The 4-H Update
April 8, 2022
New and Timely Deadlines
April is the Month of the Military Child
Held on April 15th of each year, “Purple Up! For Military Kids” is a day for Department of Defense Education Activity communities to wear purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices.
Contribute to our Padlet Wall using the link - https://go.unl.edu/momc2022 - to post pictures wearing purple, of your military family, friends or neighbors. You can also write words of encouragement, or share what Purple Up means to you.
Shooting Sports Competition Dates are Set!
June 9th-Shooting Sports Air Rifle Competition, 5 PM Sarpy County Fairgrounds
June 11th-Shooting Sports BB Gun Competition, 10 AM, Sarpy County Fairgrounds
June 12th-Shooting Sports Archery Competition, NOON, Sarpy County Fairgrounds
Deadline for all three is May 23, 2022
Check out all the details in the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/sarpy-county-and-nebraska-state-fairs/
Volunteer Opportunity at Earth Day
Omaha Earth Day is on April 23rd from 11:00- 6:00 at Elmwood Park. This is a wonderful opportunity for the 4-H program to promote 4-H and share our projects with others. We are looking for volunteers that could come out and help talk about 4-H. Rabbit exhibitors we are looking for youth to bring their bunnies to the park to share with the public. Please contact 4-H Council Member Tracey Jones 402/980-4879 or tracey.jones@ops.org
FAIRBOOK is now online!
Fair Project Idea - Zinnias
Division 770 – Floriculture
CLASS 22 ZINNIA
When planting flowers of a garden, make sure you write down the cultivar or variety name, this information must be included on all entry cards at fair. Include 5 stems of a single variety (cultivar) in each entry. Learn how to get flowers ready at https://4h.unl.edu/preparingcutflowers
See more from the HORTICULTURE part of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-horticulture-2022.pdf
Workshops and Upcoming Contests
4-H Public Speaking Contest Sign Up Deadline - April 15
The 4-H Public Speaking Contest will be April 28, 2022, Thursday from 5-7 PM, in-person at the Douglas-Sarpy Extension office.
--Public Speaking entries for the contest are DUE by April 15, 2022. All youth participating in the 4-H Public Speaking Contest must be enrolled in 4-H in order to enter the contest. We are excited to offer an online contest entry form for the Public Speaking contest entries this year. Link to contest entry form: https://go.unl.edu/4hpublicspeaking_2022
Learn how to make Jelly on April 19
Where: zoom
Sign up at https://go.unl.edu/jellyclass
Jelly is entered into the fair in
Department E - Healthy Lifestyles
Division 408 – Boiling Water Canning
CLASS 7 - 1 JAR JELLED EXHIBIT (Scoresheet SF153)
Exhibit one jar of a jam, jelly or marmalade. Entry must be processed in a boiling
water bath according to current USDA recommendations.
See more in the foods area of the fairbook at:
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-food-and-nutrition-2022.pdf
Clover Kid Club - April 19 - Bugs and Bunnies!
Parents and children ages 5-7 are invited to be a part of the Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Clover Kid Program.
2022 Clover Kid Dates:
April 19 from 6-7 pm – Bugs and Bunnies - Learn about Rabbits and bugs (Small pet show info. available as well as pet hissing cockroaches to those who want them.)
May 17 from 6-7 pm – Fashion Show and Gardening Basics.
Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Counties is located at 8015 West Center Road, Omaha. There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to preregister with Rachel at rwright4@unl.edu.
Bugging Out - April 19
When: April 19, 7 pm (after the Clover Kid Club)
Where: Douglas-Sarpy Extension office at 8015 West Center Road, Omaha
Cost: FREE
RSVP to Rachel at rwright4@unl.edu
*any unwanted cockroaches need to be returned to the 4-H office, please do not release them into the wild.
4-H Happy Hands Quilt Club
4-H Happy Hands Quilt Club is Open for new members!
When: April 19 - third Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30-8:30
Where: Celtic Quilter (5080 S 108th in Omaha).
The leader will have sewing machines available for members to use and typically provide all the project materials needed during the meetings. For more information, contact club leader Stephanie Jacobson at stephkucera@hotmail.com.
