Dawes County 4-H

April 12 - Club Link Up in Rushville

April 15 - Chadron Intermediate Afterschool Adventures 4-5:15 pm

April 17 - YQCA Training in Chadron 2-4 pm

April 19 - Panhandle Speech Contest

April 22 - Chadron Primary Clover Kids Club 4-5:30 pm

April 24 - Sewing Club at 1:30-4 pm

May 1 - Sewing Club at 1:30-4 pm

May 5 - Chadron Primary Clover Kids Club 4-5:30 pm

May 7 - Chadron Intermediate Afterschool Adventures 4-5:15 pm

May 8 - Sewing Club at 1:30-4 pm

May 10 - Dawes 4-H Council Meeting 6 pm

May 15 - Sewing Club at 1:30-4 pm

May 15 - YQCA Training in Crawford 2-4 pm

May 20 - Build a Better Babysitter Workshop

May 21 - Be the Hero: CPR, AED & First Aid Training

May 25 - OFFICE Closed - Memorial Day

May 26 - Dawes Extension Board Meeting at 6 pm

May 27 - Livestock Clinic

May 27 - Sheep & Goat Weigh Ins 3-6 pm

May 28 - Wilderness Wonders Camp

May 29 - Wilderness Wonders Camp

DEADLINE DATES:

April 13 - Speech Contest Registration Deadline

April 17 - Sewing Club Registration Deadline

May 4 - Wilderness Wonders Registration Deadline

May 8 - Horse Camp Registration Deadline

May 15 - Babysitting & CPR Workshops Registration Deadline

May 21 - Livestock Clinic Registration Deadline

May 26 - Sparks & Saws Workshop Registration Deadline

May 27 - Muffins & Decorating Workshops Registration Deadline

We wanted to provide an update on our digital content. The Department of Justice issued accessibility guidance in 2024 as a rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), establishing a clear accessibility standard for digital content and tools. The deadline for university compliance of Title II is April 24, 2026.

All digital content posted by anyone at the university must meet digital accessibility guidelines before being published. This includes any UNL website (both public and internal facing), web applications, social media posts and more.

This accessibility guidance is a big change for the University and Extension. You will notice our social media flyers are different. Moving forward, almost all the information will be in the caption/post on Facebook, not on the flyer. Our website will be laid out differently as well.

Please note that as we have till April 24 to understand and be in compliance - we are slowly getting our website completed. We will have all fair documents (affidavits, fairbook, schedule, etc) and summer programs on our website in the next two weeks. Thank you for understanding.

Dawes County 4-H will have our Market Sheep & Market Goat weigh ins on Wednesday, May 27, 3-6 pm at the Fairgrounds. *Note - If you saw the date listed in the Special Edition, we had to move it to make everything fit. All youth planning to exhibit a market sheep or goat animal at the Dawes County Fair are encouraged to weigh in to be identified. Remember 4-H Families - Market Sheep & Goats are required to have scrapies tags. The Dawes County office does not carry any of these tags. Youth are expected to have these tags in at weigh-ins.

We have some partnerships going on right now with the Chadron After School Program. Tessa is going in to the Primary School to offer Clover Kids Club again. The next session is Wednesday, April 22nd. Kindergarten is from 4-4:30, 2nd grade 4:30-5, and 1st grade 5-5:30.

Tessa is going in to the Intermediate School to offer Afterschool Adventures. The next session is Wednesday, April 15. 3rd grade from 4-4:35 and 4th grade from 4:40-5:15.

Have you got enrolled yet?! https://v2.4honline.com/ is open for the 2025-2026 Enrollment Year! Deadline for 4-H enrollment is June 15, 2025. If you need help with enrollment, you may contact the Extension office for help!

As a reminder, if you plan to participate in Shooting Sports or the Horse project, you need to add those projects and sign the consents. To be completely enrolled, dues must be paid. CHANGES TO DUES - Dues are $5.00 and can be paid with cash, check, or credit card. Checks are payable to UNL Extension. Clover Kids (ages 5-7) are free.

Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA).

