SHERIDAN COUNTY NEWSLETTER

July 4 - Office Closed

July 9 - Buyer Outreach at 9 am

July 14 - Fairgrounds Clean up at 5 pm

July 18 - Clothing Day

July 21 - Cat & Dog Show

July 22 - Static Entry

July 23 - Animal Check In, Rabbit & Poultry Show

July 24 - Livestock Shows

July 25 - Livestock Shows

July 26 - Parade and Sale

July 27 - Check Out

DEADLINE DATES:

July 1 - Fair Entry Deadline, Cat/Dog Vaccination Forms

July 15 - Clothing Narration Form

The fairbook is up on the website. You can find the complete book at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/sheridan/4-h/2025-sheridan-county-fair/

Some changes to note in the fairbook:

• There will be a gilt and barrow division in the swine show
• Decorated cakes will be judged on Tuesday but will go home to a freezer and return for the auction on Saturday.

As a reminder the Fair Schedule for 2025 has changed significantly. Please refer to the attached Fair Schedule for a complete listing of events.

The 2025 Sheridan County Fair Theme is Sew It, Grow It, Show It!

A huge thank you to Farm Credit Services for sponsoring a Fair shirt for everyone to wear during the week. These shirts will be available to pick up in the office after July 15th and will be taken to the fairgrounds as well. Families may purchase additional shirts as well and can wear shirts from last year also.

Did you attend a summer workshop and want to enter your projects in the County Fair? Below are the codes to enter the projects so we can see them!

Babysitting:

• Babysitting Kit: C200008 - Babysitting Kit. Purpose of the kit is for the 4-H member to take this with them when they babysit in someone else's home. Do not make a kit for combination of ages or for your own family to use. 4-H member must make one or more items in the kit, but purchased additional items are also allowed. A list of items in the kit is suggested to be included. Display in a box or bag suitable for what it contains. Approximate size not larger than 12 inches x 15 inches x 10 inches. All items in kit must be safe for a child to handle. Most importantly the kit should serve a defined purpose, not just be a catch all for several items. Information sheet should be included.

• Sola Flowers: C257014 - Accessory - Original Floral Design
• Eye Diagram: H840001 - Veterinary Science Large Animal Poster, Notebook, Kit or Display
• Flower Towel: C257010 - Accessory Textile 2D. This class requires supplemental information.

• Bottom: C220011 - STEAM 1 Simple Bottom
• Shirt: C221003 - Embellished Garment with Original Design. Create a garment

using techniques as defined in the project manual. Designs are the original idea of the 4-H member using the elements and principles of design to make an original statement. A Design Data Card must be included with this project. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If additional information is not included, exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.

• Pillow: C221005 - Item (garment or non-clothing item) Constructed From Original Designed Fabric (Only garments are eligible for State Fair Fashion Show) (SF26) - Fabric yardage is designed first, then an item is constructed from that fabric. Other embellishments may be added. A Design Data Card must be included with this project. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If additional information is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.

Jump Into Summer

• Wreath: C257011 – Accessory Textile 3D. This item also must include the supporting information found at go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration.

• Shelf: C257015 – Accessory made from wood or H911007 – Woodworking Article. If woodworking it needs to have the plans for the article. Accessory needs to have the supporting information found at go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration

• Canvas: C257012 – Accessory 2D. This item also must include the supporting information found at go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration.

• Flowering Pot: G770060 – Flowering Potted Houseplants. That are blooming for exhibition. Container may have one or more houseplants in container. Label with name for each plant. Non-blooming plants will be disqualified. We realize the class says Petunias cannot be included but we will talk to the judge and it will just be a county project.

Fishing

• Lure: D343001 - Fish Harvesting Equipment. Display of equipment used in fish harvesting. Label all items displayed. Include in your exhibit the following information. 1. The purpose of each item, 2. When or where each items is used. 3. Any personal experiences you have had with the item(s).
• Solar Oven: H900003 - Solar as Energy. Item should be the original design of the 4-Her. Include the item, or a picture if item is larger than 6 feet tall. Include a notebook of why the item was designed and how it harnesses the power of the sun.

Beyond the Box:

• Cookies: E410002- Creative Mixes: Any recipe, at least 3/4 of baked product or 4 muffins or cookies on a paper plate or in a disposable pan. Baked item made from a mix (commercial or homemade mixes acceptable). Food product must have been modified to make a new or different baked item.

