Saunders County 4-H Update
April 12- Catch-A-Lamb Sign up Due
April 16 - 4-H 101 Night
April 20 - Babysitting Basics - Ashland Library sign up thru library
April 20 - April 25 - National Volunteer Week Lunch & Learn sessions
May 4 - Rabbit Clinic at extension office Time TBD - details coming soon
May 31 - Babysitting Basics Workshop - Extension Office Signups coming soon
June 1 - State Horse Entries/Horse ID/Level Testing Due
June 6 - In person YQCA Training
June 15 - 4-H Sign up, Animal ID and YQCA deadlines
June 17 - 18 - Premier Communication Event (State level)
June 20 - 21 - Premier Animal Science Event (State level)
July 1 - Online Pre-Entry Deadline for Saunders County Fair
July 20 - Fair Clean up Day
July 13-17 - State Horse Show
July 23 - Superintendent Supper
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 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/
2024 4-H Summer Camps
Check out the Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp Offerings for 2024!
2024 Horse Camp
4-H Horse Camp at Fort Robinson Celebrating 50 years of Horse Camp! Register now!
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/northernpanhandle/fort-robinson-4-h-horse-camp/
Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit
Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit schedule for 2024.
Open to Nebraska 4-H and FFA members ages 10-18. For more information visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-judging-circuit
We’re excited to announce that entries are officially open for the 2024 UNL Livestock Judging Camp to be held June 5-7 here on east campus this summer! We’re pumped about another opportunity to host a great group of youth here at the animal science complex and we hope you’ll join us for this high level experience. Entry deadline will be May 20th so make sure your entries are postmarked by then! Registration document can be found online at go.unl.edu/judging-camp and please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to a great event, GBR
Mark Thursday, June 13, 2024 on your calendar to spend the day in Hastings, NE exploring Heavy Equipment. This opportunity is open to students entering 8th – 12th grade in fall of 2024. Cost is $30 per individual. The registration link will open May 1, 2024 and close Friday, May 31st by 5 pm CT. You will find the registration link at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment.
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)
Exciting news! We're thrilled to introduce the Corn Yield Challenge – a premier contest inviting participation from 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). Join us on this journey to explore every aspect of corn production and discover the exciting world of agricultural careers associated with it.
Key Features:
Team Participation: Form teams with two or more youth participants and embark on this collaborative challenge.
Innovative Practices: Youth will take on the challenge of implementing unique production practices to assess their impact on increasing corn yield.
Data Collection: The Corn Yield Challenge management summary will systematically gather crucial information, including yields, cropping history, and production details.
Recognition and Rewards: Outstanding achievements deserve recognition! Cash prizes and plaques await the top three teams: First Place: $1,000, Second Place: $500, Third Place: $250
Special Awards: Going the extra mile deserves applause! "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy" Awards will be presented, each carrying a value of $200.
This competition not only fuels innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform to honor dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to seize this opportunity, showcase your skills, and contribute to advancing agricultural practices.
For detailed guidelines and participation information, please visit Corn Challenge Webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Let's grow together!
Companion Rabbit Science
Companion Rabbit Science is a self-paced learning opportunity offering information about caring for rabbits. The online course is great for middle-school-aged youth but is open to all youth regardless of age who are looking to learn more about rabbits and the 4-H rabbit project. Companion Rabbit Science is a great resource for anyone interested in caring for or learning about rabbits in 4-H whether they own one now or not!
Check it out at https://4h.unl.edu/companion-rabbit-science
Companion Cat Science
Companion Cat Science is a self-paced learning opportunity offering information about caring for cats. The online course is great for middle-school-aged youth but is open to all regardless of age who are looking to learn more about cats and the 4-H cat project. Companion Cat Science is a great resource for anyone interested in caring for or learning about cats in 4-H whether they own one now or not!
Dog Achievement Program
The Nebraska 4-H Dog Achievement Program encourages youth to engage in a variety of companion animal opportunities, events, and contests. The program is designed to equip youth with a variety of skills and abilities and prepare them for success in the future. The Dog Achievement Program is open to enrolled 4-H members ages 8-18.
The program consists of 4 levels that require youth to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. For each level, the Dog Achievement program provides a list of recommended accomplishments from which 4-H youth choose their goals.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications to attend one of the biggest ag youth outreach events in the state. The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) brings together hundreds of high school juniors and seniors for a week to learn more about agriculture, Nebraska’s number one industry.
NAYI will be held July 8-12, 2024, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Students selected to attend NAYI do so free of charge due to generous donations from numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April 15, 2024, to apply. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online. This year’s theme is “Leading Your Legacy.”
If you know high school juniors or seniors interested in ag, encourage them to apply to NAYI before the April 15th deadline. NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their leadership skills, interests, and involvement in agriculture.
NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, which is comprised of 21 college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. The Council’s purpose is to provide young Nebraskans with a better understanding of agriculture, including agricultural opportunities available to today’s youth.
Nebraska Extension will be hosting a series of in-person food preservation class across the state in the spring and summer of 2024. Participants will learn how to safely prepare, can, and process different foods based on the correct canning method: pressure canning or boiling water canning.
- This course is intended for the home cook, home gardener, for those looking to have a large amount of shelf-stable foods, and those who are wanting to customize foods for their liking or create a healthier alternative.
- Click on the location to register and pay online for any of the following canning classes.
- Cost of each class is $20.00 and each participant will have a canned food item to take home.
- Registration is required at least one week before each program.
Registration is now open for the 2024 National Volunteer Week Lunch and Learn series. The series is open to all current or prospective volunteers including parents of 4-H youth. The structure of the lunch and learn sessions is a 30-minute presentation and 30 minutes for questions and networking with other volunteers. Join us for great opportunities to build your capacity as a 4-H volunteer and learn new skills to support 4-H experiences locally. Visit https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-lunch-learn for more information and to register. Registration is free and open until the beginning of each session.
Volunteer Orientation
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
Nebraska 4-H Glossary
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
4-H Extension Educator
Cole Meador- cmeador2@unl.edu
4-H Extension Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Sara Hass - shass3@unl.edu