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2026 Seward County 4-H - Deadlines & Events
February/March
February 16 - Phone -a-Thon
February 7 - Volunteer Brunch & Learn
March 7 - Performing Arts Contest
March 29 - Communication Event
March 31 - 4-H Partner Registration and Payment Due
April/May
April 1 - Diamond Clover Award Planning Sheets Due
April 15 - 4-H Stampede Entries Due
April 23- 4-H Partners Orientation
April 25-26 - 4-H Horse Stampede (Lincoln)
June
June 1 - STATE 4-H HORSE SHOW DUE DATE FOR:
- Online Entries
- Horse I.D. Sheets
- Horsemanship Level Testing
- 2 & 3 yr. old Western Pleasure Affidavit
June 15 - NE State Fair livestock nominations due via www.showstockmgr.com All DNA envelopes due to the Extension Office
*IF PARTICIPATING IN PRE-FAIR CONTESTS, NEED TO ENROLL PRIOR*
- Animal I.D.’s due for Seward County Fair (beef, sheep, meat goat, dairy goat, dairy cow, hog, horse)
- YQCA due (all 4-H’ers must recertify each year if exhibiting beef, sheep, hog, poultry, rabbit, goat, dairy, or other livestock projects)
- 4-H Enrollment Due
- Fair T-Shirt Orders Due - Through Middle Creek Printing. Store opens June 2nd.
July
July 1 - Seward County Fair Pre-Entry closes
Deadline for exhibits to be pre-entered in seward.fairwire.com. Hard copy entry forms available online.
July 1 - Horsemanship Level testing due for County Fair only
July 11-15 - State 4-H Horse Show
July 15 - Fair Clean-Up
TBA - (see June newsletter)- Horticulture, Poultry and Rabbits online pre-fair entries close for Seward County Fair
July 20 - 21 County Fair Horse Show
July 23-26 - Seward County Fair
August /September
August 28-September 7 - Nebraska State Fair (4-H weekend 28-30)
ALL 4-Her‘s - Start working on your Achievement Applications!
October
October 1 - Nominations for volunteer awards, Friend of 4-H, Meritorious Service, and Outstanding 4-H Club due
October 1- 4-H Achievement Applications and award applications due
October 1- Diamond Clover Reports due
November/December
TBA – Achievement Day
December 5 – Holiday Maker Day
January 2027 - College Scholarships due to the Extension Office
LATE FEE POLICY - 4-H Council has enacted a $15 per member late fee for Animal ID sheets or County Fair pre-entries received after the deadline.
LATE ENTRIES OR ID SHEETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER 7 DAYS PAST THE DEADLINE. FEE MUST BE PAID WITHIN 7 DAYS OF MISSED DEADLINE.
Front Page Happenings
"Good Life in Early Life"
From Nebraskans to Nebraskans
The “Good Life in Early Life” podcast, a product of Nebraska Extension’s Early Childhood program, disseminates the latest insights in Early Care and Education (ECE) tailored for a Nebraska audience. The podcast’s mission is to provide a unique platform, delivering scientific information in an accessible manner while uplifting Nebraskans through relatable success stories in early childhood within the state.
The podcast format allows for information to be shared in a timely and responsive manner to meet the emerging needs of parents and educators. Emily Manning, Extension educator and the podcast host, highlights the podcast’s distinctiveness by explaining, “Unlike traditional programming with formal presentations to large groups, a podcast fosters sharing experiences and mutual encouragement, cultivating a supportive community among Nebraskans.”
4-H 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. Project selection is optional for Nebraska 4-H members, with the exception of horse and shooting sports projects. However, youth are encouraged to officially enroll in projects they are interested in. The project enrollment process may help youth learn valuable management skills like goal-setting, record-keeping, planning, and organizing.
