Saunders County 4-H Update

December 23- January 1- Office Closed for Holiday Break. We return January 2nd.

February 28th- 4-H Horse Stampede Entries due.

March 1- 4-H Council Senior Scholarship Application Deadline

March 29-30- 4-H Horse Stampede.

CALL FOR 2025 4-H COUNCIL MEMBERS!!

We are beginning the search for 2025 Saunders County 4-H Council members! Want to get involved in shaping and sharing the Saunders County 4-H program? This is your chance!

4-H Council is open to any youth and adult members who support the Saunders County 4-H program.

For more information visit: https://go.unl.edu/Saunders4HCouncil

Applications are being accepted now!

What is the Saunders County 4-H Council?

• The purpose of the Council shall be to fulfill the mission of the 4-H youth development education program of Nebraska Extension in cooperation with the Extension staff and the Extension Board.
• Secure and manage private resources and fund raising available to the 4-H and youth development program to support local programs.
• Assist in planning and executing a well-balanced program for 4-H youth with both short- and term-goals.
• Support local policy development, while understanding state and national guidelines for the larger program.
• Serve as a community connector between the 4-H program and the Extension Board, Fair Board, Agriculture Societies, other youth organizations and the public.
• Advocate the philosophy of the 4-H youth development program and serve as an advocate for youth.
• Develop and maintain a vigorous active Council membership that works in cooperation with the Extension staff to have a strong program in the best interest of youth.
• Provide a recognition program for volunteers and youth in the 4-H program.

Who is on 4-H Council?

The county 4-H Council and the 4-H program in Saunders County shall have a membership open to any youth or adult without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap. Council youth representatives will be between 13-19 years of age.

How often will 4-H Council meet and where?

At least four meetings will be held each year with the dates of these meetings set at the first meeting held in January. Meetings will be held at the Saunders County Extension office in Ithaca unless otherwise stated.

How long do members serve?

Adult council members will serve a three-year term. Youth council members will serve a two-year term.

Diamond Clover and Achievement Applications are due to our office by November 30th. Both can earn you scholarships to Saunders County 4-H activities like workshops just by submitting them!

State-Eligible Achievement Applications

• Senior Achievement Applications (active 4-H members, ages 15-18 as of December 31 of the current year) will be accepted for state-level awards and recognition.
• State-Eligible applicants may apply to be delegates for National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference as well as be considered for Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships.
• Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarship applicants will need to complete an additional section titled "Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships."
• The complete Achievement Application will serve as the Scholarship Application for scholarships found at ne4hfoundation.org/scholarships.
• Scholarship applicants will need to note on their Achievement Application which scholarships they are applying for. Current transcripts and ACT/SAT scores need to be submitted with the Achievement Application.
• Nebraska Delegate applicants will need to complete an additional section titled "Representing Nebraska 4-H."

Full details can be found here: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/contests/

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 2024 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!

Attention Saunders County 11th graders!!!

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts is seeking applications for the 28th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards. The deadline for applications in all categories is Dec. 15.

The awards recognize 11th-grade students from Nebraska who are talented in visual art, dance, music, theater, and film and emerging media arts (which includes film, 3D models, interactive art, sound design and video games). These students exemplify the pinnacles of creativity in one of the fine and performing arts.

For the areas of music, dance, theater, and film and emerging media arts, students must submit an online application, which includes uploading a sample of their work and a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Full instructions are available at https://arts.unl.edu/hlfpa/nebraska-young-artist-awards.

Visual art students must submit an online application and include a photo of their work for judging. The winning students will have their work displayed in the School of Art, Art History and Design’s MEDICI Gallery.

All winning students will be invited to a special recognition day on April 2. Honored students and their parents will tour the arts facilities, attend classes, meet faculty and college students, have lunch and participate in an awards ceremony.

Students selected to participate in the Nebraska Young Artist Awards will also be asked to nominate the teacher who provided them with the greatest amount of mentoring and support in the development of their special talents.

For more information, contact Chris Watson, director of recruitment for the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, at 402-472-0897 or chris.watson@unl.edu.

Last year, 80 youth were selected for this honor!

Nebraska 4-H is excited to participate in the 2025 Omaha Fashion Week Student Night!

4-H members ages 8-18 are invited to apply for the 4-H Collection to be shown at the Omaha Design Center on February 26, 2025. Garments must have been exhibited at the County Fair in 2024 and should be fashion-forward, runway appropriate, and display high-quality construction.

To apply, complete the online application by December 20th.

Visit https://go.unl.edu/25ofw for event details and application process.

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/

Hello Saunders County 4-H Volunteers!

Nebraska 4-H is excited to bring the 4-H Volunteer Road Show to volunteers statewide this November! The 4-H Volunteer Road Show will rotate host locations each year, get registered today at the location near you OR attend the virtual session! Please see the attached flyer for details regarding the dates, locations and times. The Volunteer Road Show is a great opportunity to experience project training and new ideas to bring back to your 4-H community. All 4-H volunteers, fair superintendents, parents/caregivers and any adult wanting to find THEIR spark while volunteering with 4-H is welcome!

Visit https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-road-show for more specific information and registration link. Registration closes one week prior to each Road Show session. Registration is $15 per person and includes a meal and all supplies for in-person attendees. Virtual attendees will receive a packet of supplies to use during the program. Join us!

Schedule for In-Person Locations

5:30 pm Arrive, Eat, Welcome

6:00 pm North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Impact Study 2.0: Discover the impacts of volunteering for 4-H youth development and how you have made a difference of sharing your sparks!

6:15 pm County Fair Superintendent Training – County fair superintendents have a very important role in the 4-H experience for youth and families. Learn how to excel in this role and ensure a great experience for all!

6:45 pm Curriculum Training

Club Service Activities – Take your club service activities to the next level by creating a fair exhibit from the experience.

Animals and livestock – Calling all animal and livestock volunteer euthenists! Take a deeper look into opportunities who have found their spark through animal and livestock projects.

7:30 pm Beyond Ready – Discover how volunteers can ensure youth are beyond ready for their future!

8:00 pm Safe Travels Home

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