Hall County 4-H Newsletter
September 2022
In This Issue
- Achievement Award Information
- Upcoming 4-H Workshops & Events
- 4-H Achievement Event at the Scarecrow Patch
- Off the Beaten Path Challenge
- Livestock Updates
- Horse News
- Shooting Sports
- Quilt of Valor recipient
- Nebraska State Fair - Special Recognition
- Statewide 4-H Events
- Calendar
Important Message for 4-H County Fair Participants!
Congratulations on a successful 2022 Hall County Fair!
Please remember to cash your Fair premium checks and send a thank-you to your trophy sponsors!
Check out our website for complete Hall County Fair Results & Photos: hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair-information/
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Sponsor Recognition – Many businesses contribute to the success of the Fair and support 4-H members through trophies, donations and the livestock sale. Your thanks may make the difference of whether that business continues to support Hall County 4-H.
- Hall County Farm Bureau (Attn: Shelly, 10287 S Locust, Doniphan NE 68832) – Livestock bedding
- Hall County Agricultural Committee - Ag Appreciation meal, Livestock sale ad
- Walmart North & South - Livestock sale ad
- Grand Island Independent - Livestock sale ad
- AGI, Dairy Queen (Capital Ave), Equitable Bank, Sam’s Club and Super Saver - Saturday 4-H Family luncheon
- Pathway Bank – Wednesday evening supper
- AKRS Equipment Company Inc. – Livestock sale meal
- Chuck & Phil Wieck and staff – Livestock sale auctioneers
- Chris Kotulak, Kiley Thompson and the Fonner Park Staff for all they do for 4-H
- Hall County Fair Board for all their efforts for a successful Fair
A big thanks also goes out to all the businesses that sponsored the awards for the 2022 Hall County Fair and supported the 4-Her’s at the Livestock Sale! We appreciate their support. Remember to thank your trophy, award, and sale sponsors!
4-H Recognition Time!
ALL 4-H MEMBERS are encouraged to apply for awards! Applications are due to the Extension Office by Thursday, September 15. Award applications can be found at hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/. Find out about the Diamond Clover program, Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application, as well as Volunteer/Club recognition! 4h.unl.edu/awards-recognition
Event planning is in progress for this year’s 4-H Fall Achievement event. Awards will be given to 4-H’ers for Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application accomplishments, Nebraska 4-H Gives Back program, Diamond Clover achievements, the Clover Kid’s recognition program and Club of Excellence. At the achievement event, awards will also be given for: five, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen & fourteen year memberships, as well as special cash awards from Fonner Park and Hornady Manufacturing. Keep reading the newsletter for more information on awards!
Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application
The Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application was introduced as an alternative to the Career Portfolio 4h.unl.edu/achievement-application. By having one single form that more closely resembles the kinds of questions being asked on college applications and in resumes, 4-H’ers will be better prepared to be college and job ready while keeping a record of their achievements. This year there is a Junior (ages 8-14) and Senior (ages 15-18) application. Those in the Senior age group will also have the opportunity to pursue state level opportunities – selection for 4-H Congress, Conference, scholarships, and other leadership opportunities that arise statewide. With this exciting change, career portfolios will no longer be accepted on the State level to attain these opportunities. Hall County will also make the transition away from Career Portfolios and will use the Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application in its place in order to offer the best opportunities to our youth. If you enjoy the Career Portfolio format, please feel free to continue using it; however those will not be judged on the county or state level.
Diamond Clover Program
The Diamond Clover Program starts with setting goals to work toward during the 4-H year and recording your accomplishments. More information can be found at: 4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover.
Special Awards: For each completed Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application or Diamond Clover application, the 4-H member will have their name entered in a random drawing. A $50 cash award will be given!
2022 Outstanding 4-H Member
The 2022 Outstanding 4-H Member (ages 16-18) is chosen based on leadership, citizenship and community involvement shown in their Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application or by completing the Outstanding 4-H Member Application found at hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/.
