Hall County 4-H Newsletter

New and returning 4-H families may enroll at v2.4honline.com. Enrollment fees are $15.00 per youth ($15.60 for online credit card payments). Fees may be paid online during the 4-H enrollment process or by check/cash at the Hall County Extension Office.

Reminders for 4-H Project Selection:

• Horse and shooting sports projects will continue to require project enrollment due to the parental consent required to participate in these projects.
• Youth are only eligible to exhibit in a specific project area or contest in a single county.

Please call the Extension Office at 308-385-5088 with questions. We are here to help!

Parents, we would appreciate your help in sending this survey link to your senior and have them complete it. This short survey will help us share the value of 4-H in our community. Those who complete the survey will receive a token of appreciation. Thank you!

4-H Senior Survey: go.unl.edu/seniorsurvey

Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2026 Hall County 4-H Council Scholarships!

• Turner Happold – Doniphan
• Greta Knuth – Grand Island

Congratulations to Eva Lindiman of Grand Island, recipient of the 2026 Becky Sittler Schrock Memorial Scholarship!

Congratulations to the following Hall County 4-H Volunteers who are being recognized for state-level Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Awards!

• Greta Knuth – Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award
• Peyton Allan – Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award
• Merriah Bockmann – Emerging Adult Volunteer Award
• Barb Hovie – Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award

See full details of the Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Awards.

We thank ALL of our Hall County 4-H volunteers for the work that you do and your dedication to the 4-H program! We couldn’t do it without you!

NEW – Hall County 4-H will be using GroupMe (in addition to email & social media) to communicate important 4-H news, events & deadlines to 4-H families. This will also be how Hall County Fair updates will be sent this year. Get information for Hall County 4-H right on your phone! Text messaging makes it more convenient for families to receive important information. Plus, it’s free and easy to use! (Note: We will no longer be using Remind, as it no longer supports text messages.)

Instructions to sign up for GroupMe:

• Please complete this google form for each phone number that you would like to receive text messages: go.unl.edu/4-hgroupme.
• Within a few days, you will receive a confirmation text message from an unknown number (GroupMe), “You’ve been added to the announcement group Hall County 4-H…”
• After receiving this message, you must reply #stay in order to stay in the group. You will be asked to download the GroupMe app, but YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP. However, you MUST REPLY #stay.
• If you do not receive a message within a few days of completing the google form, check your spam folder in your text messages or call Crystal at the office.
• You can opt out of the group at any time by replying #exit.

Please call Crystal at 308-385-5088 for assistance.

Exciting news! A few thoughtful tweaks have been made to the 4-H show schedule for the 2026 Hall County Fair. Thank you to our superintendents for carefully reviewing the survey feedback and evaluating schedule suggestions with great care and precision. A big thank-you as well to the 4-H Council and fair board for taking the steps needed to approve these updates. And finally, thank you to our 4-H families for taking the time to share your thoughts—your feedback was invaluable! We were thrilled to hear that, overall, families feel the 4-H Fair schedule is of purple ribbon quality.

Based on that input, the following schedule adjustments will be made for the 2026 Hall County Fair:

Thursday

• 4-H Dog Show will begin at 8:30 a.m. (check-in at 8:00 a.m.)
• 4-H/Open Class Poultry Show will begin at 9:00 a.m.
• 4-H/Open Class Swine Show will be held at 2:00 p.m.
• Great news is that this will open the arena earlier for livestock youth to practice!

Friday

• 4-H Goat Show will begin at 10:00 a.m., following the Sheep Show.

Sunday

• Round Robin will begin at 11 a.m.

We appreciate everyone’s collaboration and look forward to another great fair year! As a reminder the Hall County Fair is July 22-26, we hope to see you there!

