Hall County 4-H Newsletter
January 2024
IT'S TIME TO ENROLL IN 4-H!
New and returning 4-H families may now enroll at https://v2.4honline.com. (Returning 4-H families, please enroll under the same email login that was used the previous year; do not create a new account.) Enrollment fees remain $10 per youth. Fees may be paid online during the 4-H enrollment process or by check/cash at the Hall County Extension Office.
Important Update on Project Selection: Starting in the 2023-2024 program year, project selection is now optional. By successfully completing the 4-H member enrollment by the June 15th deadline, youth will be eligible to participate and exhibit in any project area, contest, county and state fairs. While project selection is optional, it is encouraged for youth to select projects they are interested in exploring. Please note:
- Youth are only eligible to exhibit in a specific project area or contest in a single county.
- Horse and shooting sports projects will continue to require project enrollment due to the parental consent required to participate in these projects.
If you have any questions regarding the enrollment process, please call the Extension Office at 308-385-5088. We are here to help!
SIGN UP FOR 4-H TEXT MESSAGES!
NEW – Hall County 4-H will be using the Remind app (in addition to email & social media) to communicate important 4-H news, events & deadlines to 4-H families. Get information for Hall County 4-H right on your phone! Two-way text messaging makes it more convenient for families to receive important information. Plus, it’s free and easy to use!
Options to sign up for Remind:
- Option 1 - Click the link to sign up, https://www.remind.com/join/4h-hall.
- Option 2 - Text the message @4h-hall to the number 81010.
See the attached pdf below.
Please call Crystal at 308-385-5088 for assistance.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN JANUARY
Market Beef Weigh-In
The 4-H Market Beef Weigh-In will be held Saturday, January 6th at Platte Valley Vet Clinic in Alda from 8-11 am. If you plan to show market beef at County Fair or State Fair, you need to weigh in at this time. In order for market beef to be eligible for State Fair, they must have an EID tag and DNA must be pulled at weigh-in.
There are opportunities to weigh calves in surrounding counties; however, if you plan on showing animals at the Hall County Fair, we prefer that you weigh your animals at our weigh-in on the 6th. If you have questions about livestock weigh-in day, contact Megan or Crystal.
- DNA cost is $7 per animal (paid later during the online nominations at showstockmgr.com)
- The cost of the ear tags will be covered by Friends of 4-H.
NEW! Community Changemakers
Calling all teens (8th grade and up) who are interested in making a difference in your local communities!! We are looking for Community Changemakers who will provide leadership for upcoming events and have opportunities to gain new experiences with 4-H. The first Changemaker event is being part of the Cupid Crew – we will be organizing the delivery of 200 Valentines Day cards and roses to senior citizens all over Hall County! This event is in partnership with Nebraska 4-H and a Wish of a Lifetime from AARP. Please contact D’Ette or Megan at the office if you are interested in being a part of this exciting, new group by January 11th. The first Community Changemaker meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.
Join Sew Crazy Sewing Club!
- Who: Any youth interested in sewing, ages 5-18.
- When: Saturday, January 13, 2024
- Where: Hall County Extension meeting room
- What Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
- January Project: Upcycled bag from t-shirt or jeans
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.
SHOUT OUTS!
The Sew Crazy 4-H Sewing Club did their club Community Service Project on Saturday December 9th. Club members made approximately 20 pillowcases for the "Cases for CASA Kids Program" project for Heartland CASA. A huge thank you to everyone who donated material towards this project.
Teach a Kids College Class!
Do you have a special skill or talent and would enjoy passing that on to youth in our community (or do you know someone who does)? If so, we need your help! We’re looking for adults/teens to lead workshops for our summer Kids College program.
Kids College workshops offer hands-on, learning opportunities for youth ages 5-18, and are held in the month of June. Need ideas? We can help! How about candy making, woodworking, jewelry making, metal working, rockets, bath bombs, or slime. Give us a call if you are interested in learning how to become a workshop instructor.
Workshop proposals are due to the Hall County Extension Office by Feb. 1. Contact Joyce at (308) 385-5088 or jkrolikowski2@unl.edu for more information.
ONGOING 4-H PROGRAMS
Little Free Pantry Built by Local 4-H Club
Kountryside Kids 4-H Club has installed a Little Free Pantry at Lincoln Elementary School. They are partnering with Grand Island Public Schools (and you!) on this project!
