135,000 kids, 20,000 volunteers, and 400 staff members all work together every year, helping 4-H kids across Nebraska, as they participate in more than 110 programs.

Showing animals at the Lancaster County Fair, earning prized ribbons for goodies from the garden, capturing favorite moments on film, sewing, baking, speaking, presenting, painting and cooking.

It's no secret, those involved in 4-H stay busy.

"It really helps kids develop life skills, communication, self-respect, responsibility, money management," said Deanna Karmazin, UNL Extension Associate.

4-H started around the beginning of the 20th century, as an organization offering hands-on education to kids like Samantha Leyden of Firth.

"It teaches you to be more confident with yourself, and you can learn there's more stuff that you can do. There are speech contests in the spring, and a lot of people encourage each other to do that," said Leyden.

Beyond speech, 4-H offers lots of life lessons, dealing with the head, heart, hands, and health.

"4-H is way more than cows and cookies anymore. There's a huge new array of science, engineering, technology, horticulture. Just a wide variety of careers that come out of 4-H beyond agriculture," said Karmazin.

"We usually help people, and do community projects. We also do some projects on our own," said Sierra Wagner of Ceresco.

For most, the highlight of the year is the county fair.

"You get to run around with your friends, and get premiums afterwards, and you get to show different stuff, and it's just fun to make your projects," said Leyden.

"We like to show our sheep," said Sierra Wagner.

"You hold on to their head, and bring them in, and you brace them, and then you lead them around the ring, and you set up their feet straight," said Lauren Wagner of Ceresco. "You get ribbons, and animals are really entertaining, and it's really fun to do it with them."

"This is kind of a celebration of what they have done throughout the year," said Karmazin.

Every year, is a year that keeps six million kids across the nation busy.

13,000 kids, ages 5 to 18, are involved in 4-H in Lancaster County alone.

1,000 of those members participated in the 2009 Lancaster County Fair.

For more information on the 4-H organization, click the links below.