Saunders County 4-H Update
5/9/2025
Archery Practices held each Monday evening at 6:30 PM- Gayle Hattan Arena.
May 15- Nebraska 4-H Foundation Hands to Larger Service Award application deadline.
May 28- Clover Kids Day Camp- Extension Office
June 1- Horse ID deadline for State Horse Show
June 4- Ceresco Summer Reading Program- Ceresco Library
June 6- Valparaiso Summer Reading Program- Valparaiso Library
June 13- Clover Kids Day Camp-Extension Office
June 15- 4-H Enrollment Deadline
June 15- Animal ID Deadline
June 15- Deadline to nominate animals for Nebraska State Fair
June 19- Home Creations Summer Workshop
June 20- Let's Explore S.T.E.M. Summer Workshop
June 23- Valparaiso Summer Reading Program- Valparaiso Library
June 25- Ceresco Summer Reading Program- Ceresco Library
June 26- Art Academy Summer Workshop
June 27- Outdoor Adventures Summer Workshop
June 15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline/Animal ID's and YQCA Due
June 18- Fair Pre-Entry OPENS (NEW this year-Online Entry!!)
June 30- BB/Air Rifle Practice
July 1- Fair Pre-Entry Deadline (NEW this year-Online Entry!!)
July 7- BB/Air Rifle Practice
July 14- BB/Air Rifle Practice
July 21- BB/Air Rifle Practice
July 27-August 3- Saunders County Fair
We are delighted to announce the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.
Key Features:
- Team Participation: Teams comprising two or more youth participants will collaboratively embark on the challenge.
- Innovative Practices: Youth will be tasked with implementing a production practice differing from the norm, with the goal of assessing its impact on increasing corn yield.
- Data Collection: The Corn Challenge management summary will systematically gather crucial information, including yields, cropping history, and production details.
- Recognition and Rewards: Outstanding achievements will be duly rewarded with cash prizes and plaques for the top three teams:
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
- Special Awards: In addition to the top rankings, commendable efforts will be acknowledged through the "Extra Mile" and "Ag Literacy" Awards, each carrying a value of $200.
This competition not only fosters a spirit of innovation in corn production but also serves as a platform for recognizing dedication and excellence within the 4-H and FFA communities. We encourage all eligible participants to embrace this opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices. Registration deadline is April 1st.
For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Big Red Camps
Registration for Big Red Camps is now open! Big Red Camps are residential career exploration camps for incoming 9th through 12th grade students which provide the opportunity to live on and explore the Nebraska campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! Participants will work with our university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like animation, fashion entrepreneurship, or engineering. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where youth showcase their achievements.
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to youth going into grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 school year. All housing and food are provided for participants throughout the camp. Space is limited, and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please see Big Red Camp Sessions for a list of camps offered this year, descriptions, participant limits, costs, and scholarship opportunities.
4-H Camp
The 2025 What’s the Buzz? season of the Nebraska State 4-H Camp will share the importance of pollinators in Nebraska- why they’re important, how they impact agriculture, and what youth can do in their own communities to support the various native pollinators we have in Nebraska. From bees and butterflies to hummingbirds and bats- it’s going to be a week full of learning and fun!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is returning to Chadron and Burwell for summer camp 2025! Youth new to camping can attend a shorter camp session designed to let them experience all the best parts of summer camp in a 3 day/2 night session. Choose from one of two 5 day/4 night sessions for youth 10-14 years old and returning this year is the Leaders in Training camp for high school youth 15-17 years old! Campers will focus on developing leadership skills with an opportunity to put those skills into practice by volunteering at one of our other camp sessions!
Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp.
Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has opened the application process for high school juniors and seniors interested in attending the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI is one of Nebraska’s biggest agriculture youth outreach events. The five-day program brings together students to network with ag leaders, learn more about the industry, and discover careers available in agriculture. NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: It's in our Genes.”
NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 7–11, 2025. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending must apply online at: nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/ All applications must be submitted by the April 15, 2025, deadline. NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their interest in agriculture, leadership skills and involvement.
Volunteer Orientation
Nebraska 4-H has launched a new volunteer orientation. This online training serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska and covers a few essential topics for volunteers. While the orientation is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the course. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.
Enroll as a volunteer or enroll your youth! More details at https://go.unl.edu/SaundersEnroll
Nebraska 4-H Glossary
The Nebraska 4-H Glossary provides general terminology and language used within the Nebraska 4-H program. Check it out at https://4h.unl.edu/glossary
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.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made in advance to the Saunders County Extension Office.
As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.
Email: Saunders-county@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/saunders/
Location: Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC)
1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE, United States
Phone: (402) 624-8030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaundersCountyExtension4h
Instagram: https://instagram.com/saunders_county_extension_4H
4-H Extension Educator
Cole Meador- cmeador2@unl.edu
Administrative Assistant
Sara Hass - shass3@unl.edu