed, I will send out more details about what they look like, style, etc.

Already enrolled? Awesome, you'll get one too! 🙂

4-H Online 2.0 is ready for you and so are we! To enroll, visit https://v2.4honline.com/

Nebraska is using the same platform as last year! To enroll, visit https://v2.4honline.com/
For new families, find instructions here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member

For returning families: Do Not create a new account; rather use your existing log-in credentials from 4-H online as used in previous years. Find instructions at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member

Any Direct volunteers such as club leaders, project leaders, workshop presenters and more, must put in their ACTUAL BIRTHDATE into 4-H Online when enrolling so that the volunteer screening can be done.

Our county has a $5 enrollment fee to be paid by check or cash.

Cloverleaf members pay your leader. All other clubs, TC Roughriders, Rosalie Feeders, and Independent pay by check or cash to the Thurston County Extension Office.

Please contact us at 402-385-6041 with any enrollment questions.

Beginning with the 2026 4-H year, there are changes to the Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening policy and procedures.

Volunteer Orientation will now be required every 3 years through 4-H Online. This is a change from it being required only during a volunteer’s rescreening year. This will allow us to update the Orientation trainings more frequently if the need arises. Volunteers will be able to do the training in 6 separate sections (each being 10 minutes or less) at their own pace rather than in one sitting. They may be able to do it simultaneously on separate devices with their spouse/partner/another volunteer if they wish, however each individual volunteer will need to do the Orientation training associated with their respective member profile. There will be no workaround permitted at this time. If you have any questions, contact our office at 402-385-6041.

These changes were made to ensure all youth and volunteers are protected through increased volunteer screening level and enhanced user experience!

The 2026 Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest is officially underway. The contest is open to all third-grade students in Nebraska public, private and home schools. Posters need to be returned to your local Emergency Management Director/Coordinator on or before February 6, 2026. More information can be found at https://www.naem.us/2026-Poster-Contest-Rules.

More details at: https://www.naem.us/2026-Poster-Contest-Rules

Date: Sunday, March 1st, 2026

Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

• Awards Presentation will start promptly at 12:00 pm with pizza and bowling to follow.

Location: Pender Lanes

• We are combining our 2025 4-H Achievement Celebration with our 2026 Kick Off Party! On behalf of the 4-H Council, we invite new and returning members and their families!! Come enjoy an evening of awards, FREE Bowling and FREE Pizza. Families are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert to share as well!
• Get information about 4-H Online enrollment, fundraising for the year, and pickup a copy of the Thurston County 4-H calendar and newsletter with important dates.

The next session of the 4-H Virtual Volunteer Training series, 4-H Council Treasurer Training will be held on February 9th, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT. Please share the attached flyer and information below with your respective 4-H council treasurers and others in your county that would be interested in participating.

Presenters: Lindsay Shearer, Ashley Benes, Jill Goedeken

Topics covered:

• Responsibilities of the 4-H council treasurer role
• 4-H financial policies for 4-H Councils
• Best practices for 4-H council treasurers

Who should attend?

• 4-H Council Treasurers
• County staff working with 4-H Council Treasurer
• 4-H club volunteers who are welcome to attend as well.

Registration information:

• Registration is required. The zoom link will be sent immediately following registration.
• Registration is free. Everyone should register separately.
• Participating in the live session is encouraged. The training will be recorded and will be sent to registered participants.

Register here: https://go.unl.edu/treasurertraining

The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables, flowers, fruit, and herbs. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their hands dirty in this project area.

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.

Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will then have to reach out to their local Extension Office to sign up and order the seeds.

Project information and materials are available on the website: https://4h.unl.edu/special-gardening-project. If you have any questions about the project please contact me: elizabeth.exstrom@unl.edu, 308-385-5088.

The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live in. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. This year, we will be exploring a crop that can be marketed different ways depending on the variety.

In the sixth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore TWO varieties of popcorn! The first is an heirloom variety that was discovered and developed by a farmer in eastern Nebraska, called Nebraska Red. The second is a commercial variety, Robust 997. Be sure not to plant sweet corn in your garden with these to prevent cross pollination.

