Morrill County 4-H Update
January/February 2024
Important Dates
January 1 - Office Closed (New Year's Day)
January 3 - Holiday Craft Time Workshop @ PWCC (9:00 AM-12:00 PM)
January 5 - Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications Due
January 5 - National 4-H Conference & National 4-H Congress Applications Due
January 15 - Engler Scholarship Application Due
January 15 - Office Closed (MLK Jr. Day)
January 22 - 4-H Council Meeting @ Extension Office (6:00 PM)
January 31 - Year End Treasurer's Report from Clubs Due
February 19 - Office Closed (President's Day)
February 24 - Beef Weigh @ Flatwater Vet Clinic (8:00-10:00 AM)
Remind App!
To receive updates throughout the year in a quick and easy manner, sign up for the REMIND class: Morrill County Fair Updates.
To do that, text @mocofair to the number 81010!
Workshops
Citizenship Washington Focus Travel Opportunity
Citizenship Washington Trip
4-H Enrollment & Other Resources
4-H Enrollment
It’s time to get enrolled in 4-H for the 2024 4-H year! To enroll, click on the button below.
For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member. Please note the enrollment fee for Morrill county is $5 per 4-H member/ $0 for Clover Kid member and is paid either online or at our office.
Please contact Katlyn at (308) 262-1022 or krosas2@unl.edu with any questions.
Volunteer Information
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 http://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.
Club Leader Resources
Nebraska 4-H offers a variety of resources for 4-H Clubs and leaders. A 4-H Club is an organized group of five or more youth who meet regularly with adult volunteers or 4-H staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences. The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development and foster educational opportunities to meet the needs of young people.
For 4-H Club Leader Resources follow this link https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders
Project Information
4-H Projects
Projects provide the basis of the 4-H program by offering various educational experiences. Carrying out a project will help the member "learn by doing" as well as learn "why" things happen the way they do.
There are over 200 project areas that youth can enter a project under for the fair. From showing an animal to growing produce in a garden, the opportunities are almost limitless! For more information and some ideas for future projects, click on the button below.
Please contact Katlyn at (308) 262-1022 or krosas2@unl.edu with any questions.
Project Spotlight - 5 Often Overlooked Projects
We all know about the 4-H livestock, cooking and sewing projects. But with nearly 200 projects to choose from, there are likely some you aren't familiar with. These five often-overlooked projects offer real-world skills and unique experiences: go.unl.edu/2nd8
Or for more information, go to the following link -> https://4h.unl.edu/news/nebraska-4-h-5-underrated-practical-projects
4-H STEM Challenge
This year’s National 4-H STEM Challenge will encourage students to be Power Protectors! Developed by 4-H educators from Cornell University, University of Illinois, Utah State University and West Virginia University, Power Protectors is a collection of three activities that teach kids how to address real-world issues and explore careers in energy. The STEM Challenge kit is perfect for youth ages 8-14.
The 2023 Challenge includes three different activities that allow students to learn about renewable energy, design and build a model of a sustainable energy source, and develop life skills such as problem solving and decision making.
Learn more about this year’s 4-H STEM Challenge and how you and your students can get involved at https://4-h.org/programs/stem-challenge/
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 https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement
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.
Families can find dates, session summaries, and registration information by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/camps-register.
Special Garden Project
As you begin making plans for 2024, be sure to check out the Special Garden Project. It offers a unique introduction to plant science. Members are given seeds and guided through planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. Members can exhibit a cut flower or harvested vegetable at the fair if all goes well. Otherwise, youth can share their experience through a poster, story, or video exhibit. Next year, members will work with the PRINCESS INDIA NASTURTIUM. Visit 4h.unl.edu/spg to learn more!
Morrill County Beef Weigh-In
Youth Leadership Opportunities
National 4-H Congress
National 4-H Congress is an award program, which provides recognition to 4-H youth for their outstanding performances and achievements in 4-H. It is held annually in Atlanta, Georgia.Nebraska can send delegates to National 4-H Congress each year. Nebraska delegates are selected for a trip to National 4-H Congress by submitting an Achievement Application for state competition. Youth must be 15-19 years old during Congress. Applications are due on January 5th.
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference is the premier national civic engagement opportunity for 4-H members across the country. Delegates not only learn while at the conference but also have the opportunity to practice and apply in a real-world setting their newly developed and refined skills. The National 4-H Conference is held annually in the Washington D.C. area. Delegates are selected each year to represent Nebraska at the National 4-H Conference. Nebraska delegates are selected for a trip to National 4-H Conference by submitting an Achievement Application.Youth must be 15-19 years old Conference. Applications are due January 5th.
Nebraska 4-H Youth Leadership Experience Ambassador Team
This opportunity is open to all High School 4-H members. As a part of this group, we hope you can be a voice on the youth perspective, develop & practice leadership skills that you can take back to your communities, and collaborate with Extension Staff and 4-Hers across the state to plan & implement a 4-H Youth Leadership Experiences! Applications are due on Friday, January 5th. Applications can be found at https://go.unl.edu/2024yleamb.
Scholarships
Engler Scholarship - Due Jan 15
What is Engler?
Engler is an entrepreneurship program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Our mission is to embolden our people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. Rather than sit in lecture halls all day, Engler students engage in entrepreneurship the time-tested, tried-and-true way: learning by doing.
Who is it for?
Engler is for the students who recognize that college should be more than just homework and grades — those who are not content waiting four years to start building their future and desire more than the generic college experience. If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship or are interested in pursuing your purpose, you’re in the right place.
Our students come from a wide variety of majors and disciplines, and we welcome all kinds of entrepreneurs and businesses. Engler is a place where future engineers, marketers, scientists, artists, programmers, farmers, and many others collaborate to build enterprises and wage war with the status quo. Whether you’re from small-town Nebraska or a big city on the other side of the globe, you can find a home here.
For more information, take a look at the PDFs attached below. You can also contact englerrecruitment@unl.edu or visit englerjourney.com.
2024 Morrill County Fair
Morrill County Extension Office
Sarah Paisley
4-H Educator / Lead Educator
Garden/Morrill Counties
Katlyn Rosas
4-H Assistant / Office Manager
Morrill County Extension Office
Email: krosas2@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/morrill/
Location: 514 Main Street, Bridgeport, NE 69336
Phone: 308-262-1022
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorrillCounty4H
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination. © 2023