Dakota County 4-H News

DAKOTA COUNTY OFFICE STAFF

Angela Abts—4-H & Youth aabts2@unl.edu

Julie Boyle—Food Nutrition and Health julie.boyle@unl.edu

Tammy Dunn—Office Manager tpeterson3@unl.edu

Email: dakota-county@unl.edu
Website: https://dakota.unl.edu
Location: 1505 Broadway Street, Dakota City, NE, USA
Phone: 402-987-2140
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLDakotaCounty
Twitter: @NEDakota4HExt

Facebook: Nebraska Extension in Dakota County

Instagram: NE Extension Dakota County

2026 4-H CALENDAR (pdf)

Use the link above to view/print a 2026 4-H calendar, to help keep you on schedule and in the know - calendar is subject to change.

FEBRUARY

1 - Dakota County Achievement Celebration

1- Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort registration deadline

2- Extension Board meeting

4 - NACEB Meeting—Lincoln

6 - Chamber coffee hour hosted by Extension Office

9 - Dakota County 4-H Council meeting

10- Big Red Camp registration open

15 - 4-H Enrollments and volunteer enrollments due

16- Office closed Presidents Day

18 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Fire Hall; 7:00PM

24 - Pesticide training Extension Office

MARCH

2 - Extension Board meeting

2 - 4-H Council meeting

3 - Volunteer Training—Haskell Ag Lab

15 - Jarvis Memorial Scholarship Application DUE

18 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Firehall 7:00PM

31 - Dakota County 4-H Scholarship due

FUTURE DATES

4/25/26 - ALL CONTEST DAY

6/15/26 - FINAL ENROLLMENT DATE, LIVESTOCK AFFIDAVITS AND DNA DUE

Sunday evening, February 1st, 4-Her's and their families gathered at the Norm Waitt YMCA for the annual achievement celebration. Over 70 youth and adults from Dakota and Dixon County were in attendance. Pizza was provided by the 4-H Council and families provided a variety of treats to share.

Kids swam or played basketball and the adults visited and watched.

While there was not formal awards presentation, youth that filled submitted awards applications were given their awards. They received a tote bag, pins, certificates and a small cash award.

AWARD WINNERS

JUNIOR

Animal Science - Lucas Bousquet, Drayden Nielsen, Wyatt Nielsen, Payton Hermelbracht, Beau Thomsen

Healthy Living - Lillian Bousquet

S.T.E.M. - Benjamin Albrecht, Isaac Albrecht

Leadership, Citizenship & Communication - Lillian Bousquet, Isaac Albrecht, Payton Hermelbracht

Consumer & Family Science - Elizabeth Stroot

SENIOR

Animal Science - Gauge Thomsen, Rylie Hermelbracht

Leadership, Citizenship & Communication - Rylie Hermelbracht

DIAMOND CLOVER AWARDS

Level 1 - Amethyst: Wyatt Nielsen, Kayson Nelsen, Kynlee Nelsen, Ty Nielsen, Derek Stroot, Elizabeth Stroot, Jacob Stroot

Level 2 - Aquamarine: Benjamin Albrecht

Level 3 - Ruby: Drayden Nielsen

Level 4 - Sapphire: Audric Cavenee, Isaac Albrecht, Payton Hermelbracht

LEADER YEARS OF SERVICE

10 years - Jennifer Thomsen, Lisa Bousquet, Scott Bousquet

YOUTH RECOGNITION FOR YEARS IN PROGRAM

2 YEARS - Evelyn Albrecht, Tristan Baumgardner, Miles DeRoin, Ashlynn Jessen, Clair Mattison, Mylie Mitchell, Cody Rohde, Tana Thomsen, Weston Utech

5 YEARS - Benjamin Albrecht, Clair Barclay, Leah Bousquet, Karlee Duncan, Kinleigh Estochen, Clara Krause, Sawyer Krause, Mia Lyons, Kynlee Nelsen, Payton Overfelt, Finn Thomsen, Addison Lamplot, Elle Jo Lamplot

8 YEARS - Lillian Bousquet, Lucas Bousquet, Audric Cavenee, Drayden Nielsen

10 YEARS - Payton Hermelbracht, Rylie Hermelbracht, Karson Roeber

11 YEARS - Trent Dunn, Alexis Jessen, Gauge Thomsen

12 YEARS - Matthew Bousquet, Brooke Raymer

13 YEARS - Rachael Bousquet

If you were not in attendance and would like to have your year disc, you will need to stop in the extension office to pick up. They will not be mailed. A plaque to put the disc on is also available for pick up. (temporarily out of stock, will be ordering more plaques soon.)

4-H youth member enrollment is open for the 2025-2026 program year. The enrollment instructions found online for youth members are still current. https://4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

For returning families: DO NOT create a new account; rather use your existing log-in credentials from 4-H online as used in previous years. Find instruction at https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 15TH

VOLUNTEER SCREENING CHANGES FOR 2026!!!

