4-H Weekly Update 3/21/25
Save the Date: All About 4-H Night
Join us on April 1st at 5:30 PM for All About 4-H Night! This is a great opportunity to learn about all the exciting projects and activities 4-H has to offer. Whether you're new to 4-H or looking for new experiences, this event is for you! Plus, don’t miss a special reptile show with State Herpetologist Dennis Ferraro—get up close with fascinating reptiles and learn from an expert!
Location: Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road Omaha, NE 68124
Date & Time: April 1st at 5:30 PM
Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and come see what 4-H is all about!
2025 Small Pet Show
When: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 9:00 AM (Check-in begins at 8:30 AM)
Where: Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
Bring Your Unique Pets to Shine! This fun-filled event is open to all kinds of small pets, including: Gerbils, Hamsters, Reptiles, Fish, Caged Birds, Invertebrates, and Cats!
Click here to sign up for the Small Pet Show!
Note: Dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs have their own special shows at the Sarpy County Fair.
Celebrate the love for your small and extraordinary companions at this one-of-a-kind event! Everyone is welcome to come and cheer for these amazing pets. Don’t miss it! If you have any questions, please contact Brett Kreifels: brett.kreifels@unl.edu
Communications Contest
SAVE THE DATE!
When: Friday, May 2nd
Where: Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office 8015 W Center Road
Calling all 4-H youth! If you're between the ages of 5-18 and enrolled in 4-H, this is your chance to showcase your public speaking and communication skills.
Entry forms due by midnight, April 25th!
On-line Entry Form Link: https://go.unl.edu/communications2025
Join the Team!
Are you passionate about working with youth and making a positive impact in your community? We’re looking for an enthusiastic 4-H Intern to help facilitate our Babysitting Clinics running from June to July. These clinics teach 4-H youth essential skills in child development, nutrition, safety, and the business of babysitting. This is a paid internship offering valuable experience in education and youth development. Intern will assist with:
- Organizing and delivering interactive Babysitting Clinics
- Teaching and engaging youth in topics like childcare, healthy meal prep, and first aid
- Supporting hands-on activities for a fun and educational experience for all participants.
This is a paid internship preferably for college students majoring in Education, Child Development, or pursuing an FCS teaching certification.
If interested, please contact Stephanie Thorson: stephanie.thorson@unl.edu
Volunteers Needed for Summer Contests and Fair!
Looking for a fun way to get involved in the fair or a local contest? We need enthusiastic volunteers to help with several events!
Table Toppers Contest (June 26, 2025)
🔹 Judge for Junior division – 2 volunteers
Home Environment & Restoration
🔹 Judging Day (July 29, 2025) – Volunteers needed
🔹 Set up projects (July 30, 2025) – Volunteers needed
Foods and Nutrition
🔹 Judging Day (July 29, 2025) – Superintendent needed; 2 volunteers needed
Fair Passport Table (July 30 – August 3, 2025)
🔹 4-5 volunteers needed
Interested? Contact Megan Petsch at mpetsch3@unl.edu
2025 Fashion Show
Get Ready to Shine in the 4-H Fashion Show!
Do you love fashion? Want to show off your style and confidence on the runway? The 4-H Fashion Show is your chance to strut your stuff and showcase your creativity!
Designed It? Rock It! – If you’ve made your own garment, you’ll be judged on fit, construction, poise, and how amazing your outfit looks on you.
Styled It? Own It! – If you’re a Shopping In Style participant, you’ll be judged on how well your outfit fits, your confidence on stage, and your savvy shopping skills, including your written report.
This is your moment to shine, build confidence, and have a blast showing off your hard work. Don’t miss out—sign up today and be part of the excitement!
Save These Dates:
July 3rd: Fashion Show Entries DUE by Midnight
July 10th: Fashion Show judging day, 2-7pm at the Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
July 30th: Public Fashion Show, 6pm at the Sarpy County Fair
Get Ready for the Ultimate Robotics Adventure!
Hey 4-H youth! Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of robots, tech, and teamwork? Join us for the Robotics Expansion Event on March 21-22, on the UNL Campus in Lincoln, where you’ll experience epic competitions, hands-on activities, and jaw-dropping robot demonstrations!
- Build, create, and compete alongside other young innovators.
- Test your skills in thrilling robotics challenges.
- Meet and learn from experts and fellow robotics enthusiasts.
Best of all, this action-packed event happens alongside the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship—so you’ll be right in the middle of all the excitement!
Don't miss this chance to explore, experiment, and unleash your creativity in STEM. Mark your calendars and get ready to power up! For more information on this event, click here.
2025 UNL Chick Days: March 22
Are you a small or backyard poultry producer or a youth eager to learn more about raising chickens? Don't miss UNL Chick Days, an educational event designed just for you!
Date: March 22, 2025
Location: Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska
Student Commons Room B101, 3940 Fair St., Lincoln, NE, 68583
Gain insights from expert speakers, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and enhance your poultry-raising skills. Whether you're just starting or looking to expand your knowledge, this event is the perfect opportunity to learn and grow. Deadline to Register: March 15.
Data Driven: A Statistics & Data Science Field Day
Exciting News! Unlock the world of data science at "Data Driven: A Statistics & Data Science Field Day!" Registration is OPEN for teams of 4 high school students! Don't have a full team? No worries! Reach out, and we'll help you find teammates! Join us for interactive learning, friendly competitions, and networking opportunities. Embrace the power of data literacy together! Sign up NOW!
Where: Dinsdale Family Learning Commons, UNL East Campus
When: 10 AM - 4 PM, March 22, 2025
Don’t miss out—Register here: 4h.unl.edu/data-driven
For more details contact Kimberly Stanke at kstanke2@unl.edu.
