Hall County 4-H Newsletter

The 4-H Project Showcase is an opportunity for ALL 4-H YOUTH to receive statewide recognition for their favorite project or maybe a project that didn’t go as planned. All projects are eligible regardless of the awards received through judging or even the ability to have it judged at the county level. Projects submitted by August 10 will be featured at the Nebraska State Fair. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/project-showcase.

The 2024 Nebraska State Fair entry site is open and accepting entries! Entry closes on Saturday, August 10, at 8:00 p.m. CST. All 4-H members participating in 4-H contests or exhibiting 4-H livestock or dogs must complete the entry process. Please thoroughly review all eligibility, entry limits, and instructions available for livestock exhibitors, dog exhibitors, and contest participants at 4h.unl.edu/state-fair before entering.

*We highly suggest that you complete the entry process BEFORE August 10, as the Hall County Extension Office will NOT be open on the 10th to answer any questions you may have.

For all things State Fair, please visit https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair . You will find contests, exhibitor information, maps, resources and much much more!

If a 4-H static exhibit qualified for state fair at the Hall County Fair, it will have a special State Fair ribbon (or State Fair sticker), as well as a bright green sheet attached that explains the below State Fair drop off/pick up information. If you have questions about whether an exhibit qualified to go on, or questions about exhibit drop off or pick up, please call the office!

• Drop off your State Fair exhibits on the EAST end (Southeast corner) of the 4-H/FFA Building, Tuesday August 20, 4-6 pm OR Wednesday August 21, 7:30-9:00 am. Exhibits will not be accepted after 9:00 am, Wednesday. *Make sure to have the appropriate forms (photo tags, recipes, supporting information, data tags, etc.) attached, as well as a label with the exhibitor’s name, 4-H age & county.
• Horticulture & Floriculture exhibitors - Please call Crystal at the Extension office (or email) by Tuesday August 20 at Noon with the varieties & cultivars of vegetables/flowers that you will be bringing. Each exhibitor may bring ONE type of vegetable (or flower if those were selected for State Fair). If you have any questions, please give us a call!
• Pick up your exhibit(s) from the 4-H/FFA Building, Tuesday September 3, 11 am – 1 pm. (Hall County 4-H staff will be in the main exhibit area, at the far EAST end of the building.) If you are unable to do this, please make arrangements with another 4-H family to help you.

State Fair static exhibitors - Consider applying for the Premier 4-H Science Award!

All static exhibitors with projects that qualified for the Nebraska State Fair can apply for the Premier 4-H Science Award. All applicants will be recognized for their use of science within their project area and will be eligible for a Premier 4-H Science Top exhibitor award which includes a cash award sponsored by the Nebraska 4-H Foundation. For more information about the Premier 4-H Science Award visit https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/contests/51.

Did you know that most of the 4-H contests at the Nebraska State Fair do not require youth to participate or qualify at a county-level contest? This includes Weed & Grass Identification, Horticulture Judging, Tree Identification, Insect Identification, Dog Skillathon, Culinary Challenge, Dairy Judging, and Robotics Showcase. Interested? Be sure to review the rules for each contest available at 4h.unl.edu/state-fair-contests. Entry closes on Thursday, August 10, at 8:00 p.m. CT.

Interested in the 4-H Culinary Challenge Contest at the Nebraska State Fair? The competition is set for Saturday, August 24, in the Raising Nebraska Building following the Fashion Show. Make sure to register by August 10th at: https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair-contest-participant. To compete, teams must consist of two 4-H members. Each year, a challenge ingredient is chosen, showcasing a Nebraska food product. The 2024 challenge ingredient is soy! For more details, visit: https://food.unl.edu/food-and-nutrition-projects-nebraska-4-h.

Video Companion Animal Showmanship entries are due Monday, August 12, at 5:00 p.m. CT. This contest allows youth ages 10-18 to showcase the knowledge and skills they have developed in their 4-H companion animal projects. Participants record a 3–5-minute live animal presentation and answer 3 post-presentation questions. The contest is open to youth presenting a cat, ferret, guinea pig, pet rabbit, rodent, bird, reptile, or amphibian. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/vcasc.

The Nebraska State Fair is thrilled to host the 2nd annual 4-H Day at the Nebraska State Fair. 4-H Day will be Sunday, August 25th. To celebrate NE 4-H members statewide, State Fair is offering a discounted admission of $5 that day that is only for bonafide 4-H members. The link is https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/91179366/4h-day-at-nebraska-state-fair-good-on-aug-25-only-lincoln-nebraska-state-fairlivestock. This is only intended for 4-H members; family members including parents will need to purchase regular admission tickets. This is not just for exhibitors, but for any 4-H member.

Note – All livestock exhibitors and in-person event exhibitors (contests, fashion show, and robotics showcase) will still be able to order discounted tickets when they enter in ShoWorks for State Fair. This process has not changed for those exhibitors coming to the fair.

The Nebraska State Fair has advance ticket options available to the general public.

Check out: https://www.statefair.org/buy-tickets for additional details.

All advance ticket options are available now until 11:59PM on August 22nd CT.

You can help make the Nebraska State Fair a meaningful, positive, and memorable experience for our 4-H members. Volunteer with Nebraska 4-H at 4h.unl.edu/state-fair-volunteer.

Congratulations on a successful 2024 Hall County Fair!

Please remember to cash your fair premium checks immediately and send a thank-you to your award sponsors!

Check out our website for complete Hall County Fair Results & Photos: hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair-information/

Sponsor Recognition – Many businesses contribute to the success of the Fair and support 4-H members through awards, donations and the livestock sale. Your thanks may make the difference of whether that business continues to support Hall County 4-H.

