4-H Calendar

2026 4-H Calendar

1. 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.

2. February

   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.

3. 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 – South Hall.....9 a.m.
   23    Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest Entries Due/Registration Deadline for Speech Contest
   29    Prepared Speech Contest.....1:30 p.m.

4. April

   7    4‑H Council Meeting.....6 p.m.
   12    Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.
   CANCELED IN 2026    Kiwanis Karnival
   15    Deadline for Nebraska 4‑H Horse Stampede Entries, info at https://4h.unl.edu/horse-stampede
   19    Illustrated Presentations and Video Communications Contest.....2 p.m.
   25    Home Decor & Furniture Painting Workshop.....9 a.m.–12 p.m.
   25–26    Nebraska 4‑H Horse Stampede, UNL East Campus – Animal Science Complex
   29    Leader & Volunteer Collaboration.....9–11:30 a.m.

5. May

   1    Preference Given to Lancaster County 4‑H Council Camp Scholarship Applications Submitted by May 1
   2   Zip It Up! Sewing Workshop....9–11 a.m.
   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/dog-trivia/
   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.

6. 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.
   9–23    Lancaster County 4‑H Online Tree and Grass & Weed ID Contests, links at https://lancaster.unl.edu/hort-fair
   9–23    Nebraska 4‑H Online Horticulture Judging Contest, links at https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest
   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.
   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. 
   19    Babysitting Training Clinic.....9:30 a.m.–2:30 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.....9–11:30 a.m.

11. 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.

12. December

    5    Let’s Get Artsy Workshop.....9–11 a.m.
    13    Teen Council Meeting.....3 p.m.