4-H Youth in Action: Nominations close March 31st
The 4-H Youth in Action program highlights the leadership and impact of 4-H youth in their communities. Teens aged 14–19 can apply to share how 4-H has shaped their lives and empowered them to help others, with a chance to win a $5,000 educational scholarship. Participants also receive media training and national opportunities to share their stories. Applications are due March 31, 2025. for more information, click here.
4-H Project Judge Training - April 2025
Join a training series for 4-H project judges!
Thursday, April 10 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM CST
Intro to Judging 4-H Projects: For adults interested in judging at county and state fairs. Topics include interview judging, Positive Youth Development, and more.
Monday, April 14 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM CST
4-H Visual Arts & Foods Judges Training: For new and experienced judges in Visual Arts & Foods. Topics include class changes, food judging updates, and sourdough trends.
Participation is optional but encouraged. Live attendance is preferred, but recordings will be available at: 4h.unl.edu/resources/judges
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Update and Certification Sessions
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports will offer multiple instructor sessions in April:
- April 12-13 - Instructor Certification & Update Sessions in Bassett, NE
- April 26-27 - Instructor Certification & Update Sessions in Hastings, NE
These sessions are designed for current 4-H Shooting Sports instructors to refresh their certification, stay updated on policies, and enhance their skills. Instructors certified in 2018 or 2019 must attend an update to maintain their certification. The update sessions are for previously certified instructors and not for new instructor training. Participants must be currently enrolled Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports volunteers. Disciplines offered include archery, rifle, pistol, coordinator, and shotgun. Sessions begin at 9 AM, with registration at 8:30 AM. Lunch is provided at noon. A minimum number of participants is required for each discipline.
Registration & Fees:
- Early Bird (by April 2) – $40
- Late (after April 2) – $60
- Fee includes program materials and lunch (lodging not included).
For more details and registration, visit the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage or contact your local Nebraska Extension Office. You can also reach Steve Pritchard at (402) 395-2158 or (308) 536-2691.
Make a Difference this Summer!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is hiring staff and program assistants for the 2025 season! Travel to Chadron and Burwell, bringing the fun of 4-H Camp to communities across the state.
Enjoy a week of training to develop leadership skills, teach environmental education, lead games, and create a positive camp experience. Plus, have fun tubing the river, playing group games, and gathering around the campfire! Learn more and apply here.
Livestock Nominations Open for 2025 Nebraska State Fair
Show Stock Manager is now open for livestock nominations for the 2025 Nebraska State Fair! All 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves contending to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair must be nominated online with a $7.00 fee per animal and submit a DNA envelope with a hair sample.
🔹 Deadline: June 15, 2025
🔹 Nomination Link: Show Stock Manager
🔹 More Info: Check the 4-H State Fair Livestock Identification and Nomination Requirements
Special Note for 4-H/FFA Families: If nominating the same animals for both the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben Stock Show, obtain DNA envelopes from your local Extension Office or FFA Advisor, submit them there, and complete payment and nomination in Show Stock Manager. Aksarben will have a separate nomination system, with details provided later.
For step-by-step nomination guidance, refer to the 2025 Nomination Instructions below.
Heavy Equipment Career Exploration
Register now for the Heavy Equipment Career Exploration Day on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Central Community College – Hastings Campus. Sessions include driving simulators, hands-on experience with heavy equipment, learning about CCC’s Heavy Equipment Program, a career panel, and optional campus tours. Check-in is from 9:30 to 10:00 am, and the event ends at 4:30 pm. Lunch is included. Registration is $35 and closes on June 13, 2025, at 5:00 pm or when full.
Register at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment.
Want to Try a Fun and Delicious Fair Project? Give Canning a Go!
As the growing season approaches, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about fresh fruits and veggies—and how you can make that summer goodness last all year long! Have you ever thought about trying canning as a 4-H project? It’s a fun way to learn new skills and enjoy tasty results. You don’t even need to grow your own produce to get started! Check out a local farmers’ market or a “pick-your-own” farm to find the freshest fruits and veggies. Then, dive into the canning process and learn how to preserve those flavors for winter. Click here for helpful information to get started!
Make canning your next 4-H fair project—it’s fun, rewarding, and delicious!
4-H: Clover Kids Fair Exhibit Rules
Did you know?
Clover Kids 4-H is for kids ages 5 to 7 as of January 1, 2025.
- Each child can enter up to 40 projects.
- Talking to a judge about their project is encouraged but optional.
- Clover Kids can do any project suitable for their age and can use ideas from older kids’ projects but should adjust them to fit their age.
- They will receive special ribbons but won’t get prize money.
- Projects will be displayed in the Clover Kids area at the county fair, but they cannot be entered in the State Fair.
Project options include areas like clothing, food, woodworking, science, animals, and more. Clover Kids can also join contests like the Communication Contest, Table Toppers, Fashion Show, and Rocket Launch. For animal showmanship, Clover Kids can show dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry, and livestock (like beef, sheep, goats, and swine), but not horses. Animal size and age should match the child’s ability, and entry forms must be turned in on time — check the fair book for deadlines. All animal exhibitors will receive participation ribbons but no prize money.
Helpful Links
4-H Enrollment is now open for 2024-2025, click here! (Instrucciones disponibles en español)
4-H Community service ideas and resources click here!
4-H Club Leader information and resources click here!
Submit your community service project here!
4-H Volunteer Connection resources click here!
Steps to start a 4-H Club click here!
Share your 4-H pictures or ideas with us by e-mailing: aboschult2@unl.edu
2024-2025 New and Returning Volunteer Enrollment is open, please click on form below for instructions:
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
Location: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-444-7804
Email: douglas-sarpy4h@unl.edu
Website: www.douglas-sarpy.unl.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/douglassarpy4h
