Nebraska 4-H COVID-19 Information:
Our Response
Virtual & At-Home Learning
Supporting Young People
Nebraska 4-H News
Week of the Volunteer Lunch & Learn registration now open
To celebrate the Week of the Volunteer, Nebraska 4-H is hosting daily 4-H Volunteer Lunch & Learn sessions, including:
- Monday, April 19 @ Noon CT - Incorporating Positive Youth Development into Your Work
- Tuesday, April 20 @ Noon CT - How to Keep the 4-H Experiences Fresh
- Wednesday, April 21 @ Noon CT - Leading a Club that Works
- Thursday, April 22 @ Noon CT - Confidence in Conflict Resolution
Each session will include 30 minutes of content followed by 30 minutes of discussion and networking time. These are great for new and experienced volunteers as well as individuals interested in getting started. Registration is free and open now! Sign up for one, two, three, or all four sessions at go.unl.edu/lunch-learn.
Congratulations to the 2021 Congress Delegates
National 4-H Congress is an award program that provides recognition to 4-H youth for their outstanding performances and achievements in 4-H. It is held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. Each year, Nebraska 4-H can send delegates to National 4-H Congress. Nebraska delegates are selected for a trip to National 4-H Congress by submitting their Senior Achievement Application for state competition. This year, 15 Nebraska 4-H delegates were chosen to receive a partial scholarship to attend the 2021 National 4-H Congress. An additional 4 alternates were selected who may attend at their own expense.
Project of the Year Kits now available
Nebraska 4-H is thrilled to announce the first-ever Project of the Year, focused upon Entrepreneurship and featuring the TEC Box Educational Kit! The Project of the Year provides the perfect 4-H Club project and is also a great way for new youth and families to get started in 4-H.
This year's Project of the Year educational kit introduces youth to the exciting world of entrepreneurship through the TEC Box curriculum! The kit includes the materials youth need to complete four hands-on activities that lay the groundwork for a county and state fair eligible exhibit: Class F531006 - Entrepreneurship Challenge. The activities help youth think for themselves, practice empathy and solve problems as they learn about entrepreneurship. Youth will invent their own product to make bicycles safer and develop a new game that can be enjoyed with family and friends.
The TEC Box Educational Kit includes a printed facilitator guide, a youth workbook, an inflatable 4-H kickball, sports cones, washi tape, felt, yarn, pipe cleaners, foam, and dice. Kits are only $25 plus shipping, but supplies are limited!
Big Red Camp registration now open
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.
Sessions being offered in 2021 include:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources, June 13-18
- Animation, June 13-18
- Digital Media, June 13-18
- Engineering, June 13-18
- Filmmaking, June 13-18
- Sustainable Fashion, June 13-18
- Teaching, June 13-18
- Veterinary Science, June 13-18
- Talent in Startups, June 13-18
- Unicameral Youth Legislature, June 13-16
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to all youth grades 9th/10th-12th including recent high school graduates. The registration deadline for Big Red Camps is May 28. Early Bird Tuition rates end April 5. Regular Tuition rates end May 7. Late Tuition rates end May 28. No registrations will be accepted after May 28. All housing and food are provided for participants throughout the duration of the camp. Space is limited and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each camp offered has a specific number of openings. A waitlist option will be available in case COVID restrictions are lifted. Please see Big Red Summer Academic Camp Sessions for a list of camps offered this year, descriptions, participant limits, costs, and scholarship opportunities. Camps are hosted by Nebraska 4-H and our university faculty members in various academic areas across campus.
New 4-H livestock opportunities at the 2021 Nebraska State Fair
It is with great excitement that Nebraska 4-H will be offering new livestock classes and divisions at the 2021 Nebraska State Fair! The decision to shift 4-H and FFA livestock shows to the two different weekends provided the opportunity to offer new shows and programs for 4-H exhibitors.
New in 2021!
4-H Beef
- Feeder calf show
- A junior breeding heifer class will be added to all breeding classes.
- 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 beef animals. A 4-H member can exhibit up to 2 market beef, 3 breeding heifers, and 2 feeder calves as long as the total number of entries does not exceed five beef animals.
4-H Swine
- Beeding gilt show with 9 purebred classes, as well as crossbred classes
- Expanded market swine show with 9 purebred classes
- A new Farrowed and Owned Breeding Market Swine division for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry. The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member.
- 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 swine animals. A 4-H member is limited to exhibit 3 market hogs and 2 breeding gilts.