Volunteers ARE REQUIRED to complete the orientation for the current year regardless of if they have completed previously already. The current program year will become the start of their 3-year rotation period for the orientation.

Volunteer Orientation will now be required every 3 years through 4-H Online. This is a change from it being required only during a volunteer’s rescreening year. This will allow us to update the Orientation trainings more frequently if the need arises. Volunteers will be able to do the training in 6 separate sections (each being 10 minutes or less) at their own pace rather than in one sitting. They may be able to do it simultaneously on separate devices with their spouse/partner/another volunteer if they wish, however each individual volunteer will need to do the Orientation training associated with their respective member profile. There will be no workaround permitted at this time. If you have any questions, contact our office at 402-987-2140.

With the launch of National 4-H Tentpole Moments supporting the Beyond Ready Initiative in 2025, the recent observation of National 4-H Week last October began to closely resemble Nebraska 4-H Month that Nebraska has observed the past 5 years in February. Therefore, for 2026, Nebraska will be changing the observation to a new, Nebraska-focused 4-H Tentpole Moment called 4-H Member Month!

The focus of 4-H Member Month is to encourage enrollment in 4-H Clubs or as an Independent 4-H Member. Through the month, Nebraska 4-H will be celebrating youth who participate in 4-H through membership in clubs and as independent members. 4-H Member Month is an additional 4-H Tentpole Moment that will be observed in our state in 2026; we will also join states across the nation to observe the other National 4-H Tentpole Moments of Signing Season, Fair, and National 4-H Week.

State Fair Livestock Identification & Nomination page has been updated to reflect the 2026 edits.

Summary of Updates

· There are no changes to livestock identification or nomination requirements.

· The only edits were made under County Responsibilities:

o DNA submissions are due June 22 and should be addressed to the Nebraska State Fair.

· Youth will continue to pay $7.00 per State Fair nomination and will enter online nominations through the Show Stock Manager site.

· While there are no changes, please remind exhibitors to review individual Fairbooks for registered animal requirements. Some additional items are required to exhibit in a breed class at State Fair but are not required for nomination.

· Also as a reminder, registration papers must list the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate family member and is included with the online nomination in Show Stock Manager. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact our office -402-987-2140

1. Exhibitors will be required to enroll in 4‑H by the June 15 statewide enrollment deadline.
2. Exhibitors will review their species fairbooks.
3. Exhibitors showing market and/or breeding beef, feeder calves, market and/or breeding swine, market and/or breeding sheep or market and/or breeding goats at State Fair must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for DNA verification. Every animal nomination (this includes all breeding animals and feeder calves) will require a DNA nomination. DNA must be turned into their county office and have completed the online nomination with payment in Show Stock Manager by June 15. (It is recommended that you make a copy of the completed envelope you turn in to your county.)
   For animals carrying an 840 EID tag, exhibitors must also obtain a Premises ID. Contact your local Extension office for details.
4. Exhibitors must complete the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification by August 10.
5. Exhibitors will confirm that the ear tattoo and/or identification tag matches the animal nomination submitted by June 15 for confirmation of legibility and/or accuracy.
6. Exhibitors must notify their county Extension office of any retags that may occur up until the time of check-in at the State Fair.
7. Exhibitors will select which animals they have chosen to show at State Fair on the State Fair entry website. All nominated and validated animals will automatically be listed as options for entry registration.
8. Exhibitors will be required to bring the breed association registration paperwork to check in at State Fair for animals being shown in a breed class. The registration papers must show the exhibitor's name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor's family and is listed with the online nomination in Show Stock Manager. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted.

The YQCA Scholarship Program is open, and applications are now being accepted! The scholarship program supports youth who demonstrate leadership, responsibility, and commitment to the livestock industry and the principles of quality animal care. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your members, educators, families, and youth participants.

Full details, eligibility requirements, and application information can be found online.

Application Deadline:

February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Apply here:

https://yqcaprogram.org/local/2026-scholarship-program.php

THERE WILL BE AN IN-PERSON YQCA TRAINING AT THE DAKOTA COUNTY EXTESNION OFFICE MAY 12TH, 2026. Watch the newletters and our website for more information.

The next session of the 4- Virtual Volunteer training series, 4-H Council Treasurer Training will be held on February 9th, 2026 at 6t:30PM CT. Please share the information below with your respective 4-H Council treasurers and others in your county that would be interested in participating.

Presenters: Lindsay Shearer, Ashley Benes, Jill Goedeken

Topics covered:

• Responsibilities of the 4-H council treasurer role
• 4-H financial policies for 4-H Councils
• Best practices for 4-H council treasurers

Who should attend?

