York County 4-H’ers ‘beyond ready’ for future

The graduating class of 2025 is “beyond ready” to begin college classes this fall. Being involved in 4-H has certainly helped prepare youth in York County for this next chapter in their lives by giving them a diverse set of life skills.

Tanya Crawford, extension educator at Nebraska Extension in York County, shared how 4-H is doing so through its new Beyond Ready Campaign.

“Grounded in over two decades of research in Positive Youth Development (PYD), the campaign leverages the 4-H Thriving Model to equip young people with essential skills such as leadership, resilience and adaptability,” explained Crawford. “By providing high-quality PYD programs that emphasize belonging, developmental relationships and youth engagement, 4-H ensures that participants are not just ready but ‘beyond ready’ for future challenges.”

The goal of the national 4-H Beyond Ready Campaign is to reach 10 million youth by 2030. The Nebraska 4-H program has set a statewide goal to reach 1 in 2 youth in Nebraska. York County is doing its part in the campaign by growing its outreach to 82% of the age-eligible youth in its county last year, up from 53% the previous year. They reach youth through school enrichment programs, afterschool programs, summer camps and traditional 4-H club membership.

Four graduating York County seniors reflected on how their experiences in 4-H have molded them and prepared them for the future. Crawford said that every single one of these young ladies are mentoring younger kids, are heavily involved in their schools and FFA chapters, and are leaders in 4-H and other organizations.

“Their start in 4-H has positioned them to be ready for those roles,” she said.

Harley Martin, daughter of Chris and Miranda Martin of Benedict, Nebraska, has been a member of the High Point Livestock 4-H Club for six of her 13 years in 4-H. She has served two terms each as secretary, vice president and president of the club.

Martin said that being a leader in the club has taught her responsibility, such as sorting everyone’s schedules to set meeting dates, working with younger kids and gaining club members’ attention if they aren’t listening during meetings.

“A lot of responsibility was built over the years,” Martin said.

Martin said she found her voice through 4-H, saying that she was shy when she first started 4-H. By talking with other people at the fair or in her 4-H club, she has made lifelong friends and overcome her shyness. The confidence and public speaking skills Martin developed through 4-H has helped her throughout high school, FFA and job interviews.

Bailey Hall of McCool Junction, Nebraska, also credits her experiences in 4-H for building her public speaking skills. The oldest of Jason and Dana Hall’s four daughters, Hall said that she only wanted to show livestock when she joined when 5. But her parents made sure she tried different project areas and contests. Ironically, even though Hall “really hated doing speeches or anything public speaking,” this is where her love of 4-H has grown, she said.

Her public speaking skills were strengthened through 4-H presentation contests and speech events. Hall also chose to interview judge for her other projects whenever possible. She has built relationships through each experience.

“Doing different contests brought me so many connections to people in other counties and across the state that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said Hall, a 2025 graduate of McCool Junction Public Schools.

Hall gained leadership skills when her family started the McClover Junction 4-H Club 13 years ago. As president of the club, she is responsible for guiding the more than 30 youth members who are eager to show livestock and do 4-H projects.

“Through 4-H, I have proven myself as a leader,” Hall said.

Josie Turnbull’s family also started a club in York County, the Happy Hoppers 4-H Club. Turnbull said she does not exactly remember the first time she got into 4-H because, as the youngest of five children, she spent a lot of time following her older siblings to livestock shows and fairs.

“4-H has always been a part of my life,” said Turnbull, a third-generation 4-H member and the daughter of Clint and Stacie Turnbull of Waco, Nebraska.

Turnbull served five years in various officer positions within her 4-H club, including secretary, vice president and president. The leadership skills she obtained in 4-H became a valuable asset when she was selected as reporter, treasurer and president of her FFA chapter at Centennial High School, where she graduated from in May.

“Organizations like 4-H and FFA can help develop leadership skills, career opportunities and personal growth,” said Turnbull.

Cross County High School graduate Lyndsey Bolton extended the skills she acquired in 4-H to become a leader in other organizations, as well. She has been historian one year, secretary two years and president two years of the Lively Livestock 4-H Club. Bolton was also elected to serve on the York County 4-H Council as a youth member, during which time she acted as secretary two years.

As a member of FCCLA since the sixth grade, Bolton served in various officer positions, culminating with president her senior year. In FFA, she held the presidential responsibilities as a senior, preceded by parliamentarian and sentinel as a sophomore and junior, respectively.

Bolton, the daughter of Craig and Dawana Bolton of Benedict, enjoyed these leadership opportunities because she wants to help others. She especially likes working with younger kids and teaching others how to show livestock. She also highlighted community service projects she has done with her club, such as fundraising money for flood and hurricane victims, picking up trash or cleaning up yards for elderly in the community.

“I want to help people of all ages, especially those with special needs or in tough circumstances,” said Bolton.

These experiences have led Bolton to pursue a career in elementary special education. She plans to attend Northeast Community College for two years then transfer to the University of Nebraska-Kearney to complete her degree.

Hall was drawn towards a career in veterinary medicine through her extensive interest in animals. She has much experience taking care of cows, sheep, goats and other animals at her family’s farm.

“A lot of people say we have a petting zoo because of all the tame animals,” Hall said.

Hall will start as a pre-vet major this fall at Kansas State University and plans to become a large animal veterinarian.

Martin originally considered becoming a veterinarian, as well. She loved showing pigs in 4-H every year, and 4-H projects allowed her to explore her potential career in more depth.

“When I wanted to be a vet, I did vet science posters about animal diseases and did animals projects in 4-H,” said Martin.

Working at a veterinary clinic this summer helped Martin determine that she did not want to be a veterinarian; putting down animals is too hard, she said. However, she learned that she liked the healthcare field and has already started pre-radiology classes online through Southeast Community College. She has yet to learn if she has been accepted into the program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Columbus but has been accepted to Bryan College of Health.

Like Martin, Turnbull had a dream job as a child. She always wanted to be a farmer. As Turnbull got older, though, she realized that may be unrealistic because her family has a small-scale hobby farm.

Turnbull has not let that stop her from pursuing a career in agriculture. Being in 4-H and FFA gave her insight into how she can continue being involved in agriculture. She said her own experiences and the impact she has seen these organizations have on other kids made her excited about advocating for agriculture and remaining in the industry.

“I became interested in how I can advocate for ag without actually being on the farm. I want to help other people see ag as a potential career, empowering them to know that no matter their background or where they came from, they always have a spot in agriculture,” Turnbull said.

Turnbull will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall, majoring in agriculture education with a double minor in Spanish and Engler agri-business.

All four of these York County 4-H’ers are ready—beyond ready—for the next chapter in life. They have a firm foundation from their years in 4-H. As Crawford said, “4-H is building a generation that is ready when they graduate, leave home and go to college or the workforce.”