Gage 4-H News

Announcements

• Office Closed July 4
• County Fair Entry Website - Now Open
• 2024 Fairbook Available
• Barn & Auto Passes
• THANK YOU ExMark, Gage County Farm Bureau, and Gage County Ag Society!

Upcoming Events

• Livestock Judging Clinic & Contest - July 11
• Adventure Begins at Your Library!

Notes to 4-H Members

• Table Setting Contest - July 15
• Fashion Show - July 15
• Performing Arts Contest - July 15
• Fairgrounds Set-Up Day - July 16
• 4-H Building Static Exhibit Check-in Information
• 4-H All-Star Awards - July 27
• 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Premium Auction - July 28
• Static & Livestock Exhibit Release - July 27
• Fairgrounds Clean-Up Day - July 29
• Gage County Fair Volunteers Needed!
• Nebraska State Fair Entry Deadline - August 10

Notes to Livestock & Horse Members

• Nemaha Valley Livestock Show - July 13
• Wymore Area Livestock Show - July 18
• Clover Kid Livestock Show during Gage County Fair

• County Fair Ag & Livestock Contests
• Horse Advancement Levels Testing
• Livestock & Poultry/Rabbit Letters

Notes to 4-H Leaders & Volunteers

• 4-H Council Meeting - July TBD

Calendar of Events

All 4-H and FFA Entries for the Gage County Fair (Static & Livestock) must enter online at https://gage.fairwire.com/ by July 15th at 5:00 p.m. No late entries are accepted. Exhibitors will create a new account every year - the system does not store your log-in information year-to-year.

Note: This is not the same as 4-H Enrollment that was due June 15. This is required to participate in the Gage County Fair.

The 2024 Gage County 4-H/FFA Fairbook is available on our website and to pick-up at the Extension Office during business hours. A digital version can be found below.

Passes may be purchased for 4-H & FFA families at a reduced rate ONLY at the Extension Office prior to the Gage County Fair. After July 23rd, all passes must be purchased through the Fair Office.

• 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibitor Families - purchase 1 barn pass for $7.50 (half price). Additional barn passes are $15.00
• 4-H Ag Club Leaders (enrolled on 4HOnline) & FFA Instructors - 1 free barn pass
• 4-H Home Ec Club Leaders (enrolled on 4HOnline) - 1 free 5-Day Auto Pass
• General Public - 5-Day Auto Pass can be purchased for $5.00 each

Thank you, Exmark! Exmark Manufacturing, Community Outreach Awareness, will provide each 4-H and FFA exhibitor a complementary T-shirt. We will give out shirts and check off names during entry day at the 4-H Building, and throughout the fair. PLEASE THANK Exmark and sign the big thank you notes in the 4-H Building. THIS SHIRT IS NOT OFFICIAL 4-H/FFA ATTIRE AND CANNOT BE WORN WHILE SHOWING LIVESTOCK, HORSES, COMPANION ANIMALS, ETC.

We would like to thank the Gage County Farm Bureau for sponsoring one free show shirt for each exhibitor this year! Shirts can be picked up starting Friday, July 19th at the Extension Office.

THANK the Gage County Ag Society! They donate 1 free pass to each exhibitor to the Bull Riding on Wednesday, Races on Friday, Eve of Destruction on Saturday, or Tractor Pull on Sunday. Passes may be picked up by members, families or 4-H leaders at the Information Booth in the 4-H Building throughout the fair.

To register, call the Extension Office at 402-223-1384. More information below.

Join us for our 2024 Adventure Begins at Your Library program in partnership with the Wymore Public Library on Friday, July. 5 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. and Friday, July 12 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Open to all 4-H members and Clover Kids. Participants will determine a theme and creatively set one place setting, including table covering, plates, silverware, glassware and centerpiece. Include a menu card; nutrition, color and taste should be considered and compliment theme. Table provided. Participant should wear 4-H shirt.

Contest Rules & Helpful Tips: go.unl.edu/24prefaircontests

Register by filling out the form and sending it to the extension office

Registration is now open for the 2024 Gage County 4-H Fashion Show. This year’s show is Monday, July 15 at the 4-H Building on the Gage County Fairgrounds. Check in at 1:00 pm, judging starts at 1:30 pm, Public show starts at 7:00 pm. FOR 2024-Paper Entries are Required. Entries are due to the Extension Office (or email) July 11th by 4:30 pm. If emailed, please bring swatches for constructed garments to contest.

STEAM 1, STEAM 2, STEAM 3, Beyond the Needle, Knitting/Crochet, and Dress for Africa

• Entry Form: https://go.unl.edu/gagefashionentry
• STEAM 2 and STEAM 3 need to include a whole outfit made by 4-H'er to be eligible to model at the Nebraska State Fair
• Include a swatch and photo with entry form, if available.

Shopping In Style

• Entry Form: https://go.unl.edu/gagesisentry (please turn in the WHOLE form on July 11th)

Textile Extravaganza (Quilt)

• Entry Form: https://go.unl.edu/textileextravaganzaentry

Share your talent and sign up for the Performing Arts Contest, Monday, July 15th during the Public Fashion show at 7:00 pm. Paper entry form with copy of sheet music required, due July 11th to the Extension Office.

Contest Info and Entry Form: https://go.unl.edu/24prefaircontests

Recorded music used in classes 1-5 must provide music file to Extension Staff with entry. All musical instruments must be provided by exhibitor.

We are looking for a music stand! If you have one we could borrow, please contact Jacie!

We have additional awards this year! Sponsored by Music Works Academy

Performing Arts Grand Champion - Senior Division

Performing Arts Reserve Grand - Champion Senior Division

Performing Arts Third Place - Senior Division

Performing Arts Grand Champion - Intermediate Division

Performing Arts Reserve Grand Champion - Intermediate Division

Performing Arts Third Place - Intermediate Division

Performing Arts Grand Champion - Junior Division

Performing Arts Reserve Grand Champion - Junior Division

Performing Arts Third Place - Junior Division

Join us in setting up the fairgrounds and 4-H Building on Tuesday, July 16th at 9:00 a.m. Meet at Merchant's Hall and help set-up the 4-H Building, Ag Hall, Merchant's Hall, the Livestock Arena, and under the grandstand.

Check-in for 4-H, FFA and Clover Kid Exhibits will take place Monday, July 22nd from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM AND Tuesday, July 23rd from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. All Static Exhibits will be entered at the 4-H Building. When you arrive at the building, locate the area that you have exhibits. Superintendents will be available only on Tuesday to help with check-in. Judging will only take place on Tuesday after 2:00 pm.

Please prepare your exhibits for check-in:

• Pick-up your entry tags at the Extension Office. They will be available for pick-up Wednesday, July 17- Friday, July 19, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Check to make sure your entry tags are correct for your exhibit. If there are any issues, please email gage-county@unl.edu.
• Attach your entry tags to the corresponding exhibit (two tags per exhibit) use tape, paperclips, pins, or rubber bands to secure the tag. Attach the tags in a way that can be viewed from the front of the exhibit. For example, on a framed drawing, attach the entry tag on the front side of the frame rather than the back.
• Note: project area if supporting information is required for exhibit.

Supporting Information:

• ALL 4-H BUILDING EXHIBITS - Label the bottom or back of each exhibit with Name & County. (Labels available at Extension Office or create your own)
• Horticulture Exhibits - include the cultivar for the plant on your entry tag (can be handwritten or included with your entry on gage.fairwire.com)
• Food Exhibits - Recipe required.
• Food Preservation Exhibits - https://go.unl.edu/ne4hfood-nutrition
• Home Environment Exhibits - https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomeenvironment
• Visual Arts Exhibits - https://go.unl.edu/ne4hvisualarts
• Clothing, Knitting & Crochet Exhibits - http://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing
• Photography Exhibits (Level 1 optional, Levels 2-3 required) : http://go.unl.edu/ne4h-photography

4-H All-Star awards are selected in various departments based on points awarded for purple, blue, red, and white ribbons. Competition is divided into junior, intermediate, and senior divisions. Other awards are selected by the judges. Look for the posters in the 4-H Building so winners will be present.

This is one of the most awesome efforts of Gage County businesses and individuals supporting 4-H and FFA exhibitors! Market beef, swine, sheep and goat exhibitors are encouraged to enter one animal and you must turn in your auction sheet at the fair by Saturday, 1 hour after swine show concludes, to enter the auction. Thanks to auction committee, The Auctioneers, Ag Society, buyers and supporters.

Exhibits and livestock are NOT released from the grounds prior to Sunday, 7:00 pm, for the enjoyment of visitors to the fair. Note the rule in the fairbook stating that exhibits taken out early will NOT receive premium money. If you would like to leave your exhibit for the 4-H Building fundraiser, please make sure it is marked. Remaining exhibits that are not marked, should be picked up at the Extension Office the following week.