Clover Kid Awards
The Head, Heart, Hands and Health Program recognizes the work completed by Clover Kids. Each member, 4-H age 5-7, should have set two goals earlier this year in the areas of the four H’s: Head, Heart, Hands and Health. All Clover Kids who turn in completed forms will receive a prize. Forms are available at hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/ or the Extension office.
Nebraska 4-H Gives Back Program
The Nebraska 4-H Gives Back Program is an opportunity for a Nebraska 4-H member or a team of 4-H’ers to make a meaningful contribution to their community. This award recognizes the impact that 4-H youth make in their communities and celebrates the spirit of service-learning, a pillar of the 4-H experience. To achieve the Nebraska 4-H Gives Back honor, a 4-H member or team must complete a major service-learning project that benefits his/her community. Information is available at: 4h.unl.edu/ne4h-gives-back.
Club of Excellence Awards
Club Leaders – Submit an application for your club to be recognized as a “Club of Excellence!” To receive this designation, clubs must meet a set of criteria; check it out at hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/. Applications are due September 15 to the Extension Office.
All 4-H Families are Welcome to Attend the 4-H Achievement Event at the Scarecrow Patch!
Youth will be recognized for:
- Award Applications: Nebraska Achievement, Diamond Clover, Clover Kid, Club of Excellence
- Years of 4-H membership (5 years, 10-14 years)
- Hornady & Fonner Park cash awards
The awards program will begin at 3 pm in the seating area near the front entrance.
*Discounted tickets are $5 per person and must be purchased at the Extension Office by Monday, September 26th.
- There will be no 4-H check-in at the gate or discounted entry allowed without a pre-paid ticket.
- Tickets are good for the entire day of October 2nd (12-7 pm) and includes lunch (hotdog, chips, smores & a drink) and a pumpkin.
- Admission without a ticket is $8 per person, NOT including lunch or a pumpkin.
Join Sew Crazy 4-H Sewing Club!
- Who: Any youth interested in sewing, ages 5-18.
- When: Saturday, September 10, 2022
- Where: Hall County Extension meeting room
- What Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
- September Project: Table Runner
Club Leaders: Annette Schimmer and Barb Hovie
- Annette 308-379-7191 | netterz95@gmail.com
- Barb 308-379-5208 | barbarahovie@gmail.com
PLEASE contact Annette or Barb if you plan to attend, or if you have questions. A list of supplies needed will be sent via email before the meeting.
Off the Beaten Path Challenge - NEW!
September - Tree Hugging Challenge
Yes, you read that right…tree hugging! Get ready for this fun, family adventure, that will get your family out in nature and reaping the benefits of being outdoors. Your family challenge is to find a special tree in a special spot and hug it for a bit (individually, as a family, or both). It’s been said that hugging a tree is a feel-good experience, good for your health…and it just sounds like a lot of fun!
4-Hers will document their family nature adventure with photos and their reactions or feelings. Complete this challenge by adding photo evidence of your adventure here, padlet.com/hallcounty4h/hsrreay3wl1uljx7, by September 30th. We can’t wait to see your photos! As time allows, create an exhibit using the ideas provided below.
Did you know? Connecting kids with nature is highly beneficial! Check out these resources benefits_of_connecting_children_with_nature_infosheet.pdf (naturalstart.org) and Research Digest: Family Engagement with Nature - Children and Nature Network
Tree hugging exhibit class:
- Human Development, Family Involvement Entry (200-009) Create a scrapbook, poster or story describing an activity the family did together. Photographs are encouraged. Visuals should show participation by all family members. Follow additional directions in the fair premium book!
Post-Fair Livestock Meeting
Tuesday, October 4th at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office
All 4-H families involved in any livestock project are encouraged to attend! Come with thoughts on what worked well and what didn’t from County Fair and State Fair. We will be setting dates for livestock weigh-ins, tagging’s and meetings, so bring your calendars!
Post-Fair Horse Advisory Meeting
Monday, October 17th at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office
All 4-H families involved in the horse project are encouraged to attend! Come with thoughts on what worked well and what didn’t from County Fair. We will be setting dates for 2023 so bring your calendars!
