July 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/

• July 1st - 4-H Static, Livestock, Small animal, and Clothing Entry Form Deadline.
• July 1st - Online Pierce County Fair Entries by 4:30 p.m.
• July 1st - YQCA Certificates Due at Office
• July 1st - Food Revue Menu Due at the Office.
• July 1st - Small Animal Vaccinations Records Due
• July 9th - Conflict Letter due at Pierce County Extension Office
• July 10th - Best Buy for Your Buck Notebook due at the Office.
• July 15th - Horse Advanced Level testing last day.
• July 17th - 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 4-H Clothing & Style Revue Judging
• July 22nd - Vegetable, Floral, Swine Entry Forms due when you come to the fair.

Paper Entry Forms for Pierce County Fair are now available at the Pierce County Extension Office or can be found on our website at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/pierce/4-h/pierce-county-fair-information/

• Paper Entry forms are DUE to the Pierce County Extension Office on July 1st, 2026.

• Please note this is different from signing up for projects in 4-H Online that is due on June 15. You are now making entries for what will be brought to the County Fair.

Link for the Online Entry Instructions can be found at https://go.unl.edu/2026onlineentryinstructions or using the QR code.

• Online Entry will open on June 1st, 2026 at will close on July 1st at 4:30 p.m.
• For Online Entries go to https://pierce.fairwire.com

• Entries (except Floriculture/Horticulture/Clover Buds/Shooting Sports Contest/Theme Booth/ Clothing Narration and Time Sheet)

The following are DUE to the Pierce County Extension Office. You may bring them to the office or email to bkolterman2@unl.edu

• July 1st: Cat, Dog, or Ferret: Proof of current vaccinations are due to our office.
• July 1st - YQCA Certificates are DUE to the Pierce County Extension Office. All 4-Hers enrolled in the breeding and market beef; bucket calf; feeder calf; cow/calf; dairy cattle; breeding meat, market, dairy, and pygmy goats; breeding and market sheep, swine, rabbit, and poultry projects are required to complete the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) course. The online course can be found at https://yqcaprogram.org/. Instructions are available on the website under Youth and Parents | Web-based Training Help Document. All individuals that complete the web-based option, test-out option, or attend a Face-to-Face training other than those held in Wayne or Pierce will need to go back into their https://yqcaprogram.org account to download their certificate. Either email or print it off and bring it to the Extension Office. 4-HOnline and the YQCA site do not communicate.
• July 15th - Horse Advancement level testing LAST DAY to take Horse level tests at the Pierce County Extension Office.

• July 1st - Style Revue Entry Form (purple) with Narration and (fabric swatches for STEAM Clothing exhibits)
• July 1st - Style Revue Time Sheet (pink)
• July 10th - Best Buy for Your Buck Notebooks for Shopping in Style are due at the Pierce County Extension Office.

• July 1st - Food Revue Recipe are due to the Pierce County Extension Office.
• July 9th - Conflict Letter due at Pierce County Extension Office
• July 22nd - Vegetable, Floral, and Swine Entry Forms DUE when you come to the Fair.

4-H youth ages 13-18 are needed to help prepare the theme and decorations for the 4-H Public Style Revue and other pre-fair tasks. We will get together at the Extension Office on Wednesday, July 15th from 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Lunch will be provided. Also, come with your Fair schedule so that we can schedule announcers for shows and other events. Stop by the 4-H Office at the Fairgrounds to see if you can help announce shows. Also, please meet at the Pavilion at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 26th, at 4:00 P.M. to help set up for the Style Revue.

Judging will be held at the Pavilion at the Fairgrounds on Friday, July 17th. All clothing construction, Beyond the Needle, Attention Shoppers, Shopping in Style, knitting, and crochet garments must be interview judged on this date, even if they are not modeled. Clover buds, sewing for fun and quilt divisions may model their entries. Participants are required to take part in the public style revue on Saturday evening, July 26th at 6 P.M. If unable to participate in the Public Style Revue, 4-Hers must submit a letter to the 4-H Council stating the reason for the conflict and requesting to be absent from the event. The Council will respond with acceptance or denial to the request.

Don't forget that your help is needed to prepare the fairgrounds and all 4-H exhibit and show area, barns and stalls. Clean up day is scheduled for Monday, July 20th, beginning at 9:00 A.M. Brunch will be served for all helpers and will be provided by Midwest Bank.