Youth enrolled in any of following projects or project areas will need to complete YQCA training;

• Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)

• Dairy Cattle

• Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)

• Poultry

• Rabbit

• Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)

• Swine (breeding swine, market swine)

There are 3 ways to complete this certification:

1. Web-Based Training - Web-based annual training is available through the YQCA learning management system. The online YQCA course costs $12 per individual regardless of age. Each session purchased includes three modules - a knowledge builder, a skills lab, and a quiz. The knowledge builder is where content is delivered. The skills lab provides an opportunity to apply the content. The quiz test knowledge. To receive certification, 80% must be achieved on the 10-question quiz. These modules, completed in their entirety, will provide 2-3 hours of experience.
2. In-Person Training - In-person YQCA training courses cost $3 per individual regardless of age.
3. Testing Out - Test-out options are only available to youth in the first year of Intermediate (age 12) and Senior (age 15) age levels. There is no test-out option for Juniors.

Please visit: https://yqcaprogram.org/ for more information, get registered and pay fees for the in-person course, or take the online course.

Dates for Instructor Led Trainings:

• April 17 - Dawes Extension Office - 2-4 pm
• May 15 (tentative) - Crawford Location TBD - 2-4 pm
• June 2 - Dawes Extension Office 10am -12 pm

Deadline to complete YQCA is June 15th! YQCA Certificates need to be sent tessa.reece@unl.edu or returned to the office.

Animal affidavits can be picked up at our office or they can be found online in the next two weeks at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dawes/animal-ownership-affidavits/

We also need Swine photos turned in with their affidavits. (1 full body photo, 1 showing tag)

Photos can be emailed to tessa.reece@unl.edu.

All animal affidavits (except cat & dog vaccination forms) are due by June 15th.

Below is the 4-H fair schedule. Please note the changes in Cat/Dog Shows, Rabbit/Poultry Check in, and Small Animal Show Order.

We are working to finalize the Fairbook. It will be published soon on the website. The hardcopy will be available May 1. Below are some Fairbook updates.

Livestock Fairbook:

• Dog - Dog judging class has been removed and a skill-a-thon class to match state will be added.
• Beef - Steer maximum weight changed from 1,700 to 1,800 pounds.
• Horse - 4-H's can not do both dummy roping and Break-away, must choose one.
• All Around Horse classes have been removed.
• Goat - Market goats need to be born after December 1 to match State Fair requirements
• Carcass - Fee increase to $10, non-refundable to be entered by July 1.
• Feeder Classes - Championship recognition removed from the feeder classes for sheep, goats, and pigs.

Static Fairbook:

• Auction - 4-H exhibitors can sell 2 static projects total including food entries. This is a change where the static auction used to exclude the Creative Cakes & Silent Auction. For example: youth could sell 1 cake and 1 pie, 1 pie and 1 leather belt, 1 cake and 1 home design, etc. All static items sold will have the addition of the 3% commissions fee to be removed and checks will be made to the foundation to be distributed in the fall 2026. Checks will no longer be given straight to the youth.
• As always, changes were made to match State Fair changes and to better meet accessibility standards.
• Some notable changes to division, categories and classes:
• Safety is now called " Disaster Response, Preparedness and Safety" with several class changes and additions.
• Under >Home Design & Restoration> the exhibit previously known as "Heirloom Treasures & Family Keepsakes" is NOW= "Home Antique Restoration"
• Photography - Black and White classes added to Unit II and Unit III. Creative and Experimental Photography exhibit class added to Unit II and Unit III
• SET has been changed to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)

The North Panhandle Speech Contest will be held on April 19th at the Sheridan County Extension Office starting at 2 pm. Members can participate in a variety of contests. They can give a speech, conduct a presentation, or pre-record a Public Service Announcement with the radio station.

Prepared Speech:

Length:

• Clover Kids - less than 2 minutes
• Junior (ages 8-10) - 2-3 minutes
• Intermediate (ages 11-13) - 3-5 minutes
• Senior (ages 14 -18) - 5-8 minutes

No team entries or props allowed.

Public Service Announcement:

Length: 60 seconds

No team entries. Needs to incorporate the theme: "Ready Today, Leading Tomorrow". Need to be general enough to be used across Nebraska. Must include tagline within the last 10 seconds: "Learn more about the the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu." Copyrighted material can't be used. Feel free to reach out to KCSR, as they are generally willing to record a member's PSA with them.

Video Communication:

Length: 60 -90 seconds

No team entries. Youth can use phone, laptop, or tablet to create a multi-media piece around the theme: "Ready Today, Leading Tomorrow." No copyrighted material.

