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- Lancaster Co. 4-H Home
- Find Your Local 4-H
- Nebraska 4-H
- Search this site: Use the box at the top right of this web page to enter keywords to search this site.
Help Start a 4-H Club
4-H offers a wide variety of opportunities for you to discover your world, your community and yourself. YOU make your own choices and set your own goals!
The Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is open to all youth ages 5-18. Through learning-by-doing, youth gain practical skills and develop life skills.
Currently, there are far more youth wanting to be in 4-H clubs than there are clubs. Families are encouraged to help organize a new club -- which is a lot easier than you may think! Starting a 4-H club now gives plenty of time for members to work on projects for next year's county and state fairs.
Club Organization
Clubs range from 5 to 60 members and are led (or co-led) by club leaders -- often club members' parents. Parents are encouraged to attend meetings.
Volunteers are the heart of 4-H. Adult leaders partner with youth members to complete projects.
Club leaders -- Also known as organizational leaders, club leaders coordinate meeting times and agendas. They also are responsible for club enrollment information.
Project leaders -- Clubs may or may not have project leaders who provide leadership for specific projects.
Parent volunteers -- Also known as assistant leaders, provide valuable guidance to youth.
Club officers -- Youth members choose officers to run their meetings.
Over 150 Projects
Nebraska 4-H has more than 150 project areas. Age-appropriate project manuals are written by university experts. Most project manuals have accompanying leader guides.
In most clubs, members complete several projects a year. Some 4-H clubs focus on one particular project area, such as rabbits. Many youth exhibit their projects at the county and state fairs.
4-H Staff Guidance
4-H staff provides guidance and resources to club leaders. Here's a look at Lancaster County 4-H staff and their areas of responsibilities:
- Kristin Geisert manages all non-animal project areas. This includes clothing, food, home environment, engineering and general areas.
- Calvin DeVries manages the 4-H livestock project areas and 4-H Embryology school enrichment.
- Kate Pulec manages the 4-H horse, rabbit and poultry project areas and 4-H school enrichment.
- Mary Jane Frogge manages the horticulture and conservation project areas.
- Ericka Murray focuses on teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Other Resources
Resource materials available to leaders include:
- Regularly-scheduled leader trainings
- The Nebline monthly newsletter 4-H pages
- Lancaster County 4-H Web site at http://lancaster.unl.edu
- Nebraska 4-H web site at http://4h.unl.edu
- Mailings to club leaders
- County and State Fair can provide numerous ideas and inspirations for projects!
Now is a Good Time
to Start a 4-H Club.
Call 402-441-7180 or complete the Join 4-H! On-line Interest Form!
Lancaster County 4-H:
- 4-H Home Page
- 4-H Club & Member Resources
- Find Your Local 4-H
- Search this site: Use the box at the top right of this web page to enter keywords to search this site.
4-H Year in Review!
2018 4-H Achievement Celebration Results
In 2017, Lancaster County 4-H engaged 35,946 youth through clubs, school enrichment and after-school programs. 1,946 adults volunteered. Lancaster County, 4-H is a cooperative effort between University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Lancaster County government.