Kountryside Kids 4-H Club invites 4-H families and clubs to help keep the pantry filled with food, hygiene, seasonal needs, and home essentials, through the next year. If your family or club would like to contribute to the pantry, sign up for a week (or more) in 2024, by following this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA72DA7FBCF8-45801707-lincoln.
The Little Free Pantry is supported by Hall County 4-H, the Nutrition Education Program (NEP), and UNL Extension. If you have any questions, call the Extension Office at 308-385-5088 or email LaDonna at ladonna.obermiller@unl.edu. For ideas of items to put in the Little Free Pantry, click Little Free Food Pantry Food Safety Information | UNL Food.
Check out a STEM Backpack for your family during the winter months! Each of the backpacks contains theme-based books, activity sheets & materials, and a step-by-step lesson plan for adults. Most of the lessons are also available in Spanish.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Check Out the 2024 Special Garden Project!
The 2024 plant will be Princess India Nasturtium. Learn more about the Special Garden Project and how to get started at 4h.unl.edu/sgp. ALL 4-H MEMBERS, ages 5-18, can order seeds for the Special Garden Project!
To reserve your Special Garden Project seeds,
- Enroll in 4-H at v2.4honline.com.
- Complete the following google form: go.unl.edu/hallcosgporder by January 31, 2024.
Take a Look at These Overlooked Projects!
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
State Achievement Application
State achievement applications are due Friday, January 5! These applications are used to select National 4-H Congress delegates, National 4-H Conference delegates, and Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship recipients. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/achievement-application.
Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers 4-H members the opportunity to apply for scholarships. The Nebraska 4-H Foundation awards up to $22,000 worth of scholarships each year to 4-H’ers from across the state. All scholarship applications must be submitted via the Annual Achievement Application and are due January 5, 2024. For guidelines and more information, go to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website: www.ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships.
Scholarships Available for Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference
The Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will award up to 15 scholarships to students to attend the 2024 Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference, which will be held on Feb. 22-23 in Kearney, NE. The two-day conference will offer a variety of topics during the workshop sessions and keynote addresses by Dr. David Kohl, Ashley Machado and John Noltner. Any student attending a 4-year college/university, 2-year college, a vocational/technical school, or a 4-H or FFA member may apply for a scholarship to attend the conference.
Applicants will need to prepare a short essay on "Why do you want to attend the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference?" The essay response is limited to 3,000 characters. Applications must be submitted online by midnight Thursday, February 1st, 2024. More information can be found at: https://wia.unl.edu/scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than February 8, 2024.
Hall County 4-H Council Scholarships
Hall County 4-H Council is sponsoring scholarships valued at $500 each! The scholarships are available to current Hall County 4-H members who are graduating seniors this year. Applications are due March 1st to the Hall County Extension Office at 3180 W Hwy 34, Grand Island, NE 68801 or cbeissenherz2@unl.edu. The application can be found at hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/ or picked up at the Extension Office.
Hall County Agricultural Committee Scholarships
Two scholarships valued at $500 will be awarded to high school graduating seniors who are pursuing a program/career in agriculture/agribusiness. The scholarships will be given to applicants living or attending school in Hall County. The scholarships will be sent directly to the college, university, or technical school upon proof of registration. Applications are due March 1st. For more information, go to hall.unl.edu/4-h-member-resources/.
Plan to Set Goals & Apply for Awards in 2024!
Have you thought about your 4-H goals for 2024? Now is the time to look at the Diamond Clover Program and the Clover Kids Recognition Program, and set those goals now. For more information on Hall County 4-H awards, go to hall.unl.edu/4-h-youth-member-resources/. To find out more about state and national 4-H award opportunities, go to 4h.unl.edu/awards-recognition.
SAVE THE DATE! Hall County 4-H Achievement Event - October 6, 2024 😊
FEBRUARY WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
Building Better Babysitters Clinic
- Date and Time: Friday, February 9, 2024, 9 am-4 pm
- Location: Hall County Extension Office
- Ages: 10-18
- Cost: $25.00
Things to Know:
- This program will NOT provide CPR/First Aid Training.
- We will be making our lunch and snack. If there are food allergies, please let us know when registering.
- If you are able, bring a baby doll or medium-sized stuffed animal.
- We invite family members to come at 3:45 pm to help celebrate each new babysitter.
