April 2026
Colfax County 4-H Newsletter
Join Our Remind!
We are starting a Colfax County 4-H Remind Group. Remind is an app that anyone can download and join! Please join the group using the following steps:
Steps to join Remind:
1. Download the Remind App on your phone
2. Create an account within Remind
3. In the menu on the left hand side of the screen, select Add Class
4. Select "Join Existing Class"
5. Join the group in the app using the class code @ colfaxco4h
We will use remind to send updates, reminders, and any other tips. While you are not required to download and join the app, it will be helpful to all 4-H families. We encourage parents, youth, and volunteers to join the group. Youth are also able to join this group. Within Remind, we are able to send mass messages to our 4-H families all across the county, but group members will not be able to message one another through the app. This creates a safe, electronic environment for everyone to be a part of, without worry of unwanted contact. You will be able to message owners of the Remind group with any questions, but not general group members.
Please reach out with any questions!
Nebraska 4‑H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance certification through yqcaprogram.org. YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development.
Who Needs YQCA?
All 4-H members ages 8–18 enrolled in livestock projects, including beef, dairy cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and swine.
Training Options:
- Online Training: Web-based course through YQCA
Cost: $12 per youth
Includes interactive modules, a skills lab, and a quiz (80% required to pass)
Provides 2–3 hours of age-appropriate, flexible learning with audio support
If you elect to complete the online training option, please visit the following link: https://yqcaprogram.org
- In-Person Training: Instructor-led, face-to-face sessions (when available), please see the list of possible in person trainings below.
Please note that YQCA completion certificates are due to the Colfax County Extension Office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 1st. please either email your certificate to Brenda (bdolezal2@unl.edu), KateLynn (kness2@unl.edu), or Elise (eanderson63@unl.edu), or bring your printed copy into the office. Questions? call us at (402) 352-3821.
4-H Youth in Action Award Applications
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.
2026 Horse Stampede
We have a quick update to share regarding the upcoming 2026 Horse Stampede.
2026 4-H Horse Stampede Dates:
Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26, 2026
Entries must be submitted online by Wednesday, April 15, 2026. All other event and contest details remain the same as last year. Find more information at NE 4-H Horse Stampede. We hope your youth can join us for one or more contest and we will also be looking for contest volunteers and would love to have you join us!
In addition to the official contest, we are excited to offer an Audit Division for just $20 per participant. This division is a great opportunity for individuals who may not be quite ready for formal competition but still want to gain valuable experience in a low-pressure environment.
Audit Division participants will have the opportunity to:
- Place the classes and turn in placing cards
- Enjoy lunch with contest participants
- Optionally give reasons
- Receive tabulated scores
This division is perfect for students looking to build confidence and skills before competing. It’s also a fun opportunity for coaches and parents to get involved, especially if they’ve ever been told they could be outplaced by their students!
More details will be shared in the coming weeks, but we wanted to make sure this exciting update is on your annual 4-H calendar.
We can’t wait to have a successful 2026 Horse Stampede! Thank you, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions to Makayla Burg at mburg2@unl.edu
Fort Robinson 4-H Horse Camp
Attached is a registration form, program, and scholarship application for the 2026 4-H Horse Camp that will take place on June 11-13 at Fort Robinson State Park in Crawford, NE. All individuals, ages eight and older, are welcome to attend with activities for junior, intermediate, and senior / adult. The 4-H code of conduct will be in effect, but membership is not mandatory.
The 2026 4-H Fort Rob Horse Camp information is now available. Program, Registration, & Scholarship Form can be found here at this link: https://extension.unl.edu/.../workshops-programs-camps.../
Tractor and Equipment Training Course
Nebraska Tractor & Equipment Safety Training
Colfax County Extension is excited to team up with Butler County Extension to host Nebraska Tractor & Equipment Safety Training on July 1–2 at the Butler County Event Center in David City!
This two-day certification course will allow 14- and 15-year-olds to legally drive a tractor and perform field work with certain mechanized equipment.
Participants must complete Day 1 (written exam) before attending Day 2 (driving exam).
NSTMOP Certification
Required for youth operating equipment on farms & ranches
Cost: $60
Register here: https://cvent.me/0oRoRz
Spots fill quickly — don’t wait to get registered!
Nebraska 4-H Leadership Academy
Applications are now open for the Nebraska 4-H Leadership Academy, which was founded in honor of the late Joel Roth.
The Participants (Roth Scholars) will engage in leadership development, mentorship, and statewide experiences. Selected youth will receive a $500 stipend for completion of the program.
Who we're looking for:
• Current high school sophomores
• Active Nebraska 4-H members
• Youth ready to grow, lead, and commit to the experience
Program highlights:
• Monthly virtual meetings
• In-person statewide events
• Late summer kickoff in alignment of 2026-27 academic year
Application deadline: May 4, 2026
Apply here: https://forms.gle/gFV6PKpjbmr3M7gJ7
Livestock Achievement Program
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
UNL Winners Unlimited Livestock Judging Camp
2026 Overnight Camp ($325) - June 3-5
This camp is geared toward youth 7-18 years of age who have an interest in competitive livestock judging. The camp covers content on all of the livestock species including cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats. Youth will learn about the priority traits that we use when evaluating livestock and gain basic knowledge of the livestock industry as it pertains to each specie. A heavy emphasis in this camp will also be placed on oral reasons. Not only will youth improve their presentation skills but they will also learn about the basics of reasons format along with how to be accurate and concise in a set of reasons. At the end of camp, youth will be better prepared to compete in a livestock judging contest not only locally but at the regional and national level alike.
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfP4IEq9n494hwbA1kuRKEVCSX9ON25RhncKTtIxsUSENAGFw/viewform
Registration must be received and payment postmarked no later than May 18, 2026.
Red Letter Days
Discover Nebraska during Red Letter Days! High school juniors and seniors, join us for a full-day campus visit experience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Explore academic opportunities, engage in student and parent sessions, and enjoy a campus tour. Available on select Mondays and Fridays. Register now at go.unl.edu/visit.
UNL Big Red Camps
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. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, families are invited to attend a capstone presentation where students showcase their achievements.
Big Red Summer Academic Camps 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.
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are hosted by Nebraska Extension 4‑H Youth Development and University faculty members in various academic areas across campus.
2026 Dates & Deadlines
Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. CT on each of the following days:
- Pre-Registration/Priority Scholarship Application Deadline - Friday, January 23
- General Scholarship Application Deadline - Friday, March 6
- Registration Opens - Tuesday, February 10, at 8:00 a.m. CT
- 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 - Sunday, June 7 - Friday, June 12
To learn more please visit:
https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/big-red-summer-academic-camps/
Hippology Practice Contest
📣 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
Complimentary 4‑H Curriculum Now Available for Enrolled Nebraska 4‑H Youth and Volunteers
Nebraska 4‑H is pleased to announce that all enrolled Nebraska 4‑H youth and volunteers receive complimentary online access to 4‑H curriculum developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln!
More than 30 digital publications are available at no cost to enrolled Nebraska 4‑H members and volunteers. These learning resources cover a variety of topics, including clothing, babysitting, shopping, entomology, poultry, and many more.
Access to the digital curriculum is provided through the 4HOnline Member Enrollment system. Once enrollment has been completed and approved, youth members and volunteers will receive an email with a link to begin exploring the available resources.
Enroll in Nebraska 4-H today at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll - and receive more details emailed directly to you from 4HOnline about the Complimentary 4-H Curriculum provided to you by Nebraska 4-H!