Thurston County 4-H News

Sydney Williams, Extension Assistant, sydney.williams@unl.edu

Bobbie Hingst, Office Manager, bhingst2@unl.edu

Email: thurston-county@unl.edu
Website: thurston.unl.edu
Location: 415 Main Street, P.O. Box 665, Pender, NE 68787
Phone: 402-385-6041
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLExtensionThurston/
Twitter: @UNLThurstonCty

APRIL

3 Thurston 4-H Senior Scholarship Applications Due

13 4-H Council Meeting - Thurston Ext. Office, 6:30 PM

15 D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Fire Hall; 7:00 PM

19-25 National Volunteer Week

20 DT All Contest Day Registrations Due by Noon

25 Dakota- Thurston All Contest Day, 9:30 AM

25-26 4-H Horse Stampede, Lincoln, NE

MAY

11 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

19 Thurston Extension Board Meeting

20 D-T Fair Board Meeting at D-T Fairgrounds; 7:00 PM

25 Office Closed – Memorial Day

27-29 Premier Animal Science Event – UNL-Lincoln

JUNE

1 Horse State & County ID’s DUE

4 Adventure Day Camp, Neligh Park West Point, NE

8 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

15 All Livestock Affidavits (incl. Horse County Only) DUE

15 State Fair Beef, Sheep, Swine, & Goat DNA & Nominations DUE

15 4-H Enrollment ABSOLUTE DEADLINE

16-17 Premier Communication Contest at UNL-Lincoln

17 D-T Fair Board Meeting at D-T Fairgrounds; 7:00 PM

19 Office Closed - Juneteenth

JULY

4 Office Closed – 4th of July.

13 Thurston County 4-H Council Meeting

11-15 State 4-H Horse Expo at Fonner Park, Grand Island

15 ALL Dakota-Thurston County Pre-Fair Entries (including YQCA) DUE

15 D-T Fair Board Meeting at D-T Fairgrounds; 7:00 PM

25 Pre-Fair Clean Up

27 4-H Clothing Day Judging

July 26 – Aug 2 Dakota-Thurston County Fair

AUGUST

10 State Fair Animal and In Person Entries DUE

10 Thurston 4-H Council Meeting

17 Thurston Extension Board Meeting

19 D-T Fair Board Meeting at D-T Fairgrounds; 7:00 PM

26 State Fair Exhibits; Grand Island, NE

28-30 4-H Weekend at State Fair

28-Sept 7 NEBRASKA STATE FAIR

Beginning April 1, we will no longer be able to send text messages directly to your phone. To continue offering a communication option beyond email, we will be transitioning to Remind.

Using the phone numbers we have on file, we will add you to Remind. You will receive an invitation—simply accept it and create an account if you don’t already have one.

We understand this may not be as convenient as traditional text messaging, but it will allow us to continue sharing timely updates with you.

Thank you for your understanding,
Thurston County Extension Staff

For those who have not enrolled in 4-H for 2026 (or started an enrollment but not completed it), it's not too late! Visit https://v2.4honline.com/ to enroll. Our county has a $5 enrollment fee. Please contact us at 402-385-6041 with any questions.

If you are a member of Rosalie Feeders or Thurston County Independent, please remember to pay your $5 dues to our office ASAP so we can complete your enrollment. Mail checks to: Thurston County Extension, PO Box 665, Pender, NE 68047. (Youth members 8-18+, Clover Kids do not have dues.)

Livestock Affidavit sheets, livestock tags, EID tags, and new this year is DNA envelopes, you cannot use last year's DNA envelopes, are available at the office. Contact us at: 402-385-6041 or stop by and pick them up! Reminder that tags are $3/each.

NEW: Aksarben DNA & Nominations SEPERATE

NEW: Exhibitors that want to show an animal for the NSF and 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 SEPERATE between Aksarben & 4-H livestock shows.

To complete your volunteer enrollment in 4h-online you must finish your Volunteer Orientation. Bobbie cannot approve your enrollment until you have completed the Volunteer Orientation. Good news, it will be good for 3 years! Any issues or questions please contact our office at 402-385-6041.

