4-H Weekly Update 2/14/25

• Feb 17: President's Day, Office Closed
• Feb 24: Sewing for Fun Class, Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Feb 26: 4-H Horse Meeting, 6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office

• Feb 26: Omaha Fashion Week 4-H Collection
• Mar 3: Sewing for Fun Class, Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 11: Clover Kids Klub Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 15-16: Nebraska State 4-H BB gun & Air Rifle Championships
• Mar 19: 4-H Livestock Meeting, 6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 21-22: Nebraska 4-H Robotics Expansion Event
• Mar 26: 4-H Poultry & Rabbits Meeting, 6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 30: 4-H Horse Stampede, UNL Animal Science Complex in Lincoln, NE
• Apr 8: Clover Kids Klub Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Apr 26: Small Animal Pet Show, 9am Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 2: Communications Contest, Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 13: Clover Kids Klub Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 15: 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 26: Memorial Day, Office Closed

Join us in celebrating Nebraska 4-H Month this February! It’s the perfect time to recognize the incredible impact of 4-H, invite new members and volunteers to get involved, and enjoy the fun and opportunities 4-H provides. This year, we’re highlighting how 4-H helps young people become Beyond Ready for their futures. Don’t miss out on this month-long celebration—learn more at 4-H Nebraska.

Join us for a 4-H Sewing for Fun class, where kids 8 and older with basic sewing experience can create a stylish zipper bag or pillow! Choose from afternoon or after-school classes for just $25 and develop your sewing skills in a fun, hands-on environment. Registration links below.

Dates: February 24th and March 3rd, 2025

Times:

Homeschool sessions, 1-3 pm

Afterschool sessions 4:30-6:30 pm

Location: Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE

Questions, please email Stephanie: stephanie.thorson@unl.edu

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of the 4-H Horse Program? Whether you're new to 4-H or just curious about getting involved, this meeting is the perfect opportunity to learn more! Join us on Wednesday, February 26th, at 6:30 PM at the Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office (8015 W Center Rd) to discover what the program offers, what’s required, and how you can participate. Don’t miss out on this exciting chance to connect and learn!

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn the fundamentals of golf in a fun and engaging environment! Open to young golfers of all skill levels however limited spots available, so sign up today! For questions, contact: Dave Malone, Jr. Golf Director at 402-560-3371 or via email: Dmalonepga1@gmail.com.

Register Here by Friday, February 21st: Sign Up Now

Dates: March 20, 27 | April 3, 10

Times:

• 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
  (Maximum 40 children per one-hour session)

Location:
Whispering Woods
3001 Machinery Dr.
Council Bluffs, Iowa
712-366-4653

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

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! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to grow, learn, and compete! Stay tuned for more details.

For more information on how to prepare, click here.

Big Red Camps are overnight career exploration camps for students entering grades 9-12. Campers get to experience life on the University of Nebraska campus, meet new friends from across the country, and dive into exciting topics like animation, fashion entrepreneurship, and engineering. With hands-on learning led by university faculty, participants explore potential careers while having a blast!

At the end of camp, families are invited to a special capstone event where students showcase their work. All housing and meals are included. Spots are limited and fill quickly, so sign up soon!

For camp details, session options, costs, and scholarship info, visit Big Red Camps Sessions.

Nebraska students in grades 1-6 are invited to participate in the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s annual poster contest, celebrating this year’s theme, “Agriculture is Amazing.” The contest highlights Nebraska’s leading industry and encourages students to showcase their creativity. Posters, which must be original and relate to the theme, are due by March 1, 2025. Entries will be judged in three age groups based on originality, effort, and accuracy, with winners announced during National Agriculture Week, March 16-22, 2025. Winning posters will be featured online and in promotional materials. Contest rules and entry forms are available at nda.nebraska.gov/kids or contact Christin Kamm at 402-471-6856 or christin.kamm@nebraska.gov for more information.

Applications are now open to join the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council (YPC)! The YPC brings teens from across the country together to share ideas with FEMA, create community preparedness projects, and build leadership and emergency management skills. Students in grades 8–11 with leadership experience, extracurricular involvement, and an interest in emergency preparedness are eligible to apply. To apply, fill out the application form and submit two letters of recommendation. Applications are being accepted from January 7 - March 3, 2025.

Learn more and apply at ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council. Let’s make a difference together!

Attention 4-H youth! Don’t miss the Robotics Expansion Event on March 21-22, 2025—a thrilling two-day adventure into the world of robotics and technology. Dive into hands-on learning, watch exciting competitions, and explore groundbreaking innovations alongside other STEM enthusiasts. This event, held in conjunction with the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship, is your chance to showcase creativity, collaborate with peers, and be inspired by the future of robotics. Get ready to experience the excitement and possibilities of STEM! For more information, click here.

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.

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.

