The 4-H Update
July 21, 2023
Deadlines and Events
Douglas County Fair
The 2023 Douglas County Fair Livestock Shows will take place on Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23. To learn more, click the link:
Pre-Entry for Static Exhibits - July 24
Entry Day for static exhibits is Tuesday, August 1st from noon to 7 p.m. at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds in the green 4-H building.
If you would like to avoid the lines on entry day for Static Exhibits, you can now request your entry 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 24. If you miss this deadline, no problem, we can still create the tags on entry day.
- For each entry, you will get two identical tags. There will be a perforated line between them. One tag will stay with the exhibit, and the judge will separate the other tag. You do not need to separate the tags.
Find Department, Division and Class Numbers at the Fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/sarpy-county-and-nebraska-state-fairs/
4-H Dog Show - July 24
Where: Sarpy County Fairgrounds
For more information, contact Alaina Kauffman - Alaina.kauffman@unl.edu, 402-444-4092
See this area of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-dog-2023-rev-05-23-2023.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3MTbmJWXAIF7MRJNMlJkxwBC3roFG9GFeFQyz7l3nnjVfJ9tU94l1I_44
Preregistration is closed, but head out to the fairgrounds and enjoy watching this fun event.
Feature of the Week
4-Hers of the Week - Regina Preddy
This week's 4-Her of the Week is Regina Preddy who was one of this year's Champion Table Toppers winners. Look for this year's champion table settings at this year's county fair.
Do you have a notable 4-H moment? Upload your project pictures to be included in our newsletter at https://go.unl.edu/4-hwinners
Livestock Project Highlight - Eggs
Eggs are brought to the Static building on Tuesday of the fair. Look for the table near the office to put them.
Eggs are an exhibit of the club member’s selection ability. 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.
Animal Science - Department G
Division 70 – Poultry Eggs
CLASSES include:
WHITE EGGS – 1 DOZEN CLASS
BROWN EGGS – 1 DOZEN CLASS
OTHER COLORED EGGS – 1 DOZEN
WHITE EGGS – ½ DOZEN
BROWN EGGS – ½ DOZEN
OTHER COLORED EGGS – ½ DOZEN
See this area of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-poultry-2023.pdf
Static Project Highlight - Cookies
Healthy Lifestyles - Department E
Division 401: Cooking 101
CLASS 901 COOKIES Any recipe, 4 on a paper plate
See this area of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-food-and-nutrition-2023.pdf
Know what the judges are looking for in a good entry by checking out the 4-H-foods-judging-guide (https://food.unl.edu/Youth/4-H-foods-judging-guide.pdf). Cookies are found on page 5.
See more project ideas on our facebook here.
Volunteers of the Week - Pie to the Face Participants
Over the past few years, various 4-H volunteers have been auctioned off to take a pie to the face. Thank you to all who have taken parts in this favorite at fair!
Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council's annual "pie to the face" is now accepting nominations to be pied!
What do you need to do to participate:
--nominate a 4-H leader or 4-H volunteer
--the nominee has to agree to it and needs to be present on August 4th at 5:00 pm at the Sarpy County Fair Open Air Auditorium
--please bring friends and family to bid on "pieing" their volunteer- a friendly competition
Names must be submitted to Kdworak@cox.net or call Shellee at (402-210-1904) by August 2.
Remember, there is a limit of 4 people to be pied so get your names in fast.
Fair Information
Rodeo Tickets
4-H Shirts
Thank you to the Sarpy County Farm Bureau for this donation! Those who have pre-registered for shirts will be given first priority.
Volunteer at the Food Stand at Sarpy County Fair
Sign up to volunteer at the 4-H Food Stand! The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council’s food stand during the fair features a variety of snacks and beverages. The food stand is Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council’s primary fundraiser. Proceeds support 4-H youth programs, activities and scholarships. Sign up to help at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C4AAAA628A0FD0-sarpy
Fair History Table
Help us bring history to life! We're looking for volunteers to work at the History Connection table at the Sarpy County Fair, August 2-6. Douglas-Sarpy 4-H has a rich history and we're looking to preserve it. We need the public's help to identify photos. At the table, you will make sure our photo slideshow continues to run (no sleepy computers here!) and take down any information people may have on the photos. People are also encouraged to write down their contact information so we can get in touch with them and talk more about the program's history. Consider helping out for a couple of hours during the fair! Sign up here. Questions? Email Katherine at ksundgren@unl.edu or give her a call at 402-444-4306.
Passport Table for 2023
for more information about this fun volunteer opportunity, contact Alaina at Alaina.kauffman@unl.edu
Sarpy County Fair Premium Auction
Any 4-Her who wins Champion or Reserve Market Animal in their respective species or gets a purple ribbon in the market animal classes is eligible to participate in the Sarpy County Fair Premium Auction. The 4-Her must declare their intent to participate no more than 30 minutes after their animal is shown.
Forms will be available to fill out and returned to the announcers table at the livestock shows. Youth Participating in the Market Beef, Swine, Goat, Sheep, Broiler and Market Fryer Rabbit projects are eligible.
