When: Saturday, Feb. 11, at 9:00am

Where: Lancaster Event Center

This event is open to 4-H'ers from other counties and is a "just for fun" show. No pre-registration, no ribbons are awarded, but every participant gets a prize. This is more for youth (especially youth new to the Cat project) to get experience, gain some knowledge, and learn/get some tips on showing.

https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/documents/Cat-Show-Spring-23.pdf

During this workshop, youth will learn about basic cooking science. They will learn how to keep their kitchen space clean and basic kitchen safety and hygiene. They will also get to practice their measuring skills. Kids will practice their cooking skills by making quick bread muffins, smoothies, and trail mix.

When: March 16, 2023,

Time: 9 am to noon

Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha

Cost: $15 per youth.

Ages 8-18 welcome, but registration space is limited.

Register by March 9 at https://forms.gle/7cDxLrBBLJ1yVeMd9.

Email Katherine at ksundgren@unl.edu if you have questions.

Teen Teachers and College Interns are needed for this summer’s 2023 Build a Hut Camp!

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Stephanie Thorson, Imagine Science Professional Development Officer, at Stephanie.thorson@unl.edu.

Applications due by April 14, 2023

Check out highlights from last summer’s Build a Hut - https://go.unl.edu/bahcompetition

The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.

The program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.

Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 1st by submitting as attachments to an email sent to 4hlivestockachievement@unl.edu

Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.

For more information about the program or the process, go to: Livestock Achievement Program | Nebraska 4-H (unl.edu)

• Put your hands to larger service Weekend on Saturday, February 11, or Sunday, February 12. Don’t forget to submit your recent service project to the Nebraska 4-H Community Service Showcase at 4h.unl.edu/community-service-showcase
• Show our 4-H volunteers some love on February 14.
• Thank our donors or sponsors on February 21.
• And don’t forget to show our local 4-H professionals some appreciation on February 28

Interested in starting a 4-H club? Attend a FREE Zoom meeting to learn how you can start a club in your community. This meeting will provide you with the resources you need to get started. Registration is required to get the Zoom link.

Date: February 16, 2023

Time: 6-7 PM

Registration: https://forms.gle/LLFe3XoWDUopWgTg6

Date: May 10, 2023

Time: 6-7 PM

Registration: https://forms.gle/wDQ58cSkF3uBjQhi7

In the Environmental Education & Earth Sciences, youth can explore how to make "Wildlife Habitat Houses". Examples: bird house (bluebird, purple martin, wood duck, kestrel, barn owl, etc.) or bat house; no insect houses. Make the house functional so that dimensions, hole size etc. are appropriate to fit the intended species' needs. Use this NebGuide for guidance.

Include the following information:

1) the kinds of animal(s) for which the house is intended,

2) where and how the house should be located for best use,

3) any seasonal maintenance needed, and

4) any evidence of your personal observations to experiences.

See more 2023 4-H project ideas at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.642169387476476&type=3

Parents and children ages 5-7 are invited to be a part of the Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Clover Kid Program. March programming will be all about nature and making a rain stick.

Clover Kid Dates: March 7, April 4, and May 2.

Time: 6-7 pm

Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha

There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to preregister with Rachel at rwright4@unl.edu.

The 4-H Spring Rabbit Show will be held on Saturday, March 18, 9 a.m. at the Lancaster Event Center Fairgrounds – Exhibit Hall. Open to all youth ages 8–18, with a Clover Kids class for youth ages 5–7. This is a great opportunity for youth to talk to other 4-H’ers about where to purchase a good rabbit for a 4-H project, and to learn and practice showmanship. Rabbit Quiz and Breed Identification contests are free for youth to enter! New this year: the knowledge contests are open to adults for a minimal fee!

Check out the show flyer at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/rabbit/Rabbit-Show-Spring-23.pdf

For questions, contact Kate Pulec at kpulec3@unl.edu or 402-441-7180.