Illustrated Presentation:

Length:

• Individual Junior - 3-5 minutes
• Individual Intermediate and Senior - 6-8 minutes
• Team Junior - 5-7 minutes
• Team Intermediate and Senior - 8 -10 minutes

Topic should be related to what youth are learning about through 4-H.

More more details on the rules, past state winners, etc. Please visit: https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/communication/pce/

Starting April 24, Morgan Schommer and Tessa are offering a sewing club on Friday afternoons. Sewing club will be offered 4 times: April 24, May 1, May 8, and May 15 from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. We have also received two sponsorships to purchase sewing machines and other supplies. Thank you to Sprinklers Solutions and Pine Ridge Quilters.

Register by April 17. The cost is $50 for all four weeks. Space is limited!

Our 2026 Summer Workshops are all planned and ready to go! You can find our complete packet with all of the details here!

• Youth do not have to be in 4-H to attend workshops
• Workshops are subject to cancellation if minimum participation is not reached
• Most workshops have a maximum number of participants. These workshops will fill on a first come, first serve basis.

There are 2 ways to register for summer workshops-

• Online: https://forms.gle/eTDZXTn29eLds1k58
• Paper Form: Attachment Below

We prefer you use one of these 2 methods so we can ensure we get all the necessary information. Some workshops have individual registration forms. These include:

Wilderness Wonders, N. Panhandle Livestock Judging, Ft. Robinson Horse Camp, & Dawes Co. Progress Show.

Learn what it takes to care for a variety of ages in a safe and fun environment. Get ready to learn about ages and stages, safety, and basic first aid, how to advertise, and more!

Who: Ages 10+

When: May 21, 2026 8:30 am-4:00 pm

Where: Dawes County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20

Register By: 5/15

Be prepared. Build confidence. Learn lifesaving skills. In this hands-on Heartsaver CPR, AED, and First Aid class, youth participants will learn how to respond to real-life emergencies at home, in school, or in their community.
Participants will learn how to:

• Recognize and respond to emergencies
• Perform hands-only CPR
• Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Help someone who is choking
• Control bleeding and care for injuries
• Respond to common medical emergencies

Participants who successfully complete the course may receive a Heartsaver CPR, AED, and First Aid certification card.

Who: Ages 10+

When: May 22, 2026 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Where: Dawes Extension Conference Room

Cost: $30 payable to Life First Learning

Register By: 5/15

Bring: Water and a Snack

Come learn about showmanship, fitting, and nutrition. Plan to attend one or more sessions of this beef, sheep, goat, swine, rabbit, and poultry clinic. Lunch provided.

Who: Ages 5+

When: May 27, 2026 9:00 am-2:00 pm

Where: Dawes Fairgrounds

Cost: Free

Register By: 5/21

We are on the hunt... To see who wants to find the treasure at the 2026 Wilderness Wonders. On May 27th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm camp will be offered for youth going into 3rd-5th grade. On May 29th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm it will be offered for 5-7 year olds. Both camps are $50 each.

Registrations are due May 4th to the Dawes County Extension Office! We must have the form and payment for registration. Registration in PDF below.

Youth are invited to join Nebraska Extension for a fun, hands-on baking workshop all about muffins! Participants will learn basic baking skills, mix and bake muffins, and experiment with different flavors and mix-ins to create their own unique recipe. We’ll also talk about how food exhibits work and how youth can recreate their muffins at home to enter in the fair. This workshop will take place in Dawes and is great for youth who enjoy cooking, baking, or trying something new in the kitchen. Everyone will leave with their muffin recipe and ideas they can use for a 4-H Food & Nutrition fair exhibit.

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 3, 2026 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Where: Dawes County Fairgrounds

Cost: $15

Register By: 5/27

If youth want to sign up for both Muffins and Decorating, they should bring a lunch.

Learn basic cake decorating skills on 6 cupcakes to take home with Camie Johnson.

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 3, 2026 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Where: Dawes County Fairgrounds

Cost: $15

Register By: 5/27

Bring: Encouraged to bring a star tip and line tip

Get immersed in two STEM projects: Welding and Woodworking with FFA/AG teacher, MiaKayla Koerber!