4-H Sheep
- 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 sheep if at least two are breeding ewes. In no case will a 4-H member exhibit more than three 3 market lambs.
4-H Goat
- 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 goats if at least two are breeding does. In no case will a 4-H member exhibit more than 3 market goats.
Summer Camp Registration Now Open!
Registration for 2021 4-H Summer Camp is now open! Check out the selection of 4 and 5 day overnight camps being offered at the Nebraska State 4-H Camp in Halsey. The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is located within the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands which provides a beautiful place for all youth to discover, learn, and grow. Youth do not have to be a member of 4-H to attend a 4-H Summer Camp.
Chartered bus transportation is available for select camps for an additional $70 fee. Pick-up and drop-off locations for bus transportation will be available from UNL East Campus in Lincoln and Raising Nebraska in Grand Island. Please note that transportation is dependant on the number of sign-ups and may be canceled if numbers are low.
Register by January 31st to receive a 10% discount per session. Use the code EARLYBIRD21 at checkout.
Camp scholarships are also available. Scholarships cover $100 of the registration fee and must be awarded prior to registration.
NEW Winter Fun Pack Now Available
Looking for ways to keep your children busy during winter break? We've got you covered! From the team that brought you Living Room Learning, we're proud to announce our new Winter Fun Pack! We’re sharing 5 days' worth of activities that youth can easily do with materials that can be found at home. The Winter Fun Pack comes with instructional videos, easy-to-follow lessons, and family engagement activities to help fill the time at home during winter break. All these resources are available for FREE. Youth and families do not need to be involved in 4-H to access the resources or complete the activities.
Helping Youth Cope with Holiday Stresses
2020 is delivering more challenges than many of us have experienced before. The holiday season is quickly approaching and potentially could be more stressful than previous years given all of the events of the past year. As individuals and families plan holiday gatherings during a global pandemic, many will be modifying holiday traditions based on ensuring the safety and well-being of families and others. Breaking from rituals can be challenging and upsetting, however, with some planning and creative thinking these changes might help your family develop new traditions.
Children and youth often anxiously await the holidays which often mean a time to gather with family, share gifts, and participate in traditions such as baking favorite holiday foods, decorating one’s home, or attending religious celebrations. Changes to holiday traditions and routines might add to youth’s feelings of anxiety, sadness, or depression. Research shows that the social, emotional, and mental health of our youth have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The mental health impacts of COVID-19 and potential changes to a typical holiday routine can compound the feelings and emotions youth are experiencing.
2021 Enrollment Now Open!
Enrollment is now open for the 2021 program year! Enrollment is not required for many 4-H programs and events. However, club and independent members are required to officially enroll through 4-H Online each year to maintain membership. By enrolling, youth have the opportunity to participate in county fairs, the Nebraska State Fair, and additional statewide opportunities and events. Youth have the opportunity to enroll in specific projects which they plan to complete throughout the years. Club and project leaders must also enroll through 4-H Online each year.
There is no state-level fee for officially enrolling. However, some counties or clubs may implement their own annual fees. Please contact your local 4-H office for more information.
While enrollment is open year-round, youth interested in participating in their county fair or the Nebraska State Fair must complete the online enrollment process no later than June 15th.
Enrollment instructions are available for new club members, returning club members, new club leaders, and returning club leaders.
State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest Results Now Available
Congratulations to the 27 4-H members who participated in the 2020 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest. The contest which is typically held at the Nebraska State Fair, was held virtually this year from October 5th through the 12th. Eleven intermediates and 16 seniors competed in the virtual contest, and a total of 12 counties were represented.
Intermediate Individuals
- Brooke Hilgenkamp, Washington County
- Cora Payne, Seward County
- Justine Wilkinson, Scotts Bluff County
- Hannah Koziol, Richardson County
- Kaid Hogan, Lincoln County
Intermediate Teams
- Seward County - Cora Payne, Masa Brown, Ava Fischer
- Washington County - Brooke Hilgenkamp, Aaron Fuchs, Ethan Hilgenkamp
Senior Individuals
- Chase Racicky, Custer County
- Allison Engelman, Jefferson County
- Jenna Ruge, Madison County
- Jacey Leech, Richardson County
- Kaitlyn Hanson, Saunders County
Senior Teams
- Richardson County - Jacey Leech, Abby Stalder, Hannah Kozial, Peyton Schaardt
Top Five Special Award Winners
- Chase Racicky, Custer County
- Allison Engelman, Jefferson County
- Jenna Ruge, Madison County
- Jacey Leech, Richardson County
- Kaitlyn Hanson, Saunders County