4-H NEWSLETTERS
SEPTEMBER 4-H NEWSLETTER
- Send Thanks you notes for Awards, Bonus Auction, volunteers and more
- 4-H doesn't end with county or state fair, there's still more to do!
- Congratulation to our state fair and state horse show exhibitors
- National 4-H week October 4th - 10th
- Become an Ambassador in 2026-2027
- 4-H project showcase
- Would you like to be a 4-H judge?
- Shooting Sports Instructor trainings
- Planning to attend UNL - plan campus visits and your application
- and more in this months 4-H newsletter
2026 4-H Calendar
Scroll to the bottom of this page to view.
Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium
The annual Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Animal Science Complex on November 6-8, 2026. The symposium is designed to introduce youth to careers opportunities and current issues in the beef industry, as well as offer education and practice in the use of leadership skills.
Check-in: Friday, November 6
Adjourn: Sunday, November 8
At the Sunday luncheon we will conclude with this group and they will present their new products and marketing plan to a panel of judges. Parents and guests will also get a chance to taste their products!
If you're selected to participate and attend, a $75 registration fee (covers the cost of hotel, meals, and materials) will be required. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CASNR) will also award several scholarships.
You can attend NYBLS if you are:
- 10th, 11th or 12th grader (regardless of whether you've attended NYBLS before) and you want to...
- get more in-depth information about the beef industry.
- interact with University faculty, staff, and students as well as industry leaders throughout the weekend covering varying topics important to the beef industry.
- develop and market a beef product and work with a professional chef.
learn more about career opportunities in the beef industry.
Resources for 4-H
JOIN 4-H
- 4-H online enrollment site
- Code of Conduct
- Volunteer screening information
- Project Resources
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
County & State Fair
- Fairbook
- Livestock affidavits
- Entry Forms
- Dates/Deadlines
4-H In Dakota County
4-H in Dakota prepares our young people for successful futures. The Educational programs place a strong emphasis on life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, social skills, communication responsibility, citizenship, and leadership.
Dakota County 4-H members are either in clubs or join as independent members. There are three clubs in Dakota County
- Dad's Cowhands & Mother's Helpers
- Homer Future Leaders
- Hubbard Jr Feeders
- Independent members
- Omadi Legacy Trailblazers
Contact the Extension Office for information on joining 4-H
2026 4-H CALENDAR
JANUARY |
| 1 /2- Office Closed, New Years Day 19 - Office closed—Martin Luther King Day |
FEBRUARY |
| 1 - Dakota County Achievement Celebration 1- Farrowed & Owned Swine Cohort registration deadline 2- Extension Board meeting 4 - NACEB Meeting—Lincoln 6 - Chamber coffee hour hosted by Extension Office 9 - Dakota County & Joint 4-H Council meeting 10- Big Red Camp registration open 15 - 4-H Enrollments and volunteer enrollments due 16- Office closed Presidents Day 18 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Fire Hall; 7:00PM 24 - Pesticide training Extension Office |
MARCH |
| 2 - Extension Board meeting 2 - 4-H Council meeting 3 - Volunteer Training—Haskell Ag Lab 15 - Jarvis Memorial Scholarship Application DUE 18 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender Firehall 7:00PM 31 - Dakota County 4-H Scholarship due |
APRIL |
| 5 - Easter Sunday 6- Dakota County Extension Board 11 - Siouxland Garden Symposium, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, SC, IA 15 - Horse Stampede entries due 15 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at Pender FireHall 7:00PM 18 - Rocket Launch—Haskell Ag Lab 20 - 4-H All Contest Day - Registration deadline 19-25 - National Volunteer Week 25 - All Contest Day 25-26 - 4-H Horse stampede, UNL Animal Science Complex |
MAY |
| 4 - Extension Board meeting 4 - Dakota County 4-H Council meeting 12 - Quality Assurance Training (in person) Dakota Extension Office 15 - 4-H Foundation Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Award Deadline" 20 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at D-T Fairgrounds 7:00PM 25 - Office closed Memorial Day 26 - Quality Assurance Train (In person) Haskell Ag Lab 27-29 - Premier Animal Science event—Lincoln 29 - All horse ID’s, district & State Entries DUE |
JUNE |
| 1 - Extension Board meeting 5 - Babysitting Clinic—SSC Library 15 - ALL LIVESTOCK ID’S AFFIDAVITS DUE 15 - State Fair livestock nominations/DNA due 15 - Final enrollment/project deadline 19 -20 - Premier Communications Event—UNL 29 - 4-H Council meeting |
JULY |
| 3 - Office closed Independence Day 6- Extension Board 11-15 Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo 15 - ALL County Fair pre-entry deadline & YQCA 15 - D-T Fair Board meeting at D-T Fairgrounds 7::00PM 25 - Fairgrounds Cleanup day 27 - 4-H Clothing Day, Fairgrounds 26 - August 3 - County Fair Week |
AUGUST |
| July 26- August 2. - County Fair Week 3 - Fairgrounds clean up day 10 - State Fair Animal & in person entries due 19 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at D-T Fairgrounds; 7:00PM 25 - State fair exhibit due to Extension Office 28 - September 7—Nebraska State Fair 28-30 - 4-H State Fair Livestock Show Weekend |
SEPTEMBER |
| August 28—September 7- Nebraska State Fair September 5 - 7 State Fair FFA Livestock Show weekend 7- Office Closed - Labor Day 14- 4-H Council meeting (may be a joint meeting TBD) 24-27 - Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show, Fonner Park Grand Island |
OCTOBER |
| 4-10—National 4-H Week 5- Extension Board meeting 21 - D-T Fair Board Meeting at D-T Fairgrounds 7:00PM 31 - Happy Halloween |
NOVEMBER |
| 2 - Extension Board meeting 2 - Dakota County 4-H Council Meeting 11 - Office closed - Veterans Day 26-27 - Office Closed, Thanksgiving Holiday |
DECEMBER |
1 - Extension Board meeting PRINT VERSION - pdf |