Be eligible to enter an exhibit at the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area.

Contact your local Extension Office to order packets of seeds. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.

During the 2026 Exploring Ecosystems season, campers will explore Nebraska’s natural world, discover how ecosystems connect, and learn how they can help care for the environment - all while having fun at camp!

The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is offering both day camps and overnight camp opportunities.

• Camp will return to Chadron for a 5 day overnight session (June 15-19) for youth ages 8–14.
• Day camps will be held in Grand Island (June 30) and Lincoln (July 22) for youth ages 8–12 providing a great introduction to the camp experience.

Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, scholarships, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. By participating in a camp, youth live on and explore the Nebraska campus, meet students from across the country, investigate an interest or potential career, and have lots of fun making new friends. (This is not a commuter camp). During the week-long camps, students will work with university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like engineering, digital media, or food systems. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, families are invited to attend a capstone presentation where students showcase their achievements.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to students going into grades 9-12 during the 2026-2027 school year. Housing and food are provided. Space is limited, and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. To ensure the optimal co-hort learning experience, each camp sets a maximum registration. A waitlist option will be available.

Please see Camp Sessions for a list of camps offered, descriptions, capacity, costs, and scholarship opportunities.

2026 Dates & Deadlines

• Scholarship Application Deadline - Friday, January 23 go to https://go.unl.edu/scholarshipbigredcamp
• Registration Opens - Tuesday, February 10, at 8:00 a.m. CT; for the rest, go to the above camp sessions
• Early Bird Tuition Rate Deadline - Friday, April 17
• Regulation Tuition Rate Deadline - Friday, May 1
• Late Tuition Rate and Final Registration Deadline - Friday, May 22
• Health Form Submission Deadline - Friday, May 22
• Big Red Camps - June 7-12, 2026

We are excited to announce the fifth year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program! This program provides an additional opportunity for enrolled 4-H livestock project youth to strengthen their knowledge and leadership skills across all aspects of livestock projects, including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition.

The program recognizes Members of Excellence in the following livestock project areas: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.

The Livestock Achievement Program consists of three levels designed to support age-appropriate growth and learning. Youth plan and report a broad range of project-related accomplishments by selecting goals from an approved list, with each accomplishment carrying a designated point value.

• Juniors (ages 8–9): Complete 75 points. Submit pictures, posters, presentations, and other learning activities to earn the distinction of Junior Member of Excellence.
• Intermediates (ages 10–13): Complete 100 points of activities to earn Intermediate Member of Excellence.
• Seniors (ages 14–18): Complete 150 points of activities to earn Senior Member of Excellence.

Plan and Report forms, available on the program webpage, provide examples of eligible accomplishments. Members may also propose their own project-related accomplishments with approval from their local Extension educator.

· Applications are due June 15 and must be submitted through the online application form.

· Plan and Reports and Project Records are due August 1 and must be submitted via the online completion form.

Youth who complete the program and earn Member of Excellence recognition will be recognized during the Grand Drive during 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://go.unl.edu/lap

Contacts:
Cole Meador – cmeador2@unl.edu
Brett Kreifels – brett.kreifels@unl.edu
Kelly Schole – kschole2@unl.edu
Ashley Benes – ashley.benes@unl.edu

The program consists of levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Dog Achievement 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 Dog Achievement program.

More information can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/dog-achievement-program

Save the date! 4-H Horse Camp is coming on June 11-13 at Fort Robinson State Part, Crawford, Nebraska. For more information, contact Tessa Reece at tessa.reece@unl.edu

Please join us for the Spring 2026 Food System Speaker Series hosted by Nebraska Extension’s Regional Food System Initiative (NERFSI) started in January. It will continue through May. Zoom link is pasted below.

