The 4-H Update
July 27, 2023
Fair Time!
Remember, staff will have limited access to email and phones during the fair.
General Fair Information
Plan to pick up your 4-H shirts starting on August 1 in the 4-H building. There will also be a booth in the livestock building later in the week. Thank you to the Sarpy County Farm Bureau for this donation!
If awarded a plaque or belt buckle, please remember to send the thank you note to the donor.
Ride the 4-H Float - Wear a 4-H shirt and meet at the 4-H building on Saturday at 8:30 am to help decorate. The parade will start at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 10 am and will end at the fairgrounds.
Enjoy the Rodeo - rodeo tickets will be available at the 4H fair office starting on entry day through Friday at 4:00 pm. No tickets will be available after 4 pm on Friday. Youth or Parents will have to sign off for a ticket. Tickets for parents will have to be purchased at the Sarpy fair ticket office.
2023 Sarpy County Fair Coloring Contest is due August 1 in the 4-H building. Get your sheets at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vUkhxLWFuyTxSBdOiiZ_A0h7mXaLEkH_/view
- 4-H Food Stand - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C4AAAA628A0FD0-sarpy
- Fair History Table - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4bafab23a6fcc25-history#/ For more information about this email Katherine at ksundgren@unl.edu
- Passport table - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4bada92caaf5c52-2023#/ For more information, contact Alaina at Alaina.kauffman@unl.edu
Static Exhibits
Entry Day
Entry Day for static exhibits is Tuesday, August 1st from noon to 7 p.m. at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds in the green 4-H building.
You will need to look at the fairbook to find the Department, Division and Class Numbers, as well as necessary information for each area. https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/sarpy-county-and-nebraska-state-fairs/
Interview Judging is an opportunity for 4-H members to talk to judges about their static exhibits and share their trials and lessons they learned. 4-H'ers also learn what the judge looks for and how to improve skills.
Supporting Info. for Static Exhibits
- How to Prepare Photographs for Exhibit in 4-H at Fair - https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dixon/HowToPreparePhotosForFair.pdf
- Home Environment - Supporting information is preferred for all Home Environment exhibit. Tag templates can be found at http://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomeenvironment
- First Aid Kit Tips https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/2018/FirstAidKit.pdf
- All food items need to have a recipe included.
- Some Clothing items (including tie dye) need a Design Data Card must be included with this project. The design data card is available here.
Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit - https://documentcloud.adobe.com/spodintegration/index.html?locale=en-us
4-H Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits - https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/central4/PreparingCutFlowers.pdf
Canning Tips for Food Preservation - https://go.unl.edu/canning
Visual Arts Supporting Info. sheet: here.
Week for Fair Information
Friday - Pie Auction
Over the past few years, various 4-H volunteers have been auctioned off to take a pie to the face. Thank you to all who have taken parts in this favorite at fair!
Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council's annual "pie to the face" is now accepting nominations to be pied!
What do you need to do to participate:
--nominate a 4-H leader or 4-h volunteer
--the nominee has to agree to it and needs to be present on August 4th at 5:00 pm at the Sarpy County Fair Open Air Auditorium
--please bring friends and family to bid on "pieing" their volunteer- a friendly competition
Names must be submitted to Kdworak@cox.net or call Shellee at (402-210-1904) by August 2.
Remember, there is a limit of 4 people to be pied so get your names in fast.
Livestock Information
Fair Clean up
Monday, August 1st at 5:30 PM for Livestock, poultry and rabbits.
Animal Shows at Sarpy County Fair
July 29th 9:00 am Horse Show-Performance Events, Trail to Follow Rodeo Arena
August 3rd at 7 pm is the Horse Speed Events in the arena
August 2nd 8:30 am Rabbit & Cavy Shows
August 3rd 8:00 am Swine Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 10:00 am Sheep Lead Livestock Building
August 3rd 10:30 am Meat Goat Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 1:00 pm Sheep Show Livestock Building
August 4th 8:00 am Goat Show Livestock Building
August 4th 11:30 am Bucket Calf Show Livestock Building
August 4th 1:00 pm Beef Show Livestock Building
August 5th, 11 am - Adult Showmanship Fundraiser with Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council, sign up and pay $20 that morning. The entry fee will go towards the 4-H Council.
August 5th, 12 pm - Best Dressed Animal Competition where youth will be dressing up their swine, goats, cattle and sheep. The public is invited to watch this fun event. Horses, rabbits and poultry best dressed take place at their perspective shows.
