4-H News in Keith/Arthur Counties
May 2026
🍀🍀🍀4-H'ers Helping 4-H'ers 🍀🍀🍀
🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀4-H'er
At its heart, 4-H is about resilience and community. When disaster strikes, we show up for one another. The Nebraska 4-H Foundation's Disaster Fund is open to all 4-H families in need of financial assistance. Nobody navigates disaster alone, and the Nebraska 4-H Foundation is here to help.
For more information on how to donate or receive assistance, go to https://www.ne4hfoundation.org/4-hers-helping-4-hers/.
Complimentary Curriculum for All Enrolled 4-H Youth!
New for 2026, enrolled 4-H youth will receive complimentary access to 4-H curriculum developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln! These hands-on resources help youth explore their sparks further and cover a wide range of interests, including shopping, entomology, poultry, clothing, babysitting, and much more! Enroll in Nebraska 4-H today at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll - and receive more details emailed directly to you from 4HOnline about the Complimentary 4-H Curriculum provided to you by Nebraska 4-H!
YQCA - Due by June 15
IN-PERSON TRAINING:
Dani is certified teach face-to-face YQCA training. The training will include 4-6 hands on activities. There is no test required in-person.
Dates face-to-face training will be offered:
• May 18 - 2:00-4:00 pm, Keith County Fairgrounds in Ogallala
• May 19 - 2:00-4:00 pm, Arthur Veterans Hall at Arthur Fairgrounds
• May 28- 9:00-11:00 am, Paxton Community Building
To register, click the link below and register for the instructor-led courses in Keith or Arthur County under the date you prefer. https://yqcaprogram.org/
Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA).
Youth enrolled in any of following projects or project areas will need to complete YQCA training-
• Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)
• Dairy Cattle
• Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)
• Poultry
• Rabbit
• Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)
• Swine (breeding swine, market swine)
Keith - FAIR CAMPER REQUIREMENTS
If you want to have a camper spot hookup at Keith County Fair, READ THIS! The Fair Board and 4-H Council discussed this process together.
- If you want a hookup, it will be a reservation style.
- The reservations will take place from June 1st to June 15th only.
- TEXT MaKenzi Spurgin with the Fair Board-
- Let her know you are requesting to reserve a camper spot for fair.
- Her number is (308)289-1304.
- The only requirement at this time is families wanting a hookup need to have livestock at fair.
Remember there are only 15 spots with electricity, but families can bring generators.
Babysitting Workshop - 5/21
Learn what it takes to care for youth in a safe and fun environment. Future babysitters will discover ways to entertain and engage kids in their care. Basic first aid, child development, and nutrition will be covered.
Who: Ages 10-18
When: May 21, 2026, 9 am - 3:30 pm
Where: MPCC - Ogallala Community Campus
Cost: $35
Registration is through MPCC. Register- 308-284-9830 or ogallala@mpcc.edu Deadline-May15th
Get Crackin' Workshop - 6/5
- Learn the steps in making homemade crackers.
- Youth will learn experience the difference between flours; all-purpose, wheat, and rye.
- Youth will experiment with assorted seeds all while creating a delectable treat!
This workshop will be taught by UNL Food, Nutrition, & Health Educator, Brenda Aufdenkamp!
Who: Ages 8-18
When: June 5, 2026; 1pm-4:00pm
Where: Keith Co. Fairgrounds- Activity Building
Cost: $5
Register By: 5/29
May's 4-H Discovery Day: Recycled Denim w/ MaKenzi
Learn fun ways to repurpose old clothing
Create a cool craft that can be entered in the fair
- Open to all Youth~ 4-H membership is not required!
Location: Keith Co. Fairgrounds- Activity Building
Date: May 26, 2026
Time: 1:00 - 2:30pm
- $5 Register by 5/18 (308)284-6051
- https://go.unl.edu/2026_4-h_discovery-recycled_denim-registration
June's 4-H Discovery Program- Showing Rabbits & Poultry
Learn about rabbit and poultry showmanship
Learn how to get your animals show readyAnd even get your rabbit tattooed if needed!
Location: Keith Co. Fairgrounds
Date: June 10, 2026
Time: 1:00 - 4:00pm
-OR-
Location: Arthur Veterans Hall
Date: June 11, 2026Time: 1:00 - 4:00pm
Please register by June 1st, 2026
Fee- $5
https://go.unl.edu/2026_4-h_discovery-showing_rabbits_and_poultry-registration
Build you own Wand Light
Project (Class H870900 Bright Lights)
Location: Keith County Fairgrounds
Date: June 2, 2026
Time: 10am-11:30am
Please register by May 26th, 2026
Fee- $8
To sign up, please fill out the form using the link or QR code:
Edible Car Competition
Location: Keith County Fairgrounds
Date: July 15, 2026
Time: 1 pm-4:30pm
Please register by July 8th, 2026
Fee- $20
To sign up, please fill out the form using the link:
🍀🦕🌴We are SO EXCITED to partner with Kathleen Lute Public Library again this summer! 📚🦖🍀
The first session of the Nebraska 4-H Reading Connection program for "UNEARTH a STORY" begins June 29th! The class will be from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Kathleen Lute Library. For youth in K-6th grade. No registration fees!
Registration is open 1 week before each class scheduled. Call the library at 308-284-4354 or email tknaubklpl@gmail.com to sign up!
🍀🦕🌴Also coming this summer ... 📚🦖🍀
Reading Program at the Arthur County Library in June and July- dates to be determined- Stay Tuned!
Tractor Safety Training
The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH), in partnership with Nebraska Extension, host Tractor and Equipment Safety Certification Courses across the state of Nebraska every year. This year's trainings will be offered across the state in May and June 2025.
Learn more about the Tractor and Equipment Safety Certification Courses at https://go.unmc.edu/tractor-safety-training.
Winners Unlimited Camp
The camp runs from June 3rd - 5th and the participants get hands on, one on one coaching with current and past members of the UNL Livestock Judging team. It is a great opportunity for those interested in the livestock industry and looking to improve their skills and knowledge!
More information can be found at https://animalscience.unl.edu/winners-unlimited-camp/
4-H Livestock Achievement Program
🐄🐑🐖 Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program – Year 5! 🐐🐔
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is back for its fifth year, recognizing youth who go above and beyond in their livestock projects! This program promotes learning in selection, production, leadership, and exhibition across all livestock species.
🔹 Open to enrolled 4-H livestock youth
🔹 Species include beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, dairy, rabbit, poultry.
🔹 Three achievement levels: Junior, Intermediate, Senior
🗓 Apply by June 15
🗂 Plans & Reports due August 1
🏆 Members of Excellence will be recognized at the Nebraska State Fair Grand Drive.
👉 Learn more & apply here: https://go.unl.edu/lap
State 4-H Summer Camp 2025
We are excited to announce the 2026 Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp season! Youth are invited to join us and Big Gumdrop Outdoors as we explore the world around us through our Exploring Ecosystems theme.
During the 2026 Exploring Ecosystems season, campers will explore Nebraska’s natural world, discover how ecosystems connect, and learn how they can help care for the environment - all while having fun at camp!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is offering both day camps and overnight camp opportunities.
Camp at Chadron is FULL.
Day camps will be held in Grand Island (June 30) and Lincoln (July 22) for youth ages 8–12 providing a great introduction to the camp experience.
Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, scholarships, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp.
Big Red Camps
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open for registration! Several camp sessions are available in June to explore various interests and meet new friends, while living on the UNL campus and learning from university faculty.
If interested, register soon- 5 out of 9 camps are full!
To learn more and register, visit https://go.unl.edu/bigredcamps #NE4H #GoBigRed
Volunteers Needed!
One of the most important keys to making 4-H programs successful- are YOU- and the many people willing to help! Leading, teaching, setting up, taking down, the opportunities to lend a hand- are endless...
Clubs, shows, programs and events are a lot of fun, but also a lot of work to put together - we are always looking for caring adults & older youth to help at various levels. If you are interested in being a volunteer or know individuals who would be great fit- please reach out to the office.
More info can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/volunteers/
Brenda Aufdenkamp
Ben Dutton
David Lott
Shannon Sand
Randy Saner
