As a part of the National 4-H Beyond Ready initiative, working to reach 10 million young people annually with 4-H programs by 2030, National 4-H announced earlier this year three Tentpole Moment Activations that will be observed annually:
- Signing Season (April – May)
- Fair (June – August)
- National 4-H Week (this year observed October 5-11, 2025)
Next month, Nebraska will collectively join states across the nation to observe National 4-H Week (https://4-h.org/events/4-h-week), with the goal of continuing to rally our closest stakeholders at our biggest point in the year to show the power of our 4-H youth, educators, families, alumni, and more.
The theme this year is “Beyond Ready,” and continues to build upon the initiative that was launched last year during National 4-H Week.
To celebrate National 4-H Week this year, we will come together as a system to recognize National 4-H and the Beyond Ready Initiative on two celebratory days:
- Celebration Day 1 – Beyond Ready: Go Green | Monday, October 6, 2025
On Monday of National 4-H Week, Go GREEN and show your 4-H state spirit! A simple, cohesive way for youth, professionals, volunteers, alumni & supporters across the country to celebrate their 4-H program being Beyond Ready. Wear a green hat, clothing, face paint – anything green goes. Let’s paint the nation GREEN, on Monday, October 6! Share your Go Green moment on social and tag National 4-H (@4H), the Nebraska 4-H program (@Nebraska4H), and use #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek.
- Celebration Day 2 – Beyond Ready: 4-H For Good | Thursday, October 9, 2025
On Thursday of National 4-H Week, help us shine a light on all the good that 4-H does! A day to recognize all 4-H’ers who are doing good and making positive impact by helping their communities and beyond. Share your own story or celebrate someone who is making a difference – another 4-H’er, volunteer, or educator. We want to know, on Thursday, October 9! Share on social and tag National 4-H (@4H), the Nebraska 4-H program (@Nebraska4H), and use #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek.
(*Note: community service does not need to be conducted on this day; previous community service stories can be highlighted)
The 2025 National 4-H Toolkit (updated with Nebraska 4-H branding when possible) contains a variety of materials to assist with promotion of the two celebration days and can be found at https://go.unl.edu/national4hweektoolkitfornebraska.
The Toolkit also contains:
- A link to the National 4-H Week Toolkit and Webinar recording.
- Celebration Day 1 and 2 promotional materials (including flyers, social media and newsletter messages, and graphics).
- A Nebraska-specific news article providing an overview of National 4-H Week, as well as a letter to the editor, proclamation, and news release template.
- A link to the Shop 4-H Beyond Ready Full Collection.
- Resources for additional National 4-H Activations promoted during National 4-H Week (activations listed below).
Additional National 4-H Activations Promoted During National 4-H Week
The following activations will continue or start during National 4-H Week. Please note that not all of these activations will have promotional resources provided by National 4-H; if resources are received for these additional National 4-H Activations, they will be added to the Folder icon National 4-H Marketing Resources folder in the Employee Resources SharePoint account and in the 4-H Promotional Content View (https://go.unl.edu/4hpromotionalcontentview).
- Go Green Day: Green Illuminated Buildings
On Go Green Day, individuals, organizations, and landmarks across the country will show their support for 4-H by wearing or displaying green. The following locations will be glowing green in and near Nebraska on October 6!
- Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge; Omaha, NE
- City Hall Clocktower; Sioux City, IA
- Indoor Skywalk Bridges; Sioux City, IA
Lighting up the buildings and other community locations will be a powerful symbol of 4-H's impact and a reminder of how our programs continue to shape the next generation of leaders to be Beyond Ready for the future.
- ‘How It Started. How It’s Going.’ Alumni Story Sharing
4-H has always been about helping young people become Beyond Ready — for college, career, and life. Share a photo at https://4-H.org/ShareYourStory from your early 4-H days alongside a recent one and describe how 4-H made you Beyond Ready for life and career! Not an alum? No problem! Post your 4-H moments on social using #4HBeyondReady and #NE4H. Also, a new editable Canva template is now available for counties to share ‘How It Started. How It’s Going.’ stories. Alumni posts can be shared anytime throughout National 4-H Week.
- Cause Marketing Promotion: Casey’s + 4-H 2025
From October 1 – November 4, 2025, Casey’s and 4-H are joining forces to strengthen the communities they call home. Casey’s has more than 2,600 stores across 20 states in the Midwest and South. Support 4-H at Casey’s in two easy ways:
- October 1-10: Round up your in-store purchase to donate to 4-H
- October 1-November 4: add a donation to any order made online or in the Casey’s app
Every donation benefits local 4-H programs. Casey’s will match up to $150,000 of donations. Funds will be shared with land-grant universities in states where funds were raised.
- Cause Marketing Promotion: Wicked For Good + 4-H
Are you ready to do something Wickedly Good? 4-H and the major motion picture, Wicked: For Good, are teaming up to create a wave of kindness across the country this fall. Join the 4-H for Good Challenge, starting October 9 through November 21, 2025!
- Do something good in your community, big or small! Big or small, every act counts! Hope out, give back, or simply show someone you care.
- Snap a photo or video of your good deed or share a short story about what you did.
- Post it on social media using the hashtag #4HForGood and tag @4H and your local 4-H account.
- Challenge 4 friends to join by tagging them in your post and inviting them to do something good too!
Amplify the ‘Good of 4-H’ by reaching new audiences, celebrating acts of service and community, and show the country how 4-H’ers are leaders in community service and civic engagement.
More details at: https://go.unl.edu/national4hweektoolkitfornebraska