Join Zoom Meeting - https://unl.zoom.us/j/92673575909

Meeting ID: 926 7357 5909

Here is the list of speakers and topics for this semester:

• January 21st: Ben Jewell, Nebraska Extension. Is the Price Right? Understanding Farmers Market Pricing in Nebraska
• February 18th: Anna Oetting, Lincoln Mayor’s Office, Lincoln’s Local Food Plan
• March 18th: Ben Dutton, Nebraska Extension. School Buyer Local Food Purchasing Survey Results
• April 15th: Dana Freeman and Kelsey Ryan-Simkins, Nebraska Extension. Assessing Omaha’s Food System.
• May 15th: Heritage Omaha. Omaha’s Year-Round Public Market.

Each semester, NERFSI hosts a monthly speaker series highlighting research and projects impacting Nebraska’s food system. You can watch previous presentations here.

Nebraska Women in Agriculture conference registration opens January 6, 2026

The 41st Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will be held Feb. 25–27, 2026, at the Younes Conference Center South, 416 Talmadge St., in Kearney.

For additional details and registration information, visit wia.unl.edu.

The 2nd annual Northeast Nebraska Crops Update that will be held at the Haskell Ag Lab near Concord, NE on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026.

This is a program designed for anyone in the ag sector that works with crops, geared towards the northeast area.

It runs from 9am-3:30pm and is free to attend with a meal provided. Registration is highly recommended to ensure adequate space and enough food. Presentations will be on crop issues and ag topics for 2026.

2026 Nebraska Extension ProHort Annual Update is happening on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 9:00 - 3:30 at the Dodge County Extension office in Fremont.

Topics include:

• Balancing Pesticide & Pollinators
• Soil Test Basics
• Tree & Turf Interactions
• Annual and Flowers in Containers

Expertise and new ideas presented by Nebraska Extension Educators. 5 NAA CEU Credits available. Learn more and register at go.unl.edu/prohort

Sessions will be held in-person and will include an update on regulations and discussion on how to best use manure on your operation. All who are interested in livestock manure management are welcome to take the training. Farm staff and advisors implementing farm's permit or nutrient plan are welcome and encouraged to attend. Consider making this workshop part of your staff's training. Crop farmers using manure, as well as farm staff and advisors implementing a livestock operation's permit or nutrient plan are welcome and encouraged to attend one or more sessions.

Participants must attend all-day session to receive DWEE Land Application Training certification. Additional educational training is required every 5 years for permitted operations. If you are unsure of your certification status, contact Leslie Johnson (402-584-3818) or Lindsey Roark (402-471-4233).

Training Details:

Cost: $100 per operation (but all participants need to register)

• Fees paid by credit card will be due upon registration at http://go.unl.edu/lat2026pay.
• Check or cash payment will be accepted at the door.

Lunch will be included.

Registration is required regardless of attendance location. Registration is available online.

Contact Leslie Johnson (402-584-3818) before the workshop for assistance.

This is a reminder that we’ll be conducting the Nebraska Agricultural Custom Rates survey from now until mid-January. This is our regular biennial custom rates survey that is utilized by many across the state. Data will be gathered and summarized in the 2026 report.

We will send the online survey link via email or send a print copy to those who request the paper version when they sign up to participate in the survey. Go.unl.edu/tbky is the online link to sign up, or the QR code is noted in the graphic below.

Join us for the Midwest FEEDS (Forage, Education, and Efficiency in Diversified Systems) Practicum, a hands-on, multi-session educational program designed to equip participants with essential skills for success in the cattle industry. This unique program leverages the competitive advantages of the Midwest, including access to perennial pastures, annual forages, cover crops, crop residues, and harvested feeds.

To enroll, go to: https://go.unl.edu/2026midwestfeedspracticumsignupunl-lincoln

Get ready for an unforgettable three-day livestock judging experience! The Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series is coming June 17–19, 2026, bringing together youth from across the region for competition, learning, and celebration as the Great Plains Judging Circuit wraps up its season. This three-day event is open to all states.

Participants will take part in 10 placing classes, enjoy a clinic, and compete for awards in each age division and species. With events hosted in Columbus, Bladen, and Nelson, Nebraska, each day offers something unique—plus fun evening activities, including a BBQ after-party and a final banquet and awards ceremony.

