4-H members and families interested in learning more about the Companion Animal Contest (formerly small pet show and cat show) are invited to attend a question and answer session. Families will learn about requirements and can get help working on their presentation for the contest.

When: March 7, 2023

Time: 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.

During this workshop, youth will learn about basic cooking science. They will learn how to make 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.

Nineteen 4-H'ers from across Nebraska qualified to be in the student show. Thanks to SOHO Academy for preparing the models with professional make-up and hair styles.

It’s time to work on those Diamond Clover plans! This program encourages youth to engage in a variety of age-appropriate experiences and rewards youth for trying new things, setting goals, and keeping records. Learn more and find planning forms at https://4h.unl.edu/diamond-clover

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

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, 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.

When: Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

Where: Celtic Quilter, 5080 S. 108th Street, Omaha

For more information, contact Club Leader Stephanie at (stephkucera@hotmail.com).

*This club usually meets on the third Tuesday of the month.

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

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

The 4-H Communications Contest is a combination of the 4-H Public Speaking and Presentations Contests.

When: April 27, 5-8 pm

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

For 4-Hers 5 and up.

Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdC6gkWs4Qh6HuTGkXNme5GhwoWZu9vg7ZYfLxcqHzqhs2qjQ/viewform

Tips for writing a great 4-H speech can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/documents/guidetomakinggreatspeeches.pdf

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.

New members handouts can be found at https://go.unl.edu/newmemberhandouts

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.

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)

YQCA Training Dates:

• Tuesday May 16th at UNL Extension office; 8015 W. Center Rd. Omaha 68124 at 6:30 pm
• Tuesday June 6th at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds, in Springfield 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

Virtual Companion Animal Challenge entries, including essays, art, photography, and demonstrations, are due by Saturday, April 1, and the online dog and cat trivia contest will be available from April 10-16. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/companion-animal-challenge

Nebraska 4-H is now accepting nominations for a new awards program to recognize the outstanding contributions of 4-H volunteers across the state.

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Recognition Awards honors adult and youth volunteers, as well as and multi-generational families, who have provided meaningful contributions to Nebraska 4-H. One Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award and One Emerging Adult Volunteer Award winner will be chosen for each of the state’s 11 Nebraska Extension Engagement zones. One statewide winner will be named in the each of the youth volunteer and multi-generational family categories.

Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter, or Extension staff member. More information, along with the nomination form, is available online at: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-recognition.

Introductory virtual horse clinic will be Wednesdays May 3, 10, 17, & 24 at 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. CT

New 2023 topics include: Equine First Aid, Managing/Minimizing Vices, Biosecurity and Bits.

Interactive Kits will include, mini equine first aid kit, printed material, & beginning horsemanship online course codes.

Deadline to sign up to receive kits by the start of the workshop is April 17th. You may still sign up to participate all the way up to April 24th but we can only guarantee arrival of your kit prior to the start date if signed up by the 17 of April.

Cost to participate in this workshop: $50

Register at: https://cvent.me/g1qmAG or https://go.unl.edu/introtoequine

Any questions, please contact Grace Kim at grace.kim@unl.edu

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.

! https://4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps