Lancaster County NE 4-H

06/05/2026

Meet this year's full-time interns who will help 4-H staff with ongoing summer programming, including contests, Clover College, Lancaster County Super Fair and other activities.

• Cameryn Brandt (sitting at right) assists Extension Associate Kristin Geisert with Clover College and Super Fair static exhibits and contests. This is her third summer as a 4-H intern. Cameryn was a Saline County 4-H member for 9 years. She is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences. She majored in Child, Youth and Family Studies and will begin her teaching career as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Exeter–Milligan–Friend Public Schools in August 2026.

• Brianna Klabenes (standing at right) assists Extension Assistant Madelaine Vanderbeek with the livestock projects. This is her first summer as a 4-H intern. Brianna was a 4-H member in Holt County for 14 years. She is an upcoming Junior at UNL, majoring in Animal Science and Grassland Systems.

• Alexa Orf (standing at left) assists Extension Associates Kate Pulec and Elizabeth Thiltges with the horse, rabbit, dog, cat and household pet projects. This is Alexa’s first summer as a 4-H intern. She was a 4-H member in Saline County for 2 years and an Extension 4-H summer intern in Fillmore County for 1 year. Alexa is an upcoming senior at UNL, majoring in Elementary Education.

• Hannah Thomson (sitting at left) assists Extension Educator Tracy Anderson with this summer’s Imagine Science program, a national organization focused on STEM education. Hannah will also help 4-H staff with preparations for — and during — the Super Fair. This is her first summer as a 4-H intern. Hannah was a 4-H member in Lancaster County for 9 years. She will be a senior at UNL, majoring in Elementary Education.

Emma Thomson will assist part-time with the Imagine Science program. We’ll post more about her soon!

06/02/2026

There's still time to sign up for several of workshops for youth ages 8 & up held next week during 4-H Clover College.

Workshops with openings include:
• Design It. Build It. — Build fantastic bridges and discover the future of cars.
• Watercolor Wonders — Design beautiful ‘doorway’ art using watercolor techniques and architectural styles.
• Wingin’ It — Flutter into the fascinating world of the Monarch butterfly with fun activities.
• Gorgeous Glass — Beautify reused colorful bottles and ceramics using a variety of techniques and embellishments.
• Robot Challenge — See what robots can do and how to make them move.
• What’s Poppin’? — Nebraska loves its popcorn. Cook and taste many varieties.
• Animal Wind Chimes — Transform terracotta pots into musical outdoor art with animal faces.

Check for current workshop availability and registration link at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/clover-college.

Tuesday, June 9–Friday, June 12, 2026Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County conference rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, LincolnLancaster County 4-H Clover College is four days of in-person, hands-on workshops full of fun and a sense of belonging. Learning topics include STEAM concepts of scie...

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Lancaster County 4-H senior Khloe Cuttlers for being selected! We wish her the best on her path to becoming a vet!

Congratulations to the 21 students selected for the newest cohort of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program.

These future veterinarians will help strengthen animal health, support Nebraska livestock producers and serve rural communities across the state.

Meet the students: https://go.unl.edu/675z

05/29/2026

4-H Council gives thanks to everyone who generously donated to Lancaster County 4-H Council during yesterday’s Give to Lincoln Day! All donations will help local 4-H youth grow into true leaders through clubs, classrooms, after-school/summer sites and other programs. 4-H Council also thanks the sponsors of the challenge match fund.

05/28/2026

Exploring Ecosystems 4‑H Day Camp at Holmes Lake, July 22

Nebraska 4‑H is excited to announce the 2026 Nebraska 4‑H Summer Camp season! Exploring Ecosystems 4-H Day Camps for youth ages 8–12 will be offered in Lincoln on Wednesday, July 22 and Grand Island on Tuesday, June 30. The day camp in Lincoln will be held at Holmes Lake, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Fee is $50.

Note: the Chadron overnight camps are full.

Youth are invited to join Nebraska 4-H and Big Gumdrop Outdoors (a nonprofit in Lincoln, Neb. dedicated to educating underserved youth about nature) to explore the world around us through our "Exploring Ecosystems" theme. Discover the wildlife and wild places that exist all around us. From insects that buzz, birds that soar and fish that flop, we will explore it all.

