4-H News in Keith/Arthur Counties

• 4-H Calendar
• Save the Dates - Weigh Ins
• 2025-2026 4-H Enrollment
• Shooting Sports Updates
• Fundraiser
• Keith Premium Money and Champion Awards
• In Case You Missed It
• Extension Personnel
• State 4-H Updates/Events
• 2026 Special Garden Project
• Swine Farrowed & Owned
• 4-H Horse Stampede
• Volunteer Resources

January 5: Keith 4-H Council Meeting, Roads Department, 5:30 pm

January 5: BB Gun & Air Rifle Registration Night, Fairgrounds, 6 pm

February: NEBRASKA 4-H MONTH!

February TBD: Arthur 4-H Council Meeting

February 7: Keith Beef Weigh Ins, 9-11 am

February 8: Arthur Beef Weigh Ins, 2-3 pm

Deadlines:

January 30th: pick up remaining fair awards

January 31: 4-H Club & Council Treasurer's Reports due!

(Leaders - information and documents were put in the mail Wednesday)

February 1: Special Garden Project Interest (the office will have to order seeds)

February 12: Fundraiser Sales orders and money DUE to office

4-H Enrollment for the 2025-2026 year is NOW OPEN! Deadline for 4-H Enrollment will be June 15, 2026.

https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

BB Gun & Air Rifle registration was held Monday, January 5th at 6:00 pm at the Keith County Fairgrounds in the Activity Building. Youth must be aged 8-18 years old as of January 1, 2026 to participate. 4-H Online registration is required. For more information, please contact the office to be put in touch with group leader.

Archery - There will not be archery practices at this time.

Both active Keith and Arthur 4-H'ers ages 8-18 have the opportunity to fundraise! We are working with the same fundraiser company as last year! 4-H'ers have the opportunity to sell pastry puffins, pizza puffins, and butter hearts. Why participate in this fundraiser? Keith and Arthur 4-H offers the opportunity for 4-H'ers to have an individual savings. The money a 4-H'er raises is to be used for 4-H activities such as 4-H projects, camps, state fair, or other sponsored 4-H activities. Keith and Arthur have withdrawal forms that are to be filled out and reviewed by the respective 4-H Council.

Easter is a bit earlier this year so it is time to get started on our Spring Fundraising sales.

Start selling the baked goods January 12th! Order forms and information will be available asap. Orders and money will be due to the Extension Office by Thursday, February 12th. The items will be delivered between March 16th-27th.

You can pick up pictures of the items and blank order forms in the Extension Office. Or you can click on the forms below and print from your computer. *Note - all products are $15.00!!! Review the informational sheets. It tells you how many of each item are in a package - this varies.

If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at keith-county@unl.edu or (308)284-6051.

There are still some 2025 Fair ribbon premiums and champion awards that need to be picked up from the Extension office. This is your last reminder for pick up. If not picked up by end of January, it will go back to the Ag Society.

• Cole Cochran
• Maddison Gartrell
• Cora and Ella Holm
• Heidi Maupin
• Aaron and Daniel Mumm
• Caden and Claudia Rhoades
• Mia Rose Romero

In the November Newsletter, I shared that I resigned from my position in Keith and Arthur. Due to internal reasons with the University, my last day got pushed back a few times. My last day with Keith and Arthur Extension will be Friday, January 16. I will be in the office that day. On January 20, I will start my new position as the 4-H Extension Educator serving Box Butte, Dawes, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties. My UNL email and personal phone number will stay the same if you ever want to reach out. :)

I truly believe that with the support from stakeholders, 4-H Council's, volunteers, office staff, and especially the youth - both Keith and Arthur 4-H programs blossomed. I know the next 4-H Educator will be able to step into their role and take the programs even further in the right direction. I have hope in the future of Keith and Arthur 4-H and Extension, I hope you do too.

Sincerely,

Tessa Reece

Do you have the drive to help us make a positive difference in young people’s lives? Nebraska Extension has an excellent opportunity for a full-time faculty position located in Ogallala, NE. This position’s primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources within the geographic accountability region of Keith and Arthur Counties.

For more info/to apply, visit: https://employment.unl.edu/postings/98671

Did you know there are several educators and professionals accountable for Keith and Arthur Counties and a larger region?

TBD - Early Childhood

There is currently no Educator that serves our counties for Early Childhood. There is a chance this could change in 2026!

For more information about the program areas and what UNL Extension has to offer, please visit:

About Us | Nebraska Extension | Nebraska Extension | Nebraska

https://extension.unl.edu/about-extension/

We are now accepting registrations for the 2026 Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort! Registration closes on January 30th!

This opportunity is designed to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H swine project by focusing on swine production, accurate record keeping, and industry knowledge and engagement by the 4-H member.

Exhibit their Farrowed and Owned project animals at any Nebraska county fair or the Nebraska State Fair. Exhibiting at the 2026 Nebraska State Fair is optional. All cohort members will participate in an interview at the 2026 Nebraska State Fair. Exhibiting your animal at the Nebraska State Fair is not a requirement for the record book and interview portion of the cohort. Join the first session in February for more details!

Visit 4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned to get started.

The Special Garden Project is a way to offer Nebraska youth the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens!

The focus of the 2026 project is the Alumia Vanilla Cream marigold. This marigold produces creamy, yellow flowers on compact plants. This variety not only has a unique color, but it also has a very long bloom time.

Please let us know if your youth is interested in participating in this project by March 2nd. Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online.

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/

There is a wonderful virtual volunteer training series that will take place each month- Dec. to April- please check them out!!

The next session is scheduled for January 12 at 5:30 pm MT. This session is ideal for new or prospective 4-H club leaders looking to build a strong foundation and make a positive impact on youth through 4-H. Visit https://go.unl.edu/newclubleader to register.

Look for more 4-H Virtual Volunteer Training series topics in the coming months!

Nebraska Extension in Keith & Arthur Counties

Keith-Arthur 4-H Newsletters

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