Scotts Bluff County 4-H

Hello 4-H Families! All 4-H families and volunteers will enroll in clubs and projects through

4HOnline at v2.4honline.com each year.

4-H & FFA Sheep/Swine/Goat weigh-in/tagging will take place at the fairgrounds in Mitchell on May 19 and May 21 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Swine
Swine will NOT be unloaded. Staff and volunteers will enter trailers to tag and disinfect equipment between trailers. Swine will be tagged in the dirt lot across from the beef scale area. Families are welcome to tag their animals at home and then bring them to the tag-in for verification.
Tags are $1 each for county only or $3 for EID tags.
Sheep and Goats
Market Sheep and Market Goats (meat and dairy market) will be IDed and weighed at the beef scale. Scrapies tags are the form of identification for sheep and goats.

If you plan to show swine, goats, or sheep at State Fair, you must submit a DNA sample from your animal and use an EID tag for swine ($3) and scrapies tags for goats and sheep. Ask for a DNA kit at tag-in. Families must enter DNA data into the State Fair nominations website (https://showstockmgr.com/) and pay the fee per animal by June 15. If you have any questions, please contact us at 632-1480.

4-H & FFA members must pre-register at yqcaprogram.org.

2026 Instructor Led Training ($3.00 fee) by Scotts Bluff County 4-H will be held at PREEC on April 16 at 6:00p.m. You must complete the pre and post testing!

Contact the Extension Office 308-632-1480 to receive coupon code(s). 1 for in-person training or 2 for 1/2 of the training fee for on-line training. Codes are made possible from Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau!

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Training is required for all 4-H members showing RABBITS, POULTRY, BEEF, GOATS, SWINE OR SHEEP at County or State Fair.
More information is available on our website at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/scottsbluff/scotts-bluff-county-4-h/youth-quality-care-animals-training/

Members must be Quality Assurance certified by July 1 to be eligible to compete at the County Fair.

Whether you complete the training online or in person, you MUST email abrown132@unl.edu your certificate or drop it off at the Extension Office by the deadline of July 1 to be eligible at fair.

PASE this year is being held May 27-29 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus. Pre-Registration is required for all participants and is completed by County Extension offices. Registration will open on April 13 and will close on May 7 (11:59 PM CST).

https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/livestock-program/pase/

The Platte Valley Clay Busters Fair Shoot will be at the club in Mitchell on Sunday April 26th. Registration opens at 11:00am, shoot will start at 12:00pm.

All participating shooters must attend a minimum of three scheduled Scotts Bluff County shoot/practice for each discipline that they plan to participate in at fair. See the shooting sports fair book for more information https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/scottsbluff/scotts-bluff-county-4-h-ffa-fair-book/static-inside-building/shooting-sports/

Contact Ryan for more information about the shoot ryankumm222@gmail.com.

Well Done & Congratulations! First LEGO League State UNEARTHED Challenge 2026.

Congratulations to all our teams, coaches, and parents for a wonderful robotics season!

The results are in!!! Congratulations to all 98 Challenge teams who competed over the course of two days.

Congratulations to our Champion Award Winners who will represent Nebraska at Open International Events!

1) Panhandle Cookie Bytes

2) Beat Bots

3) Infinite Horizons

4) CCS EagleTrons

Congratulations Hunter Creech (Panhandle Cookie Bytes) Coach/Mentor Award Winner.

Panhandle Cookie Bytes FIRST LEGO League Team is having a raffle fundraiser to cover their trip costs for the FIRST Robotics World Champions Contest in Houston, Texas. Follow the QR Code to make a venmo donation or contact one of the team members. The contest is being held April 29 - May 2.

https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/first-championship

The Scotts Bluff County Communications (Speech & Presentation) Contest is being held April 23, 2026 at 5:30p.m. If participating, contact the office so we can make preparations 308-632-1480.

Register at go.unl.edu/speechcontest2026

Age Divisions:

• Clover Kids: 5-7
• Junior: 8-10
• Intermediate: 11-13
• Senior: 14-18

1. Prepared Speech: Write and prepare an original speech about your 4-H experience
2. Impromptu Speech: Spin the wheel, pick the category, and prepare your speech in 15 minutes
3. Illustrated Presentation: Use visual aids to teach others how to do something
4. Video Communication: Create a muli-media piece related to the 4-H theme "Ready through
   4-H...and beyond"
5. Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA): Write and record a captivating 60-second radiio advertisement promoting the work of Nebraska 4-H

More information, rules, and length specifications for the contest are available at https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/communication/pce/contests/

The Premier Communications Event will take place in the East Campus Union on East Campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on June 16 and June 17.