If you are not yet enrolled, please hold off on scheduling or leading meetings and events until enrollment is complete.

Our thoughts are with all who have been impacted by the catastrophic and historic wildfires raging though central and western Nebraska. Our 4-H family has been impacted in so many ways, and many have asked how they can best be most supportive. The greatest need will be for financial contributions that can be used now and throughout the recovery process.

One way to do that is by contributing to the 4-H’ers Helping 4-H’ers fund. 4-H’ers Helping 4-H’ers funds are available to any Nebraska 4-H family who has been impacted by a disaster. You can learn more about how to donate and how to access funds at the 4-H Foundation Website. Thanks to 4-H Foundation for being willing to facilitate this process.

For those of you who are looking for additional resources, check out the Nebraska Extension Education Network (EDEN). This site has information on working with Children and Families as well as a variety of other resources.

Our annual Dakota-Thurston All Contest Day is coming up later this month on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Please see the details below. Also use this link to register for your events!

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/all-contest-day-registration-dakotathurston-counties/

The 4‑H Youth in Action (YIA) program celebrates young people who are creating real change in their communities. This national program amplifies the stories and leadership of 4‑H youth, showcasing how 4‑H has shaped their lives and equipped them to impact others.
Four Award Winners will receive a(n):
1 - $5,000 scholarship for higher education, paid directly to the institution, including two‑year and four‑year colleges, trade schools, or other advanced learning opportunities.
2 - Year of professional and media development, training, networking, and national opportunities to serve as a spokesperson and thought leader.
3 - All expenses paid trips for each award winner and a chaperone to attend national events.
4 - Official reference letter from a National 4‑H Council leader for educational or career purposes.
If you know a young person whose work deserves recognition, encourage them to apply today and share their story with a national audience! Applicants must be a 4-H member or recent alum of any type of 4-H program in the U.S. They must also be between the ages of 14-19.

Applications are open now through April 13, 2026, at 11:59pm PST. If you’d like to learn more about the program and application, please register for the info sessions at https://4-h.org/programs/4-h-youth-in-action-program/application

This training will feature reminders and/or updates from the following 4-H departments for county and state fair judging: Conservation & Wildlife, Disaster Recovery, Preparedness & Safety (formerly known as Safety) and Photography. The Conservation & Wildlife department will feature some key reminders. The Disaster Recovery, Preparedness & Safety department has several changes for 2026 and will feature these changes and why they are made. The Photography department has a new creative and experimental class featuring the use of artificial intelligence in which we will share more details about judging this new class.

During the 2026 Exploring Ecosystems season, campers will explore Nebraska’s natural world, discover how ecosystems connect, and learn how they can help care for the environment - all while having fun at camp!

The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is offering both day camps and overnight camp opportunities.

• Camp will return to Chadron for a 5 day overnight session (June 15-19) for youth ages 8–14.
• Day camps will be held in Grand Island (June 30) and Lincoln (July 22) for youth ages 8–12 providing a great introduction to the camp experience.

Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, scholarships, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp.

Register today for the Heavy Equipment Career Exploration day set for Monday, July 7, 2026 at Central Community College - Hastings Campus in Hastings, NE.

Sessions include:
* Navigate and drive virtual heavy equipment simulators
* Behind the wheel experience with a variety of Heavy Equipment Pieces
* Learn about the Hastings CCC Heavy Equipment Program
* Career panel
* Optional campus tours
Check-in is from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. Lunch is included. The day ends at 4:30 pm with optional campus tours. Registration cost is $35.00. Register at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment. Registration will close on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 5 pm or until all spots are filled.
This is a joint program with Nebraska Extension, Nebraska 4-H, Central Community College, and Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).

Nebraska 4-H requires all members enrolled in a livestock project to complete annual quality assurance certification through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program. The program's online system is available at YQCAProgram.org. Learn more about YQCA requirements and find help documents at 4h.unl.edu/yqca.

We will host an in-person event this summer! YQCA is due for Thurston 4-H members on Wednesday, July 15, 2026! Contact us if you have any questions at 402-385-6041.