• 4-H Enrollment must be completed in 4-H Online by June 15 to be eligible to participate at the 2026 Hall County Fair. However, since Fair entry forms will be sent out ahead of this date, we ask that you DO NOT WAIT to enroll until the deadline, as you may miss important emails with Fair deadlines & entry information.
• County Fair entry forms will be EMAILED to families around the first of June (please watch for these in your inbox).
• ALL EXHIBITS must be pre-entered on the appropriate entry form (this includes Clover Kids). Entry forms are due to the Extension Office by June 24 at 5 pm (no later).
• Please note that additional required documentation for animals (animal ID forms, vaccinations, quality assurance) are due to the Extension Office by June 15.

Horticulture exhibitors- save your seed packets! To exhibit in this area, you must know your varieties and cultivars. This information must come in with your flowers and vegetables on entry day. Need information on exhibiting flowers/vegetables/ herbs/fruit items?

Check out these resources when preparing entries for the fair:

Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at County and State Fairs 4H227

Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit 4H226

At fair time, you will often read or hear office staff talking about STATIC exhibits. A static exhibit is any exhibit that isn’t alive (doesn’t breathe and/or walk). They are stationary. We are usually referring to exhibits in the exhibit hall: posters, home design exhibits like wall hangings, food, flowers, child development exhibits, woodworking, Summer Activity exhibits, and more! (Animals are not static exhibits.)

The 2026 Hall County 4-H Fair Book contains 4-H project class descriptions, premiums & much more. Listed below is a summary of new classes & other changes.

Division Changes for 2026:

• Heirloom Treasures & Family Keepsakes is now called Home Antique Restoration
• Safety is now called Disaster Response, Preparedness & Safety

NEW Classes for 2026:

• Photography: B181-070 (Level 2) Black & White Photography Display or Print; B182-070 (Level 3) Black & White Photography Print; B181-080 (Level 2) Creative and Experimental Photography Exhibit Print; B182-080 (Level 3) Creative and Experimental Photography Exhibit Print
• Shooting Sports Static: D347-010 Shooting Sports Educational Exhibit or Display
• Disaster Response, Preparedness and Safety: E440-007 Disaster Preparedness Learning Experience; E440-008 Care Package Display; E440-009 Telling a Story Display
• NEW DIVISION: Low-Cost, No-Cost Projects (Hall County only, must check out kits from the Extension Office) – Classes: Lego Kits, SNAP Circuit Kits, Makey Makey Kits

Classes Removed in 2026:

• Forestry: D320-012 Sustainable Landscape Diorama
• Geospatial: H880-006 4-H History Map

Other:

• Consistent language across departments for submitting multi-media exhibits: Multi-media presentations and exhibits are to be uploaded to a video streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard-copy QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or link on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing.

Please review ALL AREAS of the 2026 Fair Book that pertain to your projects. You may download the 2026 Hall County 4-H Fair Book or you may pick up a paper copy at the Extension Office. If you have any questions or cannot find where your project “fits,” call 308-385-5088 or email Crystal at cbeissenherz2@unl.edu. We are here to help!

Accommodation requests for registration or attendance may be directed to Joyce Krolikowski at least two weeks prior to the program at joyce.krolikowski@unl.edu or 308-385-5088. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

• Who: Any youth interested in sewing, ages 5-18.
• When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
• Where: Hall County Extension meeting room
• What Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
• April Project: Your choice of sewing project
  

Club Leaders: Annette Schimmer and Barb Hovie

• Annette 308-379-7191 | netterz95@gmail.com
• Barb 308-379-5208 | barbarahovie@gmail.com

PLEASE contact Annette or Barb if you plan to attend, or if you have questions. A list of supplies needed will be sent via email before the meeting.

The Hall County 4-H Bike Road-E-O will be held Wednesday, May 27 at 3:30 pm at the Hall County Extension Office (north parking lot). Bring your bikes and helmets for a fun contest to test your bicycle knowledge! (Limited number of helmets available at contest). The contest includes a written test as well; study guides are available. All 4-H members (ages 5-18) are welcome to sign up; please register by May 20. Contact Crystal at 308-385-5088 or cbeissenherz2@unl.edu to register and/or receive a study guide.

