Nebraska 4-H Youth Place at National Horticulture Convention
Nebraska 4-H members competed at the 92nd National Junior Horticulture Association Convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Botany
Nebraska youth competed at the 92nd National Junior Horticulture Association Convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Brooklyn Reiman won the Grand National Winner title in Extemporaneous Speaking, and the Nebraska team placed third in its division.
Why it matters
The results recognize Nebraska youth in national horticulture competitions and highlight the state's 4-H program in plant science and related skills. The convention gives participants exposure to horticultural careers and industry operations.
The senior identification contest included an 80-question exam, judging of eight classes of horticultural materials and identification of 100 specimens. Individual placements were second for Nathan Brhel, 13th for Brooklyn Reiman, 19th for Aidan Choat and 30th for Jenalee Garwood.
The players
Elizabeth Exstrom
Exstrom is a Nebraska Extension Educator who coached the state's 4-H horticulture team at the convention.
Wenke Sunbelt Greenhouses
Wenke Sunbelt Greenhouses is a Michigan greenhouse operation founded in 1942 that operates more than 83 acres of greenhouses and produces plant varieties for the horticulture industry.
The details
Nebraska 4-H youth Nathan Brhel, Aidan Choat, Jenalee Garwood and Brooklyn Reiman represented the state in the senior horticulture identification and judging contest. Reiman also won the Grand National Winner title in Extemporaneous Speaking for her speech 'Totally Tomatoes,' and the group toured Wenke Sunbelt Greenhouses and the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary during the trip.
Timeline
The 92nd National Junior Horticulture Association Convention was held in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Program Context
The Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, established by W.K. Kellogg in 1927, played a role in the 1980s restoration of Trumpeter Swans in Michigan. Nebraska youth visited the 180-acre sanctuary during their convention trip.
Students interested in horticulture can see how 4-H competitions build skills in plant identification, judging and public speaking. The results show that young Nebraskans can gain national recognition in plant science through local extension programs.
The takeaway
Competitions like the National Junior Horticulture Association Convention give young people hands-on experience with plants and public speaking. Students curious about horticulture can look for local 4-H and extension programs to start building those skills.
Further reading
Explore more on Botany to see how plant science shapes competitions and education like this one.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KVSH 940AM Radio.
