YOUTH & PARENT RESOURCES

2024 Family Handbook

4-H Policy and Handbook

Participant Code of Conduct

4-H Project Information

Where to purchase Project Resource Manuals: 

UNL Marketplace

Shop 4-H

 

STATIC RESOURCES

Static Resources

Healthy Lifestyles - Food Preservation Card 

Home Environment - Supporting Information Tag, Definitions

Clothing & Fiber Arts - Data Tag: Clothing, Crochet, Knitting 

STEAM Sewing Skills - Beyond the Needle Skill Levels Explained

Fashion Show - Shopping in Style Report

Photography -  Information, How to Exhibit Handout, Data Tags: Unit I, Unit II, Unit III

Visual Arts - Supporting Information Tag

Horticulture & Floriculture - Preparing Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits & Cut Flowers for Fair 

Agronomy - Crop Production Project Worksheet

 

SHOOTING SPORTS PROGRAM

County Fair Shooting Sports

Nebraska's 4-H Shooting Sports Program

 

SPEECH CONTEST

Premier Communication Event

The Nebraska 4-H Premier Communication Event features a variety of state-level communication contests. The 2-day event is held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus, June 19-20, 2025.

  • Age Divisions:

    • Junior: ages 8-10 as of January 1 of the current year
    • Intermediate: ages 11-13 as of January 1 of the current year
    • Senior: ages 14-18 as of January 1 of the current year

    Includes Prepared Speech, Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA), Illustrated Presentations, Impromptu Speech, and Video Communications.  For more information click here.

 

CLUB RESOURCES

4-H Club Officer's Guide

Year-End 4-H club Treasurer's Report - Due January 31, 2025

How to Start a New 4-H Club

Independent Members Resources

Seward County 4-H Clubs

 

4-H Volunteer

LEADER RESOURCES

The Nebraska state 4-H website has many resources for volunteers and club leaders ranging from training and development to club management. And check out the Fast Track Volunteer Training video series to increase your leadership skills at your own pace.  

 4-H Club IRS Tax Exemption and EIN Information - 4-H Clubs receive federal income tax exemption through a group exemption held by the Nebraska 4-H Foundation. This means that 4-H clubs are exempt from paying federal income tax on funds raised on behalf of 4-H, or to support educational programs; and donors can deduct contributions to 4-H clubs. Learn more with our Template of a Constitution & Bylaws with Financial Language.

 

 

 

AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES

Awards

Achievement Application; Due October 1, 2025

County Awards; Due October 1, 2025

Record Book for Clover Kids; Due October 1, 2025 

Tim Sheehan Memorial Award – Outstanding Livestock Exhibitor; Due October 1, 2025

Bev Waegli Memorial Award – Outstanding Family & Consumer Science Exhibitor; Due October 1, 2025

Chris Clover Award; Due October 1, 2025

Diamond Clover; Goals Due April 2025, Report Due October 1, 2025

Scholarships; Due January 6, 2025

 

LIVESTOCK RESOURCES

Livestock Resources - Beef

Nebraska's 4-H Livestock Program

Premises ID

Exhibitors of 4-H and FFA market animals (beef, sheep, swine, and goat) will be required to obtain a Premises ID number through Nebraska Department of Agriculture at no cost. 

Premises ID Information

Premises ID Online Form

YQCA

Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance certification through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development.

YQCA certification is required for all 4-H members enrolled in any of the following projects:

  • Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)
  • Dairy Cattle
  • Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)
  • Poultry
  • Rabbit
  • Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)
  • Swine (breeding swine, market swine)
Animal ID's   *** Due June 15th! ***

Guidelines

Beef

Breeding Beef ID Sheet

Market Beef ID Sheet

Feeder Calf ID Sheet

Cow/Calf Ownership ID Sheet

Bucket Calf ID Sheet

Goat

Breeding Doe ID Sheet

Market Goat ID Sheet

Sheep

Breeding Sheep ID Sheet

Market Lamb ID Sheet

Swine

Breeding Gilt ID Sheet

Market Swine ID Sheet

Dairy Cow

Dairy Cattle ID Sheet

Dairy Goat

Dairy Goat ID Sheet 

 

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. Click here for more information.

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.  Click here for more information.

Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge

The Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is an opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the cattle industry and is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska cattle industry.  The goal of the Fed Steer Challenge is to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H beef projects by providing an affordable option that rewards production merit and carcass value of the market animal, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and producer engagement by the 4-H member.  Click here for more information.

Premier Animal Science Event (PASE)

The Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) features a variety of state-level animal science contests. The two-day event is held annually at the Nebraska Animal Science Complex in Lincoln. Youth explore issues related to the animal industry, discover college and career opportunities, and work with other youth from across the state. Youth have the opportunity to participate in livestock contests that do not require owning or exhibiting a live animal, including the Livestock Judging Contest, Meats Judging, Poultry Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl, Livestock Skill-a-Thon, Animal Welfare Judging, and Companion Animal Challenge.

Upcoming dates are June 17-18, 2025

Refer to their website for more information.

 
More Livestock Resources

4-H Bucket Calf Project Guide

Nebraska State Fair ID & Nomination Guide

Show Stock Manager - Step by Step Instructions for Nominating Livestock

Ak-Sar-Ben - Instructions for Nominating Livestock

Nebraska EID Tagging Guild

Cattle Hair Sample Collection Instructions

Sheep/Goat Hair Sample Collection Instructions

Swine Hair Sample Collection Instructions

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Animal Diseases

 

HORSE RESOURCES

Horse Program

Nebraska's 4-H Horse Program 

Animal ID's   *** Due June 1st for State Horse Show; Due June 15th for County Fair! ***

Horse ID Sheet

2 & 3 Year Old Western Pleasure Affidavit

 

SMALL ANIMAL RESOURCES/COMPANION ANIMAL PROGRAM

Companion Animal - dog

Cat & Ferret Health Form - to be signed by your Veterinarian

Dog Health Form - to be signed by your Veterinarian

Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines

Dog Achievement Program

The Nebraska 4-H Dog Achievement Program encourages youth to engage in a variety of companion animal opportunities, events, and contests. The program is designed to equip youth with a variety of skills and abilities and prepare them for success in the future. The Dog Achievement Program is open to enrolled 4-H members ages 8-18.  Click here for more information.

Dog Showmanship Video Series

The Dog Showmanship Video Series includes maneuver descriptions, demonstrations, and general information for youth interested in learning more about dog showmanship. The short videos are intended to help youth while practicing with their dogs in preparation for 4-H showmanship.  Click here to to lean more.

Companion Cat Science

Companion Cat Science is a self-paced learning opportunity offering educational information about caring for and showing cats. The online course is great for middle-school-aged youth but is open to all youth regardless of age who are looking to learn more about cats and the 4-H cat project. Companion Cat Science is great resource for anyone interested in caring for or learning about cats in 4-H whether they own one now or not!  Click here to learn more.

Companion Rabbit Science

Companion Rabbit Science is a self-paced learning opportunity offering information about caring for rabbits. The online course is great for middle-school-aged youth but is open to all youth regardless of age who are looking to learn more about rabbits and the 4-H rabbit project. Companion Rabbit Science is a great resource for anyone interested in caring for or learning about rabbits in 4-H whether they own one now or not!  Click here for more information.