Nuckolls County 4-H Award Assembly

Jenna Gilbert, Nuckolls County Extension Educator, served as the mistress of ceremonies in the open air pavilion at the Nuckolls County Fair ground. It was a warm, summer afternoon, but the temperature had moderated from earlier in the week and 4-H members and their families appeared comfortable.

The event opened with Cody Brockman, 4-H ambassador, leading the group in repeating the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H Pledge.

4-H alumni were asked to stand for recognition. Then members of each 4-H club were asked to stand: Alban, Dry Creek, Farm Friends, Lucky Buckaroos, Oxbow, Rough Riders, Independents, Shooting Sports and 4-H Friends.

4-H Club Leaders and volunteers then stood to be recognized.

The Herdsmanship award is awarded to clubs each year after being evaluated twice a day throughout the fair. The 2024 herdsmanship winners this year were: rabbit, Farm Friends; poultry, Farm Friends; horse, Dry Creek; hog, Rough Riders; goat, Lucky Buckaroos; sheep, Farm Friends; and beef, Rough Riders. Farm Friends was the overall herdsmanship winner.

Fair Board and 4-H Council

The Nuckolls County Ag Society is comprised of volunteers who give many hours to plan, promote and make sure the Nuckolls County Fair is a success. Members of the 2024 Ag Society include Dustin Cassell, president; Garrett Schroer, vice-president; Caroline Himmelberg, secretary and Nicole Thayer, treasurer. Other members of the ag society are Cole Epley, Seth Gebers, Shane Kohmetscher, Nick Kucera, Taylor Lynch, Amy Schroer, Kylie Kinley, Dakota Thayer and Kaci Empting. Owen Grube will be retiring from the ag society. He has served for three years.

The 4-H Council is made up of people with an intent interest in 4-H. The council sets the policies and guidelines for the 4-H program for the entire year. The 2024 council members include Sam Rempe, president; Amanda Kohmetscher, vice-president; Leslie Behrends, secretary; and Kevin Bogus, treasurer. Other members of the 4-H council are Alishia Ostdiek, Lexie Frahm, Matt Porter, Crystal Wyatt, and Megan Murphy. Cody Brockman, ambassador.

Long-term 4-H members

Six longtime Nuckolls County 4-H members were recognized. They have been 4-H members for six years or more and graduated as seniors this year. They included:

Sydney Biltoft is a Lawrence-Nelson graduate who plans to study nursing. She is the daughter of Leslie Sole and Jason Biltoft. Her favorite projects over the years have been participating in Project Bonanza Days and showing goats.

Nathan Elledge is a Lawrence-Nelson High School graduate who plans to study diesel technology. His parents are Nick and Laura Elledge. Nathan's favorite 4-H projects are woodworking and goats.

Jaelyn Himmelberg's favorite memory is building the family's kitchen table with Grandpa.

Chase Ostdiek graduated from Blue Hill High School and plans to attend Central Community College. Chase's parents are Daren and Kristen Ostdiek. Chase's favorite part about 4-H was showing beef and sheep.

Emily Watts graduated from Lawrence-Nelson High School and plans to study agribusiness. Emily's parents are Gordon and Shanda Watts. Her favorite part about 4-H was sewing quilts and participating in the ice cream contest.

Stichka recognized

Jean Stichka started with Nuckolls County Extension on Aug.t 3, 1994- 30 years ago. Extension personnel asked several people who had worked with Stichka through the years to write something. Their writings had a common theme which included: "goes above and beyond," "warm and welcoming," "mentor," "dedicated" and "the backbone of Nuckolls County Extension."

Jenna Gilbert, mistress of ceremonies said. "I think all of us that have worked with Jean in any capacity can relate to these sentiments and so many more. She's run fairs as the only staff member, she has kept the office open more days than any of us can count, and she's trained more people from educators to interns.

