4-H Newsletter

To enroll in 4-H for 2024, click here. 4-Hers and Volunteers planning to participate in Sarpy County Fair activities, 4-H Contests, 4-H Clubs and Shooting Sports must enroll in 4-H before attending any 4-H Club meeting, Contest or event

For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member.

Please note the enrollment fee for Douglas-Sarpy counties is $10 per member and is paid online. Enrollments are due June 15, 2024. Please contact Mary <mdierks@sarpy.gov> with any questions.

New 4-H Volunteers for Douglas-Sarpy 4-H will need to be screened and have a background check done. Volunteers may not work with youth until volunteer enrollment and screening is complete. To begin the screening process visit and enroll via 4-H Online.

All youth 4-H Age 8-18 who will be showing Beef, Swine, Goats, Sheep, Poultry or Rabbits at the Sarpy County Fair MUST take the training in order to exhibit.

Youth who can complete the YQCA requirement online for $12. Upon completion of the online training, you will print off their certificate and bring it to the Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, or email a copy of the certificate to Brett.

Please visit the website https://yqcaprogram.org/ to sign up. Clover Kids (4-H Age 5-7) do not need to take the course.

For more information, contact Brett brett.kreifels@unl.edu

All livestock need to be properly identified by June 15, 2024 to participate in the 2024 Sarpy County Fair.

• Animal ID/Affidavits and Sarpy County Fair Entry Forms can be found at this website https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/sarpy-county-and-nebraska-state-fairs/
• Nebraska State Fair/AKSARBEN Online Nomination Website: www.showstockmgr.com
• Nebraska State Fair Entry Website: http://www.statefair.org

For those families exhibiting at both the Nebraska State Fair and AKSARBEN Stock Show this year, Online Nominations, although the same in the past, will be different this year. Those wishing to exhibit at AKSARBEN will need to nominate their livestock Online with a separate portal (https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/) NOT Show Stock Manager used for State Fair Nominations. Only 1 set of DNA needs to be submitted like normal. DNA submissions are due to our office by June 15th. Online Nominations for the Nebraska State Fair are also due by June 15th on Show Stock Manager.

All livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to submit a DNA nomination. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves. Any DNA nomination submitted through Show Stock Manager will also be eligible for exhibition at the Aksarben Stock Show.

Learn more at https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair-livestock-id

We are excited to announce the fourth year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This additional opportunity for enrolled livestock project youth, is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership.

The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.

The program consists of three levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from whichThe Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.

Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 1 via the completion form on the website.

For more information or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)

The 2024 4-H Fairbook is available at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/sarpy-county-and-nebraska-state-fairs/

The Fairbook is your guide to entering 4-H exhibits in the Sarpy County Fair and Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Contests. The book has important project rules, requirements, and deadlines.

Fair is 7 weeks away. Keep in mind, houseplant projects need to be planted for 6 weeks before fair.

Make a Fairy Garden/Miniature Garden for the fair. A miniature “scene” contained in an open container and featuring miniature or small, slow growing houseplants. The garden needs to have an imaginative theme and miniature accessories i.e., bench, fence made from tiny twigs, small shell for a bathtub, etc. Label name for each plant.

Container grown houseplants shall be in pots no greater than 12" in diameter (inside opening measurement). Dish gardens, fairy or miniature gardens, desert gardens and terrariums may be up to 12" in diameter (inside opening measurement).

For more help, check out our "Guide To Growing Houseplants" at https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g2205/build/g2205.htm

To enter the garden in the fair:

Department G

Division 770 – Floriculture

CLASS 64 FAIRY OR MINIATURE GARDEN

See this area of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-horticulture-2024.pdf

Enter your eggs in the fair!

Eggs will be judged for exterior quality, uniformity of weight, size and shape, shell texture and cleanliness of shell. Do not refrigerate eggs before judging.

The eggs will be entered in the green 4-H Building on July 30.

There are a variety of ways to enter (half dozen, whole dozen). Learn more here.

4-H is offering the opportunity to learn important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 7-21, 2024 at: http://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest
It consists of three parts, identification, knowledge and judging or placings.
More information about the Nebraska State contest along with a list of study materials can be found in the Fairbook https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/45 .

When: June 18, 2024

Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

Interested members can contact Club Leader Stephanie at (stephkucera@hotmail.com).

Future date: July 9 from 6:30-8:30pm

Quilt Fairbook section: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-quilting-2024.pdf

Entries for the 4-H Table Toppers Contest are due by Friday, June 21st and the 4-H Table Toppers Contest will be on Thursday, June 27th, in-person at the Douglas-Sarpy Extension office, with judging starting from 3-5:30 PM.