Remember, enrolled Thurston County 4-H youth can request a coupon code from our office for either the in-person event or the online course!!!

Since 2010, Tractor Supply has partnered with 4‑H to prepare youth to be ready for work and life. The success of the Paper Clover campaign has raised more than $24 million to impact local youth with the technical skills and life skills that prepare them for whatever comes their way.

The 2026 Spring Paper Clover Campaign is taking place April 17 - May 3, 2026. One hundred percent of funds raised through the bi-annual Paper Clover campaign directly benefits 4‑H youth; ninety percent of donations directly support 4‑H youth in the state where the funds were raised, and the remaining 10 percent supports the overall mission and growth of 4‑H nationally.

Also, Demo Day at Tractor Supply will be held on April 25, 2026. Along with testing riding lawn mowers, customers can meet local 4-H youth and learn how 4-H prepares them to be Beyond Ready. TSC invites 4-H clubs to participate in-store on April 25. 4-H Clubs interested in participating may RSVP at https://go.unl.edu/cm50.

Ready to grow your tree knowledge? Join us at the Tree Workshop and learn about oak diseases, young tree pruning, native fruit shrubs, and fruit tree pruning. April 16, 2026 in South Sioux City, NE or April 17, 2026 in Concord, NE from 1:00PM–4:30 PM (same program both days). $10 per person — cash or check payable at the event. Registration is requested by April 14.

To register, scan the QR code, visit go.unl.edu/treeworkshop, or call Nikki with Nebraska Extension at 402‑584‑3853.

Whether you’re a homeowner, landowner, or tree enthusiast, this workshop has something for you. We hope to see you there!

We are excited to share the promotional materials for the upcoming “Chick Care Basics” webinar to be held on April 6 from noon to 1 p.m. CT. The webinar is free, but advance registration is required. To register, visit https://go.unl.edu/chickcare.

Colfax County is excited to once again be offering our local Colfax County Livestock Judging Contest! The Colfax County Livestock Judging Contest will be held on Saturday, April 18th at the Colfax County Fairgrounds in Leigh. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the contest beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Youth are welcome to attend in the following divisions based on 4-H age Clover Kids – 5 to 7

• Juniors – 8 to 10
• Intermediates – 11 to 13
• Seniors – 14 to 18 FFA Division

A concession stand for lunch will be available on the grounds. Please consider bringing/sending money for this to support the Howells Hustlers 4-H Club.

Contest will include evaluation of market and breeding classes of beef, sheep, goats and one class of swine.

To pre-register* and for more information contact: Colfax County Extension Office, colfax-county@unl.edu or 402-352-3821

*The contest is free, pre-registration is to gather an idea for the number of attendees.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. By participating in a camp, youth live on and explore the Nebraska campus, meet students from across the country, investigate an interest or potential career, and have lots of fun making new friends. (This is not a commuter camp). During the week-long camps, students will work with university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like engineering, digital media, or food systems. They are open to students going into grades 9-12 during the 2026-2027 school year. Housing and food are provided. Space is limited, and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. To ensure the optimal co-hort learning experience, each camp sets a maximum registration. A waitlist option will be available. Please see Camp Sessions for a list of camps offered, descriptions, capacity, costs, and scholarship opportunities.

2026 Dates & Deadlines

• Registration Opens - Tuesday, February 10, at 8:00 a.m. CT; for the rest, go to the above camp sessions
• Early Bird Tuition Rate Deadline - Friday, April 17
• Regulation Tuition Rate Deadline - Friday, May 1
• Late Tuition Rate and Final Registration Deadline - Friday, May 22
• Health Form Submission Deadline - Friday, May 22
• Big Red Camps - June 7-12, 2026

The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is now accepting applications for a summer learning opportunity for high school students. The Raikes School is hosting its tenth year of “Innovate: The Raikes School Way,” led by Raikes School Faculty Members Dr. Steve Cooper and Dr. Seth Polsley.

· The camp will be held at the Kauffman Academic Residential Center, home of the Raikes School, in the heart of Nebraska's City Campus from July 19-August 1, 2026.