Join us for an afternoon of creativity and engineering! Put your problem-solving skills to the test as you learn the science behind roller coasters and work as a team to design and build your own! Be prepared for a twist with this challenge!

• Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
• Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
• Location: Hall County Extension Office
• Ages: 5 and up; *Do not need to be a 4-H member to attend; invite a friend.
• Cost: $5.00
• Come ready to be challenged and have fun!
• To register, call the Hall County Extension Office at 308-385-5088 or email LaDonna ladonna.obermiller@unl.edu by May 26th.

Mark your calendars! Clothing Judging Day and the 4-H Fashion Show will be held on Wednesday, July 8th at College Park! If you are new to this day, you’ll want to hold the morning for the judging of all constructed items in the Clothing & Textiles project area and modeling judging. You’ll return in the evening for the fashion show. Below is a tentative schedule for the day to help you plan. If you have questions about how the day works, please contact D’Ette at the office!

July 8th Schedule:

• 8:30-9 am – 4-Hers arrive at College Park and check in with the superintendents!
• 8:30-8:45 am – Judging room is open for modeling practice
• 9 am–Noon – Modeling Judging (a schedule will be sent out)
• 9 am–Noon – Construction Judging (come & go as you are available)
• 9 am–Noon – Theater is open for fashion show modeling practice
• 10 am–Noon - Family and Consumer Science Contest, awards given during the fashion show
• 7 pm – 4-Hers arrive at College Park for the Fashion Show
• 7:30 pm – The 4-H Fashion Show starts!

Did you know that you can participate with "purchased" garments in the 4-H Fashion Show? The Shopping in Style project offers 4-Her’s ages 8 and up the opportunity to purchase an outfit and model it, and has no price limitations.

If you purchased a new outfit for your vacation, a summer graduation, wedding, or concert, you're ready for the fashion show! You can also participate in the Shopping in Style project with an outfit purchased from a garage sale or resale shop (one of our biggest categories at the fashion show)! See below for more information about the $15 Shopping in Style challenge and call D’Ette if you have questions!

Consider participating in the Fashion Show with an outfit costing no more than $15!

$15 Challenge Information:

• Open to any 4-H member!
• Outfit may be selected and purchased from a garage sale, thrift store, consignment store or resale shop (such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.), or a great bargain at the mall!
• Cost of outfit must be $15 or less, not including shoes, accessories or undergarments.
• Consider why outfit is needed and how it fills a void in your wardrobe.
• Take into account the fit, quality and care of the garment(s).
• Model the outfit on Clothing Judging Day and at the public Fashion Show that evening.

The dates are set for 4-H Archery, BB Gun, 22 Rifle and Shotgun practices/competitions. (Dates & times are subject to change.) Youth who participate in practices and competitions must be enrolled in 4-H Online BEFORE practicing and competing in a 4-H Shooting Sports event. *Minimum age for Archery & BB Gun is 4-H age 8. Minimum age for 22 Rifle and Shotgun is 4-H age 11 (Hunter's Safety Certification REQUIRED).

Please review the Hall County Fair Book - Shooting Sports section/rules and the 2026 Hall County 4-H Shooting Sports Schedule, located here: extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/4-h-contests-events/. Contact the Hall County Extension Office at 308-385-5088 with questions.

Hunter's Education

If you plan to participate in the shotgun or rifle project this year and have turned 11 before January 1st, make sure you take a hunter’s safety course first. To register, visit http://outdoornebraska.gov/huntereducation/.

4-H Shooting Sports Information, Statewide Competitions

Go to 4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/shooting-sports-program/ for more information about the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports program & to view the calendar of upcoming statewide shooting sports competitions!

In order to run a club, county, or multi-county 4-H shootings sports program, leaders and instructors must be certified by Nebraska 4-H. Volunteers must attend a Leader Certification Workshop designed to cover the needed knowledge and guidelines to become a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Leader/Instructor. Go to 4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/shooting-sports-program/ for information regarding upcoming leader certification workshops & updates. If you are interested in becoming a certified shooting sports instructor for Hall County 4-H, please contact LaDonna Obermiller at 308-385-5088.

