All events will be held at Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County conference rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln unless otherwise noted. Sandhills Global Event Center is located at 84th & Havelock, Lincoln.
As of 12-17-25. Schedule is subject to change — refer to the 4-H enewsletter for the most current information.
Horse 2026 Calendar (PDF) Note: Horse Stampede dates are now TBA
January
1 Horse Incentive Program Begins
3 Award & Scholarship Applications Due to Extension Office
3 Club Treasurer’s Reports Due
6 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
11 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
17 Cat Show, Sandhills Global Event Center – Lancaster County Farm Bureau Room.....9–11 a.m.
17 Pillow Party Sewing Workshop.....9 a.m.–12 p.m.
23–24 Teen Council’s Lock-In For 4th & 5th Graders.....8 p.m.–8 a.m.
29 Horse VIPS Committee Meeting, Virtual.....6 p.m.
February (February is Nebraska 4-H Month)
3 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
7 BB Gun/Air Rifle & Air Pistol Contest, Nebraska Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St......8 a.m.
8 Rabbits R Us Fun Show & Showmanship Clinic, Sandhills Global Event Center – South Hall.....1 p.m.
8 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
12 Achievement Celebration.....6:30 p.m.
21 Jammie Jamboree Sewing Workshop.....9 a.m.–12 p.m.
28 Play With Crochet: Basic Stitches Workshop.....9 a.m.–11 a.m.
March
2 Market Beef Weigh-In, Sandhills Global Event Center – EquineMarket Pavilion.....6–7 p.m.
3 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
7 UNL Chick Days, UNL East Campus – Animal Science Complex.....9 a.m.–2 p.m.
8 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
14 Spring Rabbit Show, Sandhills Global Event Center – Ag Society Hall.....9 a.m.
23 Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest Entries Due/Registration Deadline for Speech Contest
TBA Nebraska 4-H Horse Stampede, UNL East Campus – Animal Science Complex
29 Prepared Speech Contest.....1:30 p.m.
April
7 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
12 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
TBA Kiwanis Karnival, Elliott School, 225 S. 25 Street.....5:30–7:30 p.m.
19 Illustrated Presentations and Video Communications Contest.....2 p.m.–5 p.m.
TBA Solstice Horse Dressage Schooling Show, Sandhills Global Event Center - LivestockMarket Pavilion
25 Home Decor & Furniture Painting Workshop.....9 a.m.–12 p.m.
29 Leader & Volunteer Collaboration.....9 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
May
1 Preference Given to Lancaster County 4-H Council Camp Scholarship Applications Submitted by May 1
4 Sheep/Goat Weigh-In Day, Sandhills Global Event Center – Currency Pavilion.....6–7 p.m.
5 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
6–13 Dog Virtual Trivia Contest, links at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/contests
7 Horse VIPS Committee Meeting.....6 p.m.
12 Horsemanship Advancement Level Testing, Sandhills Global Event Center
21 Youth for the Quality Care of Animals In-Person Training for Livestock Animal Exhibitors.....6–7 p.m.
26 Horsemanship Advancement Level Testing, Sandhills Global Event Center
27–29 Premier Animal Science Event (Includes Companion Animal Challenge), UNL East Campus – Animal Science Complex
30 Horse Judging Contest, Sandhills Global Event Center – LivestockMarket Pavilion.....2 p.m.
June
1 State Horse Expo Entries, ID’s and Level Requirements Due
1 Super Fair Horse ID’s Due to Extension
2 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
2 Horsemanship Advancement Level Testing, Sandhills Global Event Center
4 Youth for the Quality Care of Animals In-Person Training for Livestock Animal Exhibitors.....6–7 p.m.
9–12 Clover College.....8 a.m.–5 p.m.
15 Deadline to Enroll 4-H Members/Volunteers — Must Use 4-H Online at https://4honline.com
15 Deadline for Identification Requirements of 4-H & FFA Sheep/Goats/Swine/Beef/Bucket Calves/Dairy Cattle/Rabbits
15 Deadline for Livestock Animal Exhibitors to Complete Requirements for Youth for Quality Care of Animals
16 Plant Science In-Person Contests: Horticulture/Tree ID/Grass & Weed ID.....10 a.m.–12 p.m.
TBA Lancaster County 4-H Online Tree and Grass & Weed ID Contests, links at https://lancaster.unl.edu/hort-fair
TBA Nebraska 4-H Online Horticulture Judging Contest, links at https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest
16 Horsemanship Advancement Level Testing, Sandhills Global Event Center
16–17 Nebraska 4-H Premier Communication Event, UNL East Campus – Nebraska East Union
June 18–July 1 Animal Entries for the Lancaster County Super Fair Must be Submitted Online at https://go.unl.edu/lcsf-animal-entries Between June 18 and July 1, 11:59 p.m.
20 Horse Trail Clinic, Sandhills Global Event Center - LivestockMarket Pavilion
23 Horsemanship Advancement Level Testing, Sandhills Global Event Center
24 Life Challenge Contest.....8:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
July
1 Deadline for All Super Fair 4-H & FFA Animal Online Entries and Horsemanship Advancement Levels
6 Livestock Boosters Scholarship Deadline
9 Horse VIPS Committee/Superintendent Meeting.....6 p.m.
11–15 Nebraska 4-H State Horse Expo, Fonner Park, Grand Island
13 Photography Help Session.....10 a.m.–2 p.m.
20 Horse Incentive Program Last Day to Log Hours/Points
21 Fashion Show Judging Day.....8 a.m.
24 Horse Incentive Program Forms Due to Extension
28 4-H & FFA Static Exhibit Entry for Lancaster County Super Fair, Sandhills Global Event Center - Ag Society Hall 4–8 p.m.
Jul. 30–Aug. 8 Lancaster County Super Fair (4-H & FFA Exhibits & Events July 29–Aug. 2; 4-H Horse Shows July 29–Aug. 2), Sandhills Global Event Center
August
10 Deadline for State Fair Animal Entries — Must Enter Online at http://nebr.fairwire.com
Aug. 28–Sept. 7 Nebraska State Fair, Fonner Park, Grand Island
September
1 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
10 Horse VIPS Committee and Horse After Super Fair Planning & Feedback Meeting.....6 p.m.
13 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
30 4-H Council’s Alumni Scholarship Deadline
October
4 Launch Your 4-H Journey (Formerly Called 4-H Information Night).....5 p.m.
4–10 National 4-H Week
6 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
11 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
15 Horse Awards Night.....6:30 p.m.
22 Leader & Volunteer Collaboration.....9 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
November
3 Youth Science Day for Homeschooled Youth.....9 a.m.–12 p.m.
3 4-H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
8 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
14 Paper Basket Making Workshop.....9 a.m.
December
5 Let’s Get Artsy Workshop.....9–11 a.m.
13 Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.