![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-62549359a9ce23fcdc789076-c8f8cd0816dd.jpg)
4-H Newsletter
![4-H Newsletter](https://cdn.smore.com/u/9734/fa924f0f12ffda87dbe24d463c24087e.jpg)
Sign Up To See World-Renowned Expert Temple Grandin
Temple Grandin in coming to our office in July! She will be sharing her insights on animal behavior and autism. Get your tickets online at fhautism.com
Temple Grandin is a world-renowned expert in animal welfare who transformed the academic understanding of animal behavior. Over the past decades, she’s brought about major changes in livestock industry procedures.
Learn more about her from her previous visit to Nebraska at https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/grandin-instructional-flexibility-can-boost-us-education-and-4-h/
This Week's Events and Important Deadlines
Fremont 4-H Expo - July 10-13, 2024
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/
Douglas-Sarpy Showcase of 4-H Gems - Due July 12
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
July 15 IMPORTANT 4-H DEADLINES
Livestock Entries Due July 15
Livestock Online Entries for the County Fair at https://sarpy.fairwire.com
We are once again accepting certain animal pre-entries for the county fair to the online format beginning Monday, July 1st! This includes Horses, Poultry, Rabbits, Cavy, and all livestock. This does NOT include Cats, Dogs, and Small Animals. Those entries are still in paper form and will need to be brought into the office before the July 15 deadline.
See instructions on how to enter here.
4-H Tractor Driving Contest - Sign up by July 15
Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Sarpy County Fairgrounds North Parking Lot
Please fill out the form (https://forms.gle/gUM8C3m2ndS1hZ8D6) to sign up for the 2024 Tractor Driving Contest.
Deadline to sign up is Friday, July 15th.
Please contact Brett Kreifels with any questions 402-444-1799 or bkreifels3@unl.edu
4-H Dog Show - Sign up by July 15
The 2024 4-H Dog Show will be held Monday, July 22nd at 6:00pm with check-in at 5:30pm. The Dog Show will be held at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds Open Air Arena. This dog show is a combined show between the Douglas-Sarpy and Cass County 4-H Program. Exhibitors from both programs will compete together for awards.
The show will follow the procedures described in Nebraska 4-H Dog Shows Guidelines.
Access guidelines here: https://4h.unl.edu/fairbook/live-animals/dog.
See this area of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-dog-2024.pdf
Questions? Contact Emma Schmidt (eschmidt15@unl.edu) or call 402-444-7809
Static Exhibit Tags
Would you like to avoid the long lines on entry day for static exhibit tags? You can request these tags ahead of time at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-exhibit-hall-entry-form-2022-fillable.pdf. The deadline to request the tags and have them mailed to you is July 15. If you miss the deadline, no problem, we can still create the tags on entry day Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Please contact the 4H staff with any questions at 402-444-7804 or email us at douglas-sarpy4h.unl.edu.
Fair Preparation
Fairbook
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.
Not sure where to start? Check out some of our project ideas here.
Entering Clover Kids Projects
Clover Kids are not restricted to the guidelines of the fair book and may enter any age appropriate static or animal exhibits and participate in most 4-H contests. Projects in the fair book for older youth may be used as ideas for Clover Kid projects but should then be made applicable for 5 – 7 year olds. Clover Kids are not “judged” by the same standards as the older members.
To enter items in this area of the fair:
Department C
Division 900 - Clover Kids
CLASS 999 - ANY CLOVER KID STATIC ENTRY
See this area of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-clover-kids-2024.pdf
Work at the 4-H Food Stand
4-Hers,parents, and leaders are invited to volunteer at the 4-H food stand at the Sarpy County Fair! This is a fun opportunity where you can support our program and meet people. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050945A9AC2BABFE3-50054047-2024#/
Volunteer to help at the 4-H Passport table for the 2024 Sarpy County Fair!
What does a passport table volunteer do?
It’s easy! Passport table volunteers can choose to help at either the 4-H building or Livestock building. At the table, you will give each youth a passport that they will take around fair to find the answers to the questions and stamp each page (yeah…like a scavenger hunt!). Youth will return their completed passport back to you at the passport table and receive a small prize. Youth will also be entered in a large prize drawing for some cool 4-H gear!
Link to sign up as a 4-H Passport table at the Sarpy County Fair:
I Belong Award - Application Now Available
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). The application can be found here.
Volunteer Opportunity: Donate a Plaque
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!
The 4-H Premium Auction is back at the Sarpy County Fair this year!
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
Become a Livestock Booster and Invite a Local Business to Do the Same!
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.
Static Project Resources
Basic Sewing
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
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
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
4-H Calendar
- July 12-13 - Fremont Fair
- July 12 - Showcase of Gems Due
- July 13-14 - Douglas County Fair
- July 12 - 4-H Babysitting 2.0 Clinic
- July 15 - Sarpy County Fair Livestock Entries Due
- July 15 - Tractor Driving Sign Up Due
- July 15 - Static pre-entries due
- July 16 - 4-H Fashion Show Contest Judging Day
- July 22 - Dog Show
- 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
Resources
- 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
Planning for 2025
New Club Leader Checklist
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.
The 2025 Judges Registration window is now open!
Adults interested in serving as a county or state fair judge in 2025 are invited to submit their interest via the online registration process. The process captures interest and asks interested individuals to agree to the indirect volunteer application process.
Find more information at 4h.unl.edu/judges
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.