If you receive a champion or reserve champion in livestock or small animal, your picture will be taken immediately following the respective show. All other winners in ( Foods, Rockets, Ag Engineering, Woodworking, Clothing Etc.) will have their pictures taken after the Public Style Revue on Saturday evening, July 26th, at approximately 7:00 P.M.

There are exhibits that require supporting information. Your Premium Guide is your best reference on how to prepare your exhibit. Exhibits missing supporting information will be lowered one ribbon placing. See enclosed static exhibit reminders hint sheet.

is required when showing livestock or being interview judged. Proper 4-H attire includes a 4-H shirt or patch. Requirements differ for the horse show. Please refer to the horse show judging guide for details. Ribbons will be lowered one placing for not being appropriately attired.

The Extension Office in the Courthouse will be closed during the Pierce County Fair. The Extension Office telephone number in the 4-H Center at the fairgrounds is 402-329-4825.

Please help make entry process easier by completing your entry form before bringing them to the fair. Contact the Extension Office if you need extra forms.

All exhibits must be per-entered or they will be lowered one ribbon placing, with the exceptions: vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and fruits. These exhibits will be entered Wednesday, July 22nd from 8:30 A.M. - noon. They will be judged beginning at 1 P.M. All other exhibits not per-entered will be lowered one ribbon placing. Clothing Construction and Style Revue entries will be judged on Friday, July 17th, at the Pavilion at the Pierce County Fairgrounds.

All projects in Ag Misc., Foods, Photography, Home Environment, Cake Decorating, and other Club Work projects will be judged on Wednesday, July 22nd.

Exhibits that are not interview judged should be brought to the Fairgrounds 4-H Center on Wednesday, July 22nd, before noon. If you have any questions concerning your exhibits, please call the Extension Office at 402-329-4821.

The Life Challenge Contest will be available at the Clothing/ Style Revue Day on Friday, July 17th and during the Fair.

There will be NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED in ANY of the 4-H buildings (4-H building and barn) or at any 4-H show.

Exhibitors who are unable to be in attendance when required, who cannot keep livestock at the Fairgrounds for the required time period or who cannot be present to represent themselves at the livestock sale must submit a letter writing explaining the reason for absence and requesting permission to be absent. Letters must be submitted to the 4-H Council by July 9th. Exhibitors will be notified of approval or denial of request.

All livestock at the Pierce County Fair will be released at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 26th. Static exhibits will be released from the Pierce County Fair at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 26th. Nothing will be released before 4 P.M. without permission. If you are unable to pick up your current exhibit at that time, please ask your leader or another 4-H member to do so. Also, please clean up your area by 6 P.M., this includes the small animal areas also. Please help clean your animals area before you go home.

The Bucket Calf Show will held on Saturday, July 25th. Please check in around 9:30 A.M. Remember to get a bucket calf record book from the Extension Office, complete it and have ready to present the judge during the show. Bucket Calves are not required to stay at the Fairgrounds for the entire Fair. The 4-H Clover Bud Bucket Calf Show will be directly after the Bucket Calf Show.

These animals must be entered on Wednesday, July 22nd, by 7:00 P.M. Please bring your own wood shavings. Reminder: There is a freezer in the 4-H building for extra ice bottles bottles for rabbits. Please make sure all bottles are marked. NEW THIS YEAR: Rabbit and Poultry Show will be Thursday, July 23rd at 3:00 p.m. (Directly after the Beef Show) in the livestock show arena.

Meat breed sheep must be slick shorn within seven days of show. Wool breed sheep should be shown in fleece. Market lambs will be close shorn when exhibiting.

Livestock Entry Form is Due to the Pierce County Extension Office on Wednesday July 1st. Livestock may be brought to the Fairgrounds between 9:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 22nd. Please check in with the Superintendent in each livestock area livestock IDs. Livestock entry ends promptly 7 P.M., so please arrive before that time.

ALL Livestock Shows are "Blow and Go"

The Livestock Sale will be held on Friday, July 24th at 6:30 P.M. Each market animal exhibitor is eligible to sell one animal that must have been entered and shown at the Pierce County Fair. 4-H Members who wish to sell their livestock must notify the Extension Office no later than noon on Friday, July 24th.