Three contests are face-to-face and take place on the following days:

June 16 includes:

o Illustrated Presentation Contest

o Impromptu Speaking Contest

June 17 includes:

o Prepare Speech Contest

Award winners for PSA and Video Communications will be announced on June 17

Pre-Registration is required for all participants and is completed by county Extension offices. Registration will open on May 1 and will close on May 29 (Noon CST)

We are excited to announce the 2026 Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp season! Youth are invited to join us and Big Gumdrop Outdoors as we explore the world around us through our Exploring Ecosystems theme. Please share the following message and attached graphic with your 4-H families.

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.

A limited number of scholarships are available, and we encourage families to apply. The application can be completed at https://4h.unl.edu/camps-discounts/.

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.

Local ESU #13 is offering scholarships and transportation. Contact ESU #13 308-635-3696 extension 2021 for information.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are hosted by Nebraska Extension 4‑H Youth Development and University faculty members in various academic areas across campus.

Register today for Heavy Equipment Career Exploration set for Tuesday, July 7th at Central Community College – Hastings. Participants will navigate and drive virtual heavy equipment simulates, have behind the wheel experience, and learn from individuals in the career. Cost is $35. Register at https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment by Monday, June 29, 2026. Limit of 25 spots available on a first come first serve basis.

Details:

Check-in: 10 am to 10:30 am

Lunch is included

Wrap-Up: 4:30 pm – Optional Campus Tours will be available.

Open to youth entering 8th – 12th grade in Fall 2026.

Cost is $35

Please register at: https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment

This is a joint program with Nebraska Extension, Nebraska 4-H, Central Community College, and Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).

Young Nebraska Scientists, conducted by Nebraska EPSCoR with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, offers camps for middle and high school students throughout the state. The program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math topics and is a great way for teens to sample a career or campus, meet friends and mentors, and find their future.

More details at: https://yns.nebraska.edu/camps.

https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/4hstaff/20161/107021

If you've been admitted to attend UNL in the fall, UNL Admissions will be in Scottsbluff for a Hometown Send-Off Event. Join us and register at https://admissions.unl.edu/.../hometown-send.../scottsbluff/

REGISTER NOW! 2026 Tractor & Equipment Safety Trainings are scheduled across the state. Certification from this course allows 14- and 15-year-olds to legally drive a tractor and do field work with certain mechanized equipment. No Day 1 at your location? You can attend it at another location, or choose the online option! Register at https://cvent.me/0oRoRz!

Gering will have both days in-person training this year!

The 55th annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) will be held July 6-10, 2026, on UNL’s East Campus.

Applications are now available to students who are currently high school juniors and seniors on our website at: www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi

Applications will be due on April 15th.

The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) is a weeklong experience for high school juniors and seniors from across Nebraska to learn more about career opportunities within agriculture. This conference features speakers, workshops, agricultural education, networking with peers and industry leaders, professional development, leadership experience, fun and new friends!

More details at: https://www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi

Join Us for Animal Science Discover Day 2026!

Calling all youth ages 8–18! Are you ready to dive into the world of animal science? Join animal science faculty, educators and industry experts for a day of hands-on learning and career exploration.

From mastering the Science of Super Pests to testing your wits in an Animal Science Escape Room, this interactive event offers a deep dive into the industry.

• When: June 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT
• Where: NCTA Campus, Ag Education Center – Curtis, NE
• Featured Sessions: Goats & Lambs, Animal Nutrition, Agriculture Advocacy, Muscle to Meat, Science of Super Pests, and Escape Room.
• Cost: $20 (includes lunch) if registered by May 29; $30 for late registrations.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot today! Register at go.unl.edu/asdiscoverday2026

or contact Kimberly Cook at kimberly.cook@unl.edu for more details.

Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered, what plant is that!?! We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 9-23, 2026 at: http://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest More information about the Nebraska State contest along with a list of study materials can be found in the Horticulture ID Contest Fairbook

Applications are now open for the Nebraska 4-H Leadership Academy - our pilot, state-level experience inspired by the National 4-H Leadership Academy program founded in honor of the late Joel Roth.

This is a one-year opportunity designed for high-potential Nebraska 4-H youth to grow as leaders, build connections across the state, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

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:

Program highlights:

• Monthly virtual meetings

• In-person statewide events

• Late summer kickoff in alignment of 2026-27 academic year

Application deadline: May 4, 2026

Email: abrown132@unl.edu

Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/scottsbluff/
Location: 4502 Ave I Scottsbluff, NE
Phone: 308-632-1480
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottsbluffco4h/