One way that 4-H helps youth develop life skills is through hands-on projects. When enrolling, 4-H members are encouraged to work with parents, guardians, club leaders, or project leaders to select one or more projects they are interested in working on throughout the year. Nebraska 4-H offers over 150 projects in 8 curriculum areas. Youth are encouraged to engage in activities related to the projects they select, such as: keeping records of their projects; teaching others about their projects through presentations, speeches, and demonstrations; participating in judging and other contests related to their projects; exhibiting their projects at their County Fair; or participating in other local or statewide events and opportunities related to their projects. Some County Fair exhibits may be eligible to advance to the Nebraska State Fair, as well.
Project work should be guided by official project materials listed on the Pick Your Project website. 4-H'ers may work on projects with parents, volunteers, and other 4-H members who share similar projects. In many cases, clubs are formed around a subject area, such as livestock. Projects may not only increase a 4-H'ers knowledge of a particular subject, but project work can also prepare youth for a career in that field. Scholarships, prizes, awards, and special recognition are also potential rewards for project work.
The project listing below is intended as a reference for youth ages 8-18 enrolling as a Nebraska 4-H member. A printable 2020 4-H Project listing is also available. The projects listed below are available across the state. However, some counties may offer additional county-level projects. Each county also implements its own enrollment deadlines for County Fair participation and may have special instructions or enrollment fees. Please contact your local Extension office for more information before beginning the enrollment process.
2020 Project Listing
Key: A=Beginner; B=Intermediate; C=Advanced; D=All Levels
Animal Science
Beef
- Bucket Calf D
- Breeding Beef D
- Feeder Calf D
- Market Beef D
Companion Animal
- Cat D
- Dog D
- Other Pet or Small Animal D
Dairy Cattle
- Dairy Cattle D
Goat
- Breeding Meat Goat D
- Dairy Goat D
- Meat Goat D
- Pygmy Goat D
Horse
- Horse D
Poultry
- Poultry D
Rabbit
- Rabbit D
Sheep
- Breeding Sheep D
- Market Sheep D
Swine
- Breeding Swine D
- Market Swine D
Veterinary Science
- The Normal Animal A
- Veterinary Science A/B
- Animal Disease B/C
- Animal Health & Its Relationship to Our World C
Communication & Expressive Art
Communications
- Module 1 A
- Module 2 B
- Module 3 C
Digital Video
- Digital Video Pro D
Photography
- Photography Basics A REVISED
- Next Level Photography B REVISED
- Mastering Photography C REVISED
Presentations
- Posters D
- Presentations D
Theatre
- Theatre Arts 1 A
- Theatre Arts 2 B
- Theatre Arts 3 C
Consumer & Family Science
Clothing
- STEAM Clothing: Beyond the Needle D
- STEAM Clothing 1: Fundamentals A
- STEAM Clothing 2: Simply Sewing A/B
- STEAM Clothing 3: A Stitch Further B/C
Consumer Management
- Shopping in Style D
- My Financial Futures A/B
- My Financial Futures B/C
Crocheting
- Crocheting D
Heritage
- Heritage D
Home Environment
- Design My Place A/B
- Design Decisions B/C
- Portfolio Pathways B/C
- Preserving Heirlooms B/C
- Sketchbook Crossroads B/C
Human Development
- I Have What It Takes to be Your Babysitter D
- Kids on the Grow 1 A
- Kids on the Grow 2 B
- Kids on the Grow 3 C
Knitting
- Knitting D
Quilting
- Quilting D
Environmental Education & Earth Science
Conservation
- Outdoor Skills D NEW
- 4-H Geology D NEW
- Environment 1 A
- Environment 2 B
- Environment 3 C
- Outdoor 1: Hiking Trails A NEW
- Outdoor 2: Camping Adventures B NEW
- Outdoor 3: Backpacking Expeditions C NEW
Entomology
- Insectigator D
- Entomology 1 A
- Entomology 2 B
- Entomology 3 C
Forestry
- Tree Identification D
Shooting Sports
- 22 Rifle D
- Air Pistol D
- Air Rifle D
- Archery D
- BB Gun D
- Hunting Skills D
- Muzzleloader D
- Shotgun D
- Smallbore Pistol D
Wildlife
- Amphibians D
- Bird Behavior D
- Taxidermy D
- Wildlife Habitat Evaluation D
- Fishing for Adventures 1 A
- Fishing for Adventures 2 B
- Fishing for Adventures 3 C
- Wildlife Conservation 1 A
- Wildlife Conservation 2 B
- Wildlife Conservation 3 C
Healthy Living
Cycling
- Bicycle Adventures 1 A
- Bicycle Adventures 2 B
- Bicycle Adventures 3 C
Food & Nutrition
- Cooking 101 A
- Cooking 201 B
- Cooking 301 B
- Cooking 401 C
Food Preservation
- Unit 1 Freezing Project Manual D
- Unit 2 Drying Project Manual D
- Unit 3 Boiling Water Canning Project Manual D
- Unit 4 Pressure Canning Project Manual D
Physical Fitness
- YOUth in Motion D
Safety
- Fire Safety A
- Safety A/B
- All-Terrain Vehicles B/C
- Tractor Safety B/C
Leadership, Citizenship & Personal Development
Citizenship
- Public Adventures D
- Seeing i2i D
Entrepreneurship
- Discover the E-Scene B/C
- The Case of ME B/C
- Your Business Inspection B/C
- Blueprint C
Leadership
- Serving as Junior Leader D
- Step Up to Leadership 1 A
- Step Up to Leadership 2 B/C
- Step Up to Leadership 3 C
Plant Science
Agronomy
- Field Crops 1 A
- Field Crops 2 B
- Field Crops 3 C
Horticulture
- Annual Flowers D
- Everyone a Gardener D
- Houseplants D
- Special Gardening Project D
- The World of Flowers D
- Gardening A A
- Gardening B B
- Gardening C B
- Gardening D C
Range
- Weed Science D
- Reading the Range B
- Using Nebraska Range C
Science, Engineering & Technology
Aerospace
- Aerospace 2 A
- Aerospace 3 B
- Aerospace 4 C
Computers
- Computer Mysteries 1 A
- Computer Mysteries 2 B
- Computer Mysteries 3 C
Electricity
- Electric Excitement 1 A
- Electric Excitement 2 A/B
- Electric Excitement 3 B
- Electric Excitement 4 C
Gear-Tech-21
- Gear-Tech-21 Year 1 B
- Gear-Tech-21 Year 2 B
Geospatial
- Geospatial D
Physics
- 4-Wheelin' Physics Fun A
- The Power of Wind B
Robotics
- Robotics Platforms D
- Virtual Robotics D
- Junk Drawer Robotics 1 A
- Junk Drawer Robotics 2 B
- Junk Drawer Robotics 3 C
Welding
- Arc Welding D
Woodworking
- Woodworking Wonders 1 A
- Woodworking Wonders 2 A
- Woodworking Wonders 3 B
- Woodworking Wonders 4 C