4-H Newsletter

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.

Interested in doing the Dog show in 2025? Watch this year's show and then contact Emma Schmidt (eschmidt15@unl.edu) or 402-444-7809 to be made aware of future dog show events.

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 22. 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.

• Entry Day for static exhibits is Tuesday, July 30th 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 22. 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/

Not sure where to start? Check out some of our project ideas here.

Interview Judging will be July 30 from noon to 7 pm at the Sarpy Fairgrounds. This is an opportunity for 4-H members to talk to judges about their static exhibits and share their trials and lessons they learned. 4-H'ers also learn what the judge looks for and how to improve skills. See some sample interview questions at here.

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

Livestock exhibitors are invited to attend the fair set up on July 29 at 5 pm. Meet in the barn.

They are also encouraged to come to the same location on August 5 for clean up (bring brooms, shovels, etc.).

Decorate your stall/pen. Camping Theme! (The Open Class Fair Theme this year is National Parks) Wednesday Night of the fair. All Species compete together

Watermelon Feed and Fairbook overview meeting. This year, all families are highly encouraged to come and enjoy some watermelon and go through an overview of the fairbook and rules prior to the shows. Wednesday, July 31st from 4-5 pm in the livestock barn. Attend the Opening Ceremonies afterwards.

Show Ring Times:

This year, species will have designated times to work their livestock in the show ring prior to their respective shows. The show ring will be closed prior and after these designated times. Please be respectful to others in using the show arena.

Wednesday, July 31st, Swine: 6:30 pm-7:30 pm

Sheep/Goats: 7:30pm-8:30 pm

Thursday, August 1st, Cattle: 4pm-5 pm

*A reminder, all livestock not using the show ring during the designated times must be in their pens/stalls starting at 6 pm and remain in their stalls. This is for the safety of public.

Plan to pick up your 4-H shirts starting on entry day in the 4-H building.

Thank you to the Sarpy County Farm Bureau for this donation! Please try to pick up shirts by Friday at 5 pm. Those who have pre-registered for shirts will be given first priority.

The Sarpy County Fairboard has generously donated one rodeo ticket for each enrolled 4-Her.

The tickets will be available at the 4-H fair office starting on entry day through Friday at 4:00 pm.

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#/

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:

https://go.unl.edu/4hpassportvolunteer2024

Saturday August 3 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!

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.

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

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

• Canning- https://food.unl.edu/tags/canning

• Cooking with Kids Recipes
• Kitchen Safety Rules for Kids
• 4-H Foods Judging Guide

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

Plan on picking up your static exhibits on Sunday, August 4 from 4-5:30 pm and Monday, August 5 from 9 am to noon.

2024 Nebraska State Fair 4-H and FFA entry site is open and accepting entries!

Deadline

Deadline to complete entries: Saturday, August 10 at 8 PM CST*

*No option for late entries

Click Here for State Fair Online Entry Information

After clicking the link, scroll down to “Online Entry Information” and click the orange box that reads 4-H/FFA ENTRY. Continue by following and completing the guided questions.

The Diamond Clover Program gives youth a structured opportunity to learn and practice skills that prepare them for success in the future. Participants earn rewards for setting goals, trying new things, and keeping records. All youth are invited to participate, regardless of enrollment. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover

The 4-H Project Showcase is an opportunity for members to show off their favorite project or maybe a project that didn't go as planned! All projects are eligible regardless of the awards received through judging or even the ability to have it judged at the county level. Projects submitted by August 10 will be featured at the Nebraska State Fair. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/project-showcase

The Nebraska State Fair is thrilled to host the 2nd annual 4-H Day at the Nebraska State Fair. 4-H Day will be Sunday, August 25th. To celebrate our 4-H members statewide they are offering a discounted admission that day that is only for bonafide 4-H members. This is only intended for 4-H members, family members including parents will need to purchase regular admission tickets. This is not just for state fair exhibitors, but for any 4-H member.

To order discounted tickets, please click here: 4-H Day at Nebraska State Fair - Good On Aug 25 Only Tickets | Lincoln, NE | Nebraska State Fair- Livestock (etix.com)

• 4-H members (13+) $5.75 (includes credit card fee)
• 4-H members (6-12) $3.75 (includes credit card fee)

• July 22 - Dog Show
• July 23 - 4-H Babysitting 2.0 Clinic
• July 27th 9:00 AM Horse Show-Performance Events, Trail to Follow Rodeo Arena
• July 30 12:00-7:00 PM Entry Day & Interview Judging-All Static Exhibits 4-H Building
• July 30 3:00-8:00 PM Rabbit and Poultry Check In Rabbit/Poultry Building
• July 31 8:00-11:00 AM Swine Check-in Livestock Building
• July 31 8:30 AM Rabbit & Cavy Show Rabbit/Poultry Building
• July 31 9:00 AM Poultry Show Rabbit/Poultry Building
• July 31 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Sheep & Goat Check in Livestock Building
• July 31 11:00 AM-2:00 PM Beef & Bucket Calf Check In Livestock Building
• July 31 3:30 PM Tractor Driving Contest North Parking Lot
• July 31 5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies Kersten Memorial
• July 31 5:30 PM 4-H Building Opens to Public'
• July 31 6:00 PM 4-H Fashion Show Open Air
• July 31 10:00 PM 4-H Building Closes
• August 1 8:00 AM Swine Show Livestock Building
• August 1 10:00 AM Sheep Lead Livestock Building
• August 1 10:00 AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
• August 1 10:30 AM Meat Goat Show Livestock Building
• August 1 1:00 PM Sheep Show Livestock Building
• August 1 5:00 PM The Showcase of 4-H Gems Open Air
• August 1 7:00 PM Horse Speed Events Rodeo Arena
• August 1 10:00 PM 4-H Building Closes
• August 2 8:00 AM Dairy Goat Show Livestock Building
• August 2 9:30 AM Pygmy & Fainting Goat Show Livestock Building
• August 2 9:30 AM Bucket Calf Interviews Open Air
• August 2 10:00 AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
• August 2 11:30 AM Bucket Calf Show Livestock Building
• August 2 1:00 PM Beef Show Livestock Building
• August 2 5:00 PM 4-H Council Pie Auction Open Air
• August 2 8:00 PM Rodeo (4-H Section Tickets Available) Rodeo Arena
• August 2 8:00 PM Parade of Champions Rodeo Arena
• August 3 10:00 AM Sarpy County Fair Parade Main Street
• August 3 10:00AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
• August 3 11:00 AM Adult Showmanship Contest Livestock Building
• August 3 Noon Best Dressed Contest Livestock Building
• August 3 1:00 PM Elite Showmanship Contest Livestock Building
• August 3 4:00 PM 4-H Premium Auction Livestock Building
• August 4 6:30 AM-9:30 AM 4-H Livestock Released Livestock Building
• August 3 4:00 PM-5:30 PM 4-H Static Exhibits Released
• August 5 9:00 AM-12:00 PM 4-H Static Exhibits Released & 4-H Building Clean Up

• 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

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.

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