Morrill County 4-H Update
September/October 2020
Events & Deadlines
September 7 - Office Closed (Labor Day)
September 11 - Last Day to Pick Up Premium Ribbon Checks
September 15 - Club of Excellence Due
September 15 - Extension Board Meeting @ PREC/Bridgeport Extension Office (7:00 PM)
September 16 - Diamond Clover Due
October 1 - Achievement Applications Due
October 9 - 4-H Youth Leadership Ambassador Application Due
October 12 - Office Closed (Columbus Day)
October 18 - Achievement Night!!! @ Prairie Winds Community Center (2:00 PM)
October 18 - 4-H Council Meeting following Achievement Night
October 30 - LOGN Camp Registration Deadline
November 30 - Martha & Don Romeo Scholarship Due
Frequently Asked Questions
Livestock sale checks are available for pickup at the Extension Office!
When will I receive my fair premium money?
The premium ribbon checks are available at the Extension Office until September 11, 2020. Please come pick them up to prevent them from possibly being lost in the mail!!!
When will the awards I won be available?
Awards will be distributed at our Achievement Night on October 18th! See more information further down in the newsletter.
Remind App!!!
To do that, text @mocofair to the number 81010!
2020 Morrill County Fair Pictures
If You Have Any Pictures From Fair That You Would Like to Share, Please Email Them to spaisley3@unl.edu!
2020 State Static Exhibits
Amy Albro: (State Fair: Special Recognition - Home Environment) Dress or Formal, & Home Accessory Loom Weaving
Laura Albro: Skirted Combination
Nathaniel Barker: (State Fair: Photography Selected for CASNR and Extension Dean's Office) Candid Photography Display/Print, Challenging Photo Exhibit (Pictures with a Purpose), Creative Composition Display/Print, Whole Wheat/Mixed Grain Bread, Foam Cake, 3-D Accessory, & 2-D Accessory
Leah Cerny: Dried Fruits, Furniture (Fabric Covered), & Window Covering
Henry Deuker: (State Fair: Special Recognition - Electricity & Vet Science) Vet Science Large Animal Poster, Reports or Journal, Special Garden Project, Electrical Display/Item, & Woodworking Article
Nolan Dueker: (State Fair: Best of Show - Agronomy) Crop Production Display, Wheat, Value and Importance of Livestock Forage & Wildlife Habitat and Food Book, & Recycled Woodworking Display (Nailing it Together)
Bayleigh Lacy: Embellished Garment w/ Original Design
Beau Lake: (State Fair: Special Recognition - Home Environment) Accessory (Original Made from Wood)
Dixon Leisy: Family Involvement Entry & Geocache
Drew Leisy: Barn Quilt (Less Than 4' x 4')
Tessa Little: Woodworking Display
Janessa Lussetto: Accessory (Original Needlework/Stitchery)
Cassidee Murray: Fairy/Miniature Garden, Sage, & Thyme
Delaney Pohl: (State Fair: Special Recognition - Photography) Freeze/Blur the Moment Print & Portrait Print
Emma Safford: Accessory (Outdoor Living)
Ella Schluterbusch: Beginning Fashion Accessory & Babysitting Kit
Dawson Wiggins: Accessory (Outdoor Living), Accessory (Original Made from Metal), & Welding Furniture
Maxson Wiggins: Furniture (Recycled/Remade), Accessory (Original Floral Design), & Accessory (Recycled/Upcycled Item for the Home)
Good Luck to Our State Fair Livestock Participants!!!
- Lane Hoerler - 4-H Swine
- Cammie Rader - 4-H Beef
- Aleena Wagner - FFA Swine
- Jordan Wagner - FFA Swine
- Jessica Whitebear - FFA Beef
State Fair App
Attention State Fair 4-H Exhibitors!
Please note that show programs will not be printed this year. Instead, digital show and contest programs will be available online at 4h.unl.edu/state-fair-schedule and through our 4-H at the State Fair app: go.unl.edu/zbap. Be sure to check back regularly as programs will be added as they are finalized.
4-H Achievement Application - Due October 1st
Two versions of the application are available:
- Junior Achievement Application for ages 8-14 (county-only)
- Senior Achievement Application for ages 15-18 (state-eligible)
For Application forms and more information go to: https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application.
For a little extra help in figuring out how to complete your achievement application, please watch the video below! It was created a couple of years ago, but it should be helpful!!!
Achievement Night - October 18th
Date: October 18, 2020
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Prairie Winds Community Center
This year, we ask that everyone bring their own pre-packaged snacks and 4-H appropriate drinks to share! After handing out awards, stick around to partake in a scavenger hunt and Cornhole Tournament!!!
Come and celebrate with us and support your fellow 4-H members and leaders!
Morrill County 4-H Council
New 4-H and FFA youth members will also be selected to serve on Council, giving them the opportunity to "voice" their opinions regarding decisions made related to fair. The new 4-H youth members will be elected at Achievement Night while the FFA members will be selected amongst FFA members in their chapter.
Any adult or youth interested in having their name added to the ballot for the Morrill County 4-H Executive Council is encouraged to either call the Extension Office at (308) 262-1022 or email Katlyn at krosas2@unl.edu. The annual election will be held at Achievement Night on October 18th.
Club of Excellence - September 15th
Applications are due Tuesday, September 15, 2020, to the Extension office.
