4-H News in Keith/Arthur Counties

• 4-H Calendar
• Nebraska 4-H Member Month!
• Save the Dates - Weigh Ins
• 2025-2026 4-H Enrollment
• Shooting Sports
• Fundraiser
• Modern Pioneers: Sponsor Signs
• State 4-H Updates/Events
• 4-H Livestock Achievement Program
• 2026 Special Agronomy Project
• State 4-H Summer Camp 2026
• 4-H Horse Stampede
• Volunteer Resources
• Extension Personnel

February: NEBRASKA 4-H MONTH!

February TBD: Arthur 4-H Council Meeting

February 7: Keith Beef Weigh Ins, 9-11 am

February 8: Arthur Beef Weigh Ins, 2-3 pm

February 9: Keith 4-H Council Meeting, Roads Department, 5:30 pm

February 16: OFFICE CLOSED - Presidents Day

Deadlines:

January 30th: pick up remaining fair awards

January 31: 4-H Club & Council Treasurer's Reports due!

February 12: Fundraiser Sales orders and money DUE to office

March 2: Special Garden Project Interest (the office will have to order seeds)

February 24: Special Agronomy Project Interest (the office will have to order seeds)

Nebraska 4-H has switched directions a bit on how we celebrate our 4-H month - as the National 4-H week in October has started to closely resemble how NE was celebrating in February, so now it will be called "4-H Member Month"!! It is now a time to celebrate how membership in 4-H prepares youth for work and for life.

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.

Our 4-H Member Month will center on the four pillars: Belonging, Engagement, Relationships and Spark!

Through hands-on learning and supportive relationships, 4-H helps youth discover their sparks, or the interests and skills that inspire purpose, while fostering a strong sense of belonging where members feel valued and connected. Youth also benefit from developmental relationships with caring adults who guide and encourage growth, as well as from meaningful engagement through active leadership and learning opportunities.

Follow along with our Facebook posts and share how 4-H has helped you along this journey! We will stick fairly close to similar themes as we have used in the past- but are always open to new ideas and suggestions!

4-H Enrollment for the 2025-2026 year is NOW OPEN! Deadline for 4-H Enrollment will be June 15, 2026.

https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

BB Gun & Air Rifle practice is happening every Monday now until the end of March at 6:00 pm! Anyone who is 8-18 years old as of January 1, 2026 is welcome. 4-H Online registration will be required as well as paying dues for 4-H and to the club.

For more information, please contact the office to be put in touch with the group leader.

Archery - There will not be archery practices at this time.

Both active Keith and Arthur 4-H'ers ages 8-18 have the opportunity to fundraise! We are working with the same fundraiser company as last year! 4-H'ers have the opportunity to sell pastry puffins, pizza puffins, and butter hearts. Why participate in this fundraiser? Keith and Arthur 4-H offers the opportunity for 4-H'ers to have an individual savings. The money a 4-H'er raises is to be used for 4-H activities such as 4-H projects, camps, state fair, or other sponsored 4-H activities. Keith and Arthur have withdrawal forms that are to be filled out and reviewed by the respective 4-H Council.

Easter is a bit earlier this year, but it is not too late to get started on our Spring Fundraising sales! Order forms and information are available. Orders and money will be due to the Extension Office by Thursday, February 12th. The items will be delivered between March 16th-27th.

You can pick up pictures of the items and blank order forms in the Extension Office. Or you can click on the forms below and print from your computer. *Note - all products are $15.00!!! Review the informational sheets. It tells you how many of each item are in a package - this varies.

If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at keith-county@unl.edu or (308)284-6051.

For those who have individual accounts within the 4-H Council under Modern Pioneers, or interested in starting one- contact Amanda Harger, she is the volunteer who manages the Modern Pioneers' accounts. hargers42509@hotmail.com

Sign up to start selling promotion signs to Sponsors by February 13th! Packets will be available soon.

🐄🐑🐖 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

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.

For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.

More details at: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/special-agronomy-project/

Please let us know if your youth is interested in participating in this project by February 27th. Youth are encouraged to enroll in the Agronomy project through 4-H Online.

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.

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.

One of the most important keys to making 4-H programs successful- are YOU- and the many people willing to help! Leading, teaching, setting up, taking down, the opportunities to lend a hand- are endless...

Clubs, shows, programs and events are a lot of fun, but also a lot of work to put together - we are always looking for caring adults & older youth to help at various levels. If you are interested in being a volunteer or know individuals who would be great fit- please reach out to the office.

More info can be found at: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/volunteers/

There is a wonderful virtual volunteer training series that will take place each month- Dec. to April- please check them out!!

The next session is scheduled for February 9th at 5:30 pm MT. This session is ideal for new or prospective 4-H Council Treasurers looking to better learn and understand the responsibilities, policies and best practices for 4-H Councils, thus helping to build and/or improve their skillset and make a positive impact on the 4-H Council and youth through 4-H. Visit https://go.unl.edu/treasurertraining to register.

Look for more 4-H Virtual Volunteer Training series topics in the coming months!

Did you know there are several educators and professionals accountable for Keith and Arthur Counties and a larger region? Find more information through our local personnel directory: here.

TBD - Early Childhood

There is currently no Educator that serves our counties for Early Childhood. There is a chance this could change in 2026!

For more information about the program areas and what UNL Extension has to offer, please visit:

About Us | Nebraska Extension | Nebraska Extension | Nebraska

https://extension.unl.edu/about-extension/

Do you have the drive to help us make a positive difference in young people’s lives? Nebraska Extension has an excellent opportunity for a full-time faculty position located in Ogallala, NE. This position’s primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources within the geographic accountability region of Keith and Arthur Counties.

For more info/to apply, visit: https://employment.unl.edu/postings/98671

Nebraska Extension in Keith & Arthur Counties

Keith-Arthur 4-H Newsletters

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