Dakota County 4-H News

DAKOTA COUNTY OFFICE STAFF

Angela Abts—4-H & Youth aabts2@unl.edu

Julie Boyle—Food Nutrition and Health julie.boyle@unl.edu

Tammy Dunn—Office Manager tpeterson3@unl.edu

Brenda Sale—SNAP-ED bsale@unl.edu

email: dakota-county@unl.edu
Website: https://dakota.unl.edu
Location: 1505 Broadway Street, Dakota City, NE, USA
Phone: 402-987-2140
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLDakotaCounty
Twitter: @NEDakota4HExt

Facebook: Nebraska Extension in Dakota County

Instagram: NE Extension Dakota County

JULY

27 - Fairgrounds clean up day

28 - Dakota~Thurston Dog, Cat, Small Animal Show - Pender, NE

29 - Dakota~Thurston Clothing Day - Fairgrounds Expo Center

31 - August 4 - Dakota~Thurston County Fair

AUGUST

10 - Nebraska State Fair Livestock Entries DUE

20 - State Fair Entries due to Extension Office

23-25 - 4-H State Fair Weekend

30- Sept 2 - FFA State Fair Weekend

SEPTEMBER

2 Labor Day - Office Closed

26-29 - Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show, Grand Island, NE

8/23 - 9/2 - Nebraska State Fair

Printed copies of the Dakota~Thurston County Fairbook are available at the Extension Office. Stop by and pick up your copy.

It is also available online at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/fairbooK

DAKOTA~THURSTON COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE

The Dakota-Thurston 4-H County Fair has the following policy:

19) Late Policy - 4-H members are to pre-enter their projects for deadline will be accessed a $10 fee per individual. Entries will be accepted up to one week past the deadline, as long as the late fee has been paid.

These do not apply to any State Fair submissions! State Fair deadlines are hard and firm!

Be prepared to get dirty on Saturday, July 27th. It is the annual Pre-Fair Clean Up Day. Families come and clean stalls and pens, do minor repairs, pull weeds, get the Exhibit Hall Ready. Fairboard will have some tasks for us.

Lunch will be provided by the Fairboard.

Saturday, July 27th, 2024

9:00Am - Noon?

Lunch provided

Reminder that ALL sewing projects and outfit challenges will be judged on Monday, July 29th at the Dakota~Thurston County Expo Center..

This includes all sewing, Quilt Quest, Knitting, Crocheting, Fashion Show (modeling), Accessories and Outfit Challenge. This does include any Cloverkids that are doing sewing projects.

Check in is at 1:30 and judging begins at 1:45PM

4-H Exhibit Hall - Static Exhibits( Anything without a heartbeat)

• Check in exhibit between 9:00AM - Noon - at the Expo Center use South side overhead door.
• Horticulture/Floriculture exhibits are due at check-in, make sure to include cultivar. (Don't know what that is? Ask!)
• 4-H interviews/judging for all 4-H and Clover kid exhibits 9:00 - noon
• Sunday, August 4th, static exhibits are release at 3:00PM

4-H Livestock and Animals

• Sunday, July 28th, Companion Animal Show; Pender Fire Hall beginning at 1:30 PM
• Tuesday, July 30th - 4-H Rabbit Show; Check-in 8:00-9:30AM; Showmanship begins at 10:00AM, Show begins at 10:30AM
• Wednesday, July 31st - Check-in Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Poultry, & Horse entries from 6:00-8:00 PM Bucket Calf Interview Sign ups during Beef Check-in.
• Thursday, August 1st - Bucket Calf Record Books due to livestock Office at NOON! Interviews from 1:00 - 3:00 PM - location TBD
• Sunday, August 4th - Release of Livestock exhibits- 5:30PM

Every vegetable and flower entry must be identified with the plant species (green beans, marigolds, etc) AND every entry must have a cultivar listed.

What is a cultivar you may ask? It is the variety or strain for a plant for instance you planted Green Beans, does the package say Blue Lake - that is the cultivar, Potatoes - Little Giant etc. You find this information on the seed packages, or the little stick that came with the plant.

Are you bringing a fairy garden or terrarium? Each plant must be identified. It shouldn't just say "cactus" .

READ THE FAIRBOOK for information on how many of each flower or vegetable to bring (it is the number in parenthesis after the plant name.

Did you prepare the vegetable correctly? Some need substantial cleaning and trimming others do not.

Two great resources to help can be found on our website

Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruit for Exhibits at County Fair and the Nebraska State Fair

Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at County Fairs and the Nebraska State Fair

Selecting Cut Flowers for Exhibit (V2)

If you know before Wednesday Morning what vegetable and flower you will be bringing, send the list to Tammy. Making the cards at the check-in table really slows us down and having those done ahead of time would be awesome.

PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY AS THINGS HAVE CHANGED THIS YEAR!

Poultry Exhibitors - When you enter your animals Wednesday, July 31st, from 6:00 –8:00PM we are asking that you check your animals in with either the superintendents or Extension Staff. We want to try and ensure that our show programs are accurate. Your assistance on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Rabbit Exhibitors - The Rabbit Show is on Tuesday, July 30th. Check-in is from 8:00 - 9:30 AM - Showmanship starts at 10:00, and the show starts at 10:30 AM.