See an showmanship example at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE8Q_oPyD1A

When: March 21, 6-7 pm

Where: Zoom link will be sent after you register in advance at: https://forms.gle/Np3rXNPV4gsPpZmXA

Want to know more about 4-H? Youth and parents are invited to attend this free Zoom meeting to learn about Douglas-Sarpy 4-H and the ways you can get involved. This meeting will provide you with the resources you need to start your family's 4-H story. Questions? Email Katherine at ksundgren@unl.edu.

Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha

For 4-Hers 5 and up.

The companion animal contest will include cats, small mammals (hamsters, rats) reptiles, snakes, fish, birds and insects.

This year's contest will include a short (under 5 minute presentation). Watch future newsletters for a speech template.

Connect with our experts for this contest at the Nebraska 4-H companion animal page. This page offer opportunities for youth to develop life skills and obtain knowledge of companion animals. The focus of the Nebraska 4-H companion animal programs is the total development of the young person. The companion animals contests, shows, and related activities are utilized as a vehicle for human growth and development.

Registration link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M5SNST6

Cats and ferrets will need to bring Certificate of Vaccination for Cats and Ferrets. https://4h.unl.edu/documents/CompanionAnimal/SF262-Cat-Ferret-Vaccination-Certification-Form%20Updated.pdf

State Fair age of eligibility in 2023 will be 9 years of age before January 1, 2023 for all in-person events* (livestock, contests, fashion shows). *This does not include horse or shooting sports.

All Breeding Beef, Breeding Sheep, Breeding Swine and Breeding Goats MUST have hair pulled and DNA sample submitted along with being nominated in Show Stock Manager by June 15th, 2023.

All Feeder Calves must also have hair pulled and DNA sample submitted and the animal must be nominated in Show Stock Manager by June 15, 2023.

All Market Beef, Market Swine and Feeder Calves must still have an 840 EID

Not sure what you need? Check out the 2023 Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Tag chart here.

For more information, contact Brett Kreifels, Urban Program Coordinator at brett.kreifels@unl.edu

YQCA Training Dates:

• Tuesday May 16th at 6:30 8015 W. Center Rd. Omaha 68124
• Tuesday June 6th at the Fairgrounds at 6:30 pm.

This year there will be a test before and after the course for both in person and online YQCA Trainings.

The following videos have been developed to help walk families through the process:

Help Video: Web-Based Training

Help Video: Instructor-Led Training

1. The help desk is your best option for any issues related to the platform. Please be patient as they get back to you on your requests. These have been responded to quickly over the past couple of weeks but know that as trainings increase, so do help desk tickets. help@yqcaprogram.org

From the food we eat, to the clothes we wear, agriculture positively impacts all of us. To highlight and celebrate agriculture’s many contributions, NDA is sponsoring a student poster contest.

NDA’s annual poster contest is in its 20th year and is open to all Nebraska students in 1st through 6th grades. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Nebraska Agriculture.”

Read more: https://buff.ly/3WvI3tf

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential, career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. By participating in a camp youth get the opportunity to explore the Nebraska campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! During the week-long camps, participants will work with our university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like filmmaking or crop science. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where youth showcase their achievements.

More details will be coming soon! https://4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps

Registration for the 2023 4-H camp season is open! There are a limited number of spots available this year, so we recommend that families register as soon as possible. Session information and registration can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp

Thanks to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation and our generous donors the Nebraska State 4-H Camp has scholarships available for the 2023 season!

Visit https://4h.unl.edu/camps-discounts to apply.

To enroll in 4-H for 2023, 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 per member and is paid online. Enrollments are due June 15, 2023.

Please contact Mary Dierks at mdierks@sarpy.com with any questions.

New 4-H Volunteers for Douglas-Sarpy 4-H will need to be screened and have a background check done. Volunteers may not work with youth until volunteer enrollment and screening is complete. To begin the screening process visit and enroll via 4-H Online.