Sign up at https://go.unl.edu/4htabletoppers2024

Learn more about this contest at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-table-toppers-contest-2024.pdf

See the tips for this contest at extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-resources-preparing-for-the-table-toppers-contest-2024.pdf

Join us for the 2024 4-H Rocket Launch Contest

Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 3:30-6:30pm

Location: Gifford Farm – 700 Camp Gifford Rd, Bellevue, NE 68005

Sign up info. and deadline: Sign up opens on Friday, May 31, 2024

Staff contact person: Ericka Murray ericka.murray@unl.edu

Participants MUST watch the safety video first at Douglas-Sarpy Rocket Launch Video 1.mp4

Clover Kids make papertube rockets for this contest. See how at https://files.constantcontact.com/f3efa1f3101/e940fd26-c8cc-411e-b7a4-f5a6ad15ac60.pdf

The 4-H Fashion Show is an opportunity for youth to showcase their clothing construction and consumer management skills. Construction garment exhibitors are judged on fit, construction, poise, and overall look of the garment on the individual. Shopping In Style exhibitors are judged on garment fit, the overall look of the outfit, and poise, as well as record keeping skills in the written report.

Fashion Show entry forms are due by Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Forms can be completed online at https://go.unl.edu/4hfashion2024

The 4-H Fashion Show judging will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

If any questions, please email: Stephanie at stephanie.thorson@unl.edu

The Douglas/Sarpy 4-H Council would like to encourage all eligible candidates to participate in the Douglas-Sarpy Showcase of 4-H Gems. To be selected and honored as a 4-H Gem is a positive way to share your success and experiences throughout your 4-H career.

Eligibility requirements:

* Each candidate must have been enrolled in 4-H for at least 3 years previously and be currently enrolled as a Douglas/Sarpy 4-Her.

* Candidates for Emerald 4-Her must be completing their sophomore year in high school.

* Candidates for Diamond 4-Her must be completing their junior year in high school.

All applications are due July 12, 2024. See more details and the application here.

Do you want to become even more confident in your babysitting abilities? Then the “4-H Building Better Babysitters 2.0” class is for you! Learn basic CPR and First Aid skills (not a certified class), create age-appropriate activities, prepare nutritious snacks, and build a business action plan. This class is open to all youth ages 11+.

• 4-H Babysitting 2.0 Clinic: Friday, July 12th , 9-3 PM @ Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office - Register at https://go.unl.edu/babysittingjuly12

• 4-H Babysitting 2.0 Clinic: Tuesday, July 23rd, 9-3 PM @ Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office - Register at https://go.unl.edu/babysittingjuly23

Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha

When: , 2024 (usually the first Friday of every Month)

Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Who: Youth ages 8-18

Let's learn more about the Horse Industry and Horse Related Topics!

You need to rsvp with Alaina at Alaina.kauffman@yahoo.com

2024 Dates will be Oct. 4th, Nov. 1st, and Dec 6th

Sarpy County Fairgrounds – Springfield, NE

Entry Fees: Beef & Bucket Calf- $25 per head • Sheep/Goat -$15 per head

Showmanship-FREE • Clover Kids-FREE

All guidelines for showing, rules, regulations, and requirements will based on the Nebraska State Fair 4-H Rules. Please visit their website for details: https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/animals

Pre-Entry of Livestock.

Click https://forms.gle/3UoL7zx6Ntk2121K8 to pre-register. Payment will be accessed at the show. NO SUBSITUTIONS! DEADLINE FOR ENTRY WILL BE FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH AT 11:59 PM

See this year's flier here.

This event is open to all 4-H & FFA Exhibitors from the following counties: Burt, Butler, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington.

This show is a great opportunity for youth to practice showing their animals. Please remember tp bring a copy of your ID sheets.

Location: Christensen Field, W 16th St & N Ridge Road Drive, Fremont, NE

Learn more and see dates and times at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dodge/frfourhexhguide/

• Starting Tuesday June 4th, 4-H Horse Exhibitors may practice in the Sarpy County Fair arena from 6 pm-9 pm.
• Arena will be open every Tuesday evening starting June 4th until July 23rd, with the exception of June 25th and July 2nd.
• ONLY enrolled 4-H youth may ride in the arena along with enrolled 4-H Volunteers and Club Leaders. RIDERS NOT ENROLLED OR GENERAL PUBLIC ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE.
• Like county fair, all trailers must be parked in the north arena parking lot and all horses must travel underneath Main St. Do not cross over main street.
• Please clean up after yourself and your horses at the conclusion of the evening. Be respectful of other riders and share the arena.
• Please be aware of arena conditions.
• Please Contact Brett with any questions.

All registered Douglas-Sarpy 4-Hers are being given one free t-shirt because of a generous donations from the Sarpy County Farm Bureau. Please sign up for what size you need at https://forms.gle/G18pQtFK4FbhzE1B8

4-H Members are encouraged to celebrate the diversity, inclusivity, and self-realization they have found through 4-H projects and expressed in a 4-H exhibit. Youth interested in applying for this award will submit the application along with a picture of the exhibit by completing the information found at the application link. Deadlines for youth to apply are due July 30, 2024 (the start of the Sarpy county fair). More details to come.