Turning to Stichka, Gilbert continued with a tear in her voice, "Thank you, Jean, for everything you do. There are no words to describe how grateful we are to work with you. Congratulations on such an incredible milestone!"

Buckles & Round Robin Awards

Macoy Schoneberg won this year's junior high point horse buckle. It is given in memory of Drew Cassell and was presented by the Cassell family.

Stella Frahm won the intermediate high point horse buckle at the Nuckolls County Fair. It is sponsored by the James Watts Memorial and was presented by the Watts family.

The senior high point horse buckle was sponsored by Double O Lawn Care and was presented by Chad Ostdiek. It was won by Natalia Wehrman.

Maya Fanning won the overall trail horse buckle which is sponsored by Danny Jacobitz Memorial. It represents all age divisions.

The large animal round robin showmanship belt buckle was sponsored by the Chet Hawley Memorial. This year's winner is Maddy Laughlin.

Cody Brockman won the small animal round robin showmanship jacket is sponsored by Superior Physical Therapy.

The beef champion rate of gain buckle is sponsored by the Frank Jones Memorial. It was presented by Mia and Ella Gardner, members of the Jones family. Chasity Ostdiek won the buckle with an average daily gain of 5.5 pounds.

The Brownfield Buckle is awarded to the top three individuals (one in each age division) exhibiting the most agiculture related exhibits during the Nuckolls County Fair. Breckyn Bohlen won the junior division,Chasity Ostdiek the intermediate division and Lauren Kohmetscher the senior division.

Overall showmanship buckles are awarded in horse, beef, sheep, goat and hog classes. The champion junior, intermediate, and senior showmen compete for this honor. This year's winners were Sequoia Wulf - horse; Addie Kohmetscher - beef and hog; Adriyanna Mazour - sheep and Chasity Ostdiek - goat.

Supreme Market Animal awards are presented to each large animal species. For this award, the score is calculated on a combination of the exhibitor's live placing, the animal's ultrasound placing, and rate of gain if applicable. The 2024 recipients were Addie Kohmetscher - swine; Emersyn Mazour - lamb, Chasity Ostdiek - beef; Haley Ostdiek - goat. The awards were sponsored by Superior Pharmacy, Chet Hawley Memorial, South Central Cattleman and C&M Supply

Outstanding 4-H Volunteer

Sam Remper received the 2024 outstanding volunteer award. He has been the beef superintendent since 2009. He serves as the 4-H council president.

Garrett Svoboda of F&S Ultrasound, was named the 2024 Friend of 4-H. He has been crucial in determining the supreme market awards over the last few years by providing beef scans to 4-H members at no charge.

Mini rosette winners

Mini rosettes are given to the individuals who bring the largest number of high-quality exhibits in a division of the static building. This year's winners at the Nuckolls County Fair were Preslea Adams - senior reserve foods; Emery Baxa - junior champion foods and junior champion horticulture; Isaac Bogus - junior reserve foods and junior reserve SET; Cody Brockman - senior champion foods and senior champion horticulture; Lilly Corman - junior reserve clothing; Laney Elledge - junior champion home environment; Dillon Laughlin -junior. reserve home environment; Madelyn Laughlin - senior reserve home environment; Adriyanna Mazour - senior reserve clothing; Kahlyn Perrie - senior champion home environment and senior reserve horticulture; Bishop Rempe - junior reserve horticulture; Hadley Schoneberg - senior champion clothing; Macoy Schoneberg - junior champion clothing and Lily Wyatt - junior champion SET.

Nuckolls County Ambassador

In Nuckolls County, youth have the opportunity to apply to be a Nuckolls County 4-H Ambassador. The duties of Ambassador include representing the 4-H membership on the Nuckolls County 4-H Council and helping throughout the fair. Ambassadors are selected based upon their application, a resume of projects, community service and two letters of recommendation. This year's Ambassador for Nuckolls County is Lauren Kohmetscher. She received a jacket from the 4-H Council.