Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI)
The 55th annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) will be held July 6-10, 2026, on UNL’s East Campus.
Applications are now available to students who are currently high school juniors and seniors on our website at: www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi
As always, applications will be due on April 15th.
We’d appreciate you sharing this information with eligible students (current high school juniors and seniors). I’m attaching a press release to this email, and you can also share the announcement from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and NAYI social media pages.
https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska.Department.Agriculture
https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaAgYouthInstitute
www.Instagram.com/the_nayc
NAYI RECOMMENDATION FORMS
Students who are applying for NAYI will need to have an adult submit a recommendation form on their behalf. This form was initiated last year, and it worked very well to help streamline the process for our scoring committee. The recommendation form can be found on the NAYI website (www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi) and will also be due on April 15th
NAYI APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Please remind students that after submitting the application, they should receive an immediate automated email from Google Forms with their responses that they should keep in their records. They will also receive a confirmation email from a @nebraska.gov address within 1–2 business days. If a student does not receive either email, their application was not received, and they must email myself or agr.youthcouncil@nebraska.gov before the deadline.
NAYI CLASSROOM VISITS
There is a group of eager Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC) members that would love to visit your classroom to discuss NAYI with your juniors and seniors. They will be reaching out, but if you know you’d like a visit feel free to reach out to get you connected.
NDA POSTER CONTEST
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is hosting our annual agriculture poster contest for 1st-6th grade students, with entries due on March 2, 2026. If you have a classroom that might be interested in participating – the contest details can be found here: https://nda.nebraska.gov/kids/contest
Christin Kamm
Communications Director | ADMINISTRATION
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
OFFICE 402-471-6856
CELL 402-440-7251
christin.kamm@nebraska.gov
Virtual Horse Judging Camp
Below is information on the Virtual Horse Judging camp UNL will be hosting once a week in February and early March. There will be live sessions each week, which will be recorded and uploaded for viewing later if you can’t make the live sessions. Also, there is an opportunity to upload your oral reasons weekly for feedback. See more information below.
Virtual Horse Judging Camp 2026
This is an online horse judging camp for anyone thinking about giving horse judging a try! The camp includes at-home assignments, reasons critique, 4 interactive virtual meetings, quizzes, and certificate of completion!
The fee for this course is $50. To purchase and enroll in this course, go to: https://catalog.extension.org/product?catalog=HorseJudgingCamp
This camp is for anyone who may be thinking about being on or coaching a Horse Judging team.
Each session will have an assignment, live presentations, discussion of the class and class/runs to practice on and critiques.
Other presenters include:
- Dr. Craig Wood (University of Kentucky, APHA Judge)
- Dr. Karen Waite (Michigan State University, Equine Extension Specialist, AQHA Novice Judge)
- Colleen Brady (Purdue University)
- Dr. Kathy Anderson (University of Nebraska Judging team coach, AQHA, NSBA, APHA judge)
Topics/classes covered include:
4-H Workshops
4-H Workshops
Communication & Expressive Arts
If your interest area is public speaking, relationships, understanding other cultures, photography or visual arts, workshops with this subject matter will interest you.
Consumer & Family Science
Environmental Education & Earth Sciences
You love the outdoors and want to take care of the planet, trees or bugs are your thing. What about shooting sports?
March 21-22, 2026 - Shooting Sports Instructor Training, Bloomfield, Knox County Fairgrounds
Healthy Living
You love to cook, want to learn more about preserving food or just improve your lifestyle and your safety.
Leadership, Citizenship & Personal Development
Do you have what it takes to be a good citizen? What about your leadership skills or becoming an entrepreneur?
NDA OPENS APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2025 NEBRASKA AG YOUTH INSTITUTE
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has opened the application process for high school juniors and seniors interested in attending the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI is one of Nebraska’s biggest agriculture youth outreach events. The five-day program brings together students to network with ag leaders, learn more about the industry, and discover careers available in agriculture. NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: It's in our Genes.”
Plant Science
You have a green thumb or want to, you love your veggies and flowers! How about field crops, or grasslands?
GRO Big Red Virtual Learning Series, hosted by Nebraska Extension HLES Team. https://hles.unl.edu/lawn-garden/gro-big-red/
Innovative Youth Corn Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members - We are delighted to announce the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.
For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Science, Engineering & Technology
You geek out over, science. You love rockets, computers, electricity, GPS, robotics, welding or woodworking
Young Nebraska Scientists Camps - Young Nebraska Scientists, conducted by Nebraska EPSCoR with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, offers camps for middle and high school students throughout the state. The program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math topics and is a great way for teens to sample a career or campus, meet friends and mentors, and find their future.
