Saunders County 4-H Update

SAVE THE DATES:

April 6- Saunders County 4-H Communications Contest

April 6 - Archery Practice/Certification

April 20 - Archery Practice/Certification

April 25-26- Horse Stampede- UNL East Campus-ENTRIES DUE 4/18/26

May 4 - Archery Practice/Certification

May18 - Archery Practice/Certification

May 27-29- Premier Animal Science Events- UNL East Campus.

June TBD- Summer Workshop Series

June 1 - State Horse Show Entries and ID's Due

June 4 - YQCA In person training

June 6 - 4-H Tractor & ATV Driving Certification Day

June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline/YQCA/Animal ID's/State Fair Nominations DUE

June 16 & 17- State 4-H Premier Communications Contest- UNL East Campus

July 1 - Saunders County Fair Online Pre-Entries for Animals and Contests DUE

July 16- Favorite Foods Contest - More information to come

July 23- Fashion Show Judging - More information to come

July 19 - Saunders County Fair Static Online Pre-Entries DUE

August 10- Nebraska State fair Entries due by 8 PM (animal and in person contests).

We are still in need of extra hands to help at the 2026 Saunders County Fair!!

• Please spread the word and contact the Saunders County Extension office if you or someone you know might be a good fit
• Veteran Superintendents in each project area will be there to show you the ropes 😉
• Time commitment is minimal, just 2 evenings, one day, and one morning of your time
• No prior knowledge of 4-H is required

• This will be the only opportunity offered for certification for Tractor and ATV Driving this year.
• All ATV drivers must complete the one-time certification (if you have already been certified in a previous year you do not have to re-certify)
• Only Intermediate and Senior level tractor drivers must complete the one-time certification for tractor driving (if you have already certified in a previous year you do not have to re-certify)
• Please sign up at the following link: https://forms.gle/sDz68hnWuSzWGEyv9

One-time Archery Certification is required to participate in the Saunders County Fair Archery contest. If you have been certified in previous years you do not need to re-certify.

More information will be communicated as we get closer to these dates so stay tuned!

4-H Online Enrollment Site: https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

Saunders County Enrollment Information: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/4-h/4-h-enrollment/

• NEW DNA/animal nomination process for State Fair and Aksarben.
• Exhibitors that want to show an animal for the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben Stock Show (AKSS) will be required to submit two separate envelopes and online nominations. The nomination process for Nebraska State Fair 4-H/FFA will remain the same.
• AKSS exhibitors will order and purchase their DNA envelopes through the AKSS website at https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/. The DNA process and online nomination process will be separate for each livestock show.
• Important: Please throw away any old DNA envelopes from previous years, as they will not be accepted. Updated envelopes will be distributed in 2026 and will be valid only for the Nebraska State Fair (NSF).

2026 Horse Stampede Registration is open! This is an incredible opportunity for youth to grow their skills, build confidence, and make lasting memories.

Dates: Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26, 2026

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 2025 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!

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/

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