More information on sessions, dates, scholarships and the link to register can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/camp.

If you have questions about Nebraska 4-H Summer Camps, contact Molly Brandt at 402‑472‑8846 or [email protected].

To apply for state-funded camp scholarships, visit https://go.unl.edu/campscholarship.

To apply for Lancaster County 4-H Council camp scholarships, visit https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/clubs/awards/camp-scholarship. Preference given to applications submitted by May 1.

05/27/2026

Life Challenge Study Guide Posted: Good Topics for Club Meetings

The Life Challenge Contest is open to all 4‑H’ers ages 8–18 (by January 1 of the current year) and helps youth learn more about issues related to a variety of family and consumer science topics. There will be three sections of the contest: problem solving a challenge to present to a judge, hands‑on activity stations and a multiple‑choice quiz.

This contest has two age divisions, Junior (ages 8–11) and Senior (ages 12–18), and will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. at Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Conference Rooms at 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln. Note, this is about a month later than previous years.

This year's study packet is now available online at https://go.unl.edu/life-challenge or as a hard copy by request at the Extension office. Not only is the study guide useful to prepare youth for the contest, last year several club leaders used various topics as educational content for their club meetings.

Register by Wednesday, June 17 by calling 402‑441‑7180 or emailing [email protected] (there is no entry form).

This is a Lancaster County Super Fair contest held before the fair and is a premium event. Premium payouts must be picked up on Monday, Aug. 3, 7–11 a.m. at the Sandhills Global Event Center – Ag Society Hall.

05/27/2026

Tomorrow is “Give to Lincoln Day,” a special day when thousands of donors come together to support local nonprofits. Donations are made bigger by a proportional share of a $650,000 challenge match fund!

This is a great time to give back to the 4-H program which gives so many opportunities to youth.

Lancaster County 4-H Council raises funds to help support numerous Lancaster County 4-H programs, activities and scholarships.

You can also help 4-H by spreading the word about Give to Lincoln Day! Thank you for your support!

Donate at http://go.unl.edu/giveto4hcouncil

05/26/2026

State Horse Expo Entries Due June 1

The Fonner Park State 4‑H Horse Expo will be held July 11–15 in Grand Island. Exhibitors must be ages 8–18 (by Jan. 1 of the current year) and have passed Horsemanship Advancement Levels I and II. State 4‑H Horse Show entries, horse ID’s and level requirements are due Monday, June 1.

The entry process must be completed online by the exhibitor or their family. For more information and entry link, go to https://4h.unl.edu/horse-expo.

Horse identification certificates, 2- & 3-year old western pleasure affidavits and completed horsemanship levels must be submitted to the Extension office or [email protected] or [email protected].

If you have questions, contact Kate Pulec at [email protected].

05/21/2026

In 1 week — support local 4-H youth during Give to Lincoln Day!

Lancaster County 4-H Council is one of the nonprofits the community can give donations to during “Give to Lincoln Day” coordinated by Lincoln Community Foundation. Your donation on Thursday, May 28 is made bigger by a proportional share of a $650,000 challenge match fund!

Here are a few ways your support will help youth:
• Support one or more youth participating in statewide 4-H contests, like Speech and Presentation.
• Provide hands-on learning opportunities to more local youth through after-school 4-H programs.
• Help send a Lancaster County youth to a 4-H camp through a scholarship.
• Make a BIG difference helping local youth grow into true leaders!

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, go to http://go.unl.edu/giveto4hcouncil

You can also help 4-H by spreading the word about Give to Lincoln Day! Thank you for your support!

05/21/2026

Horse Identification Forms Due June 1

Each horse being shown in 4‑H at the Lancaster County Super Fair or State Horse Expo must be identified on form “4‑H Horse Identification Certificate” and submitted to the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County office by June 1.

Sketch markings showing both sides and face on the form are preferred instead of photos.

Horse identification form is available online at http://go.unl.edu/horseID and at the Extension office as a carbon copy form. If you use the online form, be sure and make a copy for yourself before sending it to the Extension office.

Send completed forms to [email protected] or Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68528.