4-H began in the early 1900's as Corn Clubs for boys and Canning Clubs for girls. Although the program has changed a lot through the years, it has always been a program designed to help children become productive members of their communities.
4-H is a national organization delivered by Cooperative Extension–a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Youth complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country.
Nebraska 4-H prepares young people for successful futures. Educational programs place a strong emphasis on life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, social skills, communication, responsibility, citizenship, and leadership.
4-H Newsletters
April 2025
- All Contest Day results
- Design a T-shirt, win a T-shirt
- New: Safety classes
- Livestock I'D's and Affidavits
- 4-H leader training - 3/10/25
- Website under construction
- Horse ID's due
- Tractor & Equipment Safety training
- Papio NRD Electronics Recycling Collection.
- Unleash y our inner artist
- all this and more in the April 4-H in focus newsletter......
Special garden Project
The Special Gardening Project lets 4-H members try their hand at growing unusual vegetables, flowers, fruit, and herbs. The project allows experienced 4-H gardeners to grow something fun, new, and different while letting those new to gardening get their hands dirty in this project area.
The 2025 Special Garden Project will focus on the Goldie Husk Cherry. This old-fashioned fruit from the tomato family has sweet berries inside golden husks. The fruits have many uses and can be eaten raw, dried, frozen, canned, or made into tasty treats like pies, desserts, or preserves. This project is open to all youth of 4-H ages 5-18 and it will give them the opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting, and exhibiting this unique fruit.
Youth are encouraged to enroll for Horticulture/Plant Science through 4-H Online. Youth will then have to reach out to their local Extension Office to sign up and order the seeds.
Special Agronomy Project
The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live in. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different. This year, we will be exploring a crop that can be marketed different ways depending on the variety.
In the fifth year of the special agronomy project, youth will explore sunflowers! There are two types of sunflower production in Nebraska. There are those grown for oil production, and those grown for human food consumption referred to as confectionery seeds. A portion of the oil seed production is used in the bird seed industry. Sunflowers are grown throughout the state of Nebraska with the greatest concentration in western Nebraska. The variety we will be growing is a high oleic hybrid. Its oil profile combined with a nice black seed color ensures multiple market options.
Be eligible to enter an exhibit at the County and/or State Fair in the agronomy project area.
Enroll for the 2025 Special Agronomy Project through 4-H Online by enrolling in the Agronomy project and contacting your local Nebraska Extension Office to order packets of seeds. The local Extension Office will order and distribute the seeds to members. Please have your order placed prior to March 1st.
For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.
Resources for 4-H
JOIN 4-H
- 4-H online enrollment site
- Code of Conduct
- Volunteer screening information
- Project Resources
AWARDS, ACHIEVEMENTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
- Achievement Awards & Application
- Diamond Clover Awards
- Dakota County Senior Scholarship
- Statewide Scholarships
4-H CONTESTS
- Favorite Foods
- Public Speaking
- Presentation
- Music
- Clothing Day
CAMPS, WORKSHOPS & CLINICS
- 4-H Workshops
- Large and Small Animals
- Horse/Equine
More Resources for 4-H
4-H Council
- Meet Dakota County 4-H Council
- Minutes
- Constitution & Bylaws
4-H Ambassadors
- Meet the Ambassadors
- Ambassador application
Miscellaneous
- Quality Assurance
- Grievance Committee/form
- Substitute Showman
- Trophys
- News Releases (contests & fair events)
2025 4-H CALENDAR
JANUARY |
| 1 - Office Closed, New Years Day 20 - Office closed—Martin Luther King Day |
FEBRUARY |
Nebraska 4-H month 1- Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort registration deadline |
MARCH |
| 3 - Extension Board meeting 3 - 4-H Council meeting 17 - 4-H All Contest Day - Registration deadline 21 - 4-H Robotics Expansion event (UNL) 22 - All Contest Day (United Church, Pender, NE) 22- Siouxland Garden Symposium, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, SC, IA 28 29 - 4-H Horse stampede, UNL Animal Science Complex 31 - Dakota County 4-H Scholarship due |
APRIL |
| 5 - Big Red Camp - Early bird tuition deadline 7 - Dakota County Extension Board 12 - All Contest Rain Date 14 - Joint 4-H Council (TBD) 20-26 - National Volunteer Week 22 - Easter Sunday |
MAY |
| 5 - Extension Board meeting 26 - Office closed Memorial Day 29 - All horse ID’s, district & State Entries DUE 31 - 4-H Foundation Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Award Deadline |
JUNE |
| 2 - Extension Board meeting 9 - 4-H Council meeting 15 - Apply to State Livestock Achievement program (final report 8/1) 15 - ALL LIVESTOCK ID’S AFFIDAVITS DUE 15 - State Fair livestock nominations/DNA due 15 - Final enrollment/project deadline 17 - 18 - P.A.S.E. UNL 19 -20 - Premier Communications Event—UNL |
JULY |
| 4 - Office closed Independence Day 7 - Extension Board 12-16—Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo 16 - ALL County Fair pre-entry deadline 26 - Fairgrounds Cleanup day 28 - 4-H Clothing Day, Fairgrounds 27 --August 3 - County Fair Week |
AUGUST |
| July 27- August 3. - County Fair Week 10 - State Fair Animal & in person entries due 20 - Static entries to for delivery to State fair 22 - September 1—Nebraska State Fair 22-24 - 4-H State Fair Livestock Show Weekend |
SEPTEMBER |
| August 23—September 1 - Nebraska State Fair August 30- September 1 - State Fair FFA Livestock Show weekend 1 - Office Closed - Labor Day 8 - 4-H Council meeting (may be a joint meeting TBD) 25-28 - Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show, Fonner Park Grand Island |
OCTOBER |
| 5-11—National 4-H Week 6 - Extension Board meeting 31 - Happy Halloween |
NOVEMBER |
| 3 - Extension Board meeting 1 - Office closed - Veterans Day 27-28 - Office Closed, Thanksgiving Holiday |
DECEMBER |
1 - Extension Board meeting
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