- Register by calling the office at 308-385-5088 by February 5, 2024.
Join the STEM Challenge Club!
NEW! STEM Challenge Club will meet monthly beginning in February. Each meeting will have a STEM activity in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math. Watch the newsletter for more information!
Our first meeting will be:
- Date and Time: Friday, February 16, 2024, 2-4 pm
- Location: Hall County Extension Office
- Ages: 8 and up
- Cost: $15.00
- Topic: Roller Coasters
Call the office at 308-385-5088 to register by February 14, 2024.
HORSE NEWS
Horse Advisory Meeting
The next Horse Advisory meeting will be on February 12 at 6:30 pm at the Hall County Extension Office meeting room. It is important we have as many 4-H members as possible at this meeting. The discussions will be around: High Point requirements, independent and club duties during the Hall County Fair horse show, and requirements to participate in certain classes. Please watch your email for more information.
Horse High Point Requirements
Reminder: Two of the three spring/summer horse meetings MUST be attended to be eligible for the High Point award. These meetings are held in February, May, and July. The 4-H member will be required to attend at least one meeting themselves, and a representative (parent or club leader) may attend the other meeting.
SHOOTING SPORTS
4-H Shooting Sports Information, Statewide Competitions
Go to 4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports for more information about the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports program & to view the calendar of upcoming statewide shooting sports competitions!
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.
CAMPS & STATEWIDE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort
A Farrowed and Owned Breeding and Market Swine division for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry is available again at the Nebraska State Fair in 2024! The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member. In order to participate, youth must be 4-H age 10-18 as of January 1, 2024, complete YQCA, farrowed their project animal(s) and participate in monthly virtual educational meetings.
Registration for the 2024 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is now open until February 1st, 2024. More information can be found here: hall.unl.edu/farrowed-and-owned-swine-cohort-for-4-h-youth/.
Livestock Achievement Program
Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. NEW in 2024: Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement to get started.
Registration for the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp Program is Now Open!
The summer 2024 theme is The Power of Being 🍀 Green. Youth will get to explore and interact with their natural world in six different sessions. Youth will learn how they can use their head, heart, hands, and health to make our natural world a better place for all. The 2024 sessions offer tailored age cohorts, providing sessions for younger campers between the ages of 8-10, and an older cohort for ages 10-14.
Dates, session summaries, and registration information can be found by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/camps-register.
VOLUNTEERS & CLUB LEADERS
Year-End 4-H Club Treasurer's Report
Club Leaders, it’s time to fill out the annual treasurer’s report. Even if your club does not handle money, the form still needs to be signed & turned in to the Extension office.
NEW: There is a Club Inventory Report that must be filled out as well.
Forms can be found here: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/4-H/NEW%20Year%20End%20Treasurer%27s%2C%20Inventory%20Report%20fillable.pdf) and will be sent via email as well. Reports are due to the Extension office by January 31st. If you have any questions, call Joyce at (308) 385-5088 or email jkrolikowski2@unl.edu.
New Volunteer Orientation
Nebraska 4-H has launched a new volunteer orientation. This online training serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska and covers a few essential topics for volunteers.
While the orientation is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the course. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.
Volunteer Impact Study - You May be Contacted
What you do makes a difference! We are excited to share that our state will be participating in the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study of volunteers in the North Central Region. This survey is being conducted as a part of 12 state effort to document the impact of volunteering.
It will focus on three areas:
- the personal benefits of your volunteer experience;
- the impact you have on the organization by volunteering; and
- how your volunteer efforts contribute to your community in which you live and work.
A random sample of volunteers of 1000 volunteers from each state will be surveyed. This study will be conducted through an electronic survey. If you are selected you will receive an email to let you know you have been selected to participate.
You may be picked!!! If you are, please respond. We want to hear from you and learn from your volunteer experiences. Your comments will be used to quantify the personal, organizational and public impacts of volunteers involved with 4-H Youth Development Programs in our twelve-state region. Your impact is great and we want to hear from you!!!
CALENDAR
January 6 - Market Beef Weigh-In, 8-11 am at the Platte Valley Vet Clinic in Alda.
January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Extension Office is closed.
January 16 - Community Changemakers meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office (see info above).
January 23 - 4-H Council meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.
January 31 - Extension Board meeting, 4:30 pm at the Extension Office.
February 12 - Horse Advisory 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
Office Manager
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