Youth must be present, in their 4-H show attire, with their animal during the auction. Auction begins at 4 pm on Saturday, August 5th in the Livestock Building.
The public is invited to support local 4-Her's livestock projects by bidding during the annual Premium Auction. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/776048967167433
Saturday at Sarpy County Fair
Saturday August 5 will be filled with fun activities in the livestock barn:
- 11 am - Adult Showmanship Fundraiser with Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council, sign up that morning.
- 12 pm - Best Dressed Animal Competition where youth will be dressing up their swine, goats, cattle and sheep. The public is invited to watch this fun event. Horses, rabbits and poultry best dressed take place at their perspective shows.
- 1 pm - Elite Showmanship Competition where the champions from large animal showmanship species will compete to be Douglas-Sarpy's Elite Showman
- If awarded a plaque or belt buckle, please remember to send the thank you note to the donor!
2023 Sarpy County Fair Coloring Contest
Join the 2023 Sarpy County Fair Coloring Contest and get a chance to win cool prizes! This contest is open to all Nebraska youths (contest age groups: 5-7; 8-10; 11-13; and 14-18). All youth are encouraged to enter the contest, even if they're not 4-H members! Color it using any physical medium, including crayons, colored pencils, markers, or paints and then enter the coloring sheet. Bring the coloring sheet to 4-H project entry day on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 12-7 PM and turn it in OR drop the coloring sheet off at the Extension Office by July 26, 2023. For full details and to download the coloring sheets, visit the Sarpy County Website or click here. Questions? Contact Katherine at ksundgren@unl.edu.
Tips for Entering Static Exhibits
- How to Prepare Photographs for Exhibit in 4-H at Fair - https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dixon/HowToPreparePhotosForFair.pdf
- Home Environment - Supporting information is preferred for all Home Environment exhibit. Tag templates can be found at http://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomeenvironment
- First Aid Kit Tips https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/2018/FirstAidKit.pdf
- All food items need to have a recipe included.
- Some Clothing items (including tie dye) need a Design Data Card must be included with this project. The design data card is available here.
Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit - http://4h.unl.edu/4hcurriculum/preparingvegetabesherbsandfruit
4-H Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits - https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/central4/PreparingCutFlowers.pdf
Canning Tips for Food Preservation - https://go.unl.edu/canning
Visual Arts Supporting Info. sheet: here.
Interview Judging at Fair
Horse High Point Donations
Please consider donating to the Sarpy County Fair Horse show! The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council is seeking donations for the Horse Program High Point Awards. These awards allow us to recognize all of the hard work that our 4-H'ers put in with their projects every year. Order forms can be found at https://files.constantcontact.com/f3efa1f3101/b742382e-6b7c-4cfb-9f05-ca29af06edd0.pdf
Send checks and forms to:
Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council
P.O. Box 24518
Omaha, NE 68124-24518
Make Checks Payable to Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council. For more information contact Alaina Kauffman: alaina.kauffman@unl.edu.
Entering the Special Garden Project - Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil
Plant Science - Department G
Division 775 – Special Garden Project
CLASS 1 SPECIAL GARDEN PROJECT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT (Scoresheet SF109) Educational exhibit based on what was learned from the project. Present information on a poster 14” X 22” either vertical or horizontal arrangement or in a clear plastic report cover. The 4-H member’s name, age, and county must be on the back of the poster or report cover.
CLASS 2 SPECIAL GARDEN PROJECT FRESH CUT FLOWERS, HERBS OR HARVESTED VEGETABLES (Scoresheet SF109) The current years’ Special Garden Project fresh herbs should be entered in this class.
All herb entries consist of 5 stems of the same cultivar or variety.
Harvest herbs early in the morning for maximum oil content. The essential oils are what give each herb its own distinct scent. If necessary, rinse very gently in cool water. Trim stems evenly and select uniformly sized specimens when more than one stem is required.
Refer to 4H226 “Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruit for Exhibits at County Fair & Nebraska State Fair”, pp. 16-18.
Ongoing Programs
The 2023 Nebraska State Fair entry site is now open!
All contest participants, dog exhibitors, and livestock exhibitors must complete the online entry process via ShoWorks by 8:00 p.m. CST on August 10.
We suggest reviewing all rules, eligibility, and entry limits available at 4h.unl.edu/state-fair before entering!
4-H Quilt Club
When: Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Interested members can contact Club Leader Stephanie at (stephkucera@hotmail.com).
*This club usually meets on the third Tuesday of the month.
4-H Project Showcase
The county fair is one way for members to showcase their hard work, and here’s another! The 4-H Project Showcase is an opportunity for youth to receive statewide recognition for their favorite project or a project they are particularly proud of. Projects submitted by August 10 will be featured at the Nebraska State Fair. All 4-H members and projects are eligible regardless of the awards received through judging or the ability to have it judged at the county level. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/project-showcase.
Paddock Posse - Horseless Horse Club
Please join Douglas-Sarpy's Horseless Horse Club!