Market Broilers are set to arrive on June 4! We’ll call families who pre-ordered as soon as they’re here and ready for pickup. Please bring a box with you so your chicks can get home safely. When you pick them up, you’ll also receive helpful information on how to care for and show your broilers, along with a supply list for the Hall County Fair.

The Market Sheep and Goat Weigh-in will be held on Monday, May 18th from 5:30-6:30 pm on the west side of the Five Points Bank Arena at Fonner Park. If you plan to show market lambs or meat goats, we ask that you please weigh them at this time. All sheep and goats (market AND breeding) that you wish to have eligible for State Fair will have DNA pulled at this time as well. If interested in helping with the weigh-in, contact the Extension office.

Reminder of ID Tag requirements for 4-H Sheep and Goats: All 4-H Sheep and Goats (including meat & dairy goats) require a Scrapie USDA Flock ID tag to be eligible to show at County and State Fair. See https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/hall-county-fair/ for the Hall County Animal ID guidelines (includes State Fair requirements).

The LAST face-to-face YQCA training for this year will be offered on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 3:00 pm at the Hall County Extension Office. *Remember, YQCA Training is REQUIRED for all youth (4-H age 8-18) planning to show beef, bucket calves, swine, sheep, goats, dairy, poultry & rabbits at County and/or State Fair. Clover Kids are not required to take the course.

Youth have the option to take the course online; however, attending the face-to-face training costs only $3 per youth (compared to $12 for the online course) and it takes less time than the online training. If the above date/time does not work for you, there may be other opportunities for face-to-face YQCA trainings. Call the Extension Office for more information at 308-385-5088.

Carefully follow these steps:

1. Enroll in 4-H Online at v2.4honline.com (remember to use your same login information from last year if you are a returning 4-H member).
2. Visit yqcaprogram.org/ and sign in with your same login information from last year, unless this is your first time taking the course.
3. Find the training session you will attend on the list and register. Be sure you select the correct date, time, location, and trainer Megan Knuth.
4. Pay the $3 fee with a credit card.
5. Please contact the office to let us know which session you will be attending.
6. Complete the pretest prior to the training - located on the “Enrolled Trainings” page.
7. Attend the training.
8. Following the training, take the post survey and print your certificate.

New this year - Swine ear tags will now be available for pickup at the Extension Office before the Hall County Fair. If you’d like to tag your pigs ahead of livestock check-in, just give us a call and we will have the tags ready for you to pick up. Don’t forget—Animal ID paperwork is still due June 15. If you’d rather tag your pigs at the fair, that option will still be available during swine check-in.

Just a reminder for our livestock families to check out the 2026 Hall County 4‑H Fair Book. Be sure to note updates regarding Herdsmanship, County Fair schedule changes, and Hall County Fair rules. Also be sure to complete the text messaging form, all found toward the beginning of this month’s newsletter.

Hall County 4-H'ers who plan to show livestock at the Hall County Fair - Don't forget to turn in your animal ID sheets and Quality Assurance! Both of these are due to the Extension Office by June 15. Go to extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/hall-county-fair/ to download the ID sheets and find out more information about Quality Assurance.

Nebraska State Fair livestock exhibitors - Please read the attached document listing State Fair identification/nomination requirements and clarifications for methods of ID.

Questions? Please call the Extension Office BEFORE the June 15th identification/nomination deadline!

NEW: Exhibitors who want to show an animal for the Nebraska State Fair and the Aksarben Stock Show (AKSS) will be required to submit two separate DNA envelopes and online nominations. AKSS exhibitors will be ordering and purchasing their DNA envelopes through the AKSS website https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/. The DNA process and online nomination process will be separated between each livestock show.

Aksarben DNA Orders - https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/p/livestock-show/dna-orders

Questions on Aksarben Stock Show rules or regulations can be answered by calling 308-382-1620 or email aksarben@statefair.org.

Rabbit Affidavits (Identification form with ear tattoo) are due to the Extension Office by June 15. Animal Affidavits can be found here: extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/hall-county-fair/.

4-H members enrolled in the Bucket Calf project have a record book to complete! The record book counts for 25% of your total points at the Hall County Fair, so be sure to turn it in to the Extension staff when your calf is entered onto the fairgrounds. Bucket Calves also need paper copies of the ID sheets turned in by June 15. *Please note that the bucket calf show is considered showmanship for the calves and their exhibitors.

Bucket Calf Classes:

• Clover Kid—5-7 years (4-H age) (record book not required)
• Junior—8-10 years (4-H age)
• Intermediate—11-13 years (4-H age)
• Senior—14 years and older (4-H age)
• Second Year Bucket Calf - 9-18 years (4-H age)

Bucket calf ID forms and record books can be found at extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/hall-county-fair/.

Sale cards are available to pick up at the Extension Office. These are great for youth to distribute to potential auction supporters ahead of the Fair!

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.

Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit https://go.unl.edu/lap to get started.

The Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit is a lineup of contests held throughout the state giving youth the opportunity to perfect their skills in preparation for the Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE). Qualifying youth must attend a minimum of two contests in addition to the PASE livestock judging contest in order to be eligible for awards and scholarships. The top 5 individuals in the Senior and Intermediate divisions will be recognized as part of the All-State Team during the Grand Drive at the Nebraska State Fair. Go to https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/livestock-program/judging-circuit/ for more information.

Check out our website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/4-h-contests-events/. It lists shows and events for 4-H members across Nebraska and is updated regularly.

July 11-15: Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo held at Fonner Park in Grand Island, NE

• Entries due: June 1, 2026
• Advancement levels and Horse IDs need to be completed and turned in by June 1

July 16: Hall County 4-H Horse Ride Night, 6-8 pm at Fonner Park in Grand Island, NE. Ride Night allows exhibitors and their horses to become familiar with the Thompson Arena and the US Foods Outdoor Arena, meet others in the 4-H Horse Project, and most importantly, have fun!

• Horse IDs due: June 15, 2026
• Entries due: June 24, 2026

Horse ID Certificates are due to the Hall County Extension Office on June 1, 2026 for State Horse Show and on June 15, 2026 for Hall County Fair. You can find these forms here: extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/hall-county-fair/.

Horse Level Testing - As a reminder, if you are working on a horsemanship level, once you pass ALL the requirements for each level, the office needs proof of each requirement signed by the appropriate leader, instructor, or certified examiner. For State Horse Show competition, the Extension office needs proof of completion by June 1.

Reminder: 4-H members enrolled in the Hall County 4-H Horse project may share a horse. Each member must complete a horse ID sheet, and all members sharing the horse must be listed on each ID sheet. 4-H members sharing a horse cannot ride the same horse in the same class, regardless of age division. (Example: Member A can ride horse X in the Intermediate Western Pleasure class. Member B can ride horse X in the Junior Horsemanship class, but not in the Junior Western Pleasure class.)

Happy Hounds summer dog practices will be held on Monday evenings, May 18-July 13, 5:30-7:00 pm at Fonner Park, on the south side of the Nebraska Building.

• Please bring water, a show leash/collar, a 6-foot leash, and supplies to clean up accidents.
• Dog vaccination form must be turned in to the Extension Office BEFORE attending practice or by June 15th, whichever comes first.
• If you have any questions, call LaDonna at 308-385-5088 or Michele Eberl at 308-379-0618.

Cats, hamsters, fish, snakes, toads, dogs, and mini pigs, Oh MY!

When you think of 4-H, do you picture kids showing cattle, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry? Did you know you can show your dog, cat, and ANY animal you consider a pet? Any animal not housed in the Cattle Barn during the Hall County Fair (except pet rabbits) can be shown in one of the following two shows.

• The Dog Show will be held on Thursday, July 23rd, in the Five Point Bank Arena at 8:30 am. *Note new time.
• The Cat and Small Pet Show will be held in the Aurora Coop Pavilion on Friday, July 24th at 12:15 pm.

These two programs are a great way to share the hard work that goes into caring for your family’s pets. Check the Hall County Fair Book for specifics of each show. (Vaccinations are required for dogs and cats.) If you have questions, please contact LaDonna at 308-385-5088.

Dog, cat & ferret vaccination forms (signed by a vet) must be on file at the Extension Office by June 15th to show at the Hall County Fair. Vaccination forms can be found here: extension.unl.edu/statewide/hall/hall-county-4-h/hall-county-fair/.

Check out a STEM Backpack for your family! Each of the backpacks contains theme-based books, activity sheets & materials, and a step-by-step lesson plan for adults. Most of the lessons are also available in Spanish.

Go to go.unl.edu/4-h-backpacks for more information & to find out how to check out one of these 4-H STEM Activity Backpacks from the Hall County Extension Office!

Kountryside Kids 4-H Club, in partnership with Grand Island Public Schools, is currently sponsoring a Little Free Pantry at Lincoln Elementary School. The club is inviting 4-H families and clubs to join them in keeping the pantry filled with food, hygiene, seasonal needs, and home essentials. If your family or club are able to contribute to the pantry, sign up for a week (or more) in 2025-26, by following this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA72DA7FBCF8-45801707-lincoln.

The Little Free Pantry is supported by Hall County 4-H, the Nutrition Education Program (NEP), and UNL Extension. If you have any questions, call the Extension Office at 308-385-5088 or email LaDonna at ladonna.obermiller@unl.edu. For ideas of items to put in the Little Free Pantry, click Little Free Food Pantry Food Safety Information | UNL Food.

Are you looking for a meaningful and unique community service project for your family or 4-H club? Our local Orphan Grain Train branch in the Grand Island area has reached out to 4-H for help with a variety of special projects that make a real difference.

Orphan Grain Train serves individuals and families experiencing poverty around the world—many who struggle to afford basic necessities like clothing, hygiene items, and school supplies. This is a wonderful opportunity for 4-H members to use their hands and hearts to help others.

There are many ways to get involved! Projects include assembling school kits, hygiene kits, and teacher kits, sewing flannel diapers or pillowcase dresses, or even crocheting sleeping mats from plastic grocery bags. Directions and patterns for all projects can be found here: https://www.ogt.org/special-projects/.

If you have questions about Orphan Grain Train or these service opportunities, please contact Joni Schlatz at 308-380-7502.

Introducing Nebraska 4-H's 2026 Summer Camp... Exploring Ecosystems! Join us for these fun-filled adventures to experience everything nature has to offer in your own backyard.

We're excited to partner with @biggumdropoutdoors to offer three camp sessions:

1. Overnight camp in Chadron from June 15th - 19th, ages 8-14 welcome.
2. Day camp in Grand Island on June 30th, ages 8-12 welcome.
3. Day camp in Lincoln on July 22, ages 8-12 welcome.

Register at 4h.unl.edu/camp

Apply for a scholarship at 4h.unl.edu/camps-discounts/

Have a question? Contact us at 4hcamps@unl.edu

Calling all youth ages 8–18! Are you ready to dive into the world of animal science? Join animal science faculty, educators and industry experts for a day of hands-on learning and career exploration. From mastering the Science of Super Pests to testing your wits in an Animal Science Escape Room, this interactive event offers a deep dive into the industry.

• When: June 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT
• Where: NCTA Campus, Ag Education Center – Curtis, NE
• Featured Sessions: Goats & Lambs, Animal Nutrition, Agriculture Advocacy, Muscle to Meat, Science of Super Pests, and Escape Room.
• Cost: $20 (includes lunch) if registered by May 29; $30 for late registrations.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot today! Register at go.unl.edu/asdiscoverday2026 or contact Kimberly Cook at kimberly.cook@unl.edu for more details.