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 4, 2026 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Where: Chadron High School

Cost: $30

Register By: 5/26

Bring: Sack lunch

The annual 4-H Horse Camp will be held at the Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford. The sessions include working ranch, horse stretching, riding games, creating a rope halter, and more! For youth members 8 and above the fee is $75. This includes craft, supper, t-shirt, horse stalls for Thursday and Friday night. For more information visit: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dawes/4-h-dawes-county/workshops-programs-camps-clubs/

This is a great opportunity for youth to test our their livestock judging contest through this local competition. The registration fee covers lunch and prizes.

Who: Ages 5+

When: June 17, 2026 9:00 am-2:00 pm

Where: Sheridan Fairgrounds Gordon

Cost: $25

Register By: Day of

Come create 4 projects in 1 day! Youth will create a bookshelf, doormat, tray, and a crate ottoman!

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 18, 2026 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Where: Dawes County Fairgrounds

Cost: $45

Register By: 6/8

Bring: Sack lunch

Mark your calendars for the Dawes County 4-H Progress Show on June 20, 2026! This is great practice for fair! This will include Swine, Sheep, Goat, & Beef

Design a new outfit at this summer workshop. Youth will burn hats, design a t-shirt and create a skirt from jean shorts.

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 23, 2026 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Where: Dawes County Fairgrounds

Cost: $25

Register By: 6/16

Bring: Sack lunch and pair of jean shorts

Come learn about plant ID and work on a range project! Great way to prepare for Plant ID contests.

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 25, 2026 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Where: Chadron State Range Complex

Cost: $10

Register By: 6/16

Bring: Sack lunch

Learn it, pick it, arrange it! Join The New Leaf as youth identify flowers and create a fun, take-home arrangement.

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 30, 2026 9:00 am-11:00 am

Where: The New Leaf

Cost: $25

Register By: 6/22

If youth want to sign up for both Flourish and Next Level , they should bring a lunch and we will transport them to the Fairgrounds.

In Next Level Flower Fun, youth will build on what they learned and get creative making fun, floral-inspired projects for the home.

Who: Ages 8+

When: June 30, 2026 12:00 pm-2:30 pm

Where: Dawes County Fairgrounds

Cost: $15

Register By: 6/22

Calling all Clover Kids! Come craft and explore with us. Youth will create projects that can be entered into fair, enjoy fun activities and have a sweet treat!

Who: Ages 5-7

When: July 7, 2026 9:00 am-2:00 pm

Where: Dawes County Fairgrounds

Cost: $20

Register By: 7/1

Bring: Sack lunch

It is time to be thinking of State Fair Livestock requirements!

All livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to complete an online nomination with payment through Show Stock Manager and submit a DNA collector envelope with a hair sample. For NE State Fair DNA instructions and envelopes, please stop by the Extension Office. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves.

Show Stock Manager is open for livestock nominations for the 2026 Nebraska State Fair! Website Link: https://showstockmgr.com/ Each State Fair nomination will be $7.00 per animal in Show Stock Manager. Submit the DNA payment and complete the online nomination in Show Stock Manager. 4-H and FFA livestock nominations are due on June 15, 2026.

Turn in your completed DNA envelopes to the local Extension Office or FFA Advisor by June 15, 2026.

State Fair Entry Closes August 8, 2026

For 4-H/FFA families who are planning on entering the Aksarben Stock Show, you will need separate DNA envelopes and online nominations- exhibitors will be ordering and purchasing their DNA envelopes through the AKSS website https://aksarbenstockshow.com/ The Aksarben Stock Nomination online nomination system will be different than Show Stock Manager and separate between each livestock show.

Please direct any AKSS questions to the AKSS website.

These people are YOUR voice! Please contact any of them if you have an idea for a new or existing event or activity, have concerns with the program, or just want to have input in the decision-making process.

4-H Council:
President - Boone Huffman

Vice President - Kevin Keim

Secretary - Dina Connell

Treasurer - Bailey Lesmeister
Members - Kris Vahrenkamp, Buffy Hourt-Allred, Melissa Nicholson
Youth Members: Garett Tollman, Kody Keim, Amelia Betson, Rhett Lesmeister

Extension Board:
President - Tony Denke
Vice President - Tim Milner
Secretary/Treasurer - Angel Lindsey
Members - Cody Gibbons, Willy Cogdill, Kyli Heiting

4-H Foundation:

Ryan Sellman, Chris Garrett, Bill Cogdill, Jan Soester, Roy Lambert, Jeff Lien, Kris Vahrenkamp