Are you a Leader, Creator, Storyteller, or Changemaker? 4-H is looking for passionate youth like YOU to become one of four Youth in Action winners! This incredible opportunity comes with a $5,000 scholarship, one-on-one mentoring, and the chance to serve as a national 4-H spokesperson, opening doors to exciting new experiences. Don’t miss out—applications close April 1st! Start yours today: https://bit.ly/4aBuCke

We’re excited to announce the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge, open to 4-H members (ages 8+ as of January 1). This contest helps participants learn about corn production and explore related agricultural careers.

• Teamwork: Teams of 2 or more work together.
• Innovation: Teams try a new production practice to see how it affects corn yield.
• Data Collection: Teams record yields, cropping history, and production details in a management summary.
• Awards: Cash prizes and plaques for top teams:
  • 1st Place: $1,000
  • 2nd Place: $500
  • 3rd Place: $250
  • Additional awards of $200 each for "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy."

This challenge inspires creativity and recognizes excellence in corn production. Don’t miss your chance to participate—register by April 1! For more Information: Click here or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is now accepting applications for high school juniors and seniors to attend the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI), one of the state’s largest agriculture youth programs. This five-day event, held July 7–11, 2025, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, gives students the chance to connect with ag leaders, explore career opportunities, and learn more about the industry. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: It’s in our Genes.” Applications are due by April 15, 2025, and students are selected based on their leadership, involvement, and passion for agriculture. Apply online here.

Do you love to draw, paint, sculpt, or create? The 4-H Visual Arts projects are all about exploring your imagination and bringing your ideas to life! With a focus on originality, you'll experiment with different art techniques, play with colors and textures, and discover new ways to express yourself.

Whether you’re sketching, painting, or crafting something completely unique, this is your chance to showcase your personal style and creativity. Let your artwork tell a story, share your perspective, and inspire others. Get ready to create, explore, and have fun—because in 4-H Visual Arts, the possibilities are endless! For more information, click here.

We are excited to announce the fifth year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program, which recognizes youth excelling in livestock projects such as beef, sheep, goats, swine, dairy, rabbits, and poultry. The program encourages education, leadership, and exhibition through three achievement levels: Juniors (ages 8-10) submit learning activities, Intermediates (ages 11-13) earn 100 points, and Seniors (ages 14-18) earn 150 points by completing project-related accomplishments. Participants select goals from a provided list or create their own with educator approval. Applications are due June 15, with final reports submitted by August 1. Recognized Members of Excellence will be honored during the Parade of Champions at the Nebraska State Fair. For more information or to apply, click here.

The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council is offering scholarships for current 4-H members, graduating seniors, and alumni.

Camp Scholarships

Available for current 4-H members:

• 3 scholarships of $300
• 5 scholarships of $200
• 11 scholarships of $100

Requirements:

• Must be enrolled in 4-H before the application deadline.
• Can be used for any 4-H, Big Red, or University of Nebraska-Lincoln program, or a 4-H Project Camp.

Apply for a Camp Scholarship – Deadline: March 21, 2025

Graduating Senior College Scholarships

For high school seniors graduating in 2025:

• 1 scholarship of $1,000 for UNL, UNO, or UNK
• 2 scholarships of $1,000 for any college, university, or trade school
• 1 scholarship of $900 for any college, university, or trade school

Requirements:

• Must be a high school senior graduating in 2025.
• Must have been active in Douglas-Sarpy 4-H for at least 3 years.
• Must be currently enrolled in Douglas-Sarpy 4-H before the deadline.

Apply for a Senior Scholarship – Deadline: March 21, 2025

Alumni College Scholarships

For 4-H alumni in college:

• 4 scholarships of $500

Requirements:

• Must be a Douglas-Sarpy 4-H alumni.
• Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Must be at least a college freshman (not a current high school senior).

Apply for an Alumni Scholarship – Deadline: March 21, 2025

For questions, contact Alyssia Martinez Wilkinson at alyssia.martinezwilkinson@gmail.com.

Governor Ricketts officially signed the Nebraska 4-H Month proclamation, marking an exciting start to the celebration! Four of our Douglas-Sarpy 4-Hers were able to attend, Mallory Beethe, Jackson and Drew Luethje, and Jayden Prososki. Best wishes to all counties as they promote 4-H throughout the year! Click here for news article.

Nominations for the 2025 4-H Volunteer Awards are now being accepted through March 20, 2025! Help us recognize the incredible dedication and impact of 4-H volunteers across the state by submitting a nomination. The nomination process is quick and easy. Let’s celebrate the outstanding volunteers who make 4-H possible! For more information, along with the nomination form click here.

We'd love to spotlight more local 4-H clubs/4-Hers! Please e-mail Andrea: aboschult2@unl.edu with information about your club and activities to be shared in future weekly updates!

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:

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

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.