The Douglas-Sarpy County 4-H Council is offering local businesses, families and organizations the opportunity to purchase plaques and other awards to recognize the achievements of our 4-H youth. Your donation is tax deductible and we are happy to provide documentation if requested.

To sponsor an award, see our letter at https://files.constantcontact.com/f3efa1f3101/f697914f-5c25-425b-867f-e0fbffe3f678.pdf

Consider sharing this opportunity with local businesses!

4-H’ers enrolled in Douglas Sarpy 4-H will have the opportunity to put their market animal up for auction to earn some money. All proceeds will go to the 4-H’er and the animal will go home with the 4-H’er. This is your opportunity to support them and their hard work by bidding.

When: Saturday, August 3, 2024, 4:00 pm

Where: Livestock Barn Show Arena

For more information contact: Justin Wagner at 402-871-8696 or Chad Krapp at 402-630-7076

The purpose of the Livestock Booster Club is to help defray some of the cost of raising livestock and add a little “boost” to encourage 4-H youth to continue their interest in agriculture and the livestock industry. With a formula that provides a certain payback to 4-H members that show livestock. The Livestock Booster Club is currently supporting the market beef, market swine, market lamb, breeding calf, bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding sheep and market goats.

See the 2024 Booster Letter and form here.

New 2024 clothing data cards for

• Beyond the Needle Classes: C221003 through C221008
• STEAM 2 Upcycled Garment and Accessory Classes: C222003 and C222004
• STEAM 3 Upcycled Garment and Accessory Classes: C223001 and C223002

Print yours at https://files.constantcontact.com/f3efa1f3101/3e66ce4e-d027-4ab3-b05f-cecd9f6e479c.pdf or they will be available at the 4-H office on our June 13 event.

Sewing for Fun (Basic Sewing Manual) - https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/documents/SewingforFunManual.pdf

Sewing for Fun Patterns - https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1380&context=a4hhistory

To learn more about this our sewing program, contact Stephanie at stephanie.thorson@unl.edu

• Canning- https://food.unl.edu/tags/canning

• Cooking with Kids Recipes
• Kitchen Safety Rules for Kids
• 4-H Foods Judging Guide

Building Birdhouse Nebguide - https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g2002/build/g2002.htm?fbclid=IwAR3xOJiyydfRsh-P7pC1G7mYGiXLj9i_GsLWaw7z1r7Tbe_H-acXl5MTcsQ

Electricity Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4helectricity

Guide To Growing Houseplants at https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g2205/build/g2205.htm

Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at Fair -4H227-2022.pdf

• June 14 - Sign up for Papio Valley Contest at https://forms.gle/3UoL7zx6Ntk2121K8
  

• June 15 - Deadline for 4-H Sign Up, Animal ID and Quality Assurance
  
• June 18 - Premier Communication Event - https://4h.unl.edu/premier-communication-event
• June 20 and Friday, June 21, 2024 - PACE - https://4h.unl.edu/pase
• June 22 - Papio Valley Progress Show
• June 21 - 4-H Table Toppers Entries DUE
• June 25 - Rocket Launch Workshop
• June 27 - 4-H Table Toppers Contest
• June 28 - Nature Night Walk
• July 1 - Sarpy Fair Entries Open
• July 3 - 4-H Fashion Show Entries DUE
• July 10 - Rocket Launch Contest
• July 12 - 4-H Babysitting 2.0 Clinic
• July 15 - Sarpy County Fair Livestock Entries Due
• July 16 - 4-H Fashion Show Contest Judging Day
• July 23 - 4-H Babysitting 2.0 Clinic
• July 30 - Sarpy County Fair Entry Day
• July 31 - August 4 - Sarpy County Fair
• Wednesday, July 31st - Poultry Show, Rabbit Show, Livestock Check in, Fashion Show
  
• Thursday, August 1 - Swine show, Meat Goat Show, Sheep Show
• Friday, August 2 - Dairy Goat Show, Pygmy Goat Show, Beef Show
• August 24 - State 4-H Dog Show

Share your 4-H pictures or ideas with us - Rwright4@unl.edu

• 4-H Community Service Ideas: https://4h.unl.edu/community-service
• Nebraska Project and Resources webpage offers lots of exciting and educational projects for 4-H'ers to choose from.
  

• Volunteer Connection Sign Up - Get exclusive tips, tricks, and support . https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-connection?fbclid=IwAR0S4jNFxf54dbHE75Co44-w04QwV2224gpfIbYWs5NqhFJRgRq9POh-nVM

• Submit your community service project at 4h.unl.edu/csps

• The Nebraska 4-H Glossary https://4h.unl.edu/glossary
  
• 4-H Shooting Sports information can be found here.
• Start a club: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18S0FvDS90FXh_xsP5s-NSD3DKu1gVlx0?usp=sharing

Is your 4-H club having a change in leadership? Please contact your local county 4-H staff (stephanie.thorson@unl.edu) regarding the expected change in your club leadership, and see the new leader checklist to help make the transition as smooth as possible. The new leader checklist is available at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer.