Dodge County 4-H Blast

If you have trouble viewing this message or accessing the links, open it in your browser with the link at the top of the email.

1. 4-H Calendar
2. 2026 4-H Schedule
3. Dodge County FairWire
4. Screwworm Risk
5. Heat Stress in Animals
6. KidZone Job Opportunity
7. Family Livestock Judging Contest Results
8. Conservation Workshop
9. Dodge County 4-H Council Pancake Feed
10. Dodge County 4-H Silent Auction
11. Premier Communications Contest Results
12. Ambassadors
13. 4-H Council

*Items in BOLD are new items*

*LOCAL (DODGE COUNTY) EVENTS IN BOLD

June 30 - Conservation Workshop @ Fremont State Lakes, 9am-12pm

July 8-11 - Fremont 4-H Expo @ Christensen Field

July 11-15 - Nebraska State Horse Show @ Grand Island

❗July 15 - MIDNIGHT: Online Entries for Animal, Contests, Static & Fashion Revue for Dodge County Fair DEADLINE❗

July 20 - Superintendent Meeting @ Dodge County Extension Office, 6:30pm

July 21 - Dodge County Fair Clean Up & Swimming Party @ Scribner Fairgrounds, 5pm

July 22 - Dodge County Fair Horse Show @ Christensen Field

July 25-26 - Dodge County Fair Shooting Sports Contest @ TBD?

July 29-August 2 - Dodge County Fair @ Scribner Fairgrounds

❗August 10 - Nebraska State Fair Online Entry DEADLINE @ 8:00pm❗

August 24-25 - State Fair Static Exhibit Drop Off @ Extension Office

August 28-September - Nebraska State Fair @ Grand Island

September 9 - State Fair Static Exhibit Pick Up @ Extension Office, 8:30am-6:30pm

❗October 30 - Achievement Celebration Applications & Scholarships DEADLINE❗

November 15 - Achievement Celebration, 5:00pm

December 16 - Ambassador Fulfillment of Duties Forms DUE @ 4:30pm

ALL Animal Pre-Entries, Shooting Sports Contest, ATV Contest, & Culinary Challenge Pre-Entries are due by Midnight, July 15.

Animal Pre-Entry is REQUIRED FOR ALL: Market & Breeding Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goat, Bucket Calf, Feeder Calf, Dairy, Horse, Rabbit, Poultry, Dog, and Companion Animals.

Fashion Revue Registration is also due to the Office by July 15th.

Static exhibit pre-entry is optional online and will close at Midnight, July 15. If you pre-enter static exhibits, Extension Staff will print entry cards for your exhibits that will be available for pick up in the Extension Office July 20-24 or at the time of check-in of exhibits at the fairgrounds.

NOTE: You can enter static exhibits at the time of check-in of exhibits at the fairgrounds with a hand written exhibit tag.

ALL STATIC exhibits, BOTH online and handwritten entries, need to be written on a Summary Card. Summary Cards will be turned in to 4-H Staff after exhibits are checked-in at the fair.

Follow this link to all Dodge County Fair documents: https://go.unl.edu/dcf2026

We will be setting up a table in the entry way next week at the Extension Office with all the resources you will need to prep for the County Fair. Stop by and get ready for a fun Fair season!

Summer show season means thousands of livestock will cross state lines as families head to junior nationals, breed shows, and state fairs. While the focus is on competition, animal health and travel requirements deserve equal attention. This year, producers should pay particular attention to interstate movement requirements and the evolving New World Screwworm (NWS) situation which is dynamic and changing daily.

Read more so you know before you go --> https://go.unl.edu/screwwormrisk

Looking for a fun way to earn extra money this summer? Join the Dodge County Fair kidZone team! We are seeking responsible individuals (young adults) to help with animal care, activities, and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for children and families during the fair. Several shifts and days are available, making it easy to fit into your fair schedule. Apply today and be part of one of the fair's attractions!

To apply - KidZone Application

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Family Livestock Judging Contest last night!

We are grateful to all of our exhibitors and families who participated, the families who provided livestock for the contest, and our 4-H Council members who helped make the event run smoothly.

Your support, time, and dedication help make opportunities like this possible for our 4-H youth. Thank you for making the evening a success!

Youth will explore Conservation/Entomology while making 2-3 projects that can then be entered at fair! Wear closed toe shoes, bring sunscreen, and bugs pray!

When: June 30th, 2026

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Where: Fremont State Lakes

Register now, or scan the QR code in the picture to get your 4-H'er signed up!

Registration is due by May 29th, 2026.

🎉Congratulations too all of the Dodge County youth that were chosen to go on to the State Premier Communication Contest! You all did an exceptional job!🎉

Prepared Speech:

• Senior
• Addison Carlson - Purple Ribbon
• Aurora Garcia - Purple Ribbon
• Kelsey Bunn - Blue Ribbon
• Intermediate
• Vanessa Kriete - Blue Ribbon

Radio PSA:

• Senior
• Alexa Brodd - 3rd Place, Purple Ribbon
• Emma Chandler - Purple Ribbon
• Pearce Siders - Purple Ribbon
• Isabella Streff - Blue Ribbon
• Philip Streff - Blue Ribbon
• Intermediate
• Amit Ruwe - Purple Ribbon, Finalist
• Seda Harden - Purple Ribbon
• Vanessa Kriete - Blue Ribbon
• Tabalo Ruwe - Blue Ribbon
• Ana Southwick - Blue Ribbon

Impromptu Speech

• Intermediate
• Adelaide Eikmeier - 3rd Place, Purple Ribbon
• Vanessa Kriete - Red Ribbon

Illustrated Presentation

• Intermediate
• Vanessa Kriete - Blue Ribbon

Alexa Brodd - Chase Hartman - Brooke Wiese - Kelsey Bunn

These Ambassadors will advocate for Dodge County 4-H at local events and help mentor younger 4-H members, acting as role model in 4-H. Ambassadors develop their communication skills while promoting 4-H!

Youth Representatives:

Samantha Cummings - Kelsey Bunn - Lane Mehaffey - Vanessa Kriete - Kaylee Gregory - Graham Mueller

Adult Representatives:

Deb Gathman (District 1: Dodge/Scribner/Snyder) - Josh Gregory and Maria Kriete (District 2: Logan View) - Mindy Wiese (District 3: Fremont) - Rhet Mehaffey (District 4: North Bend) - Kylee Stanley - Becky Streff - Jeff Hartman - Tracy Kaiser - Michelle Cummings

The 4-H Council is the governing body of the 4-H program, helping to direct decisions in the program that effect all members and volunteers. Some adult members serve specific parts of the county. Other adults, plus all youth members, serve the county program at large. If you have issues, concerns, suggestions, or ideas, share them with a council member.

Mary Spath - Office Manager: mspath2@unl.edu

4-H

Kelly Schole - 4-H Extension Educator: kschole2@unl.edu

Shane Ahrens - 4-H Assistant: shane.ahrens@unl.edu

Macy Flesher - 4-H Administrative Assistant: mflesher3@unl.edu

Early Childhood

Lisa Poppe - Extension Educator: lpoppe2@unl.edu

Nutrition Education Program

Shelley Thayer - Assistant Extension Educator: mthayer6@unl.edu

Statewide Rural Health

Beth Nacke - Extension Educator: bnacke2@unl.edu

Water & Cropping Systems

Mailson Freire de Oliveira - Extension Educator: mfreiredeoliveira2@unl.edu

Horticulture

Ian Peterson - Extension Educator: ipeterson4@unl.edu

Email: dodge-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dodge/
Location: 1206 West 23rd Street, Fremont, NE, United States
Phone: 402.727.2775
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/362826330737240/?ref=bookmarks