• Each Livestock family are automatically registered.
• 4-H Livestock and Small Animal will be judged on neatness of quarters, cleanliness of animals, bedding,and courtesy of 4-H livestock members during the duration of the fair.
• To facilitate the judging process, a stall card with the name of the 4-H’er and their club’s name must be posted on every pen during the duration of the fair. Stall cards may be picked up by 4-H’ers entry day at the 4-H Fair Office.
• The Herdsmanship results will not be released until after post fair clean up. A final score based on the cleanliness of stall area(s) after clean-up will be given. Scores will be lowered one ribbon placing for failure to participate in post fair clean up in the area(s) the participated in.
• Example of Herdsmanship Judging Sheet looks like is shown below.

Is sponsoring Brunch on Monday, July 21st during Clean-up day at the Pierce County Fairgrounds.

Is sponsoring the Root Beer Floats on Friday, July 24th at 1:00 P.M. in the Livestock Barn.

Is hosting a Free Breakfast on Thursday, July 23rd from 7 A.M. to 9 A.M. in the Pavilion at the Fair grounds.

Is hosting the Free Breakfast on Friday, July 24th from 7 A.M. to 9 A.M.

Is sponsoring the water during the Livestock Shows.

2026 4-H Fair T-shirts are donated by Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness and Farm Credit Services of America.

• YQCA Certificates DUE

• Pierce County Entry Form/ Online Entry Deadline - (Static Entry, Clothing Entry and Time Sheet, Small Animal Entry Form, and Livestock Entry Form)

• Small Animal Current Vaccinations Records due

• Food Revue Recipe Due

• Conflict Letter are due to the Pierce County Extension Office

• Best Buy for Your Buck Notebooks for Shopping in Style are due

• Horse Advancement level testing LAST DAY to take Horse level tests

• Junior Leader Meeting at 9:30 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. (lunch after) are the Pierce County Extension Office

• 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – 4-H Clothing & Style Revue Judging at Pierce County Fairgrounds.

• 9:00 a.m. – finished – Clean-up Day at the fairgrounds.

• 8:30 a.m. – Noon – Enter 4-H exhibits that are not interview judged (Horticulture) - Must be entered by noon.

• 9:00 a.m. – finished – Interview Judging for all 4-H Ag Misc., Foods, Photography, Home Environment, Cake Decorating, Other Club Work, and Clover Buds.

• 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Enter all 4-H Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Goat, Horse, Sheep, Swine, Rabbit, and Poultry)

• 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Weigh 4-H Beef Animals

• 6:30 a.m.-9:00 am – Free Breakfast, Sponsored by Michaels Food
• 7:00 a.m.– 4-H Swine and sheep Weigh In
• 9:00 a.m. – 4-H Beef Showmanship Contest followed by the 4-H Breeding Beef Show (Breeding Market, Stocker Feeder, etc.)
• 9:00 a.m. –4-H Companion Animal
• 9:00 am. – Dairy and Horse Check in
• 10:00 a.m. – 4-H Cat Show
• 1:30 p.m. – 4-H Dog Show
• 3:00 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit Show and Poultry (Directly after the Beef Show)

• 6:30 a.m.- 9:00 am – Free Breakfast, Sponsored by Farmers Pride

• 8:00 a.m. – 4-H Swine/Sheep and Goat Show

• 8:30 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show

• 1:00 p.m. - Root Beer Floats, Sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America
• 1:00 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Show
• 2:00 p.m. – 4-H Livestock Judging
• 6:30 p.m. – 4-H Livestock Sale

• 8:30 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show (Timed Events)
• 10:30 a.m. – 4-H Bucket Calf /Clover Bud show

• 2:00 p.m. – 4-H Jr. Leaders decorate for Style Revue in Pavilion

• 5:30 p.m. – 4-H’ers prepare for Style Revue

• 6:00 p.m. – 4-H Style Revue and Award Ceremony in Pavilion

• 6:30 p.m. – 4-H Awards Night

• 9:00 a.m. – 4-H Inspirational Service

• 2:00 p.m. – All Animal Exhibits Released

• 4:00 p.m. – 4-H Exhibits Released

• 5:00 p.m. – Clean up Fair Center

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