August Newsletter

Nebraska Extension in Pierce County

111 West Court Street, Room 13, Pierce, NE 68767

Phone: 402-329-4821 Fax: 402-329-6417

Website: http://pierce.unl.edu

Email: Pierce-County@unl.edu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLPierceCounty/

• State Fair Entries (Livestock and Fashion Show) - August 10th at 8 P.M.

• State Fair Drop Off at Office- August 25th until 7 P.M.

• Nebraska State Fair - August 28th - September 7th

• Labor Day - Extension Office Closed - September 7th

• Aksarben Stock Show - September 24th - 27th

• Columbus Day - Extension Office Closed - October 12th

• Pierce County Achievement Day - October 25th

We still have some County Fair exhibits here in the office. Please pick up as soon as possible.

If you decided to participate in the Fashion Show or Livestock Show at the State Fair the Nebraska State Fair Entry is open to enroll https://www.statefair.org/ag-competitions/4-h-ffa-exhibitors/. You have until August 10th at 8 P.M. CST to be enrolled. NO OPTION for late entries. Reminder all livestock that you are taking to the State Fair must have been nominated back on June 15th on Show Stock Manger. If you are unsure whether it was nominated, please contact Brittany at the Extension office.

Bring static exhibits on August 25th by 7 P.M. and we will take them to Grand Island, If it is a large item, please contact us ahead of time. A green sheet of Information and State Fair sticker would have been attached to your exhibit. If you had are entering Flowers or Vegetables please tell us ahead of time the information so we can make entry tag for it. If you have questions, please call the Extension Office at (402) 329-4821. We are excited to display the static items that qualified for State Fair. The 4-H schedule for the Nebraska State Fair can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair-schedule

Pierce County Fair 4-H Pre-Checks were mailed out to for 4-H members who exhibited at the Pierce County Fair on August 3rd and Emailed to the Families, with the exception of Clover Buds. Please check to be certain that all ribbon placings and premiums are correct. If not, please note any corrections and return the form to the Pierce County Extension Office by August 21st. No corrections can be made after that date. No action is required if there are no corrections.

If you have recently moved, please let us know if your mailing address needs to be updated. Premium checks will be mailed to the address listed on your pre-check, so it is important that we have your current address on file.

Please also make sure your 2026 Pierce County 4-H dues have been paid. Annual dues are $5 per 4-H member and Clover Bud member. Dues must be paid before Pierce County Fair premium checks can be issued.

Thank you again for making the 2026 Pierce County Fair such a memorable and successful event. We appreciate your commitment to the 4-H program and look forward to another great year together.

Congratulation to all the 4-Her's and their families! Pierce County Fair had 1,799 placed entries this year. Thank you everyone who helped make 2026 fair so successful and for your hard work at the fair.

Nebraska 4-H will host 4-H Day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. in Raising Nebraska. The event will celebrate the people, accomplishments, and experiences that help prepare Nebraska youth to be Beyond Ready for work and for life.

4-H members and their families, volunteers, alumni, and supporters, are invited to attend an afternoon of recognition, activities, and celebration. Guests can enjoy special interactive activities, visit the 4-H Photo Booth, and receive complimentary UNL Dairy Store ice cream (while supplies last). A recognition program will begin at 3 p.m., honoring outstanding Nebraska 4-H volunteers for their dedication to youth development and recognizing members of the Nebraska 4-H Leadership Academy. Discounted Nebraska State Fair gate passes for August 30 are available for purchase in advance at https://go.unl.edu/2026nsf4hdaypasses. The special offer includes half-price gate admission for teens and adults (service fee applies; limit two tickets per purchase).

Nebraska 4‑H encourages youth, families, alumni, and friends to join the celebration and to recognize the individuals and experiences that make 4‑H an important part of preparing young people for successful futures.

4-H Static exhibitor families will be able to order discount passes directly from the Nebraska State Fair! Orders can be placed using the following link and password. Please remember the opportunity to order these discounted tickets is for static exhibitors and their families only. The misuse of this resource may eliminate this opportunity in the future, so please do not share this link. Note - We can track who ordered tickets and match it with their 4-H participation. *There is a limit of 5 tickets per exhibitor. Discount tickets will not be available through the county office.

• Please Contact the Pierce County Extension for more information.

4-H families have the opportunity to purchase 4-H exhibitor shirts. Livestock exhibitor families may want to purchase an additional shirt, and 4-H static exhibitors may be interested in purchasing, also!