Fairboard asks exhibitors and families to help put things away and clean up the grounds and the 4-H Building. This includes home economics AND livestock clubs! Free lunch. Additional herdsmanship points are awarded, based on a percentage of club membership. This is a small way to show our appreciation to the fairboard for a fantastic event! Sign in at the Fair Office when you come; pick up trash bags and gloves and get in on the headcount at lunch.

We are excited about the 2024 Gage County Fair, but we need your help to make it a success! If you would like to help with 4-H events at the fair, please see sign up links below.

If you have something specific that you would like to help with, but prefer not to use the sign-ups, please call the office to make arrangements.

4-H Building Sign-up: https://go.unl.edu/24gcf4hbuildingsignup

Fashion Show, Table Setting & Performing Arts: https://go.unl.edu/24contestsignup

Large Animals: https://go.unl.edu/24gcflargeanimal

Small Animals: https://go.unl.edu/24gcfsmallanimal

Questions? Contact the Extension Office (402-223-1384). Thank you in advance!

Important info, date, and deadlines related to entries see below:

• 4-H and FFA Livestock Deadline: 8 p.m. Central on August 10. Swine exhibitors: Please have your PQA# and Premise ID handy.
• 4-H In-Person Events (contests, fashion show, etc.): 8 p.m. Central on August 10.
• 4-H Static Exhibit Deadline: ENTERED BY Extension Office Staff

All State Fair entries are made at: https://nebr.fairwire.com/. This deadline is very strict, no late entries will be accepted

Register for the show at https://showman.app/shows...

Register by July 6th for early registration

NEW show order: Beef, Sheep, Goats

Check-in 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Show Starts at 5:00 p.m

Follow Wymore Area Livestock Show on Facebook (They have a new Facebook Page)

Registration Link: https://form.jotform.com/241715188124152

The Wymore Area Livestock Show will be held on July 18th at Arbor State Park in Wymore. Register by July 12th to guarantee a t-shirt.

NEW for 2024 is the Gage County Clover Kid Livestock Show, taking place during the fair on Saturday, July 27 at 1:00 p.m. Registration is due by July 15 at 5:00 p.m.

Ultrasound Contest:

• Beef during check-in, Wednesday, July 24th 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Hog during check-in, Thursday, July 25th 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Sheep Thursday, July 25th 12:00 p.m.- 12:30 p.m.
• Goats Thursday, July 25th 12:30 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Team Quiz Bowl: Wednesday, July 24, 2:00 p.m.

Elite Showmanship: Saturday, July 27, 30 minutes following Livestock Judging Contest

• Registration due 10:00 a.m. Satuday, July 27 (except Hogs)

Rabbit & Poultry Skill-a-thon

The Rabbit & Poultry Skill-a-thon will take place on Thursday, July 25 at 3:00 p.m. in the Poultry/Rabbit Complex. Youth can choose to compete in Rabbit and Poultry or one or the other. It is not required to participate in both rabbit and poultry. Medals will be awarded for top 2 placings in each age division for each species.

There will be 2 age divisions for the Rabbit/Poultry Skill-a-thon:

• Junior - Ages 8-13
• Senior - Ages 14-18

Rabbit:

Junior division will complete 3 stations, Senior divisions will complete 5 stations.

Rabbit Station Examples & Study Guide can be found at: https://go.unl.edu/rabbitskillathon

Click "Classwork" up at the top to access the materials.

Poultry:

Junior division will complete 3 stations, senior division will complete 5 stations.

Poultry Station Examples & Study Guide can be found at: https://go.unl.edu/poultryskillathon

Click "Classwork" at the top to access the materials.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with the stations at the contest.

Need to take the test to complete a Horse Advancement Level this summer? Advancement Levels must be completed by July 15 for the current 4-H year.

As of 2022, you must pass Advancement Level 1 to enter in any loping classes at the County Fair. A copy of your completed level needs to be turned into the Extension Office by July 15th. Must complete all 3 portions, Written Test, Club demonstration, and Skills test.

Schedule a time to take your test at the Extension Office by emailing gage-county@unl.edu or call us at 402-223-1384

Livestock & Poultry/Rabbit Exhibits, please keep an eye on your email around the middle of the month - we will be emailing information with important reminders about exhibiting at the county fair.

The next 4-H Council Meeting will be in July (date TBD) at 6:30 pm at the Gage County Extension Office.

Email: Gage-County@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/gage/
Location: 1115 West Scott Street, Beatrice, NE, USA
Phone: 402-223-1384
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionGageCo/