Saunders County 4-H Update

January 15 - Office Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 1 - Deadline Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort

February 18 - Beef Weigh In

February 24 - Saunders County 4-H Robotics Mini-Play

March 12 - 4-H Leader Training

March 15 - 16 - FIRST LEGO League Event

March 16 - Chick Days

March 16 - Lancaster Co Spring Rabbit Show

March 16 - Data Driven Event

March 24 - 4-H Horse Stampede - Entries due March 4

April 1 - Saunders County Communication Contest

April 16 - 4-H 101 Training

June 1 - State Horse Entries/Horse ID/Level Testing Due

June 15 - 4-H Sign up deadline

June 18 - Premier Communication Event (State)

June 20 - 21 - Premier Animal Science Event

July 20 - Fair Clean up Day

July 16 or July 23 - Superintendent Supper

July 13-17 - State Horse Show

July 28 - August 4 - Saunders County Fair

August 10 - State Fair Livestock/Contest Entries Due

August 23 - Sept. 2 - Nebraska State Fair

August 24 - State 4-H Dog Show

We have some trainings for both families and 4-H Club leaders and our annual Communication Contest scheduled - mark those calendars now!

**Exciting News for Nebraska Youth**

As you know, 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.

Starting in 2024, all Nebraska 4-H youth age 8 and older will be able to participate in statewide competitions (Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo, PASE, communications contest) and in-person State Fair events (livestock, contests, fashion shows, contests).

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.

The age of youth is set as of January 1st of the current year and youth must enroll in 4-H before June 15th, 2024.

We are excited to be launching STEM Backpacks for checkout! This project is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Lincoln and Beyond School Bells.

These backpacks are available for checkout now! Find more information at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/stem-backpacks/

We keep a running list of progress shows and clinics for Small Animals (Rabbits, Poultry, Cat, Dog, Pocket Pets), Horse, Large Livestock (Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goat) as well as other clinics of interest. Check them out by clicking the button above.

Clubs and Independent members can apply for a grant to support projects and activities.

Thank you to our 2023 4-H Council Sponsors! Funds raised support the Saunders County 4-H Fair, leader trainings and certifications, Saunders county 4-H members competing at state contests and events, Saunders county contests, scholarships and so much more!

We all know about the 4-H livestock, cooking and sewing projects. But with nearly 50 projects to choose from, there are likely some you aren’t familiar with.

These five often-overlooked projects offer real-world skills and unique experiences: go.unl.edu/2nd8.

Contact Jenna @ jhanson19@unl.edu or (402) 624-8052 with any questions.

Registration for the 2024 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is now open until February 1st, 2024. Please see https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned for all of the details.

Calling all teen leaders! Nebraska 4-H is seeking facilitators for this year’s Ag Innovators Experience, Protect the Plate. Application deadline for Local Teen Facilitators has been extended to next Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. More information and applications are available at 4h.unl.edu/ag-innovators-experience.

More information can be found at https://animalscience.unl.edu/chick-days

We are excited to announce the fourth year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This additional opportunity for enrolled livestock project youth, is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership.

The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.

The program consists of three levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Junior 8-9 submits pictures, poster, presentation, and other learning activities to receive the distinction of Junior Member of Excellence, no point value, Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.

Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the application form link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 1 via the completion form on the website.

Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.

For more information or to apply, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)

Planning is in full swing for the 2024 Nebraska State Fair. While the complete and detailed schedule is a work in progress, we wanted to share a tentative schedule overview to help you plan ahead. You can find it on https://www.statefair.org/ag-competitions/livestock-exhibitors under the 2024 Livestock Schedule section.

New volunteer resources and information are available for club leaders, parents, and other 4-H volunteers. Visit for more information: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/leader-clubs/

What you do makes a difference! We are excited to share that our state will be participating in the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study of volunteers in the North Central Region.

This survey is being conducted as a part of 12 state effort to document the impact of volunteering.

It will focus on three areas:

• the personal benefits of your volunteer experience;
• the impact you have on the organization by volunteering; and
• how your volunteer efforts contribute to your community in which you live and work.

A random sample of volunteers of 1000 volunteers from each state will be surveyed. This study will be conducted through an electronic survey. If you are selected you will receive an email to let you know you have been selected to participate.

You may be picked!!! If you are, please respond. We want to hear from you and learn from your volunteer experiences.

Your comments will be used to quantify the personal, organizational and public impacts of volunteers involved with 4-H Youth Development Programs in our twelve-state region.

Your impact is great and we want to hear from you!!!

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.

Enroll as a volunteer or enroll your youth! More details at https://go.unl.edu/SaundersEnroll

The Nebraska 4-H Glossary provides general terminology and language used within the Nebraska 4-H program. Check it out at https://4h.unl.edu/glossary

Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.

The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made in advance to the Saunders County Extension Office.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

Email: Saunders-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/4h/
Location: Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC)

1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE, United States
Phone: (402) 624-8030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaundersCountyExtension4h

Instagram: https://instagram.com/saunders_county_extension_4H

Office Hours 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday- Friday