**Supplemental Information required for this class: Write what you learned about making this product using a mix instead of a homemade recipe or recipe "from scratch". Does it make it better or easier to use a convenience product or mix? Why or what not?**

All 4-Hers are asked to come and up spruce up the fairgrounds on Monday, July 14th from 5 - 8 pm. During the event, trash is picked up, mowing, and weed trimming is completed, repairs are made, floors swept, and dust removed. Pizza will be provided!! Below are the assignments for each club and the independent members.

Equipment/supplies to bring: gloves, mowers, weed eaters, hammers, shovels, paint brushes, and brooms.

Albany: 4-H Exhibit Building (sweep floors and wipe down shelves, mow and wee-eat around the building, fix and move around picnic tables)

Bingham Hustlers (robotics group): Concession Building (sweep and mop floors, wipe and set up tables, clean kitchen and bathrooms) 4-H Office (sweep floors, wipe down tables and shelves, weed-eat around Office and Poultry Barn)

Green Valley: Open Class Building (sweep floors and wipe down shelves, mow and weed-eat around the building and water hydrant pad)

Hooves and Hearts: Sheep & Goat Barn (mow and wee-eat around sheep barn, check light bulbs and pen gates for usability, set up goat pens in Round Top)

Independents: Beef Barn (mow and eat-eat around both beef barns, scale house and show arena) Small Animal Barn (sweep and clean out)

These work assignments are a general guide. The hops is all the projects are completed and that takes teamwork! If you cannot attend on the 14th, you are encouraged to do some work on another day, like mowing. The 4-H Council and 4-H Foundation did some mowing before the Progress Show but it can still use a lot more.

During Fair Week, 4-Hers help to keep he grounds and facilities looking nice. Flags should be raised by 8:00 am and lowered before sunset. Bathrooms should be cleaned (swept, trash taken out, paper products replaced, and fixtures wiped down) at least once per shift. Trash lying around on the grounds should be picked up and the barrels checked throughout the day. If barrels are full, they need to be dumped into the dumpsters. Cleaning supplies are in the 4-H Fair Office.

Tuesday morning - Albany

Tuesday afternoon - Green Valley

Tuesday evening - Independents

Wednesday morning - Junior Leaders

Wednesday afternoon - Hooves and Hearts

Wednesday evening - Bingham Hustlers

Thursday morning - Junior Leaders

Thursday afternoon - Albany

Thursday evening - Hooves and Hearts

Friday morning - Green Valley

Friday afternoon - Independents

Friday evening - Bingham Hustlers

This year the Cake and Cookie Jar Auction will be held on Saturday, July 26th at 3 pm. The Buyers BBQ will start at 4 pm with the sale starting at 5 pm. The Buyers BBQ will not be free to everyone this year. Past buyers will receive tickets to a free meal and others can purchase the food for $15 a plate.

Please ensure that you have downloaded the app and have chosen to receive notifications via the Remind app so you don’t miss important messages. Log in to the Remind app on your phone or Remind.com, click the three lines at the top left, choose the icon for your Account Settings, and then Notification preferences. You will need to enter the following code to ensure that you receive the notifications.

@4hsheridan

Reminder – there will be a $100 camping fee at the fairgrounds during fair week. The fee helps to make updates around the fairgrounds. Parking passes are now available to purchase at the Extension Office. Checks need to be made out to the Sheridan Ag Society.

This year for Family Fun Night we are hosting a Business Showmanship competition. The species this year is BEEF. We would like 4-H members who are taking this project to invite a Business professional to show their animal against other local business professionals. It will take place on Wednesday, July 23rd starting at 7 pm. This is a great opportunity for youth to meet and interact with local businesses. The 4-H Council has compiled a list of potential business professionals to ask, please contact the Extension Office for some of the names. Also please let the office know if you are planning to have someone show your project animal. See the form below.

New this year to help ensure buyers are informed of the change in the fair sale, 4-H members will be gathering on July 9th at 9 am to split into groups and visit businesses inviting them to the Fair sale. Members near Hay Springs will meet at Lister Sage at 9 am, Rushville members will meet at the Extension Office at 9 am, and Gordon members will meet at the City Park at 9 am.

CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION & QUILT QUEST

• All clothing construction, (STEAM 1, 2 & 3 & Beyond the Needle, Knitting, Crochet and Quilt Quest (including barn quilts) projects will be judged on Friday, July 18th. Projects must be entered between 9 AM and NOON in the Extension Office.
• Quilts, including barn quilts, will be entered and judged on July 18th with the clothing projects.
• Dress for this day can be 4-H t-shirt or nice clothes.
• The following project areas have information sheets that must be completed and entered with your exhibit at county fair: Beyond the Needle, Upcycled Garment, Knitting, Crocheting, and Quilt Quest. These forms are available with the online fairbook or below.

FASHION SHOW

• Shopping in Style Reminder - When shopping for your project, shop for the entire outfit. The score sheet is based on the entire outfit with all the parts purchased. Your accessories may be something you already have. You must complete the 4-H Shopping in Style Fashion Show Report form SF-184 and submit it to the office no later than July 15 with the narrative cards. This form is available on the on line fair book under Fashion Show. Half of your ribbon placing comes from the information on this form!

PUBLIC FASHION SHOW

• NEW: This year exhibitors will go to the Rushville Nursing Home for a Public Fashion Show there. The show will start at 2:00 pm. 4-H members will need to be there by 1:30 pm.
• If you model in the morning you need to also model in the public fashion show in the evening.
• The Public 4-H Fashion Show and the presentation of ALL Modeling Awards will be held on Friday, July 18 at 6:30 PM in the Sheridan County Extension Office.
• Clover Kids can participate in the evening public fashion show on July 18th, please be sure to turn in a Narration Card by July 15. Clover Kids will need to be dressed and at the Extension Office by 6:15 PM.
• The order of line-up will be posted in the building.

• Check-in time for the Horse Show begins at 7 AM.
• Pattern Books & Programs will be available online and via email by July 16th.
• Grand Entry will begin at 8 AM and the show will start after that with Showmanship.
• Don’t forget official dress which includes a long-sleeve white shirt and a 4-H armband which is available at the office at the cost of $5. The complete dress code (hats, type of boots, etc.) is available in your 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide (available at the Extension Office).
• Darchelle's Food Truck will be at the Horse Show serving food.

As a reminder, members who are participating in the Shopping in Style project need to only use the Shopping in Style narration form for the modeling. This form cannot be used for the notebook portion. The notebook should include the following:

• Why you selected the garment you did
• Clothing budget
• Cost of garment
• Conclusion or summary statement(s) stating your final comments on why you selected your "best buy for your buck."
• Provide 3 color photos of you wearing the garment - front view - side view - back view

• Cat Show will being at 2 pm with Dog show to follow

Static Entry will be from 9 AM-1 PM!

Foods and Cake Decorating Interview Judging will take place in the Food Booth.

Home Design & Restoration, Human Development, Heritage, Horticulture, Cookie Jars, Miscellaneous Ag & Clover Kids Interview Judging will take place in the 4-H Octagon Building.

• Static exhibit entry and interview judging will be held from 9 AM to 1 PM on Monday, July 22. We will judge until we are finished but, you must have picked up your packet from the 4-H Office no later than 1:00 PM.
• Exhibitors need to be in 4-H Attire, jeans and a 4-H shirt. 4-H shirts can be purchased from the office and members will get one free one from Farm Credit Services.
• The following project areas have information sheets that must be completed and entered with your exhibit at county fair: Home Design & Restoration, Human Development, and Photography. These forms are available with the online fairbook or below.
• As a reminder, you must bring a plate of 4 cookies to be judged with the cookie jar judge and then a separate plate of cookies to be judged by the foods judge. Also include all recipe cards

• FOOD PRESERVATION REMINDER: On the label of your project, you need to state the source of your recipe. Sources include the USDA Guide for Food Preservation, So Easy to Preserve, Ball Canning Guide and Extension publications. Be sure you include the year of publication. Publications must be no earlier than 1994 when processing times made numerous changes. Recipes from a church cookbook or auntie’s recipe box are NOT acceptable.

• During the static interview process ONLY THE EXHIBITOR will be allowed to communicate with the judge. The parent(s)/guardian(s) will not be allowed to be involved during the judging process.

The judges will break for lunch around Noon.

• Pens may be sat up on Monday, July 21st. Stalling assignments will be shared on Friday, July 18th.
• Animals will be weighed in on Wednesday, July 23rd starting with pigs at 7:30 am, followed by Sheep and Goats, then Beef.
• Small Animals will check in at 9 am. Exhibitors can take their animals to the nursing home from 10:30 to 11:30. The animals must be checked for mites before they can be placed in cages.
• If bringing larger birds to the fair, please bring a dog kennel for them to be displayed in or contact the Extension Office to ensure we have a big enough cage for them to be displayed in.
• The Rabbit and Poultry Show will start at 1 pm in the Show Ring.
• Sale photos will take place from 8 to 12:30 in the Show Ring.