Applications can be found at: http://4h.unl.edu/2_OpenToAllYouth/a_4HClub/charterclubannualsummaryform.pdf
LOG N to your Next Chapter of Life
The first opportunity will be this fall with 8th grade students. On November 7th, the youth will discover some of their future possibilities at Camp Norwesca, south of Chadron near Chadron State Park. The day starts at 9 am, it will include interactive activities like a teambuilding course as well as archery, before concluding at 3 pm. The cost for this event is $40 and includes lunch. Besides the knowledge youth will gain from this program, they also will get a trip to visit the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) as a Sophomore and will get their admission application fees waived to UNL when they complete the program. If youth cannot attend all the sessions or start as a 10th grader or above, there will be opportunities to catch up online. There is a limit of 40 participants to attend this retreat.
To register visit the Extension Office or go online to https://go.unl.edu/logn8 before October 30th. For questions please contact Melissa Mracek at mmracek2@unl.edu, Sarah Paisley at spaisley3@unl.edu, Michelle Garwood at mgarwood3@unl.edu, or Ashley Fenning at astevens4@unl.edu.
Next Chapter
Next Chapter at Nebraska is a college and career readiness program designed for high school students. Scholars will engage in events, activities, and curriculum where they will participate in exploring future career possibilities, develop research skills, and experience a variety of learning techniques to help them transition to and succeed in college. Any 8th grade student enrolled in 4-H is automatically pre-admitted to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Students are not required to be enrolled in 4-H to participate in the program. Upon program completion and meeting admissions requirements, program participants can be fully admitted to the University. Fee waivers exist for those planning to pursue a degree at UNL.
This program is provided in a variety of settings by trained Nebraska Extension—4-H Educators across the state including classroom settings, regional retreats, community 4-H clubs, and online.
If you/your child is interested, please sign up through the link and an educator will be in contact with you shortly about potential options in your area.
Diamond Clover Awards - September 16th
Deadline to submit Diamond Clover is September 16th. Forms are available on the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover website.
The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover program encourages 4-H youth to engage in a variety of programs, projects, and activities that will enable youth to acquire skills and abilities that will prepare them for success in the future. The program is designed to reach and recognize all youth engaged in 4-H, from club members and campers to school enrichment, afterschool, and special interest program participants. The program consists of six levels that require a young person to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments.
Rules
- Youth may only receive recognition at each level once.
- Youth may only receive one level of recognition per year.
- Youth should begin at Level 1 and progress through Level 6. However, youth who are older when beginning may opt to start at a higher level (2-4) as is mutually agreeable to the participant and the parent/guardian or leader. In order for older youth to begin at level 5 or 6, the Extension staff must also be in agreement.
- Approval: Levels 1–4 require the approval of a 4-H youth’s parent/guardian. If the 4-H youth belongs to a 4-H club, club leader approval is also required (if 4-H youth belongs to more than one club, choose one leader to work with). Levels 5 and 6 require the approval of a local county extension staff member.
- Accomplishments: Each level requires participants to complete a specified number of accomplishments. The 4-H participant may choose accomplishment listed for each level. The accomplishments are age appropriate and increase in quantity and difficulty for each level. Parents/guardians, leaders, and Extension staff may suggest other accomplishments — comparable to those provided — to improve the individual learning experience of each 4-H youth.
4-H STEM Challenge
The 4‑H STEM Challenge, formerly known as 4‑H National Youth Science Day (4‑H NYSD), is an annual initiative to inspire kids everywhere to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on learning.
For the past 12 years, 4‑H has developed fun, accessible challenges that shows kids how STEM skills can be applied to the world around them.
Mars Base Camp
The race to land humans on Mars is on! The 2020 4‑H STEM Challenge will explore sending a mission to Mars with the activity, Mars Base Camp. Developed by Google and Virginia Cooperative Extension, Mars Base Camp is a collection of activities that teaches kids ages 8-14 STEM skills like mechanical engineering, physics, computer science, and agriculture.
How to Participate
This year, there are two different sized Mars Base Camp kits to ensure young people everywhere, regardless of internet access or family resources, can participate:
- Educator Kit: Includes materials for 12 youth to participate in the STEM Challenge at the same time. Kits can be used in spaces where physical distancing and other safety precautions can be followed.
- Family-sized Kit: Includes materials for 1-4 youth to participate in the STEM Challenge at the same time, enabling families to participate from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Find more information at: https://4-h.org/parents/4-h-stem-challenge/.
Become a 4-H Youth Leadership Ambassador!
Hey High School Age Youth!
We are so excited that you are interested in becoming a part of the NEW Nebraska 4-H Youth Leadership Ambassador Team.
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 Conference!
The deadline for applications for the Ambassador team is Friday, October 9th, 2020! Apply here: https://go.unl.edu/rcoe
If selected our first meeting will be Sunday, November 1st, 2020 at 4-6pm CT. From there we'll meet monthly to create an amazing experience for you and other high schoolers across the state!
The 4-H Youth Leadership Conference will be held July 1st-3rd, 2021 at the Nebraska State 4-H Camp in Halsey, NE!
If you have questions or would like to know more please contact Julie Kreikemeier (julia.kreikemeier@unl.edu) or Stacey Keys (stacey.keys@unl.edu)!
Martha & Don Romeo Scholarship - November 30th
Attention Seniors!!!
The scholarship will be awarded at the annual NAFM convention in January. Please see the Martha and Don Romeo Scholarship application as well as more information regarding the scholarship by clicking on the button below.
Morrill County Extension Office
Email: krosas2@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/morrill/
Location: 514 Main Street, Bridgeport, Nebraska, USA
Phone: (308) 262-1022
Facebook: facebook.com/MorrillCounty4H/
Sarah Paisley
Email: spaisley3@unl.edu
Phone: (308) 262-1022
Tammie Ostdiek
Email: tostdiek5@unl.edu
Phone: (308) 262-1022