Looking for fun, hands-on activities suitable for the winter season? Find the perfect activities to spark curiosity for youth all season long at https://4-h.org/about/4-h-at-home/holidays/.

*New in 2023*

Developing 4-H’ers self-confidence and effective public speaking skills are two goals of the Nebraska 4-H Communications Event. The local contest date has been set for Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m at the Presbyterian Church in Fairbury. You must pre-register for the contest by Wednesday, March 8th by calling the office or sending an email to darci.pesek@unl.edu. Resources to help you prepare for the Communications Event are available at https://4h.unl.edu/premier-communication-event-contests

We follow the same rules as the state contest. Ages are as of January 1, 2023. There will not be a separate presentation contest held in July as it has been in previous years.

Age Divisions
Four age divisions are used in the Jefferson County 4-H Communications Event and are based on the 4-H member's age (the age of the youth before January 1 of the current year).

• Clover Kids: 4-H ages 5 - 7
• Junior Division: 4-H ages 8 - 9
• Intermediate Division: 4-H ages 10 - 13
• Senior Division: 4-H ages 14 - 18

Prepared Speech Category Rules

The Prepared Speech contest provides youth the opportunity to write and prepare a speech on a topic related to their 4-H experience. The judge will view the speech and evaluate based on the subject, organization, and delivery of the speech.

Length of speeches:

• Clover Kids: May recite a poem, read/tell a story
• Junior Division: 1 to 3 minutes

• Intermediate Division: 3 to 5 minutes

• Senior Division: 5 to 8 minutes

Illustrated Presentation Category Rules

An Illustrated Presentation is a live presentation with a formal talk where youth will use visual aids (such as props, posters, computer-based visuals, handouts, video, etc.) to show and tell others how to do something. The judge views the entire presentation and engages in a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

Length of presentations:

• Individual (all age divisions): 6-8 minutes
  
• Team (all age divisions): 8-10 minutes
  

Public Service Announcement Rules

The Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest challenges youth to write and record a 60-second promotional audio recording focused on a yearly theme that could be played on the radio to promote the work of Nebraska 4-H. Youth are judged on their overall organization and delivery of the PSA.

Length of PSA’s:

• 60 seconds
  
• Youth will prepare a PSA around the theme: Discover Your Spark in Nebraska 4-H!
  
• All 4-H PSA's must include the following tagline within the last 10 seconds of the PSA: "Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu." The tagline is included in the 60-second time limit.
  

Impromptu Speech Rules

The Impromptu Seech competition gives youth the opportunity to write and present a speech around a 4-H related topic that they select during the competition where they are given 15 minutes to develop and prepare for their presentation. Judges are evaluating the subject, organization, and delivery of the speech.

Length of speeches:

• Intermediate Division (ages 10-13): 3 minutes
  
• Senior Division (ages 14-18): 5 minutes
  
• On the day of the contest, participants will have a topic randomly selected for them. Youth will have no more than 15 minutes to develop a speech on the selected topic. Participants will then deliver the speech to judges and audience members.
  

To register for the Entomology Display workshop please use the following link: https://form.jotform.com/230055239006143.

March

13 - Public Speaking/Presentations Contest

April

1 - Diamond Clover Applications Due

7 - Babysitting Workshop, Wilber

10 - Entomology Workshop, Fairgrounds

May

1 - Camp Counselor Applications Due

25 - Camp Counselor Training, 4-H Building, Fairbury

June

12 & 13 - Camp Renegade, Camp Jefferson

15 & 16 - Camp Venture, Camp Jefferson

15 - Fair Entries Due

15 - State Fair/AKSARBEN DNA & Online nominations due

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 Sates 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.

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