· The fee to participate is $3,000. Students attending a Nebraska high school will receive a $1,000 discount, lowering the cost to $2,000 for Nebraska high school students. The cost covers all housing, meals, instruction, and activities associated with the camp.

· Full and partial scholarships are available - students can apply for scholarships through the Summer Camp application.

Priority Application Deadline: April 1, 2026 - Students who submit their application by this priority date will be notified of admission & scholarship decisions by April 13, 2026.

Final Application Deadline: May 1, 2026 - Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after May 1 as space is available.

Please consider sharing this invitation with the students you work with, as well as other teachers and community partners who may encourage students to apply.

Interested students can find more details and complete the application at https://raikes.unl.edu/summer-camp/.

If you have any questions about the camp, please email me at tluensmann2@unl.edu.

We are excited to announce the fifth year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program! This program provides an additional opportunity for enrolled 4-H livestock project youth to strengthen their knowledge and leadership skills across all aspects of livestock projects, including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition.

The program recognizes Members of Excellence in the following livestock project areas: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.

The Livestock Achievement Program consists of three levels designed to support age-appropriate growth and learning. Youth plan and report a broad range of project-related accomplishments by selecting goals from an approved list, with each accomplishment carrying a designated point value.

• Juniors (ages 8–9): Complete 75 points. Submit pictures, posters, presentations, and other learning activities to earn the distinction of Junior Member of Excellence.
• Intermediates (ages 10–13): Complete 100 points of activities to earn Intermediate Member of Excellence.
• Seniors (ages 14–18): Complete 150 points of activities to earn Senior Member of Excellence.

Plan and Report forms, available on the program webpage, provide examples of eligible accomplishments. Members may also propose their own project-related accomplishments with approval from their local Extension educator.

· Applications are due June 15 and must be submitted through the online application form.

· Plan and Reports and Project Records are due August 1 and must be submitted via the online completion form.

Youth who complete the program and earn Member of Excellence recognition will be recognized during the Grand Drive during 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://go.unl.edu/lap

Contacts:
Cole Meador – cmeador2@unl.edu
Brett Kreifels – brett.kreifels@unl.edu
Kelly Schole – kschole2@unl.edu
Ashley Benes – ashley.benes@unl.edu

Get ready for an unforgettable three-day livestock judging experience! The Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series is coming June 17–19, 2026, bringing together youth from across the region for competition, learning, and celebration as the Great Plains Judging Circuit wraps up its season. This three-day event is open to all states.

Participants will take part in 10 placing classes, enjoy a clinic, and compete for awards in each age division and species. With events hosted in Columbus, Bladen, and Nelson, Nebraska, each day offers something unique—plus fun evening activities, including a BBQ after-party and a final banquet and awards ceremony.

Whether you're a seasoned judge or new to the arena, this is the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills, meet fellow competitors, and close out the circuit in style.

📅 June 17–19, 2026
📍 Columbus • Bladen • Nelson, Nebraska
🔗 Registration details available at: https://go.unl.edu/lj26

Extension Horses has developed 3 Practice Hippology contests. These are perfect for anyone preparing for Hippology at any level. See below for more information and attached is information to use on social media, or simply to forward on.

Thanks for your help in promoting these!

📣 NEW Hippology Practice Contests are HERE!
You asked for them and we delivered! Ready to put your horse science knowledge to the test? Extension Horses has developed three practice contests with Advanced and Introductory Levels to best serve ALL skill levels.

These interactive contests include:
✔️ Slides
✔️ Stations
✔️ Exams
✔️ Scenarios (team problems)

...all in a virtual Hippology-style format!

While awards aren’t provided, you can review your scores, track your progress, and earn a certificate of completion when you score 80% or higher on each section.

Practice as many times as you want during your access period and build confidence before contest day! 💪

💲 Pricing for 90 days unlimited access:
• $20 Individual
• $75 Team (up to 5 seats, designed for 1 coach and 4 team members)

Perfect for teams, coaches, classrooms, and individuals preparing for competition OR simply testing your horse science knowledge.