Orders can be placed online at https://go.unl.edu/2026nsf4htshirts and are due August 10, 2026. No on-site purchase of shirts will be available. Only pick-up of pre-ordered shirts will be available. Be sure to choose your pick-up location and note the dates and times available for pick-up at each location. Any shirts not picked up during these times will be distributed to county staff members following the Nebraska State Fair. Signature will be required when picking up pre-ordered shirts.

4-H Static Office (4-H/FFA Fieldhouse):

• August 29: 10am – 5pm

• August 30: 10am – 5pm (Closed during 4-H Day Event)

Livestock Office (West End of Five Points Bank Arena)

• August 27: 8am – 8pm

• August 28: 8am – 8pm

• August 29: 7am – 7pm

• August 30: 7am – 4pm

Many types of recognition in 4-H are made possible by sponsors, individuals and groups from the community, who donate funds to be used for purchasing awards. Trophies, banners, and prizes had a thank you attached to them addressed to the sponsor. Sponsors are more likely to continue sponsoring 4-H awards if they receive a note of appreciation directly from the 4-Her's who won their award. Please take the time to send a thank you note this year. We are fortunate to have wonderful support in Pierce County. The Pierce County Ag Society spends many hours preparing for the fair every year and they also pay all judges fees and sponsor all the ribbons, rosettes, and premiums you receive. They were again outstanding supporters this year. Their address is: Pierce County Ag Society, PO Box 113, Pierce, NE 68767

If you have any suggestions or comments about the 2026 Pierce Fair or 4-H year, please contact the office or e-mail pierce-county@unl.edu. Each year we learn things after the events that were not shared; please share so we can look into them. The 4-H Council will discuss all comments relating to the 4-H Program. We hope to hear from you soon!

Age Divisions: Junior Division: 4-H Age 8-14 as of December 31, 2025. Senior Division: 4-H Age 15-18 as of December 31, 2025. Award application information & the Achievement application are available at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/pierce/4-h/4-h-award-information/ and the Pierce County Extension Office. Applications are due to the Extension Office on or before 4 P.M., September 28th. The 4-H Achievement Program is Scheduled for October 25th.

The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Program is designed to encourage 4-H Youth to engage in a variety of projects and activities that will enable members to acquire the life skills necessary to lead successful lives as competent, caring and contributing citizens. The program's overall goal is to provide 4-H members a rich and diverse learning experience. The program consists of six levels that require a 4-H member to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. The program is designed to enable every 4-H member willing to exert the effort an opportunity to be recognized, regardless of how they are involved in 4-H. Applications are due to Organizational Leaders on the date set by them. Club leaders will evaluate the applications and submit them to the Extension Office on or before 4 P.M., September 28th.

For more information and forms to apply for 4-H Diamond Clover go to https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/awards-recognition/diamond-clover/

Do you know a 4-H member who has gone above and beyond? Nominate an Outstanding 4-Her (must be 16 years of age or older). Fill out the form telling us why you think either he/she deserves to be the Pierce County Outstanding 4-H Member and turn it into the office by September 28th. The Outstanding 4-Her will be announced at Achievement Day. Contact the office for a form or find it on https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/pierce/4-h/4-h-award-information/.

The Achievement Application provides an excellent opportunity for 4-Hers to keep track of what they have participated in, given leadership to, and learned through 4-H. Completing the application and submitting it to your Organizational 4-H Club Leader and the Extension Office allows 4-Hers to receive a award. Youth will be recognized at the Achievement Program. Then application may be submitted in an official 4-H Notebook cover, 3 ring binder, or electronically and is due by 4 P.M., September 28th. Youth 4-H age 15 years and older can compete at the state level for an opportunity to represent Nebraska at National 4-H Congress or National 4-H Conference. These leadership opportunities are held a year in Atlanta and Washington DC. You must identify a program area (Agriculture, STEAM, Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Healthy Living, or College and Career Preparation for my future) to apply. Note: Do not include ID sheets, ribbons, newspaper clippings, record book comment sheets, entry tags, programs, score sheets, etc.

• 10th - State Fair Livestock & Fashion Show Entry Due @ 8 P.M. CST
• 25th - State Fair Drop Off at Office until 7 P.M.
• August 28th - September 7th - Nebraska State Fair
• 30th - 4-H Day at the Nebraska State Fair

• August 28th - September 7th Nebraska State Fair

• 7th - Labor Day: Extension Office Closed

• 28th: 4-H Council 8 P.M.

• 24-27: Aksarben Stock Show

• 4th - 10th: National 4-H Week

• 12th: Columbus Day: Extension Office Closed

• 25th: Pierce County Achievement Day

  
  

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. ©2026