• Hall County Agricultural Committee - Ag Appreciation meal, Livestock sale ad
• Kayl Heating & Air, Dairy Queen (Capital Ave), Equitable Bank, Aurora Cooperative, Heritage Bank/Insurance, Sam’s Club and Super Saver - Saturday 4-H Family luncheon
• Pathway Bank – Wednesday evening supper
• AKRS Equipment Company Inc. and Midway Crop Solutions – Livestock sale meal
• Tom Wieck Realty & Auction – Livestock sale auctioneers
• Chris Kotulak, Kiley Thompson and the Fonner Park Staff for all they do for 4-H
• Hall County Fair Board - 4-H t-shirts and for all their efforts for a successful Fair

A big thanks also goes out to all the businesses that sponsored the awards for the 2024 Hall County Fair and supported the 4-Her’s at the Livestock Sale! We appreciate their support. Remember to thank your award and sale sponsors!

Congrats to the following volunteers who were recognized at the Hall County Fair! Each year we recognize volunteers, 4-H supporters and/or companies or organizations who have provided outstanding leadership and volunteer service to 4-H, made a special contribution to our 4-H program, or provided a significant number of service hours. Our thanks to each of the award winners for their dedication to Hall County 4-H!

• Meritorious Service—Chuck Wieck & Patsy Mettenbrink
• Tribute to Leader Excellence—Kevin Knuth
• Heart of 4-H—Nicole Powell
• Outstanding 4-H Alumni—Tish Eckstrom

• Dolores Kruse Memorial Cash Award (Champion Sr. Clothing Construction) – Peyton Allan
• Western Edge Clothing Co - Silver Tray (Champion Senior Model) - Alison Schimmer
• Nova-Tech, Inc and Equine Veterinary Associates (Horse High Point Buckles): Junior - Ezri Waddle; Intermediate - Claire Knuth; Senior - Keith Krolikowski
• Alfred Turek Memorial Cash Award (Champion Jr. Sheep Showman) – Lydia Jochum
  
• Mike & Karen Gruener Cash Award (Champion Int. Sheep Showman) - Austin Jochum
• Rudolph & Dolores Kruse Memorial Cash Award (Champion Sr. Sheep Showman) – Callie Collins
• Steve Happold Memorial Chair (Champion Sr. Beef Showman) – Rylee Codner
• PL Johnson Land & Cattle Cash Award (Champion Breeding Heifer) - Emily Happold
  
• Bilslend Cattle Cash Award (Reserve Breeding Heifer) – Ethan Benes
• Rick Schultz Show Cattle Cash Award (Champion Bred & Owned Heifer) – Ethan Benes
• Five Points Bank & Flagle Trucking (Round Robin Showmanship Buckle) – Westin Bonsack
  
• Herdsmanship (Club Awards): 1st-Doniphan Rustlers; 2nd-Cornhusker Champions; 3rd-Two Rivers

Congratulations to the Carcass Contest participants! Placings were determined based on the value of the packer price based on grid pricing. A complete list of results, as well as more information, can be found on our website: hall.unl.edu/hall-county-fair-information/.

• Champion Carcass Contest: Ruger Schutt
• Reserve Carcass Contest: Austin Jochum

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament at the 2024 Hall County Fair - it was a lot of fun! Thank you to Burger King, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Raising Cane's and Wendy's for sponsoring the gift cards! If you have any suggestions or ideas for next year, please call D'Ette at the Extension Office. A BIG thanks to Jason & Lisa Allan and family for organizing this event and building brand new 4-H Corn Hole boards for this annual contest!

Thank you all for participating in our Community Scavenger Hunt!

The lucky winners of the Community Scavenger Hunt drawing are………The Allan Family!

We hope you had fun with the event and enjoyed exploring the community!!

Congratulations to our Hall County 4-H members who participated in the State 4-H Horse Hippology Contest!

• Reagan Dearth - Senior Individual 5th place purple
• Katelyn Turek - Senior Individual red ribbon

Congratulations to the following Hall County 4-H members who placed in the 2024 State 4-H Horse Expo in Grand Island!

• Cydnee Delosh - Champion 2 year old Western Pleasure; Champion Western Riding; Reserve Senior Barrel Racing; Reserve Senior Pole Bending, Reserve Senior Ranch Pleasure, 3rd Place 1-2 Year Old Halter Mares; 7th Place Senior Trail; 7th Place Senior Hunter Under Saddle
• Kaycee Tompkin - 7th Place Senior Pole Bending; 9th Place Senior Ranch Pleasure
• Katelyn Turek - 5th Place Junior Ranch Pleasure; 9th Place Junior Western Horsemanship

Other Hall County 4-H member who participated in the State 4-H Horse Expo: Ali Flodman.

Great job!

Interested in serving as a 4-H judge next summer? We’re always looking for qualified adults with fresh perspectives to serve as judges at the county and state levels. Sign-up by September 30 at 4h.unl.edu/judges.

• August 10 - Entry deadline for 4-H livestock, dog & in-person contests at the Nebraska State Fair.
  

• August 20 - Drop off State Fair static exhibits, 4-6 pm at the east end of the 4-H/FFA building.

• August 21 - Drop off State Fair static exhibits, 7:30-9 am at the east end of the 4-H/FFA building.

• August 23 - September 2 - Nebraska State Fair

• September 3 - Pick up State Fair static exhibits, 11 am-1 pm, east end of the 4-H/FFA building.

• September 17 - 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Extension Office.

Email: hall-county@unl.edu
Website: hall.unl.edu
Location: 3180 W Hwy 34, College Park, Grand Island, Nebraska, USA
Phone: 308-385-5088
Facebook: facebook.com/HallCounty4HNebraska
Twitter: @4HHoopla