August 5th, 1 pm - Elite Showmanship Competition where the champions from large animal showmanship species will compete to be Douglas-Sarpy's Elite Showman
Sarpy County Fair Premium Auction
Any 4-Her who wins Champion or Reserve Market Animal in their respective species or gets a purple ribbon in the market animal classes is eligible to participate in the Sarpy County Fair Premium Auction. The 4-Her must declare their intent to participate no more than 30 minutes after their animal is shown.
Forms will be available to fill out and returned to the announcers table at the livestock shows. Youth Participating in the Market Beef, Swine, Goat, Sheep, Broiler and Market Fryer Rabbit projects are eligible.
Youth must be present, in their 4-H show attire, with their animal during the auction. Auction begins at 4 pm on Saturday, August 5th in the Livestock Building.
The public is invited to support local 4-Her's livestock projects by bidding during the annual Premium Auction. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/776048967167433
Horse High Point Donations
Please consider donating to the Sarpy County Fair Horse show! The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council is seeking donations for the Horse Program High Point Awards. These awards allow us to recognize all of the hard work that our 4-H'ers put in with their projects every year. Order forms can be found at https://files.constantcontact.com/f3efa1f3101/b742382e-6b7c-4cfb-9f05-ca29af06edd0.pdf
Send checks and forms to:
Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council
P.O. Box 24518
Omaha, NE 68124-24518
Make Checks Payable to Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council. For more information contact Alaina Kauffman: alaina.kauffman@unl.edu.
NE State Fair
The 2023 Nebraska State Fair entry site is now open!
All contest participants, dog exhibitors, and livestock exhibitors must complete the online entry process via ShoWorks by 8:00 p.m. CST on August 10.
Review all rules, eligibility, and entry limits available at 4h.unl.edu/state-fair before entering!
1st annual 4-H Day at the Nebraska State Fair
The Nebraska State Fair is thrilled to host the 1st annual 4-H Day at the Nebraska State Fair. 4-H Day will be Sunday, August 27th. To celebrate our 4-H members statewide we are offering a discounted admission that day that is only for bonafide 4-H members. They will be able to enter the Fair for $5. The link is https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7980811/4h-day-at-nebraska-state-fair-good-on-aug-27-only-lincoln-nebraska-state-fairlivestock. This is only intended for 4-H members, family members including parents will need to purchase regular admission tickets. This is not just for exhibitors, but for any 4-H member.
Special thanks to the team at the Nebraska State Fair for offering this opportunity to all Nebraska 4-H youth! In hopes to continuing this tradition, please share this announcement with your families as well as highlighting that the discount tickets are for enrolled youth only.
For any questions, please contact Amy Kelley akelley@statefair.org at the Nebraska State Fair.
4-H Project Showcase
The county fair is one way for members to showcase their hard work, and here’s another! The 4-H Project Showcase is an opportunity for youth to receive statewide recognition for their favorite project or a project they are particularly proud of. Projects submitted by August 10 will be featured at the Nebraska State Fair. All 4-H members and projects are eligible regardless of the awards received through judging or the ability to have it judged at the county level. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/project-showcase.
4-H Chicken BBQ Contest at the Nebraska State Fair
When: Sunday, August 27, 2023
Where: Raising NE Building, NE State Fair, Grand Island
Must sign-up by State Fair 4-H Contest Entries Deadline — August 10, 2023 NSF 2023
Rules: https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/58
Superintendent: Sheila Purdum, spurdum2@unl.edu
2023 Virtual Video Companion Animal Showmanship Contest!
This is a FREE contest for youth with any sort of companion animal that can compete in and get feedback from our judges. Videos should be recorded at the youth’s home and submitted following the instructions outlined below. Submissions for registration with video entries are from July 1st, 2023 to August 14, 2023 (entry deadline) at 5pm CST.
For more information and to find the online entry form: https://4h.unl.edu/companion-animal-showmanship-contest
Ongoing Programs
Be included in our 4-Hers of the Week spotlight
Do you have a notable 4-H moment? Upload your project pictures to be included in our newsletter at https://go.unl.edu/4-hwinners
4-H Quilt Club
When: Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Interested members can contact Club Leader Stephanie at (stephkucera@hotmail.com).
*This club usually meets on the third Tuesday of the month.
Paddock Posse - Horseless Horse Club
Please join Douglas-Sarpy's Horseless Horse Club!
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
When: TBA (usually the first Friday of every Month) at 5 pm
Who: Youth ages 8-18
Let's learn more about the Horse Industry and Horse Related Topics!