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshops & Update Sessions
In order to run a club, county, or multi-county 4-H shootings sports program, leaders and instructors must be certified by Nebraska 4-H. Volunteers must attend a Leader Certification Workshop designed to cover the needed knowledge and guidelines to become a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Leader/Instructor. Go to 4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports/instructor for information regarding upcoming leader certification workshops & updates. If you are interested in becoming a certified shooting sports instructor for Hall County 4-H, please contact LaDonna Obermiller at 308-385-5088.
Congratulations to our 2022 Quilt of Valor recipient, Seth K. Johnson!
Quilts of Valor is a national community service project where quilts are created and donated to service men/women who have protected our country. The Sew Crazy 4-H club led this project locally, with the Calico Cottage quilt store in Hastings leading the workshop and quilting the top, and club leader Barb Hovie completing the binding. A big thanks to all that made this project possible!
Seth served in the United States Marine Corps for 2 years after graduation from Grand Island Senior High and served in the reserves for 6 years. He was “touched by war” serving his country overseas in the war in Iraq and is now employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He also volunteers with the Veteran’s Club. Seth resides in Crete, Nebraska with his wife and two children on a peaceful acreage raising children and chickens and spoiling his family with grass-fed smoked BBQ meats. He is a respected family role model, community member, US Citizen, and military member.
Nebraska State Fair - Special Recognition
Congratulations to all Hall County 4-H’ers who had exhibits selected for State Fair!
The following exhibitors received Special Recognition:
- Emily Happold for her Photography exhibit that was selected for UNL East Campus Exhibition.
- Alexis Meier Glaze for her Foods exhibit.
- Casey Olson for his Photography exhibit.
- Katelyn Turek - Livestock Achievement Program, 4-H Member of Excellence.
2022 State 4-H Rodeo
- Saturday, October 8th, 2022
- Lancaster Event Center- Lincoln, NE
- Register: https://cvent.me/v5dno9
- Deadline for Entries, Horse ID forms, & Advancement Levels = September 16
- Entries are done online
- Horse ID forms should be handed into county offices by September 16
Youth must submit a 4-H Horse ID Form(s) and must have passed the corresponding Advancement Level in order to compete by the deadline, September 16.
For more Information: https://4h.unl.edu/horse-rodeo
Enter the Make It With Wool Contest!
The object of the contest is to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns; to encourage personal creations in sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, and weaving of wool fabrics and yarns; and to recognize creative skills. The 2022 State Make It With Wool Contest will be November 19 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, NE beginning at 9:00 am. Everyone is invited to the public Fashion Show at 1:00 pm.
For more information, contact the Nebraska State Director: Andrea Nisley (phone 308-324-5501) anisley1@unl.edu. The entry form, state brochure and national wool contest guidelines are posted on Dawson County Extension’s website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dawson/. Entry forms, fees, wool samples and wool testing fees are due October 15, 2022 to Andrea Nisley.
2023 Judging Sign-Up
2022 Calendar - Upcoming Events
August 26 - September 5 - Nebraska State Fair
September 6 - Pick up State Fair static exhibits, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, west end of the 4-H/FFA building.
September 15 - Deadline for 4-H Achievement Award applications.
September 20 - 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.
October 2 - 4-H Achievement Event at the Scarecrow Patch, St. Libory. Awards given at 3 pm.
October 4 - Post-Fair Livestock Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.
October 17 - Post-Fair Horse Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.
D'Ette Scholtz
4-H Youth Development
Megan Knuth
4-H Youth Development
LaDonna Obermiller
4-H Youth Development
Crystal Beissenherz
Joyce Krolikowski
Nebraska Extension - Hall County
Email: hall-county@unl.edu
Website: hall.unl.edu
Location: 3180 W Hwy 34, College Park, Grand Island, Nebraska, USA
Phone: 308-385-5088
Facebook: facebook.com/HallCounty4HNebraska
Twitter: @4HHoopla