Dodge County 4-H Blast
February 27th, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- 4-H Calendar
- Camp/Workshop/Curriculum Scholarship
- 2026 Dodge County 4-H Council College Scholarship Application
- 2026 4-H Schedule
- Pork Workshop
- Dodge County 4-H Archery
- Dodge County Communications Contest
- Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series
- Babysitting Basics Workshop
- Art with Eby
- STEM Style Workshop
- Clover Kid Day Camp
- Home Environment Workshop
- Conservation Workshop
- Spring Rabbit Show
- Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program
- Midwest FEEDS Practicum
- 2026 Nebraska 4-H Camp
- 4-H Horse Stampede
- UNL Chick Days
- Fort Robinson Horse Camp
- Animal Science Discover Days
- 2026 Special Garden Project
- 2026 Special Agronomy Project
- 4-H Enrollment
- YQCA
- Animal ID Deadline
- State Fair Livestock ID
- Ambassadors
- 4-H Council
*Items in BOLD are new items*
4-H Calendar
*LOCAL (DODGE COUNTY) EVENTS IN BOLD
March 7 - UNL Chick Days @ Dept. of Animal Science
- Registration @ 8:30am
- Presentations begin @ 9:00am
March 13 - Pork Workshop @ Dodge County Extension Office, 9am-1:30pm
March 13 - YQCA #2 @ Dodge County Extension Office, 1:30pm-3pm
March 14 - Spring Rabbit Show @ Sandhills Global Event Center - South Hall
- Registration & Check-in: 9:30am-8:30am
- Show starts @ 9:00am
March 14-15 - BB and Air Rifle Championships @ Kimball, NE
April 7 - Instructor Led YQCA Training #3 @ Dodge County Extension Office, 4:30pm-6:00pm
April 7 - 4-H 101 Night @ Dodge County Extension Office, 6:00pm-8:00pm
April 16 - Dodge County Communication Contest @ Masonic Home, 6:00pm
April 25-26 - Nebraska 4-H Horse Stampede @ UNL East Campus
May 27-29 - PASE (Premier Animal Science Event) @ UNL East Campus
May 28 - Babysitting Workshop @ Dodge County Extension Office, 9am-3pm
❗June 1 - State 4-H Horse Show Animal ID and Horsemanship Levels DEADLINE❗
June 2 - Eby Art Workshop @ Eby Fine Art, 9am-11:30am
June 9 - Family Livestock Judging Contest @ Dodge County Fairgrounds, 6:00pm
June 11 - Instructor Led YQCA Training #4 @ Dodge County Extension Office, 6:30pm-8pm
❗June 15 - 4-H DEADLINE DAY: 4-H Enrollment, Animal ID, YQCA, Horse Advancement Levels (County Only), State Fair Nominations & DNA Due❗
June 16 - Stem Style Workshop @ Dodge County Extension Office, 9am-1pm
June 16-17 - PCE (Premier Communications Event) @ UNL East Campus
June 18 - Clover Kid Workshop @ Dodge County Extension Office, 9am-3pm
June 23 - Home Environment Workshop @ Dodge County Extension Office, 9am-12pm
June 24-26 - 4-H Shooting sports National Championships @ Grand Island
June 30 - Conservation Workshop @ Fremont State Lakes, 9am-12pm
Pork Workshop: from FEED to FAIR to FORK
WHEN: March 13th, 2026
WHO: Youth Ages 8-18
TIME: 9:00am-1:30pm
YQCA TIME: 1:30pm-3:00pm
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
✔ Feed Rations That Work
Hear from Jose De La Cruz of Nebraska Pork Producers Association on how proper nutrition fuels growth and performance.
✔ Livestock Judging & Selection Tips 🐖
Understand what judges look for and how to confidently select your fair animal.
✔ Winning Showmanship Techniques
Learn ring-ready skills from 2024 Dodge County All-Around Champion Showman: Chase Hartman.
✔ Cook Your Own Healthy Pork Meal 🍽️
Get hands-on in the kitchen and learn how to prepare a nutritious pork-based meal.
BONUS
🥪 Full lunch included with registration!
YQCA is required for County Fair and Nebraska State Fair, and will follow this workshop immediately, so sign up for the $3.00 YQCA training here!
