4-H is an organization designed to help youth become productive citizens and catalysts for positive change to meet the needs of a diverse and changing society.
Thank you for your interest in Buffalo County 4-H!
Our program is open to ALL YOUTH, of ALL ABILITIES ages 5 to 18. Annual enrollment is NOW OPEN for the 2025-2026 4-H year! If youth wish to exhibit at the 2026 Buffalo County Fair, they must be enrolled by the June 15 deadline! Youth and Volunteers need to enroll each year. To enroll in Buffalo County 4-H, visit 4-H Online and log in with your previous year's credentials, or if you are new, create an account. The cost of enrollment is $10 per Traditional 4-H youth ages 8-18 (as of January 1 of the current year) and $5 per Clover Kid youth ages 5-7 (as of January 1 of the current year). To use a debit or credit card, payment must be made in 4-H Online as part of the initial enrollment. You can also pay at the Extension office by cash or check only.
Clubs
The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development opportunities to meet the needs of young people to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity! While joining a club has many benefits, youth can also join 4-H as an Independent member and work at their own pace. For more on clubs and how to start your own, visit https://4h.unl.edu/programs-clubs. If you would like to know more about Buffalo County 4-H Clubs, contact the Buffalo County Extension office at 308-236-1235.
Projects
Projects provide the basis of the 4-H program by offering various educational experiences. Carrying out a project will help the member "learn by doing" as well as learn "why" things happen the way they do. For more on projects, visit https://4h.unl.edu/projects.
Articles by Buffalo County 4-H Staff
Winter Wellness in the Outdoors
by heidi darby - 4-H Assistant
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you! We are officially down to the wire—Christmas is only days away. This is the time of year filled with family, laughter, gift-giving, warm gatherings, and (of course) delicious desserts. Even though it’s cold outside and the sun sets far too early, the excitement of the season makes it easy to forget the chill.
But once the wrapping paper settles and the last of the cookies disappear, life slows down again. The sparkle of the holidays fades, and winter settles in. For many families, this is when the “winter blues” start to creep in, making the days feel longer and the energy a little lower.
The good news? Winter doesn’t have to feel heavy or dull. With a little creativity—and some simple, doable routines—you can turn those short, cold days into opportunities for joy, connection, and calm. From tiny outdoor adventures to cozy indoor rituals, there are plenty of ways to help kids stay grounded and upbeat (and give the whole family something to smile about).
When it’s freezing, our instinct is usually to stay indoors where it’s warm. And while that’s absolutely the right call on those windy, icy days, it’s still important to carve out small moments of outdoor time whenever you can. It doesn’t need to be long or elaborate. A slow walk around the block, a quick trip to the backyard, or even stepping outside to look for animal tracks in the snow can give kids that refreshing change of scenery they crave. Fresh air wakes up the brain, boosts mood, and helps reset restless energy.
You don’t need a full workout to feel better—just movement. Little bursts throughout the day can work wonders. Try a kitchen dance party, a living room obstacle course, a kid-friendly yoga video, or a quick “race you to the mailbox and back!” before settling in for quiet time. Physical activity releases stress, softens tension, and brightens the atmosphere at home almost instantly.
Sunlight is one of winter’s most natural mood boosters. Open the blinds as soon as you wake up, let that morning light fill the room, and try eating breakfast by the brightest window in the house. On days when the weather cooperates, bundle up and take a short walk—10 to 15 minutes is enough to make a real difference. Even just standing outside for a moment of fresh light can help reset the day for both kids and adults.
If your family is part of 4-H, these simple winter routines can grow into a meaningful outdoor and environmental project. Each walk outside becomes a chance to observe winter wildlife, notice seasonal changes, or track daylight patterns. Kids can keep a nature journal, identify animal tracks, or study how sunlight and fresh air impact their mood and energy. These small moments of exploration help young people build stronger observation skills, deepen their appreciation for the outdoors, and discover that even in the coldest months, nature is still full of wonder. It’s a hands-on way to stay engaged, stay curious, and stay connected—true to the heart of what 4-H is all about.
If you have questions on 4-H enrollment or on any of the project ideas listed, please contact the Buffalo County Extension Office at (308)236-1235 or you can email me directly at hdarby2@unl.edu for more information.
Goal Setting Success
by kerry elsen - 4-H educator
It’s that time of year, when we make New Year’s Resolutions. If making New Year’s Resolutions is something that seems scary or you don’t do because you know you won’t do them, let’s reframe those resolutions and call them goals instead. I frequently find myself setting goals or making plans for things I want to accomplish. As I am becoming forgetful, I have found it works best if I wrote those things I would like to accomplish down.
Put your list in a prominent place where you will see it often and not have to search for it. Keep in mind you can always make changes to your list. Make the items you would like to do descriptive, making them too broad often leaves us feeling as those it isn’t attainable. It can also make it easier to break the goal down into smaller steps. I am one who really likes to be able to check things off my list. Being able to move items of the list keeps me motivated and moving towards accomplishing the complete goal.
Remain positive as you work your way through the steps of completing your goal. We all run into challenges that make some of the steps more difficult to complete. Again, this can be a point when you want to re-evaluate and make any changes to your goals. Continually making changes to the action steps of your goal, also promotes working towards completion.
Find someone who can help you to be accountable for your progress. Family members or friends make great accountability partners. Checking in with each other every couple of weeks or once a month is helpful. This encourages both of you to keep working towards making this off your list.
Goals do not need to be complicated. They can be as simple as trying a new activity or spending more time with your friends, you can even volunteer your time to help others. Putting these items on paper and working with your accountability partner makes these items new habits instead of ideas that you wished you did more of.
These goal setting tips work great for starting 4-H projects for this year as well. January is a great time to think about what areas you would like to be involved in. Challenge yourself to try something you haven’t done before. Think about ways you can be more involved in your club and helping other 4-H members.
If you would like information on selecting 4-H projects or how to accomplish your goals for the year, reach out to the Buffalo County Extension Office, 308-236-1235.
2026 4-H Projects
Give Youth a New Growing Experience
Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold is 2026 4-H Special Garden Project
The Special Garden Project is a way to offer Nebraska youth the chance to grow unusual and fun projects in their gardens. The 2026 Special Garden Project will focus on the Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold. This marigold produces creamy, yellow flowers on compact plants. This variety not only has a unique color, but it also has a very long bloom time. Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will then have to reach out to the Buffalo County Extension Office by calling 308-236-1235 to sign up and order the seeds by February 27. Seed packets will be around 50 cents each. Youth will be provided with educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation (included at the end of the growing newsletter).
Coming Soon - 2026 Special Agronomy Project
Stay tuned for more information on the 4-H Special Agronomy Project!
4-H Christmas Crafts
