January Newsletter
Nebraska Extension in Wayne County
Nebraska Extension - Wayne County
510 N Pearl Street, Suite C | Wayne, NE 68787-1939
402-375-3310 | FAX: 402-375-0102
E-mail: wayne-county@unl.edu
Website: http://wayne.unl.edu
January Calendar
9 References due for Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinary Program Application
14 Volunteer Leader Meeting (Register by Jan. 12)
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Office Closed)
20 Snow Date for Volunteer Leader Meeting
26 Zoom in to CASNR
26 4-H Council Meeting
30 2026 Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort online registration due
31 Horse Judges School (Register by Jan. 23)
2026 Wayne County 4-H Calendar
Click below for fair dates, deadlines, and more for 2026!
Reminders
- County Fair Premium Checks will void February 1, 2026.
- Please send Thank You notes to award sponsors.
2026 Enrollment
Enrollment is Open
4-HOnline is now open for youth and Clover Kid enrollments at v2.4honline.com. Enrollment information can be found online https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/wayne/4-h-wayne-county/enrollment-information/.
If you have forgotten your password, use the "reset password?" option or contact the Extension Office. DO NOT set up a new profile.
Priority Enrollment
Enroll on or before February 2 to ensure you get all County Fair updates. All members enrolled by February 2 will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! There will be three winners drawn.
Enrollment Fees
4-Hers and Clover Kids will continue to pay an enrollment fee of $5.00 per 4-Her. The fee includes the 4-H insurance fee and will be collected when 4-Hers enroll in 4-HOnline or fees may also be brought to the office. Enrollments will be accepted when fees are received. Volunteers that choose to purchase insurance will need to give their $2.00 to their Organizational Leader or bring it to the office.
Nebraska 4-H Month
Nebraska 4-H month is coming up in February. Mark your calendars to make plans to celebrate with us. Themes will be shared in the near future!
4-H Volunteer Leader Meeting
Join us on January 14, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Wayne County Courthouse for a 4-H Volunteer Leader Meeting. Get enrolled, complete the volunteer screening, and learn what’s new for 2026. This meeting is intended for club leaders and other enrolled volunteers. Please let us know if you can attend by January 12. January 20 is set as a snow date. Any questions please reach out to the Extension Office at 402-375-3310.
Big Red Summer Academic Camp
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.
Scholarships are open now through January 23 with registration opening February 10. This year's camp is June 7-12.
For more information: https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/big-red-summer-academic-camps/
2026 4-H Farrowed and Owned Cohort
The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is an opportunity for 4-H members interested in learning more about the swine industry. Participants engage in learning opportunities throughout the year, gain knowledge related to their 4-H swine project, practice good record-keeping related to swine management and basic care, and exhibit their farrowed and owned swine project animal at the Nebraska State Fair. Applications for the 2026 Cohort are open now through January 30. Learn more at: https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned
Nebraska Horse Judges School
The horse judges’ school is an opportunity for those seeking to judge 4-H horse shows to gain knowledge and skills about judging 4-H horse shows. However, this school is also great for youth preparing to compete at Stampede in hippology or horse judging contests. The event is January 31, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Animal Science Complex room A222. Please register at: https://cvent.me/22bQ8r
Early bird registration deadline – January 23, 2026
Separate registration per participant (if parents plan to attend with youth they will need to
register as well).
• Adult Cost: $50
• Adult Zoom Option: $40
• Youth Cost: $40
Day of registration cost (Cash or Check only. Please make checks out to University of Nebraska-Lincoln):
• Adult: $60
• Youth: $50
Lunch is Included
4-H Club Treasurer's Report
The year end 4-H Treasurer's Report and Inventory list are due to the Extension Office by February 2. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call!
2026 Special Garden Project
Register for Horticulture when you enroll on 4-HOnline and call the office to let us know you want to participate in the Special Garden Project by the priority enrollment deadline, February 2. The 2026 Special Garden Project is the Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold. Visit: https://4h.unl.edu/special-garden-project for more information or call the Extension Office with any questions.
2026 Special Agronomy Project
Register for the Agronomy project when you enroll on 4-HOnline and call the office to let us know you want to participate in the Special Agronomy Project by the priority enrollment deadline, February 2. The 2026 Special Agronomy Project is Popcorn. More information coming soon!
Wayne County Sharp Shooters 4-H & NRA Air Gun Sectional
Competitions scheduled for February 7-8 include BB Gun- 4 position, Jr 3 Position (3P) Sporter Air Rifle, Jr Precision Air Rifle (all standing), Open (Adults included) 3 Position (3P) Sporter Air Rifle and Open Precision Air Rifle, and Progressive Air Pistol (4-H only).
Pre-Registration is required. Pre-registration is due on Friday, January 30, 2026, at midnight.
Web link - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9HvPerDMV5d2YkoEdGYm3Lr_CW2pzdy0dpVaUV3s-NI03Dg/viewform
Match Bulletin - https://go.unl.edu/0yhr
For more information contact Darin Greunke, Match Director at 402-375-8906 or dgshoots4fun@hotmail.com
Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic Livestock Judging Contest
The contest will be held in Kearney on Saturday, Feb. 14th with the entry deadline being February 5.
All details and entry information can be found at https://nebraskaclassic.org/winter-edition/judging-contest.php. We look forward to another great contest this year with an outstanding dinner and set of awards to follow.
UNL Chick Days
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is hosting Chick Days March 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Animal Science Building located on East Campus in Lincoln. This is an educational event for small and back-yard poultry producers and youth and will include speakers and contests. Registration is due March 2. Click below to view the flyer.
Horse Stampede
The Nebraska 4-H Horse Stampede offers a variety of 4-H horse contests that do not require live animals, including public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, horse judging, hippology, and photography contests. The 4-H Horse Stampede will be held at the UNL Animal Science Complex in Lincoln April 25-26, 2026 (date changed). Registration is due April 15, 2026. Entries for 2026 utilize 4‑H Online. Login to your 4‑H Online account and click on the events tab, then select the 2026 Horse Stampede event. Or utilize the following link to register (be sure to utilize the same email account used when enrolling in 4‑H): https://nehorsestampede2026.4honline.com/#/public/ins_11/evt_1d6
4-H Livestock Achievement Program
Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/livestock-program/livestock-achievement-program/ to get started.
Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series
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.
Registration details available at: https://go.unl.edu/lj26
The Senior Scoop
Attention seniors and parents of seniors! Check out our newsletter about scholarships and other college information. Juniors, feel free to take a peak to plan ahead for next year!
Looking Ahead
February
2 4-H Priority Enrollment Deadline
2 Year-End Club Treasurer’s Reports and Inventory lists due
2 Special Garden and Special Agronomy registration due
2 Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinary Program Application due
7 Clover Kid Meeting (Reg. due Feb. 2)
7-8 Wayne County 4-H & NRA Sectional Air Rifle Invitational, Carroll Auditorium
13 Red Letter Day UNL
14 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Livestock Judging Contest (Reg. due Feb. 5)
16 Office Closed - President's Day
20 CASNR Admitted Student Day
23 Zoom in to CASNR at 7 p.m.
Social Media
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional reminders and updates!
Nebraska 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. ©2026