• 4-H Council Treasurers
• County staff working with 4-H Council Treasurer
• 4-H club volunteers who are welcome to attend as well.

Registration information:

• Registration is required. The zoom link will be sent immediately following registration.
• Registration is free. Everyone should register separately.
• Participating in the live session is encouraged. The training will be recorded and will be sent to registered participants.

Register here:

https://go.unl.edu/treasurertraining

The Lied Center for Performing Arts invites Nebraska 4-H to attend the performance of Music Man, to be held March 5-8, 2026, with a special offer of 20% off tickets.

Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.liedcenter.org/events/3641?promo=4H20; use the promo code 4H20.

More information about the Music Man performance can be seen at https://www.liedcenter.org/event/meredith-willsons-music-man.

More details at: https://tickets.liedcenter.org/events/3641?promo=4H20

🐄🐑🐖 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

A Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Update Session is scheduled for mid-March in Bloomfield. It will be held March 21st, 9am to noon, at the Knox County Fairgrounds. The early bird deadline to register for the Update training is March 11th.

A Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Workshop is scheduled for mid-March in Bloomfield. It will be held March 21-22 at the Knox County Fairgrounds. The early bird deadline to register for the Bloomfield session is by March 11th, 4 pm.

The difference is one is an update if you are already a certified instructor and the other is for those wanting to become certified.

Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports website

The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables, flowers, fruit, and herbs. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their hands dirty in this project area.

The 2026 Special Garden Project will focus on the

Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold!

This marigold produces creamy, yellow flowers on compact plants. This variety not only has a unique color, but it also has a very long bloom time. Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will then have to reach out to their local Extension Office to sign up and order the seeds.

Project information and materials are available on the website:

https://4h.unl.edu/special-gardening-project

.

If you have any questions about the project REACH OUT TO THE Extension Office 402-987-2140

The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project allows 4-H members 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. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new and different.

How to participate:

• Enroll in the Special Agronomy Project through 4-H online.
• Contact the Extension Office and let them know how many seed packet you want $1 per packet).Stop by and pick up your seed packets.
• Plant & Cultivate your seeds
• Exhibit at County & State Fair in classes: G75011-G750013
• Complete Evaluation at the end of the project.

You will receive further information and a newsletter when you pick up your seeds.

Take part in an educational event for small and back-yard poultry producers and youth featuring speakers on the follow topics:

• Reading feed tags for you flock nutrition program
• Backyard Flock Health Management
• Preparing for 4-H & FFA Poultry Judging Competitions
• Quiz Bowl
• Contest winner announcements:)Poultry Photography, Egg Art

For more information

Check out the Dakota County website for a variety of opportunities. These are posted and updated as often as new announcements are made.

They are under the 4-H tab - camps, workshops, clinics

Visit: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/4-h/camps-workshops-clinics/

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors for the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI).

NAYI is one of Nebraska’s largest agriculture youth outreach events. This five-day program brings students together, offering networking opportunities with ag leaders and a chance to learn more about the industry, discover careers and make new friends. NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year’s theme is “Passion Meets Purpose.”

NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 6–10, 2026.

Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending must apply online at www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi All applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026.

“NAYI is a long-standing tradition in Nebraska agriculture and a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students to connect with peers from around the state,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “Itis one of the best ways for students to learn more about Nebraska’s diverse agricultural industry and the hard-working people who help make our ag industry great.” NAYI features motivational speakers, discussions on agricultural issues, career development, networking opportunities, leadership activities, a farm management game, a formal banquet and awards presentation, and a dance. In its 55th year, NAYI is the longest running agricultural youth program of its kind in the nation. More than 225 students attended NAYI last year.

NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their leadership skills, interests and involvement in agriculture. Students attend NAYI free of charge due to generous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. Space is limited. Those interested in helping sponsoring NAYI can visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/NAYI sponsors for more information.

NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, which is comprised of 21

college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. The

Council’s purpose is to provide young Nebraskans with a better understanding of agriculture, including agricultural opportunities available to today’s youth.

#nedeptag

#nebraskaagriculture

#nebraskaagriculturalyouthinstitue

Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute

Private Pesticide Applicator trainings are taking place across the state. If you need to obtain or renew you license, RSVP to the county where you want to attend. Online training is also available.

Go to https://pested.unl.edu/

The date for the session in Dakota County is:

February 24th beginning at 1:00PM

Call 402-987-2140 to register.

2026 Nebraska Extension ProHort Annual Update is happening on

Thursday, Feb. 19 from 9:00 -3:30 at the Dodge County Extension office in Fremont.

Topics include:

• Balancing Pesticide & Pollinators
• Soil Test Basics
• Tree & Turf Interactions
• Annual and Flowers in Containers

Expertise and new ideas presented by Nebraska Extension Educators.

5 NAA CEU Credits available. Learn more and register at

go.unl.edu/prohort

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.