Bedding - The fair board will be supplying bedding for livestock projects. If you have special needs for your projects, it is your responsibility to bring the supplies or contact the Fair Board.

Stalling Horses - The Dakota~Thurston County Fairboard voted in 2010, That if a horse is showed, it must be stalled. No veterinarian excuses will be accepted. This applies to all horses exhibiting at the 4-H Horse Show, no expectations. All horses must be stalled and checked in at the fairgrounds with the Superintendents or Extension Staff on Wednesday, July 31st from 6:00-8:00PM.

Livestock Check-in - Wednesday, July 31st from 6:00 - 8:00 pm is check-in day at the fair. Please check-in your animals at the respective livestock scale. This will help us with making sure we have the right exhibitors and livestock that are on the fairgrounds and help with correct stall assignments and correct show programs. Reminder: Swine ear tags need to be purchased for $3.00 each at the time of check-in.

No early release of animals - Please refer to the fair book for the following rule: All live animals, 4-H/FFA, Open Class (except cats, dogs, household pets/birds) will remain on the grounds for the duration of the fair. No early releases. Also see the following statement from the Fair Board: Penalty– Premiums will be pulled for exhibits leaving the fairgrounds prior to the aforementioned release time.

Cat, Dog, & Ferret Exhibits - Vaccinations are required for cats, dog (and ferrets) shown at the Dakota - Thurston County Fair. Please submit proof of vaccinations with your animal entries that are due on July 17th. Forms are available here: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/cat-dog-companion-animal/

Bucket Calves - Record books for the Bucket Calf project are due to the Fair Livestock Office by Noon on Thursday, August 1st. Interviews will be from 1-3 PM on Thursday August 1st. There will also be a sign up sheet for interview times at Beef Check-in on Wednesday evening! Click here for more info: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/livestock/

Livestock check-in is Wednesday, July 31st, from 6:00 - 8:00PM. Please review the map that was in your entry packet for information on entering and leaving the fairgrounds with livestock trailers.

You animals must be checked-in at their respective livestock scale.

This helps us make sure we have the correct exhibitors and livestock that are on the fairgrounds and help with correct stall assignments and show programs.

Reminder: Swine Ear tags are $3.00 each and need to be paid for at time of check-in. (Correct change is appreciated.)

Attention ALL Exhibitors:

Per 4-H General Rule 21, All animals should not have clothing items on when checked in! Any animal suspected of infectious or contagious disease will not be allowed to remains on the fairgrounds and will NOT be allowed to exhibit. Animals that have pinkeye, active ringworm, visible warts, or abscesses will not be allowed. Ringworm may be judged inactive if the lesion area is not encrusted and hair has begun regrowth in the area. Animals with warts that are not visible by a hands-on inspection will be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds and exhibited. Under no circumstances may animals under quarantine be exhibited. The Decision of the County Fair Veterinarian is FINAL.

Dakota~Thurston Fairboard is providing a meal for all 4-H members, families and volunteers on Wednesday evening!

5:30PM - 8:30PM on the West side of the Cattle Barn

The wristbands will be given to each 4H youth that are exhibiting during fair week. These will be handed out to Dakota & Thurston Extension kids starting Wednesday July 31st during Static entry check in and the additional wristbands can be handed out to kids as they pick up backtags in the livestock office. The wristbands allows them to get into the following events for free:

• Thursday - Tractor Pull
• Friday - Figure 8 Racing, Kids Day Activities, and Laser Tag
• Saturday - Kids Day Activities, Extreme Bull Riding

4-H sponsored Movie (free Admission) - 4-H is hosting a Sunday Afternoon Movie on Sunday, August 4th at 1:00PM. Watch "MIGRATION" with all your 4-H peeps!

Have someone who might like to donate and support our 4-Hers? Have them contact the Thurston County Extension Office.

Trophies that are presented at the 2024 Dakota-Thurston County Fair are great incentives for 4-Hers to excel. Trophies presented cost $25.00 a trophy. Your donations are greatly appreciated!

We are particularly short on donors for horse trophies.

Monday, August 5th, is post fair clean up. Please stop in and help out our fabulous fairboard clean-up and put things away.

Note: See rule 20 in 4-H General Rules in Fair Book: At the end of the fair, all pens and stalls must be clean with now wasted left behind. Failure to do so will result in loss of fair premiums.

DON'T FORGET!! If you are planning on exhibiting Livestock or participating in an In Person Contest your deadline is August 10, 8:00PM CST.

For more information visit: https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair/live-animal-exhibitor

Livestock includes: All large animals, rabbits, poultry and basically any livestock.

In Person Contests include: Fashion Show, Presentations, ID Contests, and basically anything else that you have to come in person to participate.