Whether you're a seasoned judge or new to the arena, this is the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills, meet fellow competitors, and close out the circuit in style.

📅 June 17–19, 2026
📍 Columbus • Bladen • Nelson, Nebraska
🔗 Registration details available at: https://go.unl.edu/lj26

Join us for three exciting days of livestock evaluation, learning, and community. We can’t wait to see you there! More details to come for each day.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors for the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI is one of Nebraska’s largest agriculture youth outreach events. This five-day program brings students together, offering networking opportunities with ag leaders and a chance to learn more about the industry, discover careers and make new friends. NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year’s theme is “Passion Meets Purpose.”

NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 6–10, 2026. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending must apply online at www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi. All applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026.

“NAYI is a long-standing tradition in Nebraska agriculture and a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students to connect with peers from around the state,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “It is one of the best ways for students to learn more about Nebraska’s diverse agricultural industry and the hard-working people who help make our ag industry great.”

NAYI features motivational speakers, discussions on agricultural issues, career development, networking opportunities, leadership activities, a farm management game, a formal banquet and awards presentation, and a dance. In its 55th year, NAYI is the longest running agricultural youth program of its kind in the nation. More than 225 students attended NAYI last year.

NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their leadership skills, interests and involvement in agriculture. Students attend NAYI free of charge due to generous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. Space is limited. Those interested in helping sponsoring NAYI can visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/NAYIsponsors for more information.

NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, which is comprised of 21 college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. The Council’s purpose is to provide young Nebraskans with a better understanding of agriculture, including agricultural opportunities available to today’s youth. #nedeptag #nebraskaagriculture #nebraskaagriculturalyouthinstitue Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute

The YQCA Scholarship Program is open, and applications are now being accepted! The scholarship program supports youth who demonstrate leadership, responsibility, and commitment to the livestock industry and the principles of quality animal care. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your members, educators, families, and youth participants.

Full details, eligibility requirements, and application information can be found online. Application Deadline: February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Apply here: https://yqcaprogram.org/local/2026-scholarship-program.php

Know a young inventor with a big idea? Applications are now open for the 2026 National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Student Showcase, an exciting opportunity for K-12 students to share their creative inventions on a national stage.
Selected students will showcase their work at the NAI Annual Conference in Los Angeles (July 1-4, 2026), offering unparalleled exposure, mentorship, and recognition among some of the most accomplished inventors and innovators in the world. The Student Showcase takes place on June 2, with top projects recognized at the Genspiration Prize Award Luncheon on June 3.
Applications close February 13, 2026. Learn more and apply at academyofinventors.org/student-showcase.

More details at: https://academyofinventors.org/student-showcase

Experience what life is like as a student at Nebraska. During Red Letter Day, you'll tour campus with a current student, eat lunch in a dining center, learn about student engagement opportunities and resources for success and delve into your career path during academic sessions. You'll also tour one of our residence halls and learn more about on-campus housing.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Nebraska Office of Admissions at 402-472-2023. Because Red Letter Days fill up quickly, we encourage you to reserve your spot early.

Your pre-registration will allow us to prepare for your visit, ensuring the best possible campus experience.

Program Fee: $5 per person. Program fees are nonrefundable.

Note: School groups cannot be accommodated at Red Letter Day. View group visit opportunities.

These are the dates of the days:

• February 13th - filled
• March 6
• April 10
• May 1

Visit these websites to get started: https://admissions.unl.edu/events/on-campus/red-letter-days/ or https://admissions.unl.edu/visit/

CASNR Admitted Student Day - Friday, February 20th

Admitted Student Day - Saturday, March 28th

The Nebraska Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) is pleased to offer the Cynthia Thomsen Scholarship. Nebraska WIFE is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving profitability in production agriculture. The one-year $2000 scholarship is available to any woman who lives in Nebraska who will begin her FIRST year in a University/Technical/Trade/Community College in a field related to agriculture and must be postmarked by March 25, 2026. The scholarship may be used at the school of the recipient’s choice in Nebraska.

You'll find the application here.

Click here: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/thurston/scholarships/