PASE - Gov. Ag Excellence Awards

4-H Foundation Board Meeting

Governor Ag Excellence Awards

This was Reese and my first experience at the PASE-Life Challenge events at the UNL East Campus! Although we couldn't spend the day with them, we had a blast at the picnic/awards ceremony that evening! We even brought the 4-H Truck to show off!

Each summer, over 500 4-H'ers convene at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus to test their skills in animal science and family and consumer sciences during PASE (Premier Animal Science Events) and Life Challenge. Teens compete in a variety of different contests including: livestock, meats and poultry judging, livestock skillathon, livestock quiz bowl, life challenges and clover challenge. While on campus, young people have the opportunity to take part in faculty-led workshops, campus tours, and special sessions by UNL recruiters. For more information about PASE-Life Challenge visit the 4-H Webstie!

We also had the privilege of participating in the Governor Ag Excellence Awards. This year's awards were sponsored by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA). These awards recognize 4-H Clubs for the work of the individuals in the club and community service work of the entire club. Twenty-five clubs are recognized each year. Each club receives a $500 check from NIFA to complete their community service project.

Director of the Department of Agriculture, Greg Ibach, spoke at the ceremony. Tim Kenny, Executive Director of NIFA, and Dudley Beyer, also from NIFA, were also in attendance to present the Governors Ag Excellence Awards.

Congrats to this years winners! You all were outstanding!

After the awards ceremony, we enjoyed the picnic catered by the UNL Dairy Store! Yummy peach ice cream too!

Earlier in the day, we had the opportunity to meet the members of the 4-H Foundation's Board of Trustees. Reese and I would like to thank them for allowing us to have our internships and provide us with the opportunity of traveling the state and meeting some amazing people! Without their support and love of 4-H, we would not have been able to have this experience!

NebraskaLand Days - Lincoln County

Our first adventure outside of Lincoln! This truck is AMAZING! It rides soo well! You can hardly tell you are driving on pot holes.

First stop for Lincoln County was the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. We even managed to snag a couple FREE tickets from a generous Lincoln County couple! Thanks!

At 6:45 the next morning, we attended the Pork Chop Breakfast. First time we both have ever had a 'pork chop' for breakfast! It was yummy! It was the best service we ever had - getting asked if we needed more coffee by little boy scouts.

The rest of the morning we spent at Cody Park checking out the elk, fountains, and VERY full Platte River! We even went for a little walk in the river!

Around noon, we lined up for the NebraskaLand Days Parade - spot G1. We soaked up some sun and hung out with the Lincoln County 4-Hers until the parade started! Even managed to get some air time on the radio with 107.3 fm! We drove through the parade 'handing' out candy, green pom poms, and even some t-shirts! We both even got awesome tans - Molly on the drivers side got a tan on her left arm and Reese on the passenger side got a tan on her left arm. Next time, we'll have to rotate! :)

Soon after we hit the road back to Lincoln, missing our friends in Lincoln County! Thanks Brenda and Randy for the hospitality!

Adios Lincoln!!

Adios Lincoln!!

Reese & Molly

Hey Everyone!

Guess what?! Kirk and Beckie willing handed us the keys to the 2010 Ford F150 and we made it to North Platte with NO speeding tickets!!!!

Be sure to come check us out at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo TONIGHT!

Tomorrow morning we will be at the Eagles Pork Breakfast. And be sure to stick around for the NebraskaLand Days Parade in Downtown North Platte!

Well that's all for now. Check back later for pictures and stories about our adventure!

Meet Your Truck Drivers...

We're taking baby steps. Right now, they are only trusting us with a golf cart...
but soon, they'll hand us the keys to a new Ford F150!!

Hello everyone!!!
My name is Molly Trausch and I'm a Junior at UNL majoring in Horticulture-Entrepreneurship. Right now I am serving on my second term as the UNL Horticulture Club's Treasurer. After graduation, I plan on working in either Extension or opening my own floral shop! I am very EXCITED to be working for the Nebraska 4-H Foundation this summer!

I grew up on a family farm south of Minden, where I was involved in 4-H for over 10 years! Being the older sibling in my family, I always found the need to try everything first! Therefore, I managed to take every project offered in the 4-H Premium book imaginable! My last three years in 4-H, I served on the Kearney County 4-H Council and last summer, I was the intern at Kearney-Franklin County Extension- loved it! 4-H has shaped me into the person I am today. I cannot wait to give back to such a great organization that means so much to me!

Hey everyone thanks for following the Truck!
My name is Reese Bettin and am originally from Leon, Iowa, about 3 hours east of Lincoln. Before you ask... Yes, I'm a Husker fan! I will be a senior at UNL this fall and am a Ag. Journalism major, focusing on public relations and advertising. I call East Campus home these days!

Like Molly I am PUMPED to travel across the wonderful state of Nebraska in the luxurious 2010 Ford F-150 raising funds and awareness of 4-H! I was involved in Decatur County 4-H for about 10 years, showing hogs, a few chickens and calves, working on sewing, pies, veggies, citizenship projects and much more! I also served on our county council board all through high school and an area council for a year. I hope someday to be a 4-H Leader!

Next year at this time I will be a college graduate and hope to find a job working for an agriculturally based company in their communications/public relations department! 4-H has given me SO much over the years and this internship is a great way for me to give back and say THANK YOU.

This is going to be a great summer! Keep following us, hopefully we will get to see you at a county fair or community event!

OH and don't forget to buy lots of tickets and SUPPORT 4-H!

Countdown!

9 more days until the 2010 4-H Truck Raffle begins!

Reese and Molly are really excited to travel to over 40 county fairs in Nebraska helping local 4-H programs raise money for our youth!!

Keep checking for updated maps, dates/times, and two Nebraska 4-H Foundation Interns' experience on the road! Who knows what will happen! :)