WHERE: Dodge County Extension Office (1206 West 23rd Street, Fremont, NE 68025)
COST: $10.00
DC Shooting Stars has started offering Archery as a discipline in Shooting Sports! Participants are welcome to bring their own archery equipment, we will have equipment available for use if you don’t have your own equipment. Practices are held every Thursday night @ 7pm in the basement of the Dodge Auditorium! Participants need to follow the 4-H Shooting Sports age requirements to participate and be members of the D.C. Shooting Starts 4-H Shooting Sports club. Select Archery as a project in 4honline!
If you have any questions regarding enrollment, please reach out to Andy Beckman or the Dodge County Extension Office.
Andy Beckman, cell: 402-843-6336, email: circlexhunter@hotmail.com
The County Contest is a stepping stone event to get youth exposed to Public Speaking and develop Communication Skills that they can further develop through the Premier Communication Event (PCE) at East Campus in Lincoln from June 19-20.
Qualify for PCE in Prepared Speech, Radio PSA, or Illustrated Presentations with a Purple Ribbon at the County Contest. Impromptu Speech & Video Communication Contests are open to all youth at the PCE.
To register for the Dodge County Communications Contest - Click Here!
Check out our Babysitting Basics Workshop for Youth ages 11+ that is happening on June 3rd! During the workshop, they will learn all things about First Aid & Emergency Preparedness, how to keep children safe, bathing/diapering/feeding young children, and many more things!
When: May 28th, 2026, 9am-3pm
Where: Dodge County Extension Office
Click here to register, or scan the QR code to get to our registration to get them signed up. Registration is due by May 22nd, 2026.
This acrylic art workshop will be taught by Monica Eby, owner and artist of Eby Art Studios. Participants will learn acrylic painting techniques, composition, and creative expression while completing an original artwork. The finished project will be eligible for fair exhibit and may qualify for State Fair participation, making this workshop perfect for youth interested in both art and competition. No prior experience required—just bring your creativity!
When: June 2nd, 2026, 9am-11:30pm
Where: Eby Fine Art
Click here to register, or scan the QR code to get to our registration to get them signed up. Registration is due by May 29nd, 2026.
Our youngest 4-H members will create 2-3 Projects that they can then exhibit at the Dodge County Fair.
When: June 18th, 2026, 9am-3pm
Where: Dodge County Extension Office
Click here to register, or scan the QR code in the picture to get your 4-H'er signed up!
Registration is due by May 29th, 2026.
The 4-H Spring Rabbit Show will be held on Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m. at the Sandhills Global Event Center – South Hall. Open to all youth ages 8–18, with a Clover Kids class for youth ages 5–7. This is a great opportunity for youth to talk to other 4‑H’ers about where to purchase a good rabbit for a 4‑H project, and to learn and practice showmanship. Rabbit quiz and breed identification contests are free for youth to enter!
The knowledge contests are also open to adults for a minimal fee! Show information with classes and registration fees is posted at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/rabbit-spring-show.
Sponsored by the Lancaster County 4‑H Rabbits VIPS Committee and Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County. If you have questions, contact Kate Pulec at kpulec3@unl.edu or 402‑441‑7180.
🐄🐑🐖 Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program – Year 5! 🐐🐔
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is back for its fifth year, recognizing youth who go above and beyond in their livestock projects! This program promotes learning in selection, production, leadership, and exhibition across all livestock species.
🔹 Open to enrolled 4-H livestock youth
🔹 Species include beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, dairy, rabbit, poultry.
🔹 Three achievement levels: Junior, Intermediate, Senior
🗓 Apply by June 15
🗂 Plans & Reports due August 1
🏆 Members of Excellence will be recognized at the Nebraska State Fair Grand Drive.
👉 Learn more & apply here: https://go.unl.edu/lap
Join us for the Midwest FEEDS (Forage, Education, and Efficiency in Diversified Systems) Practicum, a hands-on, multi-session educational program designed to equip participants with essential skills for success in the cattle industry. This unique program leverages the competitive advantages of the Midwest, including access to perennial pastures, annual forages, cover crops, crop residues, and harvested feeds.
Practicum date for 2026:
- Session 1: February 28
- Session 2: March 28
- Session 3: June 20
- Session 4: August 29
- Session 5: December 5
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.
2026 4-H Horse Stampede Dates: Saturday, April 25 - Sunday, April 26, 2026
Location: UNL Animal Science Complex
Contests:
- Public Speaking
- Demonstration
- Art (2D/3D)
- Photography
- Horse Bowl
- Horse Judging
- Hippology
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.