ALL Clover Buds need to be enrolled in 4-H on the 4Honline website. Also, please complete a Fair Registration form for your Clover Bud (see above), and be sure to register your Clover Bud for the projects that will be coming to fair. If you need help with this contact the Extension Office.

PUBLIC FASHION SHOW:

• We will need a narration card about your outfit to read while you model. If you need help writing a narrative, contact the Extension Office. The outfit does not have to be sewn by the Clover Bud. Just pick an outfit from your closet or your favorite school or summer outfit.

STATIC PROJECT ENTRY DAY:

• Enter projects and meet with the judge on Tuesday, July 22nd from 9 am to 1 pm in the 4-H Octagon Building.

PET PARADE:

• The Pet Parade is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM in the Show Arena, Wednesday, July 23th.
• House pets or stuffed pets are acceptable for the pet parade.
• Live Animal Examples: Poultry, Rabbit, Cat, Dog, Fish, Lizards, Hamsters, etc.
• Livestock projects above 350 lbs are not acceptable for the Pet Parade (this includes feeder calves, dairy animals, horses, etc.)

SMALL ANIMAL SHOWS:

• Clover Buds are allowed to participate in the Cat, Dog, Rabbit & Poultry Shows. Please make sure you must have registered for these events on the fair registration form

LARGE ANIMAL SHOWS:

• Clover Buds are allowed to participate in the Pig, Meat Goat, Bucket Calf and Sheep Show. (Clover Buds are NOT allowed to participate in the Horse, Beef or Dairy Cow show).
• Clover Buds MUST be enrolled in 4-Honline and completed a Fair Registration Form. If you have questions please contact the Extension Office or review the Fairbook.

• 4-H projects which receive awards will include a thank you note addressed to the sponsor of the award.
• The thank you card can be turned into the 4-H Office when you fill out your prize selection cards. The thank you notes are very important. Take a few minutes and put some thought into your message. A message of “Thanks” and signing your first name is not acceptable. If you need help, come find Wendy or ask your parents or an an older 4-H member.
• It is also encouraged to write or personally thank all those who have helped you with your projects and all the volunteers at the Fair. Our Fair would not be possible if there were no volunteers. Those thank you’s are their only payment for all the hard work they do and that is all they expect. Blank thank you cards are available at the office or any note card or paper will work perfectly.

Prize Selection Cards

• If you won an award you can visit the office to fill it out and return it before you check out on Sunday, July 27th.

• Exhibitors must be present for post-fair clean-up at 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 27th to help clean up after their sale animals’ area, help clean up the barn and tear down pens that were set up.
• Livestock Animals will be released at 7:00 AM on Sunday, July 27th.
• Static Exhibits will be released on Sunday, July 27th from 8:00 to 10:00 AM.
• You can write thank you notes and turn in your prize selection cards on Sunday, July 27th in the 4-H office as well.

These people are YOUR voice! Please contact any of them if you have an idea for a new or existing event or activity, have concerns with the program, or just want to have input in the decision-making process.

David Russell, Wendy Andersen, Michelle Heck, Nicole Janssen, Jake Scott, Kami Scott, Valerie Beel, Tim Campbell, Kris Stumpff, Melissa Mracek

4-H Council:
President - Zach Kearns

Vice President - Jace Stumpff

Secretary - Kaleigh Krebs

Treasurer - Brian Nelson
Members - Clint Vincent, Brad Beguin, Jackie Simonson, Brandon Jancik, and Chet Tausan
Youth Members: Jaxon Kearns, Lain Tausan, Kynsleigh Krebs, and Luke Laws

Extension Board:
President - Matt Albrecht
Vice President - Caleb Peters
Secretary/Treasurer - Paige Stumpff
Members - Trevor Ginkens, Morgan Weyers

Sheridan County Extension Office:

Office Manager - Wendy Andersen

4-H Extension Educator - Melissa Mracek

Livestock Systems Extension Educator - Brock Ortner

Rural Prosperity Extension Educator - Caitlin Roes

Email: sheridan-county@unl.edu
Location: 800 S Loofborrow Street, PO Box 329, Rushville, NE 69360
Phone: 308-327-2312
Twitter: @SheridanCounty