Carlton County 4-H

• 11th 5:00 p.m. - Carlton County Poultry Showmanship Workshop - Carlton County Fair
• 11th 6:00 p.m. - Carlton County Ambassador Meeting Carlton County Fair Building
• 12th 2:30-6:00p.m. - Carlton County 4-H General Judging Carlton County Fair Building
• 14th-17th - Carlton County Fair
• 20th- 24th - Livestock Encampment
• 28th- 30th - General State Fair Encampment

For all of the latest 4-H events and opportunities, please visit our website and look under Events and News for 4-H.

Livestock Quality Assurance training helps youth provide excellent care for their food animals and ensure a high level of food safety to consumers. We designed it to enhance the educational experience of 4-H animal science projects.

Do you hope to exhibit with 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair or NorthEast Livestock Show ? All 4-H livestock exhibitors must complete livestock quality assurance training..

• Youth for the quality care of animals (YQCA) - A one-hour online training. Valid for one year.

Carlton County 4-H is grateful for our volunteers and we need YOU to consider joining the fun. Volunteers who fill two time slots will receive a wristband to enter the Carlton County Fair. Select any or all of the opportunities by completing the Google Form Carlton County 4-H Volunteer sign up.

All youth are welcome to attend the Carlton County Ambassador Meeting Monday August 11th at 6:00 p.m. at the Fair Building. We will be setting up the 4-H building for the Carlton County Fair ! Afterwards we will be having some sweet treats so make sure to fill out the google form for the August Ambassador Meeting if you plan to attend !

Join us for the Carlton County 4-H Poultry Workshop on August 11th, 5:00 p.m. at the Carlton County Fairgrounds. Learn what you need to know to showcase poultry, including care of chickens and showmanship at the county fair! Followed by setting up the poultry barn !

The event is free and open to grades 3 and up. Registration is required and is open until August 11th

Youth who exhibit livestock at the Carlton County Fair are eligible to participate in the Blue Ribbon Auction. The goal of this auction is to support youth in continuing their involvement in livestock projects through the 4-H program.

How the Blue Ribbon Auction works:
Each participating 4-H member will receive 75% of their auction proceeds. The remaining 25% will be reinvested into Carlton County 4-H to fund future livestock project opportunities such as showmanship and fitting clinics, educational workshops, and more.

To be eligible for the Blue Ribbon Auction, you must:

• Be in grade 3 or above

• Earn a blue ribbon in a 4-H livestock class (excluding showmanship)

• Participate in the showmanship contest

• Submit the Blue Ribbon Auction Bidder Contract (included in your fair packet) by Thursday, August 14

• Invite at least two businesses or individuals to attend the auction

  • Families with more than one participating youth must invite four businesses or individuals

• Turn in a thank-you note to your bidder before the end of the fair

• Have a parent or family member volunteer during the Blue Ribbon Auction or at another 4-H livestock event during the fair

  • Please fill out and return the Carlton County Fair Volunteer Sign-Up Form by July 17, 2025

🔔 Reminder: This is vital for a successful auction. Youth who do not bring bidders will not be successful in the auction. Promoting the auction and bringing supporters is a key responsibility of participants.

Volunteer Opportunities Include:

• General Projects Assistant (Tuesday, August 12)

• Livestock Show Clerk

• Livestock Judge’s Assistant

• Livestock Ring Steward

• Show Announcer

• Blue Ribbon Auction helper (set-up, check-in, clean-up)

• Support roles at species shows (beef, dairy, goats, rabbits, poultry, sheep, swine)

Participation in the Blue Ribbon Auction is a privilege, not a guarantee. All requirements must be completed and submitted by August 14th—no exceptions.

Safety First

Our top priority is the safety of the youth, horses, and volunteers. If a horse shows unsafe behavior (e.g., being gate-sour), you may be asked to stop riding. During the county fair, such behavior could result in being scratched from your classes. Let’s all work to keep the environment safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Here is the rules on gate etiquette

1. All exhibitors must have their horses under complete control at all times. The gate must be closed and the rider must be independently controlling the horse before starting the class. Riders will not be allowed to leave the ring until their horses are walking under control. Riders having difficulties in the ring and desiring to leave should request permission to be excused from the ring master or judge.

2. Show management reserves the right to refuse an exhibitor entry into any class or event if they deem that entry unsafe for the exhibitor or other exhibitors or animals. All show officials have the authority and must dismiss from the ring any entry that is unruly or not in sufficient control for the safety of the handler or other exhibitors.

With round robin expanding which is exciting we will be starting the process prior to county fair! Youth who are participating in round robin must complete a short test that will be included into their scores. Links and paper copies will be sent out prior to fair the link can also be found here 2025 Round Robin Questions , and youth can turn them in Tuesday of county fair at Static Judging.

Youth CANNOT take projects or animals out of the 4-H building or the barns until after 8:00p.m.. If youth do this they will lose their premium checks. This is being enforced by the fair board.

There will be NO tagging during the county fair ! All animals need to have their tags prior to coming to the fair. If you have lost your tag please contact the extension office.

1. Weekend Wristbands will be available August 11-13 at the fair office for Adults $40.00 Kids $20.00

2. Camping is avaiable for $150.00 for the weekend please contact Scott Johnson 218-391-3376

During fair week, August 12th-16th, office coverage will vary as some or all of our staff will be working at the fairgrounds. Please call ahead to ensure a staff member is in the office or come see us at the fairgrounds!

Check out the Carlton County Extension newsletter for events across our region and state

4-H Youth Development: Katie Siltanen, silta006@umn.edu

General Information: Mandi Haglund, haglu119@umn.edu

Email: mnext-Carlton@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu
Location: 317 Chestnut Avenue, Carlton, MN, USA
Phone: 218-384-3511
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarltonCounty4H