Wednesday What-Nots 6/10

• ADULT LEADERS: please ensure that you complete and submit all screenings and training requirement before June 15.
• ALL YOUTH must be registered in 4HOnline for the 2025-2026 year by June 15th in order to exhibit in fair. This is a state 4-H rule - no exceptions or extensions will be granted.
• Livestock ID sheets are available at the office or online at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/otoe/4-h/county-fair/#tab-item-animal-id-sheets-3792
• Cats, Dogs, and Small Animals needs ID sheets too! These are due June 15.
• Send or drop off your YQCA certificates now!
• Livestock DNA envelopes for state fair are due to the office by June 15. You must also submit your online nominations by this date as well!
• Shooting Sports fair entries are due in the Showorks-Fairwire system by June 15.

• Reminder for those wishing to show at state fair, will need to nominate their animals and turn in their DNA envelopes to our office by June 15. Details here: https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/state-fair/livestock-exhibitor/livestock-identification/

We still have openings!

Now available within Showorks! No more paper records at check- in - be sure to sign up for this special award when you enter your fair projects online.

1. Choose Department: Outstanding Exhibitor and Division: Outstanding Exhibitor. Then choose which "Class" you are competing in by selecting the category you'd like to enter.

2. You may enter more than one "Class".

3. Categories for each class will be divided by age into Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors (no Clover Kids).

4. Scoring is the same as previous years: Purples 5 points and Blues 2 points. No points for reds and whites. 4 Bonus points will be given for interview judging in that category.

5. Entry due date: July 22nd

6. The winners in each age group and category will be posted during the fair and will receive a $20 check from the 4-H Council.

Here are the updated links to the Otoe County Fair Fairbook. Go to https://go.unl.edu/otoecofairbook

You can now submit your fair entries online. Go to https://otoe.fairwire.com. For the full 2026 Fair Schedule go to: https://go.unl.edu/otoecofairschedule

Contest entries due one week before the contest. Livestock fair entries due July 15. Static entries due July 22. Questions? Made a mistake? Reach out! We're here to help.

Register now at https://otoe.fairwire.com. Get tips and tricks with the Favorite Foods Revue Booklet at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/burt/favorite-foods-revue-booklet/

Be on the lookout for any Fairbook Corrections on this page!

Here is the current list of 2026 Fairbook corrections:

• Archery contest: Sunday, July 12 at 3 pm
• Air Rifle Contest: Sunday, July 19 at 2 pm
• BB Gun Contest: Sunday, July 19 at 3:30 and 4:45 pm
• Sporting Clays (6/6-7) and Skeet (6/14) Contests CANCELLED
• Trap shooting Contest (6/14): Register in Showorks-Fairwire by June 8.
• Companion Animal: Rule #5 exhibit 1 animal per class. Rule #6 1 entry per class
• Horse Ranch Riding: Class 002 - 8 to 13 years old
• Fashion Show: Rule #2 max of 4 entries
• Fashion Show entry deadline is July 15th, and required paperwork is available here: https://uofnebraska.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/UNL-Otoe/IgANIowYkWsGRJQZvxa9fuS8AZdPSl_9yuCzepE7jWznzNw?e=AggtZe

All registered BEEF & SWINE animals planning to be entered in PUREBRED BREEDING and MARKET classes must present their registration papers at county fair check-in.

Registered BREEDING SHEEP planning to compete in a PUREBRED BREEDING class must also present their registration papers at county fair check-in.

If registration papers cannot be presented, the animal will still be eligible to show, but only in a crossbred or commercial class.

PARTICIPANTS: Youth ages 8 – 18 enrolled in Otoe County 4-H program.

ITEM: Purchase a $10 or less used item (something old, ugly, useless, & not broken) or

the item can be something you already have on hand. Your item must be able to be

moved/lifted by 2 people. No purchase is necessary.

THE SWAP: Bring your used item to the Fair Center for the swap on Wednesday, June

10th. The swap will START at 5:30pm. Each participant’s used item will be randomly

swapped with another 4-H member’s used item, so you won’t end up with your own.

Repurposing does not begin at the swap. Instead, you’ll take your new item home,

transform it there, and have it ready to enter at the Otoe County Fair.

Repurpose Budget: You can use up to $20, plus items you already own, to transform

your new item into something beautiful or useful.

Requirements:

• Take a photo of the original item.

• Write a description of what was done to repurpose your item.

• $20 repurpose budget description.

Questions: skdamme@sbllcweb.com

The Otoe County Achievement Application will go digital for Fall 2026!

We will utilize the state's achievement application as our base application. https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/awards-recognition/achievement-application/ And then we'll use our own digital form to collect the applications for county judging.

In addition, there have been a few changes to our county-level categories and awards. Highlights include:

i. Clover Dollar awards have been discontinued. To attend camps related to their project area of interest, 4-H members are encouraged to utilize the 4-H Foundation's camp scholarship awards program. https://otoe4hfoundation.org/camp-scholarships/

ii. Community Service Awards will now award a first ($75) and second ($50) place entry in each age division.

iii. All other awards will increase their amounts given to winners, for a total of $50 per award, with the exception of Outstanding 4-H Member Awards ($50, $75, and $100).

Check out all changes via the NEW digital Achievement Application submission form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/UFwFv4NaUS

i. We're still working on a detailed list of the awards and their criteria. We appreciate your patience as we work to get these details out as soon as we can. Please reach out with questions.

Day camp for ages 8-12 years old to explore the outdoors. June 23rd or June 30th.

Announcing the Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series! June 17-19, 2026.

🐄🐑🐖 Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program – Year 5! 🐐🐔

The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is back for its fifth year, recognizing youth who go above and beyond in their livestock projects! This program promotes learning in selection, production, leadership, and exhibition across all livestock species.

🔹 Open to enrolled 4-H livestock youth
🔹 Species include beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, dairy, rabbit, poultry.
🔹 Three achievement levels: Junior, Intermediate, Senior

🗓 Apply by June 15
🗂 Plans & Reports due August 1
🏆 Members of Excellence will be recognized at the Nebraska State Fair Grand Drive.

👉 Learn more & apply here: https://go.unl.edu/lap

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

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

Megan Anderson, Office Manager, manderson230@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