4-H fall
To enroll in 4-H for 2024, click here. 4-Hers and Volunteers may not participate in any 4-H Activities without being enrolled first. This included attending club meetings, participating in shooting sports projects, etc.
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 Brett at brett.kreifels@unl.edu 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.
Please note, our office will be closed next week on Nov. 23 and 24, 2023. Have a great holiday.
4-H Livestock Achievement program
Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. NEW in 2024: Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement to get started
Volunteer Orientation
Nebraska 4-H has launched a new volunteer orientation. This online training serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska and covers a few essential topics for volunteers. While the orientation is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the course.
Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.
CALLING ALL TEEN LEADERS!
We are seeking facilitators for this year's Ag Innovators Experience, Protect the Plate.
We need three state facilitators to attend the national training and provide leadership for local facilitators. We need 20+ local facilitators to deliver the Ag Innovators Experience in their communities.
Applications are due Nov. 22, 2023. More information and applications are available at 4h.unl.edu/ag-innovators-experience.
4-Her - Aariyah Saltzman-Harris
This week's 4-Her of the week is Aariyah Saltzman-Harris, she was the Junior Pygmy Goat Showmanship Champion at the Sarpy County Fair in 2023.
Additionally, she completed for the Elite Showmanship for the first time and although she did not win she was the Junior High Point Champion and is pictured with her prize.
Share your 4-H accomplishments with us! Email your pictures to Rwright4@unl.edu
Animal Project Highlight: Eggs
Eggs will be judged on shape, color and weight uniformity. Please do not refrigerate eggs prior to checking in the eggs. Eggs are entered at fair on Tuesday in the green 4-H building.
Want to learn about showing poultry in 4-H? Check out our Exhibiting Poultry Guide at https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/ec282.pdf This publication helps 4-H'ers prepare for bird exhibition and for showmanship, through a step-by-step process.
Static Project Highlight: 4-H Visual Arts Project
The purpose of the 4-H visual arts project is to help youth develop life skills like critical and creative thinking, confident communication, decision-making, problem-solving and goal setting.
Twelve 4-H members with visual art projects where chosen from over 600 to be placed on display in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Loft Gallery, including Douglas-Sarpy 4-Her Taylor Honeyman.
Learn more about this honor at https://4h.unl.edu/news/nebraska-4-h-members%E2%80%99-artwork-display-unl-loft-gallery
4-H Clover Kid Program
Parents and children ages 5-7 are invited to be a part of the Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Clover Kid Program.
When: 12-12, 1-9, 2-13, 3-12
Time: 6-7 pm
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
The class is sponsored by Douglas-Sarpy 4-H, so there is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to preregister with Rachel at rwright4@unl.edu.
We will be making bread, so please let Rachel know about any food allergies.
Quilting Club - Happy Hands
When: Nov. 21 usually meets on the third Tuesday of the month.
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Interested members can contact Club Leader Stephanie at (stephkucera@hotmail.com).
Paddock Posse - Join the Horseless Horse Club
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
When: Dec. 1 (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
Feeder Steer
The 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is a unique opportunity for members looking to take their 4-H beef project to the next level. Applications for next year’s program are due Dec. 1 and are available at 4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge
Companion Animal Contest
This year's Companion Animal Contest is open to all 4-H youth ages 5-18. All exhibitors will give a brief presentation about their small pet. This may include characteristics, health, history and care of the animal they are showing. This contest is for cats, fish, hamsters, birds, snakes, bugs, etc. *
When: April 13, 2024, at 9 am
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
Questions: Contact Rachel at rwright4@unl.edu
*Rabbits, poultry guinea pigs and dogs will be shown at their own shows.
State Fair Changes
In 2023, Nebraska 4-H lowered the age limit for participation in the Nebraska State Fair for all in-person events to nine years of age. That change increased our participation and provided more youth the opportunity to have an engaging learning experience. We had many positive comments from legacy families as well as new.
This fall, we have had follow-up conversations with many of you as well as the show superintendents and various teams that run these events during State Fair and throughout the year. Based on that feedback and our goal of increasing access, the decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2024 to be 8 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person State Fair events (livestock, contests, fashion shows, contests) and other state competitions (Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo, PASE, communications contest). Note: there will be some events that will maintain their ages due to specific program rules (shooting sports, FIRST LEGO League Challenge robotics). Please check information on each specific event as it becomes available.
- Nebraska Project and Resources webpage offers lots of exciting and educational projects for 4-H'ers to choose from.
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
- 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
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For 4-H camp questions, contact Amber at astephens15@unl.edu
For State 4-H Equine Program questions, contact Lena Luck at Lena.luck@unl.edu
For State Companion Animal Program questions, contact Lisa Karr at Lisa.karr@unl.edu
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.