Summer Information
Rocket Building Classes
Beginner Rocket Building Workshop
In this workshop, youth (ages 5 and up) will learn how to build a basic model of the Estes Alpha III rockets and learn about the launch process for the 4-H contest!
- Tuesday, June 14th - Register by June 7 from 1-2:30pm
- Douglas-Sarpy Office (Rooms A & B)
- Cost: $10
Sign up at https://cvent.me/Z1NZDa
Advanced Rocket Building Workshop
In this workshop, youth will learn how to build a basic model of an advanced ESTES rocket and learn about the launch process for the 4-H contest!
- Wednesday, June 15th - Register by June 8 from 1-3:30pm
- Douglas-Sarpy Office (Rooms A & B)
- 8+ ( Whoever is ready for advanced rocket building and launching)
- Cost: $10
Sign up at https://cvent.me/M2PdbQ
Barn Quilt Workshop
What: Barn Quilt Workshop
Date/Time: June 28, 2022, 9 am-noon
Where: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
8015 W Center Rd.
Omaha, NE
Cost: $25 per kid
Ages welcome: 8-18
Limited Registration -Don't Wait! Register at https://cvent.me/r0Ddg0
During the workshop, youth will learn about colors and quilt designing and how this applies to barn quilts. Youth will choose your barn quilt pattern, put the guide lines your design on the wood canvas, and paint the design. Before the workshop youth will need to paint the base coat on the wood canvas. They will need to bring their own paint to the workshop. To complete the barn quilt, youth will need at least 2 colors and no more than 5 colors. The wood canvas is one foot by one foot. The type of paint that will work best is acrylic paint: brands like Apple Barrel or FolkArt will work for this project. Acrylic paint from any craft supply store or grocery supercenter art section will work. All other materials needed to design and paint the barn quilt will be provided.
Fair Information
The 4-H Pick Your Project is an online project selection guide used to explore Nebraska 4-H projects here.
Purchase 4-H Manuals at:
- UNL MARKETPLACE: https://marketplace.unl.edu/ne4h/curriculum
- NATIONAL 4-H MALL: http://www.4-hmall.org/Category/educationresources.aspx
Project Ideas - here.
Livestock Information
HORSE LEVEL TESTING REQUIREMENTS
All youth who intend to compete in riding events at the Sarpy County Fair Must first pass (at minimum) the Level 1 Horsemanship Test.
This test consists of a Written Test, Club Demonstration and a riding skills test.
All youth competing in the District or State Horse Shows must pass the Level 2 Horsemanship Test.
Please contact Brett to start the process of Level Testing.
402-444-1799 or bkreifels3@unl.edu
Youth Interested in Poultry Judging
All 4-H youth are invited to attend a Poultry Judging Team Informational Meeting.
When: May 17 from 7:30-8:30 pm
Where: Cass County Extension Office - 8400 144 St. Suite #100, Weeping Water
Sign up at https://go.unl.edu/poultryjudgingmeeting
Questions: Contact Brett at brett.kreifels@unl.edu or Mirissa at mscholting2@unl.edu
Learn about the contest at https://4h.unl.edu/pase/contests#poultry
Sarpy County Fair Market Broiler Project
- The Sarpy County Fair Broiler Classes will consist of a Pen of 3 Market Broilers.
- A Pen of 3 Broilers will consist of 3 Male or 3 Females
- All 4-Hers must sign up for the Broiler Project and receive their chicks at the same time.
- Broilers may be picked up on the week of June 6th (Exact Date is TBD) from 10am-5 pm from the Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office at 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
- Only those youth who have signed up for the broiler project and receive their broilers through the program are eligible to compete.
- Families may share an order of chicks but the same family members may not show the same birds.
- Broilers will be judged on marketability, degree of muscling and uniformity.
