Content
We're Glad You're Here!
We believe in all young people’s potential; developing young people who are empowered, confident, hard-working, determined, responsible and compassionate—seeing a world beyond themselves so that they have the life-long skills to succeed in college and career, ensuring access and equity for all, the power of America’s leading public universities, the practice of positive youth development by creating positive learning experiences, caring and trusted adult mentors who cultivate positive relationships with youth, creating safe, diverse and inclusive environments, and meeting young people wherever they are.
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.
The Nebraska 4-H mission is to provide Nebraska youth with positive youth development opportunities that prepare them to become healthy, capable, and ready to engage in school, work, and life.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a strong interest in protecting the safety of youth in all University-sponsored programs and events, including those offered by Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development. Therefore, in 2022, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln implemented a Youth Activity Safety Policy in order to provide a safe, educational and enjoyable activity program experience for all participants. This policy provides minimum specific guidelines for activities sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The University reserves the right to discontinue an activity if it is found to be in violation of these policies.
2026 Important Dates & Deadlines
| June 1 | All Breeding animals, stockers, swine, sheep, goat, and fiber animal ID Sheets due |
| June 1 | All county horse show ID Sheets (and breed registration papers copy if applicable) |
| June 1 | All dog and cat vaccination records due |
| June 1 | All rabbit ID Sheets due |
| June 15 | Final date for 4-H enrollment (v2.4honline.com). This makes you an official 4-H member in the state of Nebraska and allows you to be covered under 4-H insurance. |
| June 15 | ALL Nebraska State Fair livestock DNA packets and on-line nominations (https://showstockmgr.com/) due |
| July 1 | YQCA certificates due, email to abrown132@unl.edu or bring to office |
| July 1 | Certified Pure Bred Registration Papers due for ALL swine showing in the pure-bred division at fair (if you miss this deadline, you will be put into the crossbred division) |
| July 1 | All required horse levels due for the Scotts Bluff County Fair Horse Show |
| July 8 | Fashion Show Scripts Due. Enter information online at TBA |
| July 1-10 | Scotts Bluff County Fair Entry Deadline (This is when you tell us what entries/animals you are bringing to fair. You MUST complete this if you plan on exhibiting at fair. This is NOT what you would have completed for 4-H enrollment when you listed potential projects) |
WE ARE HERE
TO HELP YOU!
Remember, we at the Nebraska Extension Office are here to help you. If you ever have any questions about your projects or deadlines, please contact us at 308-632-1480.
Pre & Post Fair Events
LOGN Camp
Leadership Opportunities for Growth in Nebraska 4-H
For youth in grades 5th-7th 2025-2026 school year.
Participants will attend camp at the YMCA Trails West Camp in Scottsbluff, NE June 30th-July 1st. The cost of the camp is $80.
Scholarships may be available.
Dealine to register is June 1st, register at https://go.unl.edu/logn26.
Activities include:
- Team Games
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Sevice Learning Project
- Leadership Skills
- Creating Memories
- and More
Contact Jana at 308-632-1480 for more information.
AG 360: Exploring Hawaii, Alaska and Nebraska in VR
Youth going into grades 7th and up are invited to participate in a FUN one-day camp to explore agriculture and technology through the creation of virtual reality (VR) tours. Participants will learn about local agriculture as well as Hawaii and Alaska, create tours and publish their work for public viewing. They will also have the chance to immerse themselves in local agriculture and ask questions of ag professionals while learning about both VR Tour creation and innovative agricultural and research practices.
WHEN & WHERE:
Tuesday, June 2nd at Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center (Scottsbluff)
TIME: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COST: $25 (includes lunch, snacks and supplies for all activities)
TO REGISTER: complete the form at https://go.unl.edu/ag360 by Tuesday, May 26 and send a non-refundable $25 check payable to "University of Nebraska-Lincoln" or $25 cash to: NE Extension - Scotts Bluff County, 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361. Space is limited to 40 participants.
WHO IS PRESENTING: The AG 360: Exploring Hawaii, Alaska and Nebraska in VR camp is presented by Nebraska Extension as part of ROOTED in Agriculture (Respecting Our Origins in Technology through EDucation in Agriculture) which engages students to explore agri-science through an historical lens to see the development of technology in agriculture while making connections to local cultural practices. The project is a joint collaboration with the University of Hawaii, University of Alaska, and University of Nebraska (learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/ctahr/dia/rooted-in-ag).
QUESTIONS? Reach out to Brandy at 402‑759‑3712 or brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or Sarah at 308‑772‑3311 or spaisley3@unl.edu
Junior Leader Club Meetings
The new Jr. Leader Club will meet:
| February 19 | April 14 | June 9 |
| March 17 | May 5 | July 14 |
All meetings start at 5:30 p.m. in the Monument Room at the Panhandle Research Extension & Education Center (PREEC).
For more information, contact Audra at 308-632-1484 or abrown132@unl.edu.
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination.
Scotts Bluff County 4-H and FFA Sheep/Swine/Goat Weigh-ins
You must attend one of these dates to be eligible to sell at fair. Please contact the Extension Office at 308-632-1480 with questions.
Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds.
May 19th and 21st 6:00-7:00pm
Head Static Superintendent Search
Volunteer Needed!
Contact Laurie Zitterkopf with questions 308-765-2105.
- Organize behind the scenes
- In charge of awards
- Static Entry check-in day
- Set up displays
- Provide list of judges/helpers for Entry Day and Clothing Day
- Run Static Committee meetings
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals Training
This training is required for all 4-H members who exhibit beef, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, and poultry at the Scotts Bluff County Fair.
YQCA Certificated are due to the Extension Office by July 1st!
Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau has made a donation for coupon codes for the training fee. Call the Extension Office at 308-632-1480 to receive codes.
More information is available at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/scottsbluff/scotts-bluff-county-4-h/youth-quality-care-animals-training/.
2026 Tractor & Equipment Safety Training
Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) grants an exemption to the law, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with certain mechanized equipment.
The cost of the program is $60 and includes educational materials, the online learning link (if applicable, supplies, and meals and snacks at in-person trainings. Registration is available online (payment with credit card only) or by mail (payment by check only). To register, visit: go.unmc.edu/tractor-safety-training.
In Nebraska, Nebraska Extension and CS-CASH collaborate to offer NSTMOP certification. Certification is earned by completing a two-day certification course, which includes a written test and a driving exam. Successful completion grants NSTMOP certification, allowing youth to operate tractors and certain mechanized equipment on farms and ranches, and obtain a husbandry permit.
Day 1 covers the required elements of NSTMOP, including quizzes which students must pass to attend the driving portion of training. Once a student is registered, they will be sent instructions, materials, course paperwork, and a link to the online course if they will not be attending in-person.
Day 2 includes a driving test and equipment operation and ATV safety lessons. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching and unhitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course. Instructors will also offer education about safe behaviors and laws for ATVs, utility-task vehicles (UTVs), and other off-road vehicles (ORVs).
More information is available at https://ianrnews.unl.edu/article/may-june-dates-set-for-annual-tractorequipment-safety-training-for-young-and-beginning or by calling the Extension Office at 308-632-1480.