Clover Kids is a special program for youth ages 5-7 who want to participate in 4-H. The program offers a variety of educational and recreational experiences in non-competitive environments. These opportunities are ideal for developing confidence, creativity, and competence during this stage of youth development.

Clover Kids have special opportunities to participate during the Gage County Fair by exhibiting Clover Kids static exhibits. To be eligible to participate, Clover Kids need to enroll through our 4HOnline system at v2.4honline.com

Gage County 4-H Juniors and Seniors, it's time for you to start looking at scholarships! There are numerous agricultural companies, organizations, and colleges that offer scholarships to students who have long-term career goals in agriculture. There are also a lot of local and county-wide scholarships for 4-H youth. Now is the time to put together a good resume-it helps!

At a loss for where to begin with scholarships and financial aid? We have multiple resources available for you! Check out the Scholarship Update Newsletter for resources and a list of local and statewide 4-H Scholarships.

Thank you to everyone who came out to help and support our Pancake Fundraiser and Silent Auction! With your help and your donations to the silent auction we raised almost $2700. This money will go towards our general fund to help with our monthly bills. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Nebraska 4-H Foundation’s Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards sponsored by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) is a prestigious award designed to recognize 4-H clubs for their efforts to serve their communities. This grant is intended to provide funding for 4-H Clubs to complete projects that will have a lasting impact on their communities. Projects should be intentional and impactful, growing club members as leaders and fulfilling a need in their community. Recognition is in the form of a $500 grant issued to the club’s treasury to be used as described in the award application form completed by the club. Examples of fundable programs include mentorship programs, intergenerational programs, attending educational experiences, hosting workshops/educational events and service-learning opportunities.

Funded by the Gage County 4-H Council, youth (age 12+) and 4-H clubs are encouraged to apply for a grant designated for a club or county project, workshop, or community project. A maximum of $200 is awarded per grant application. Applications are due April 1 and can be filled out online at: https://go.unl.edu/gagecoyouthatwork A final report is due on October 15 and funds will be awarded at the 4-H Achievement program in the fall.

The decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2023 to be 9 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion show) at the Nebraska State Fair.

Starting on Jan. 23, teens with a passion for preparedness can apply to join FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council! The YPC offers an opportunity for teens to share their ideas and feedback with FEMA, improve their leadership skills, and develop preparedness projects. YPC members also participate in an annual youth summit in Washington, D.C. with FEMA leaders and preparedness professionals to network and learn more about the field of emergency management.

Open to grades 8-11. Applicants can apply through either a written or video response. They must provide two letters of recommendation and a list of extracurricular activities and trainings. To showcase their qualifications, applicants can also add optional supplemental materials, such as links to news stories, awards, blog posts, and more.

Once applications are evaluated, FEMA staff will conduct interviews with selected semi-finalists. Successful applicants highlight their preparedness, service and leadership experience and provide a well-rounded overview of their qualifications. FEMA will notify selected candidates in May. Interested students can apply online at https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/apply-to-ypc. The application period begins Jan. 23, 2023 and closes March 6, 2023.

Breeding Gilts:

• Will be shown by breed (order): Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Hereford, Landrace, Poland China, Spotted, Tamworth, Yorkshire, All Other Breeds, Crossbred.
• Any breed with less than 3 animals exhibiting in their breed will show in the All Other Breed Class.
• Purebred breeding gilts will be shown by age.
• Crossbred breeding gilts will be shown by weight.
• Breeding Gilts are required to be born on or after December 1, 2022.
• Champion and Reserve Champion of each purebred and crossbred breed will come back for Champion and Reserve Champion Overall Breeding Gilt.

Market Hogs:

• Will be shown by weight in the following Divisions: Purebred, Crossbred Market Gilt, Crossbred Market Barrow.
• Purebred (barrows and gilts show together, classes divided by weight, not breed)
• Crossbred Market Gilts (classes divided by weight)
• Crossbred Market Barrows (classes divided by weight)
• Market hogs weighing less than 200 lbs are not eligible for Champion/Reserve Champion.
• Champion and Reserve Champion of each division (purebred, crossbred market gilt, crossbred market barrow) will come back for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Overall Market Hog.

- Registration papers will be required on hogs showing in purebred classes.

All 4-H/FFA BREEDING livestock, market livestock and FEEDER CALVES will now be required to submit a DNA sample/envelope to be eligible to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair. DNA envelopes for the Nebraska State Fair are due on June 15 to the Extension Office.

DNA nominations will all be $7.00 per animal. With this update, animals will automatically be eligible for both breeding and market. Any DNA nomination submitted through Show Stock Manager will also be eligible for exhibition at the Aksarben Stock Show.

Breeding livestock (new): Registration papers must now show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in show stock manager

4-H (ages 8-18) and FFA (under age 19) exhibitors as of Jan. 1st of the current year who exhibit beef, goat, sheep, swine, rabbit & poultry are REQUIRED to complete YQCA training by June 15, to be eligible to participate at the Gage County Fair and Nebraska State Fair. (Clover Kids are not required to complete YQCA training).

Face-to-Face training participants are REQUIRED TO PRE-REGISTER ONLINE and pay a $3.00 fee. Once you have completed the training you will log back into your YQCA account and retrieve your certificate to turn into the Extension Office by June 15.

• April 10 @ Extension Office, 11:00 - noon

Online YQCA training is available for $12.00 per youth. Please make a special note to your 4-H age (as of Jan. 1) when selecting a course to complete.

*If you have any problems with the online website (logging in, online testing, etc.), you have to contact the help desk on the website. We unfortunately have no admin capabilities to help if you have issues.

**Make sure you complete both the pre and post survey before YQCA will let you print off your YQCA certificate.

Contact the Extension Office for more information and to register!