All 4-H rabbits exhibiting at the 2024 Nebraska State Fair must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) within 15 days of exhibition. The CVI must list the Nebraska State Fair as consignee and will need to have the official identification (ear tattoo) listed on all rabbits being exhibited during the State Fair. The health papers will be checked by a representative of the State Veterinarian’s Office.

The 2024 Dakota County Special project is......

RECYCLED RIBBONS

Do you have a collection of 4-H ribbons that you really don't know what to do with? Well I have some ideas for you. Repurpose them into a wall hanging, a wreath, a decorative quilt.

So many creative and useful ideas can be found on Pinterest.

No need to enroll in the project. Just bring your exhibit to the County fair.

There may be special prizes!

We all know about the 4-H livestock, cooking and sewing projects. But with nearly 50 projects to choose from, there are likely some you aren’t familiar with. These five often-overlooked projects offer real-world skills and unique experiences: https://4h.unl.edu/news/nebraska-4-h-5-underrated-practical-projects

We have a few incubators for hatching eggs that are up for grabs. Results not guaranteed. First come first serve. We no longer do the embryology classroom education. Contact Tammy to get one.

As you know, in 2023, Nebraska 4-H lowered the age limit for participation in the Nebraska State Fair for all in-person events to nine years of age. That change increased our participation and provided more youth the opportunity to have an engaging learning experience. We had many positive comments from legacy families as well as new.

This fall, we have had follow-up conversations with many of you as well as the show superintendents and various teams that run these events during State Fair and throughout the year. Based on that feedback and our goal of increasing access, the decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2024 to be 8 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person State Fair events (livestock, contests, fashion shows, contests) and other state competitions (Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo, PASE, communications contest). Note: there will be some events that will maintain their ages due to specific program rules (shooting sports, FIRST LEGO League Challenge robotics). Please check information on each specific event as it becomes available.

• Age of Eligibility
• The age of eligibility in 2024 is now 8 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person events (livestock, contests, fashion shows)
• Showmanship Age Divisions
• Junior Showmanship (ages 8 to 10 before January 1 of the current year)
• Intermediate Showmanship (ages 11 to 13 before January 1 of the current year)
• Senior Showmanship (ages 14 to 18 before January 1 of the current year)
• Awards
• Exhibitors will receive awards for the Division Champions, Reserve Division Champions, Grand Champion Overall, Reserve Grand Champion Overall, and 3rd Overall. Only entries receiving a purple ribbon are eligible to receive champion and reserve awards.
• Entry Limits
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 5 beef.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 4 sheep.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 4 goats.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 6 hogs.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 6 rabbits.
• A 4-H member may exhibit up to 6 live birds.

• Individual Species
• Sheep: New Breed Class-All Hair Breeds
• Goat: Market goats will show in separate classes; Market Wethers and Market Does (until final selection)
• Swine: New Breed Classes-Tamworth and Landrace
• Rabbit: New Breed Classes-Blue Holicer and Czech Frosty

Dog Skillathon Contest: Added a Junior Skillathon Division and rotated breed ID picture topics

As you are aware many of your youth rely on being able to dual submit their livestock’s DNA for the Aksarben Stock Show. We are adding a new step to the process for the Aksarben Stock Show this year, online nomination. Youth that have purchased their DNA through your Extension Office will need to complete this online nomination to be eligible for the Aksarben Stock Show. They of course will not need to purchase a new DNA envelope. We will be accepting online nominations from May 1st through July 1st at 5 p.m. Please feel free to refer them to our website, aksarbenstockshow.com, which will have the link where to go to nominate, instructions specific for those that will be dual nominating for both shows, and frequently asked questions. You can also reach them at 308-382-1620.

Please note, the Aksarben Stock Show online nomination system will be different than Show Stock Manager. 4-H/FFA families who want to be nominated for both NSF and Aksarben will only need to submit one DNA envelope but will now have to submit the online nomination in two different databases.

The 4-H Volunteer Connection is a monthly e-newsletter for 4-H volunteers to get exclusive tips, tricks and support to help volunteers excel in their role, all delivered straight to their inbox. Volunteers subscribe to this e-newsletter at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-connection.

County staff are encouraged to add this opportunity to their 4-H family and/or volunteer communications.

More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-connection

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes loans to youth to establish and operate agricultural income-producing projects in connection with 4-H clubs, FFA and other agricultural groups. Projects must be planned and operated with the help of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience. The maximum loan amount is $5,000.

Youth Loan Eligibility Requirements:
1) Be a citizen of the United States (which includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) or a legal resident alien
2) Be 10 years to 20 years of age
3) Comply with FSA’s general eligibility requirements
4) Conduct a modest income-producing project in a supervised program of work as outlined above
5) Demonstrate capability of planning, managing and operating the project under guidance and assistance from a project advisor. The project supervisor must recommend the youth loan applicant, along with providing adequate supervision.

For more information and help preparing the application forms, contact the farm loan team at the nearest USDA Service Center. To find the nearest office, visit: farmers.gov. Additional information about youth loans can be found at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/youth-loans/index.

More details at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/youth-loans/index

As we find out about events across the state they are posted on our website, Facebook & Instagram.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dakota/4-HCamps/

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.