Wednesday What-Nots 7/9

If you’re interested in volunteering, please sign-up through the link or call Tracy at (402) 269-2301.

Click the link to sign-up to volunteer! https://go.unl.edu/otoevolunteers

Static Entries are due on July 15th! Be sure to get them entered at https://otoe.fairwire.com/

The 2025 Nebraska State Fair 4-H and FFA entry site is open and accepting entries! Click the link below for further information!

State Fair Online Entry Information

State Fair Schedules

Livestock Rules and Regulations

Nebraska State Fair General Rules & Regulations – Updated 2025
Nebraska State Fair Animal Health Requirements – Updated 2025

Livestock Entry Limits

4-H have different entry limits for each species.

• Beef: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 5 beef
• Swine: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 6 hogs
• Sheep: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 4 sheep
• Meat Goat: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 4 goats
• Rabbit: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 6 rabbits
• Poultry: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting 6 live bird entries (egg production trios are considered one entry).
• Egg entries are not considered in the live bird limit. Egg entries are limited to one dozen per exhibitor.

Step By Step Entry Instructions

• It is recommended to download the Step by Step Instructions prior to signing in to the entry site. Note: Even if the youth exhibited at the 2025 Otoe County Fair or the 2024 State Fair, please click “I am a new exhibitor or have yet to register this year”
• Browser: It is recommended to use Chrome as the web browser.

Entry Prices and Optional Livestock Purchase Items

Note: All Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goat, Rabbit and Poultry 4-H/FFA exhibitors will automatically receive an 11-day admission wristband at no cost. Exhibitors will not have to select a wristband as it will automatically be provided with the livestock, rabbit, and/or poultry entry. 4-H Dog Exhibitors and other non-livestock in-person entries (4-H Contests, Fashion Show, and the Robotics Showcase) will receive a free daily gate pass. All purchase items will be in the exhibitor packet when the exhibitor checks in at the Livestock Check-In Trailer.

Schedule:

• 12:00 – 12:15 p.m. CT – Check-in (Five Points Bank Arena)
• 12:15 – 12:30 p.m. CT – Orientation (Five Points Bank Arena)
• 12:30 p.m. CT – Contest begins (Five Points Bank Arena)

Registration Fee: $5 per contestant per contest

NEW for 2025:
Currently enrolled 4-H members will register for the 4-H portion of the Dairy Judging Contest using the same Google Form as FFA participants. Please note: 4-H participants will not use ShoWorks for this contest.

If a youth is participating as both a 4-H and FFA member, they must register separately for each contest (once for FFA and once for 4-H), and a $5 entry fee will apply for each.

Register Here!

The competition is set for Saturday, August 23, 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 2025 challenge ingredient is pork!

For more details, visit: https://food.unl.edu/food-and-nutrition-projects-nebraska-4-h.

Celebrate of National Pollinator Week (June 16–22, 2025) with this interactive, family-friendly event. Whether you're a gardener, educator, land manager, or simply passionate about pollinators, there’s something here for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• The essential role pollinators play in fruit and vegetable production
• How to support pollinator populations through habitat design
• How to apply for the Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Certification
• The ecological value of bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and more
• Techniques for growing native plants from seed

Reserve Your Spot Today: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSezjrOUhMq.../viewform...

Otoe County Fair Book Link

You can now view resources for the 2025 fair at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MgYvH94IULaZHNItLJYwYl4P4tpJ6Z9f?usp=sharing

Tracy Ensor, 4-H Youth Development Associate Extension Educator, tensor2@unl.edu

Kristen Herrick, 4-H Extension Assistant, kherrick3@unl.edu

Ben Jewell, Rural Prosperity Nebraska Associate Extension Educator, bmcshane-jewell2@unl.edu

Cheryl Goff, Office Manager, cheryl.goff@unl.edu

Website: www.otoe.unl.edu

Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County