- A Champion and Reserve Pen of 3 Broilers will be awarded
- Champion and Reserve Pens and Purple Ribboned Pens are eligible for the Sarpy County Fair Premium Auction on Saturday, August 6th
CLASS 935* Market Broiler Pen of 3
Cost: $2.10 per chick (Chicks will be Straight Run, meaning males and females will be together)
Sign up by Friday, May 6th
Important Livestock & Horse Due Dates
May 6th-Horse ID sheets for District & State Competition are due to the office
May 6th-District Horse Entries are due to our office
May 6th-All Horse Level 2 requirements must be met to compete at District & State Horse Shows
June 1st-Horse ID Sheets for the County Fair Only Competition are Due
June 15th-YQCA Completion Due
June 15th-Livestock, Rabbit & Cavy ID sheets Due
July 1st-All Horse Level Testing for Sarpy County Fair Competition is due
July 15th-All Sarpy County Fair Horse, Livestock, Poultry, Rabbit and Cavy Entries due
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) information
In Person YQCA will be offered
- May 24th: 6:30 PM at the Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 W Center Rd
- June 7th: 6:30 PM at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds, Springfield
Deadline to Complete YQCA Training, June 15th
Statewide and National Opportunities
Western Dressage Clinic Horse Clinic
The University of Nebraska—Lincoln Department of Animal Science Extension will host its second Western Dressage Clinic: Learning The new WDAA 2022 Tests Through the Levels.
The clinic will be from 1 - 5 p.m. Saturday May 14 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday May 15 at the R.B. Warren Arena, Animal Science Complex, 3940 Fair St.
Western Dressage Clinic is for those looking for a challenge or just something new for their horse and themselves. See more here.
Youth Leadership Conference
Mark Your Calendars
4-H Events | Nebraska Extension (unl.edu)
April 15 - Building Better Babysitters workshop https://cvent.me/RRV79n
April 15 - 4-H Public Speaking contest entries DUE
April 19 from 6-7 pm– Gardening Basics and Learning about Rabbits - Clover Kid Club
April 28 - 4-H Public Speaking Contest (evening time TBD) "A Guide to Making Great 4-H Speeches" - https://4h.unl.edu/documents/guidetomakinggreatspeeches.pdf
May 19 - 4-H Presentation workshop, 6:30-7:30 PM
May 23 - Deadline for Shooting Sports Competitions
May 31 - 4-H Table Toppers workshop 6:30-7:30 PM
June 4 - 4-H Small Pet and Cat Show 9 am at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds
June 9th-Shooting Sports Air Rifle Competition, 5 PM Sarpy County Fairgrounds
June 10 - 4-H Presentation contest entries DUE https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eaPPn2c3WGXy3Ea
June 11th-Shooting Sports BB Gun Competition, 10 AM, Sarpy County Fairgrounds
June 12th-Shooting Sports Archery Competition, NOON, Sarpy County Fairgrounds
June 12-17, 2022, Big Red Camps (times TBD)
June 14, 2022 1:00 PM-3:00 PM - Rocket Building Entry-Level Workshop
June 15, 2022 1:00 PM-4:00 PM - Rocket Building Advanced-Level Workshop
June 16 - 4-H Fashion Show workshop, 6:30-7:30 PM
June 21 - Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Presentation Contest (times TBD)
June 24 - 4-H Table Toppers contest entries DUE
June 30 - Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Table Toppers Contest (times TBD)
July 8 - 4-H Fashion Show contest entries DUE
July 8 - Rocket Launch Entry Forms Due
July 13 3:30 PM-6:30 PM - Rocket Launch Contest (times TBD)
July 14 - Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Fashion Show judging day (times TBD)
August 4 - Douglas-Sarpy Public Fashion Show @ Sarpy County Fair (time TBD)
Enroll in 4-H for the 2022 4-H year
Nebraska 4-H has transitioned to 4honline 2.0. To enroll, click here.
For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member.
Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member.
Please note the enrollment fee for Douglas-Sarpy counties is $10.00 per member and is paid online. Enrollments are due June 15, 2022.
Please contact Mary Dierks at mdierks@sarpy.com with any questions.
All 4-H Volunteers for Douglas-Sarpy 4-H will need to be rescreened this year regardless of their last screening. To enroll and begin the screening process visit and enroll via 4-H Online. Volunteers may not work with youth until volunteer enrollment and screening is complete.
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
Email: douglas-sarpy4h@unl.edu
Website: www.douglas-sarpy.unl.edu
Location: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-444-7804
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/douglassarpy4h