February is Nebraska 4-H Month, held each year to celebrate all the ways youth can find a sense of belonging through 4-H.

“Finding a place to connect and where they ‘fit’ into their friends, family and school is an important part of helping young people thrive, so that’s the reason for this focus,” says Kathleen Lodl, associate dean and state 4-H program leader. “Statewide celebrations will happen each Friday in February, including 4-H professional appreciation day, which was Feb. 5, and volunteer appreciation day, which was held Feb. 12.”

Feb. 19 will be 4-H spirit day, followed by 4-H sponsor appreciation day Feb. 26. “Many counties may also host celebrations or offer incentives for early enrollment,” Lodl says.

“During Nebraska 4-H Month, youth and families will be encouraged to complete early 4-H Club enrollment,” she adds. “4-H Clubs are meeting in-person and virtually, electing officers, determining projects for the year and selecting service-learning experiences. Registration for 4-H Summer Camp is now open, and plans for spring and summer experiences, available at a county, state and national level, are being shared.”

A new initiative, True Leaders in Service, is being launched in April to honor National Volunteer Appreciation Month.

“This is a monthlong community service activation, which will officially kick off on the first day of April and continue throughout the month,” Lodl says, “culminating with the National 4-H Day of Service on the last Saturday in April.”

She says that thousands of 4-H members will venture out into their communities to do what they do best, leading in service to tackle community challenges and help meet the needs of others.

Learn more details about Nebraska 4-H Month and special activities planned for April online at 4h.unl.edu/4-h-promotion. On this website, you can download a Nebraska 4-H Month virtual background or apply the “Nebraska 4-H — I Belong” frame to your Facebook profile picture.