The 4-H Update
January 14, 2022
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.
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.
Upcoming Deadlines
Achievement Application for National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, and the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships until Saturday, February 5th
Nebraska 4-H recognizes and awards individuals and groups for outstanding achievements and contributions to their community, club, and their own personal development. Recognition and awards are available throughout all levels and programs of 4-H. We have made the decision to POSTPONE the ACHIEVEMENT APPLICATION for National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, and the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships until Saturday, February 5th for this year only. This should give youth and counties who have not taken the opportunity to promote this opportunity to do so, and still allow youth time to complete and submit their applications. Due to this postponement, the turnaround time for those applicants selected to interview for National 4-H Conference and attend, will be quicker than normal. National 4-H Conference will take place in the Washington DC area March 19-24, 2022. We just received word it will be offered as a hybrid event this year. As an FYI, National 4-H Congress is set to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, November 25-29, 2022.
Instructions and forms for the Achievement Application can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/achievement-application. Please note, youth can submit the forms via PDF, Microsoft Word, or Google. State-level applications must be emailed to 4HAchieves@unl.edu no later than 11:59PM CT on Saturday, February 5th. If applications have already been submitted but youth would like to revise them, they simply need to re-send them to the email address with a note to say this is their final, updated submission by the new deadline.
Nebraska 4-H Camps - Scholarships due January 31
Beautiful camp location in the Nebraska National Forest in Halsey, Nebraska! 4 and 5 day residential camp sessions available for ages 8-18.
Scholarships available and refer a NEW camper discount until Jan. 31 – https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-camp/scholarship
View full descriptions and register online here: https://4h.unl.edu/camps-centers/summer-camp/schedule
Valentine's Design Decisions Workshop - Registration Deadline Feb. 3
When: February 10, 2022 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Counties is located at 8015 West Center Road, Omaha.
Cost $15
Sign up at: https://cvent.me/01BygR
Upcoming Events
4-H Spirit Day
Clover Kid 2022
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:
January 18 from 6-7 pm - Financial Literacy
February 15 from 6-7 pm – Science Spectacular
March 15 from 6-7 pm – Chickens and learning more about the 4-H Speech Contest
April 19 from 6-7 pm– Gardening Basics and Learning about Rabbits
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.
Mechanical Engineering Workshop
When: March 30, 2022 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Counties is located at 8015 West Center Road, Omaha.
Cost $15
In this engaging workshop, youth (ages 8 and older) will learn about mechanical engineering and apply skills learned to build cardboard automatas! Cardboard automata is a type of mechanical sculpture made of simple materials. As youth build, they can explore simple machine elements such as cams, levers, and linkages in a playful way. Join us as we bring stories and ideas to life with these cool mechanical sculptures that can be entered into fair!
Sign up by March 23 at: https://cvent.me/m7R221
Project Ideas
4-H Project Idea - Quilt
Level I Quilted Exhibits
Pieced quilts are made up of squares and/or rectangles.
CLASS 50 SMALL Maximum length + width = less than 60” This size includes miniature quilts, wall hangings, table runners, placemats, and pillows. All items must be quilted. Pillows must have a quilted top, not just pieced patchwork
See more from last year's fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-quilting-2021.pdf
Yummy Sugar Cookies
1 ¼ cups white sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.
2. Cream together sugar and butter. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla.
3. Add flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Stir.
4. Form dough into walnut size balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Don't flatten. Bake 10 to 11 minutes, until tops are cracked and just turning color.
See more recipes from Food.UNL.Edu
Cookies can be entered into the fair. Make sure you include a copy of your recipe!
Free school Enrichment Civic Engagement: Games for Change for 6th - 8th Grades
Civic Engagement: Games for Change is an experiential learning experience to teach students about the three branches of government and their roles and functions, as well as the fourth branch, which is about the rights and responsibilities of individuals. The enrichment consists of four sessions. Each session includes the main content, an interactive online game called iCivics (e.g., Executive Command, Branches of Power, County Work) to reinforce the lesson, and a class discussion to reflect on what was learned. Students will also participate in an impact point challenge through which they can donate their game points to actual community organizations.
