We’re excited to introduce Laurie Fritsch as our new Clay County 4-H Educator! A graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural journalism, Laurie’s lifelong passion for 4-H has shaped her career in leadership, communications, and event planning.

She brings a strong work ethic, dynamic relationship-building skills, and expertise in youth development, business management, and public relations. Laurie is eager to support and inspire our local 4-H community, and we look forward to the energy and expertise she brings to the team.

Please join us in welcoming Laurie to Clay County 4-H!

June 9th is the first work night before Fair! A few clubs have volunteered to help out with certain projects, but there is always room for more helping hands. Please reach out to the office with any questions or concerns!

It's that time of year where the Fair Board starts posting Throwback Thursday pictures, and Missy is running low on photos!

If anyone has any photos they would like to see posted please email them to sdclaycountyfair@gmail.com

This starts tomorrow, June 5th!

I need lots more Volunteers for our 4-H Static Exhibit Entry Night! Please reach out to grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends who may be willing to lend a hand!

This is intended to be posted in the Fair Supplement Book

Help us fund the new show pens!

https://claycountyfair.net/donation-options

July 15th is the deadline

If you are interested in being a Youth Mentor or volunteer for the 2025 Buddy Show please submit the applicable form to the office by July 18th!

Applications can be found at the following link https://claycountyfair.net/the-buddy-show

We had a wonderful turn out for Clay County's Public Presentation Contest on May 30th.

If you were unable to present in Clay County there are a few other options in the area!

• Yankton County on June 18th. Register by June 11th
• Lincoln County on June 30th. Register by June 23rd

If any of the participants would like to Present during the fair, pleas let the office know!

Clay County's Fashion Revue is finally set! July 15th is the day to really strut your stuff!

Please register in Fair Entry by July 8th.

If you are unable to make this date work for you, neighboring counties have a few other options for you!

• Yankton County is hosting on June 18th
• Lincoln County is hosting on July 16th
• Turner County is hosting on July 22nd
• Union County is hosting on July 24th

Clay County and Yankton County will not be hosting a Special Foods event this year. However, if there are any members looking to participate neighboring counties have a few options for you!

• Lincoln County will host on July 9th. Register by July 1st.
• Turner County will host on July 15th. Register by June 30th.

The Fair Supplement Book is getting finalized and will be up on the County Website, Facebook, and the Weekly Update as soon as I get it completed! Please hold tight! 😊

A CHALLENGE FOR CLAY COUNTY 4-H MEMBERS TO ENTER DIFFERENTPROJECT AREAS AND TO INCREASE EXHIBITS.

Have a youth member who is unable to attend an approved YLL program or is looking for alternative options? Just a reminder that, although we have switched to the YLL model, programs such as BQA (beef), PQA+ (swine), and YQCA are still eligible to fulfill the YLL requirement for South Dakota 4-H livestock exhibitors. Youth members must provide proof of program completion to their county 4-H professional by July 1 in order to complete their YLL requirement for the current program year.

*Note: It is the responsibility of the youth member to register for a certified BQA, PQA+, or YQCA training if they elect to participate in one of those. Registration information can be found on each of the program's websites.*

SDSU will be hosting a Natural Resources program on July 21-25 at the Oak Lake Field Station near Astoria, SD. The Natural Resources High School Program is a great way to gain exposure to the world of natural resources, including fish, plants, wildlife, soils, invertebrates and water. The Program offers opportunities to gain hands-on experiences in natural resource ecology and management. The Program is intended for high school students, entering grades 9, 10, 11 and 12, who have a strong desire to learn more about the natural world or who have an interest in pursuing a career related to natural resources. Permission of parent or guardian is required.

Activities will be led by SDSU Department of Natural Resource Management faculty and graduate students.

For more information or visit https://www.sdstate.edu/natural-resource-management/natural-resources-high-school-program.

June 8 - Capture the Action: Photography Workshop

June 9 - Fairgrounds Work Day 6pm

June 10 - Deadline for Registration for County Horse Show

June 10 & 11 - 2025 Rangeland Days and Soil Days

June 14-20 - Citizen Washington Focus (CWF) Trip - Washington D.C.

June 15 - State 4-H Project Registration Opens

June 15-18 - State 4-H Camp

June 18 - Yankton County Fashion Revue (Register by June 11)

June 18 - Yankton County Public Presentation (Register by June 11)

June 24 - Union County Fashion Revue

June 24 - County Horse Show 9am

June 25 - Come Create Day 9am at the 4-H Center

June 27 - State Horse Show registration deadline

June 30 - Lincoln County Public Presentation (Registration ends June 23)

July 1 - YLL Deadline

July 1 - SS End of Match 4

July 2 - SS Match 4 Due to John by 9:30 am

July 8-10 - State Horse Show

July 9 - Lincoln County Special Foods (Registration ends July 1)

July 15 - Turner County Special Foods (Registration ends June 30)

July 15 - Deadline to Register for Sioux Empire Fair Robotics Showcase

July 15 - Clay County Fashion Revue (register in Fair Entry by July 8)

July 16 - Lincoln County Fashion Review (Registration ends July 10)

July 17 - County Dog Show

July 19 - Eastern Region State Dog Show - Lennox

July 22 - Turner County Fashion Revue (Registration ends July 6)

Office Hours Monday through Friday 8-5 (closed over noon hour)

Rali Sykes

4-H Administrative Assistant

Email: clay.county@sdstate.edu
Website: https://www.claycountysd.org/extensionoffice4h.cfm
Location: 515 High Street, Vermillion, SD, USA
Phone: 605-677-7111
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19jWQKEPVq/