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
When: TBA (usually the first Friday of every Month) at 5 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@unl.edu
Participate in the Quilts of Valor Program
The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H program would like to encourage our youth to participate in the Quilts of Valor program.
A Quilt of Valor® (QOV) is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The Quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.”
4-H members and volunteers can work alone or in groups to make the quilts. Perhaps you can find someone who will help donate fabric, batting or machine-quilting to complete your project. You may want to contact a service organization or other donors in your community to help provide funds for the Quilt of Valor. Learn more about the program at
https://4h.unl.edu/documents/Quilts%20of%20Valor%20State-wide%20Challenge%20GUIDELINES.pdf
Diamond Clover Program
4-H Chicken BBQ Contest at the Nebraska State Fair
When: Sunday, August 27, 2023
Where: Raising NE Building, NE State Fair, Grand Island
Must sign-up by State Fair 4-H Contest Entries Deadline — August 10, 2023 NSF 2023
Rules: https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/58
Superintendent: Sheila Purdum, spurdum2@unl.edu
2023 Virtual Video Companion Animal Showmanship Contest!
This is a FREE contest for youth with any sort of companion animal that can compete in and get feedback from our judges. Videos should be recorded at the youth’s home and submitted following the instructions outlined below. Submissions for registration with video entries are from July 1st, 2023 to August 14, 2023 (entry deadline) at 5pm CST.
For more information and to find the online entry form: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal-showmanship-contest
4-H Dates
July 24th 6:00 PM - 4-H Dog Show
July 29th 9:00 AM Horse Show-Performance Events, Trail to Follow Rodeo Arena
August 1st 12:00-7:00 PM Entry Day & Interview Judging-All Static Exhibits 4-H Building
August 1st 3:00-8:00 PM Rabbit and Poultry Check In Rabbit/Poultry Building
August 2nd 8:00-11:00 AM Swine Check-in Livestock Building
August 2nd 8:30 AM Rabbit & Cavy Show Rabbit/Poultry Building
August 2nd 9:00 AM Poultry Show Rabbit/Poultry Building
August 2nd 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Sheep & Goat Check in Livestock Building
August 2nd 11:00 AM-2:00 PM Beef & Bucket Calf Check In Livestock Building
August 2nd 3:30 PM Tractor Driving Contest North Parking Lot
August 2nd 5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies Kersten Memorial
August 2nd 5:30 PM 4-H Building Opens to Public
August 2nd 6:00 PM 4-H Fashion Show Open Air
August 2nd 10:00 PM 4-H Building Closes
August 3rd 8:00 AM Swine Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 10:00 AM Sheep Lead Livestock Building
August 3rd 10:00 AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
August 3rd 10:30 AM Meat Goat Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 1:00 PM Sheep Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 5:00 PM The Showcase of 4-H Gems Open Air
August 3rd 7:00 PM Horse Speed Events Rodeo Arena
August 3rd 10:00 PM 4-H Building Closes
August 4th 8:00 AM Dairy Goat Show Livestock Building
August 4th 9:30 AM Pygmy & Fainting Goat Show Livestock Building
August 4th 9:30 AM Bucket Calf Interviews Open Air
August 4th 10:00 AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
August 4th 11:30 AM Bucket Calf Show Livestock Building
August 4th 1:00 PM Beef Show Livestock Building
August 4th 5:00 PM 4-H Council Pie Auction Open Air
August 4th 8:00 PM Rodeo (4-H Section Tickets Available) Rodeo Arena
August 4th 8:00 PM Parade of Champions Rodeo Arena
August 5th 10:00 AM Sarpy County Fair Parade Main Street
August 5th 10:00AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
August 5th 11:00 AM Adult Showmanship Contest Livestock Building
August 5th Noon Best Dressed Contest Livestock Building
August 5th 1:00 PM Elite Showmanship Contest Livestock Building
August 5th 4:00 PM 4-H Premium Auction Livestock Building
August 6th 6:30 AM-9:30 AM 4-H Livestock Released Livestock Building
August 6th 4:00 PM-5:30 PM 4-H Static Exhibits Released
August 7th 9:00 AM-12:00 PM 4-H Static Exhibits Released & 4-H Building Clean Up
- August 10 - State Fair Animal Entries Due
- Aug. 25 - Sep. 4, 2023 - Nebraska State Fair
- Oct. 4 - Douglas-Sarpy Discount Day at Vala's Pumpkin Patch (more details to come)
- June 20 and Friday, June 21, 2024 - PACE - https://4h.unl.edu/pase
Learn more
Leader Newsletter - Check out all the issues here.
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
New Member Handouts (Drive folder)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1atu4VKDHTYukncs9_gVpRwPTY4MvbuRe?usp=sharing
New Member Guidebook
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j99YzlGpClOexfXZDJJrouP9USUTtVn_/view?usp=share_link
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
Submit your community service project at 4h.unl.edu/csps
Email: douglas-sarpy4h@unl.edu
Website: www.douglas-sarpy.unl.edu
Location: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-444-7804
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/douglassarpy4h
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.