👉 Enroll today and start learning all about horses: https://catalog.extension.org/catalog?pagename=Hippology

The date has been announced for the upcoming Nebraska Turfgrass Field Day, which will be on Thursday, July 9, at the East Campus Turfgrass Research Center in Lincoln.

UNL Calendar of Nebraska Turfgrass Field Day: https://events.unl.edu/UNLTurf/2026/07/09/198538/

Agenda and registration will be available later.

Also, there is a survey on our UNL Turfgrass Science website to help with determining acreage to expand the All Things Nebraska mapping of the Golf Courses in Nebraska layer. Please forward this information to the golf course superintendents or those managing the golf course in your area to complete the survey in Nebraska.

Link to acreage survey: https://turf.unl.edu/other-resources/Golf-Courses-in-NE-survey/

News release of survey: https://turf.unl.edu/news/golf-courses-nebraska-survey-available/

Email me at afolck3@unl.edu if you have any questions about the survey or any other turfgrass-related questions.

Do you have high blood pressure, or are you interested in learning how to prevent it?

Nebraska Extension is offering Smart Health: Tools for Managing Hypertension, a free virtual course that provides practical tools for managing blood pressure and improving overall health.

Participants will learn about:
• Understanding and controlling blood pressure
• Nutrition and physical activity
• Tobacco cessation
• Medication management
• Stress management and action planning

Course schedule
Tuesdays, April 7 through May 26, 2026
12:00–1:00 p.m. Central Time
Online via Zoom

Digital copies of course materials will be available for participants who register through April 6.

Register online:
https://go.unl.edu/fma4

Please join us for the Spring 2026 Food System Speaker Series hosted by Nebraska Extension’s Regional Food System Initiative (NERFSI) started in January. It will continue through May. Zoom link is pasted below.

Join Zoom Meeting - https://unl.zoom.us/j/92673575909

Meeting ID: 926 7357 5909

Here is the list of speakers and topics for this semester:

• January 21st: Ben Jewell, Nebraska Extension. Is the Price Right? Understanding Farmers Market Pricing in Nebraska
• February 18th: Anna Oetting, Lincoln Mayor’s Office, Lincoln’s Local Food Plan
• March 18th: Ben Dutton, Nebraska Extension. School Buyer Local Food Purchasing Survey Results
• April 15th: Dana Freeman and Kelsey Ryan-Simkins, Nebraska Extension. Assessing Omaha’s Food System.
• May 15th: Heritage Omaha. Omaha’s Year-Round Public Market.

Each semester, NERFSI hosts a monthly speaker series highlighting research and projects impacting Nebraska’s food system. You can watch previous presentations here.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors for the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI is one of Nebraska’s largest agriculture youth outreach events. This five-day program brings students together, offering networking opportunities with ag leaders and a chance to learn more about the industry, discover careers and make new friends. NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year’s theme is “Passion Meets Purpose.”

NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 6–10, 2026. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending must apply online at www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi. All applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026.

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. #nedeptag #nebraskaagriculture #nebraskaagriculturalyouthinstitue Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute

Experience what life is like as a student at Nebraska. During Red Letter Day, you'll tour campus with a current student, eat lunch in a dining center, learn about student engagement opportunities and resources for success and delve into your career path during academic sessions. You'll also tour one of our residence halls and learn more about on-campus housing.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Nebraska Office of Admissions at 402-472-2023. Because Red Letter Days fill up quickly, we encourage you to reserve your spot early.

Your pre-registration will allow us to prepare for your visit, ensuring the best possible campus experience.

Program Fee: $5 per person. Program fees are nonrefundable.

Note: School groups cannot be accommodated at Red Letter Day. View group visit opportunities.

These are the dates of the days:

• February 13th - filled
• March 6
• April 10
• May 1

Visit these websites to get started: https://admissions.unl.edu/events/on-campus/red-letter-days/ or https://admissions.unl.edu/visit/

Check out the website to learn more and find past program recordings - https://hles.unl.edu/lawn-garden/gro-big-red/