

4-H Blast
February 29, 2024
Special Agronomy Project 2024
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown, or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop, and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. This year, we honor a crop grown in the panhandle!
In the fourth year of special agronomy project, youth will explore sugar beets! Sugar beets are a major contributor to the U.S. sweetener industry and occur in a vast range of different food products. Be eligible to enter an exhibit at both the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area.
Enroll for the 2024 Special Agronomy Project through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project. The Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. Be on the look out for the pick-up notification soon!
NAYI to be held July 8-12th
The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) is accepting applications for the 2024 program. NAYI brings together hundreds of high school juniors and seniors for a week to learn more about agriculture, Nebraska's number one industry.
NAYI will take place July 8-12, 2024, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus. Students selected to attend NAYI do so free of charge due to generous donations from numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups, and industry organizations. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April, 15th, 2024 to apply. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/NAYI and must be submitted online. This year's theme is "Leading your Legacy."
2024 State Fair Updates
New in 2024! All members who were 8 as of January 1 will be eligible to participate in 4-H in-person events (live animal shows, fashion shows, Premier Communication Event, and contests) at the Nebraska State Fair. For more information, visit 4h.unl.edu/state-fair.
4-H Enrollment is open!
4-H enrollment is open for the 2024 Fair Year! Please remember that you must re-enroll every year; when you do, please double check projects, grade level of youth, and T-SHIRT SIZE (we use this info for fair exhibitor shirts!).
Reminder, if you are planning to participate in Shooting Sports, you must select your discipline area from projects to sign consent forms AND make sure you are listing either York Street (BB, Air, and Archery) or Clay Busters (Trap) as either the primary or secondary club.
**New this year** Project areas have condensed! Instead of 200 project options, there are now 50. If you have a question as to an area a project may have moved into, please contact the Extension Office. (Examples: Breeding beef is now "Beef" and Sketchbook Crossroads is now in "Visual Arts")
26 - Extension Office Closed for Arbor Day
28 - Communications Contest (Speech, PSA, & Presentation); 3 pm 4-H Building
1 - Early Bird 4-H Camp Registration Deadline
9 - 4-H Camp Registration Ends
15 - Shooting Sports registration due
27 - Extension Office Closed for Memorial Day
28 - 4-H Workshop
29 - 4-H Workshop
30 - 4-H Workshop
Virtual Opportunities
STEM at Home
Classroom Connection
We’re proud to launch the new 4-H Classroom Connection, a collection of life enrichment experience designed for groups of youth in school classrooms, home school co-ops, afterschool programs, and families looking for supplemental learning experiences. All the programs are supported by a statewide network of positive youth development experts, bringing the education of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln straight to your classroom. 4h.unl.edu/classroom-connection
UNL Extension - York County
Jenny Rees - jrees2@unl.edu
Amanda Hackenkamp - amanda.hackenkamp@unl.edu
Macee Parrish - macee.parrish@unl.edu
Laurie Linabery - llinabery2@unl.edu
Email: york-county@unl.edu
Website: https://york.unl.edu
Location: 2345 North Nebraska Avenue, York, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 362-5508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unlextensionyork/?ref=bookmarks