March 7th, 2026
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will host its upcoming Chick Days event, an educational program designed for small and backyard poultry producers, 4-H members, and families interested in strengthening their poultry knowledge. The day begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. in the Department of Animal Science Student Commons (3940 Fair St., Lincoln), followed by presentations in Room B101. Participants will learn how to read and understand feed tags to support proper flock nutrition with Jodi Holmes of Cargill Animal Nutrition, and gain practical insights into backyard flock health management from Extension Educator Brett Kreifels. This event offers a great opportunity for youth and families to build skills, ask questions, and connect with poultry experts. Please click on the attachment below to see the event flyers and registration forms.
SAVE THE DATE!
June 3, 2026
9:00am to 3:30pm CT
NCTA, Curtis, NE
Calling all youth ages 8-18! Join our Youth Animal Science Program and engage with Animal Science faculty and educators. Gain hands-on experience, explore careers in the animal industry, and expand your knowledge in an exciting and interactive environment!
Registration information will be available after the new year.
The 2026 Nebraska 4-H Special Garden Project is open to all youth of 4-H age and offers a hands-on opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting, and exhibiting a unique flower—the Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold. This compact marigold variety features creamy yellow blooms and an exceptionally long flowering season.
The project encourages both new and experienced 4-H gardeners to explore something fun and different in the garden. Participants will receive a packet of seeds in March or April along with newsletters covering planting, growing, pest management, and harvesting tips. Youth can exhibit their marigolds at County and State Fairs in several classes, including educational exhibits and fresh-cut flowers. Additional creative county-only exhibit options, such as stories, poems, or posters, may also be available.
To participate, youth should enroll in the Horticulture project area through 4-H Online and fill out the following form here.
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live in. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. This year, we will be exploring a crop that can be marketed different ways depending on the variety.
In the sixth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore TWO varieties of popcorn! The first is an heirloom variety that was discovered and developed by a farmer in eastern Nebraska, called Nebraska Red. The second is a commercial variety, Robust 997. Be sure not to plant sweet corn in your garden with these to prevent cross pollination.
Be eligible to enter an exhibit at the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area.
Contact your local Extension Office to order packets of seeds. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. Please have your order placed prior to March 15th.
For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.
To participate, youth should enroll in the Horticulture project area through 4-H Online and fill out the following form here.
4honline Enrollment - DUE June 15!
❗Enrollment is due by June 15! Visit 4honline.com.❗
Returning Families - do not create a new account - use your log-in from previous years. Instructions for returning families are at this link. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here. 4-H enrollment fee is $15 per youth member and can be paid by credit card online, or by cash or check in our office.
New volunteers can find instructions here, and returning volunteers can follow this guide.
- Volunteer Screening and Volunteer Orientation are required in 2026 for all volunteers!
- Sterling Volunteers runs a criminal background check and sex offender registry checks; the cost is $16 paid online to Sterling Volunteers
- If you completed the background check in 2025, you will not need to this again for this year.
- Volunteer orientation can be completed at this link:
Enrollment is required to participate in 4-H events, contests, projects, and club meetings.https://4h.unl.edu/resources/volunteers/orientation/
For help with enrollment, either email Macy @ mflesher3@unl.edu, or call the office @ (402) 727-2775.
Nebraska Extension in Dodge County
Mary Spath - Office Manager: mspath2@unl.edu
4-H
Kelly Schole - 4-H Extension Educator: kschole2@unl.edu
Shane Ahrens - 4-H Assistant: shane.ahrens@unl.edu
Macy Flesher - 4-H Administrative Assistant: mflesher3@unl.edu
Early Childhood
Lisa Poppe - Extension Educator: lpoppe2@unl.edu
Nutrition Education Program
Shelley Thayer - Assistant Extension Educator: mthayer6@unl.edu
Statewide Rural Health
Beth Nacke - Extension Educator: bnacke2@unl.edu
Water & Cropping Systems
Mailson Freire de Oliveira - Extension Educator: mfreiredeoliveira2@unl.edu
Horticulture
Ian Peterson - Extension Educator: ipeterson4@unl.edu
Email: dodge-county@unl.edu
Website: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dodge/
Location: 1206 West 23rd Street, Fremont, NE, United States
Phone: 402.727.2775
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/362826330737240/?ref=bookmarks