Camp fees include meals and lodging, except day camps. National Science Foundation funding helps keep camp fees low, plus need-based scholarships are readily available. Faculty from Nebraska colleges and universities are camp session leaders, and camp staff include university students. Learn more and apply now online. Email yns@nebraska.edu with any questions.
More details at: https://yns.nebraska.edu/camps
Raikes School Computer Science Summer Camp - The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is now accepting applications for a summer learning opportunity for high school students. As someone connected to young people in Nebraska and beyond, we wanted to share this opportunity with you to pass on to any student you think may be interested.
The Raikes School is hosting its ninth year of “Innovate: The Raikes School Way,” led by Executive Director of the Raikes School, Dr. Steve Cooper. The summer camp was highlighted by Forbes in 2019 and continues to provide high-quality computer science education to interested students! Interested students can find more details and complete the application at https://raikes.unl.edu/summer-camp.
If you have any questions about the camp, contact Theresa Arneal at tluensmann2@unl.edu.
More details at: https://raikes.unl.edu/summer-camp
State 4-H Camps
The 2025 What’s the Buzz? season of the Nebraska State 4-H Camp will share the importance of pollinators in Nebraska- why they’re important, how they impact agriculture, and what youth can do in their own communities to support the various native pollinators we have in Nebraska. From bees and butterflies to hummingbirds and bats- it’s going to be a week full of learning and fun!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is returning to Chadron and Burwell for summer camp 2025! Youth new to camping can attend a shorter camp session designed to let them experience all the best parts of summer camp in a 3 day/2 night session. Choose from one of two 5 day/4 night sessions for youth 10-14 years old and returning this year is the Leaders in Training camp for high school youth 15-17 years old! Campers will focus on developing leadership skills with an opportunity to put those skills into practice by volunteering at one of our other camp sessions!
Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp
Small & Large Animal Workshops & Clinics
5/30/26 Adams County Beef Progress Show
6/3/26 - Animal Science Discover Day at NCTA in Curtis
6/17-6/19/26 - Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series
Livestock Information Series
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Information Series is a resource for 4-H members, leaders, and parents to gain knowledge in various livestock-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic is covered with experts joining to share their experience and expertise. Extended learning opportunities and supporting documents are also available for each topic.
Livestock Achievement Program
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects, including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition, by recognizing youth striving to improve their livestock project knowledge and leadership.
Camps and workshop are added as information is provided, check back regularly.
Horse Camps and Clinics
Equine Education
HALTER
Welcome to the Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource (HALTER) Program! This progressive series of lessons is designed for adult volunteers working with youth in the horse industry to provide equine science information, student activities, and techniques to foster positive youth development. These courses can be taken in any order, based on your background knowledge or areas of interest.
Once you have successfully completed each level, and their associated requirements, you will receive a certificate of completion. The fee for a 12 month subscription for this course is $25 or $75 if you purchase all 4 HALTER courses. And from now until December 31, 2025 each course is 50% off when you use code HolidaySpecial.
Registration
Horsemanship Advancement
Level testing requirements for Dakota County 4-H
Level 1 Written, Level 1 Riding, Level 1 Demonstration must be completed by youth 4-H age 12 years as of January 1st. Level 1 requirements must by done and record submitted to Extension Office by pre-fair entry (mid-July)
If Level 1 requirement is not done youth will not be able to participate in the county fair.
Written Level 1 test will be administered by either a certified Level 1 or 2 horse leader or by the local Extension Office. Testing appointments will be required by the Extension Office. Level 1 or 2 Riding, and Level 1 or 2 Demonstration to be administered by certified Horse leader.
Information about what will be covered on this test can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/horse/advancement
The youth participants being tested must be enrolled in the 4‑H horse project. During testing of each level, youth must also use a horse that has been properly identified on the 4‑H Light Horse Identification Record and Owners Affidavit. 4‑H'ers must own, lease, or manage the horse being used. Youth must have access to the horse and provide care and management as described in the Nebraska 4‑H Horse Show and Judging Guide. 4‑H members may use any of their project horses. However, a single horse must be used for the entire skills test of each level.
Level Testing
Watch for camps, clinics and more
4/25-4-26 4-H Horse Stampede
6/11-6/13 Fort Robinson 4-H Horse Camp
7/11-7/15 - State 4-H Horse Show
TBD/Fall - State 4-H Rodeo