Fee: FREE (Funded by a grant from USDA/CYFAR)
Sign up and learn more at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/school-enrichment-registration-form/?option=44
Livestock Information
4-H Market Beef Weigh Day
Saturday, January 29th 2022 from 9 am-11 am
Cooper Farm (Omaha Home For Boys)
8502 Mormon Bridge Rd, Omaha, NE 68152-1929
Beef Weigh Day is for those market beef animals that will be participating in the Beef Rate of Gain contest at the 2022 Sarpy County Fair. Animals in the 2nd year Bucket Calf Program are not eligible.
This will also be an opportunity to tag the animal with an EID Tag or a County-Only Tag. Additionally, DNA will also be pulled for those market animals participating in the 2022 Nebraska State Fair or AKSARBEN Stock Show.
EID Tags are required for Market Beef and Feeder Calves being entered in the Nebraska State Fair and AKSARBEN. Prices: $3 for the EID Tags and $2.50 for the County Only Tags.
Any Questions, please contact Brett Kreifels, 402-444-1799
Livestock Achievement Program
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership. Learn more at https://4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement-program
Statewide Opportunities
4-H Rabbit Show, March 19
The 4-H Spring Rabbit Show will be held Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m. at the Lancaster Event Center Fairgrounds – Exhibit Hall. Registration 7:30–8:30 a.m. 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 to enter! All rabbits must be in carriers with leak-proof bottoms. Show flyer is at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/companionanimal. For more information, call Bob at 402-525-8263 or the Extension office at 402-441-7180.
Rabbit Showmanship video here.
2022 UNL Chick Days - open to youth and adults!
2022 UNL Chick Days: March 26, 2022 10am -2pm
Where: Animal Science Complex, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Student Commons
An educational event for small and back-yard poultry producers and youth featuring speakers on the following topics:
- 10:00 am-- Backyard flock health - Dr. Don Reynolds
- 10:30 am-- Inspection regulations for small flock egg and meat producers- Dr. Gary Sullivan
- 11:00 am-- A balanced diet for your backyard flock - Dr. Patrick Biggs, Purina
- 11: 30 am-- Planning ahead for your 4-H Poultry Projects - Brett Kreifels, Douglas/Sarpy County Extension
- 12:00 pm-- Lunch - Question/Answer period with speakers
- 1: 00 pm-- Poultry Judging Short Format Clinic
More info. and registration can he found here.
Special Garden Project
The Special Garden Project gives 4-H members the opportunity to try growing a new and unusual vegetable or flower each year. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun and exciting while letting those who are newer to gardening get their feet wet in the horticulture project area.
Learn more at https://4h.unl.edu/special-garden-project
Ag Innovators Experience
Nebraska 4-H is seeking 20 teens to lead the Ag Innovators Experience statewide. The challenge for 2022 is “Unlock Ag Innovations”. It will be a visually engaging, hands-on, and culturally relevant instructive escape room challenge for youth to learn about agricultural technologies.
If selected to be a facilitator, youth will need to attend a training session in Grand Island at Raising Nebraska on March 5th, 2022.
Application Form: https://go.unl.edu/aie_2022
2022 Agronomy Project
Broomcorn is a type of sorghum that started as a garden crop, but soon evolved into being grown for making brooms for the home. The plant is a course grass that gowns 6-15 ft tall. The top of the plant produces long fibers called the brush. Towards the tip of the brush is where the seeds appear. The seeds when immature are pea-green in color and when ripe are tan, reddish tan, or brown.
Nebraska 4-H Projects and Resources
See all about it here.
Purchase Manuals at:
- UNL MARKETPLACE: https://marketplace.unl.edu/ne4h/curriculum
- NATIONAL 4-H MALL: http://www.4-hmall.org/Category/educationresources.aspx
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Mark Your Calendars
4-H Events | Nebraska Extension (unl.edu)
January 18 from 6-7 pm – Financial Literacy - Clover Kid Club
February 10, 2022 6-8 pm Valentine's Design Decisions Workshop - Wood Burning
February 15 from 6-7 pm – Science Spectacular - Clover Kid Club
March 15 from 6-7 pm – Chickens and 4-H Speech Workshop- Clover Kid Club
March 24 - Speech Workshop 6:30 -7:30 PM - Sign up at https://forms.gle/CKvgBvGKj41C1P4z6
March 31- STEM Workshop - 5:00 PM-6:30 PM
April 15 - Building Better Babysitters workshop (times TBD)
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
My 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 10 - 4-H Presentation contest entries DUE
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)
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/NebraskaExtensioninDouglasSarpyCounties/