You need to rsvp with Alaina at Alaina.kauffman@unl.edu
Participate in the Quilts of Valor Program
The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H program would like to encourage our youth to participate in the Quilts of Valor program.
A Quilt of Valor® (QOV) is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The Quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.”
4-H members and volunteers can work alone or in groups to make the quilts. Perhaps you can find someone who will help donate fabric, batting or machine-quilting to complete your project. You may want to contact a service organization or other donors in your community to help provide funds for the Quilt of Valor. Learn more about the program at
https://4h.unl.edu/documents/Quilts%20of%20Valor%20State-wide%20Challenge%20GUIDELINES.pdf
Diamond Clover Program
4-H Dates
July 29th 9:00 AM Horse Show-Performance Events, Trail to Follow Rodeo Arena
August 1st 12:00-7:00 PM Entry Day & Interview Judging-All Static Exhibits 4-H Building
August 1st 3:00-8:00 PM Rabbit and Poultry Check In Rabbit/Poultry Building
August 2nd 8:00-11:00 AM Swine Check-in Livestock Building
August 2nd 8:30 AM Rabbit & Cavy Show Rabbit/Poultry Building
August 2nd 9:00 AM Poultry Show Rabbit/Poultry Building
August 2nd 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Sheep & Goat Check in Livestock Building
August 2nd 11:00 AM-2:00 PM Beef & Bucket Calf Check In Livestock Building
August 2nd 3:30 PM Tractor Driving Contest North Parking Lot
August 2nd 5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies Kersten Memorial
August 2nd 5:30 PM 4-H Building Opens to Public
August 2nd 6:00 PM 4-H Fashion Show Open Air
August 2nd 10:00 PM 4-H Building Closes
August 3rd 8:00 AM Swine Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 10:00 AM Sheep Lead Livestock Building
August 3rd 10:00 AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
August 3rd 10:30 AM Meat Goat Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 1:00 PM Sheep Show Livestock Building
August 3rd 5:00 PM The Showcase of 4-H Gems Open Air
August 3rd 7:00 PM Horse Speed Events Rodeo Arena
August 3rd 10:00 PM 4-H Building Closes
August 4th 8:00 AM Dairy Goat Show Livestock Building
August 4th 9:30 AM Pygmy & Fainting Goat Show Livestock Building
August 4th 9:30 AM Bucket Calf Interviews Open Air
August 4th 10:00 AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
August 4th 11:30 AM Bucket Calf Show Livestock Building
August 4th 1:00 PM Beef Show Livestock Building
August 4th 5:00 PM 4-H Council Pie Auction Open Air
August 4th 8:00 PM Rodeo (4-H Section Tickets Available) Rodeo Arena
August 4th 8:00 PM Parade of Champions Rodeo Arena
August 5th 10:00 AM Sarpy County Fair Parade Main Street
August 5th 10:00AM-10:00 PM 4-H Building Open
August 5th 11:00 AM Adult Showmanship Contest Livestock Building
August 5th Noon Best Dressed Contest Livestock Building
August 5th 1:00 PM Elite Showmanship Contest Livestock Building
August 5th 4:00 PM 4-H Premium Auction Livestock Building
August 6th 6:30 AM-9:30 AM 4-H Livestock Released Livestock Building
August 6th 4:00 PM-5:30 PM 4-H Static Exhibits Released
August 7th 9:00 AM-12:00 PM 4-H Static Exhibits Released & 4-H Building Clean Up
- August 10 - State Fair Animal Entries Due
- Aug. 25 - Sep. 4, 2023 - Nebraska State Fair
- Oct. 4 - Douglas-Sarpy Discount Day at Vala's Pumpkin Patch (more details to come)
- June 20 and Friday, June 21, 2024 - PACE - https://4h.unl.edu/pase
Next Week
Learn more
Leader Newsletter - Check out all the issues here.
The Nebraska 4-H Glossary https://4h.unl.edu/glossary
4-H Shooting Sports information can be found here.
Start a club: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18S0FvDS90FXh_xsP5s-NSD3DKu1gVlx0?usp=sharing
New Member Handouts (Drive folder)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1atu4VKDHTYukncs9_gVpRwPTY4MvbuRe?usp=sharing
New Member Guidebook
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j99YzlGpClOexfXZDJJrouP9USUTtVn_/view?usp=share_link
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
Submit your community service project at 4h.unl.edu/csps
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
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.