Tractor and farm equipment safety courses are now open for registration! Teens, ages 14-15 who work on farms, or others who are interested in learning about tractor and farm equipment safety practices, can register for a safety training course offered at various locations across Nebraska from May 26 through July 2. Learn more at https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html

Registration for Big Red Camps is now open! Big Red Camps are residential career exploration camps for incoming 9th through 12th grade students which provide the opportunity to live on and explore the Nebraska campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! Participants will work with our university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like engineering, digital media or food systems. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where youth showcase their achievements.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to youth going into grades 9-12 during the 2026-2027 school year. All housing and food are provided for participants throughout the camp. Space is limited, and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please see Big Red Camp Sessions for a list of camps offered this year, descriptions, participant limits, costs, and scholarship opportunities. Early bird registration deadline is April 17th. Go to go.unl.edu/bigredcamps.

Register today for Heavy Equipment Career Exploration set for Tuesday, July 7th at Central Community College – Hastings. Participants will navigate and drive virtual heavy equipment simulators, have behind the wheel experience, and learn from individuals in the career. Cost is $35. Register at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment by Monday, June 29, 2026. Limit of 25 spots, available on a first come first serve basis.

Details:

• Check-in: 10 am to 10:30 am
• Lunch is included
• Wrap-Up: 4:30 pm – Optional Campus Tours will be available.
• Open to youth entering 8th – 12th grades in Fall 2026.
• Cost is $35
• Please register at: https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment

Join this FUN one-day camp to explore agriculture and technology through the creation of virtual reality (VR) tours. Participants will learn about local agriculture as well as Hawaii and Alaska, create tours, and publish their work for public viewing. You will also have the chance to immerse yourself in local agriculture and ask questions of ag professionals while learning about both VR Tour creation and innovative agricultural and research practices.

WHO: Youth going into grades 7th grade and up!

COST: $25 (includes lunch, snacks, and supplies for all activities)

WHEN: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:

• May 29th at Eastern NE Research Extension, Education Center (Mead)
• June 1st at West Central Research Extension, Education Center (North Platte)
• June 2nd at Panhandle Research Extension, Education Center (Scottsbluff)
• June 3rd at US Meat Animal Research Center (Clay Center)
• June 4th at Haskell Ag Lab (Concord)

Registration submitted and payment postmarked by May 26th.

Register at https://go.unl.edu/ag360.

Space is limited to 40 participants at each site.

Questions? Reach out to Brandy at (402) 759-3712 or brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or Sarah at (308) 772-3311 or spaisley3@unl.edu.

• May 4 - Archery practice, 7:00 pm (new shooters, come at 6 pm) at Third City Archery Outdoor Range.
• May 18 - 4-H Market Sheep & Goat Weigh-In, 5:30-6:30 pm at Fonner Park.
• May 18 - Happy Hounds dog practice, 5:30-7 pm, south side of the Nebraska Bldg. at Fonner Park.
• May 18 - Archery practice, 7:00 pm at Third City Archery Outdoor Range.
• May 19 - 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.
• May 21 - Shot Gun practice, 6-8 pm at the NE State Trap Shooting Assoc. in Doniphan.
• May 22 - BB Gun safety meeting, 6:00 pm (practice at 7 pm) at Third City Archery Indoor Range.
• May 25 - Memorial Day; Extension Office closed.
• May 26 - YQCA Training, 3:00 pm at the Extension Office.
• May 27 - 4-H Bicycle Road-E-O, 3:30 pm at the Extension Office.
• May 27 - Extension Board Meeting, 4:30 pm at the Extension Office.
• May 28 - STEM Challenge, 1-3 pm at the Extension Office.
• June 1 - Horse ID's, level testing & online entries due for State 4-H Horse Expo participation.
• June 1 - Archery practice, 7:00 pm at Third City Archery Outdoor Range.

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https://nebraska.edu/nondiscrimination