September 2026 Newsletter

Nebraska Extension - Wayne County

510 N Pearl Street, Suite C | Wayne, NE 68787-1939

402-375-3310 | FAX: 402-375-0102

E-mail: wayne-county@unl.edu

Website: http://wayne.unl.edu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtWayneCounty

1 NYBLS Application DUE

1-7 Nebraska State Fair

7 Labor Day Observed, Extension Office closed

8 Extension Office Closed for State Fair Exhibit Pick-Up

11 State Fair Exhibits ready to pick up at the Extension Office

11 County Award Applications DUE to the Extension Office

11 4-H Club of Excellence Summary Form DUE to the Extension Office

11 National 4-H Week PSA sign-up DUE

11 4-H Year/Fair Comments DUE

18 Red Letter Day

18-30 4-H Online Shut Down (Tentative)

21 4-H Council, 7 p.m.

25 UNL CASNR Experience the Power of Red (Reg. DUE Sept. 21)

The 2027 fair is July 22-25, and we have already begun planning!

Nebraska Extension in Wayne County is strongly considering moving Contest Day to the Tuesday of fair week instead of the Thursday before fair. This would mean two days in a row of static judging. Departments judged on Tuesday (July 20) would include: Clothing, Consumer Management (includes Fashion Show), FCS Misc., Favorite Foods, Home Design and Restoration, and Quilt Quest. Departments judged on Wednesday (July 21) would include: Ag Miscellaneous, Clover Kids, Foods, Horticulture, and Photography.

Please reach out with any constructive feedback you may have on this through https://go.unl.edu/26faircomments by September 11.

Congratulations to all the Nebraska State Fair participants! Everyone who participated should be proud of a job well done! State Fair exhibits and State Fair premium checks will be available to pick up September 11 at the Extension Office.

The 4-H Club of Excellence Summary and all County Achievement Applications are due September 11. For more information, visit https://go.unl.edu/4-hawards. The Achievement Application is available at the same site or the Extension Office. Applications can be completed in PDF, Word, or Google Doc. Please contact the Extension Office if you have questions or would like assistance.

Thank you for all your hard work and patience throughout this past 4-H year! Your efforts are appreciated! Remember September 11 is the deadline for 4-H Club of Excellence Summary and ALL County Achievement Applications. The 4-H Club of Excellence Summary can be found here: https://go.unl.edu/clubsofexcellence.

We have several bottles of pop from the 4-H Food Stand still available for $2 each. Please contact the Extension Office if you are interested in purchasing any. There is Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Lemonade, Mug Root Beer and Starry.

Suggestions for the 2026 Fair/4-H Year will be accepted until September 11 at https://go.unl.edu/26faircomments. Suggestions will be discussed with the 4-H Council, Livestock Committee, and Fair Board.

Several items were donated to participants at the Wayne County Fair. If you received one, please take the time to thank them.

Tractor Supply Co. donated the white buckets and red bags were distributed to Bucket Calf and Round Robin participants.

Tractor Supply Co.

2201 Krenzien Dr.

Norfolk, NE 68701

Junck Seeds/Junck Farms donated the blue buckets that were distributed to animal exhibitors during the fair.

Junck Seeds/Junck Farms

Attn: Lynn Junck

86095 565th Ave.

Carroll, NE 68723

An Instructor Certification Training will be held October 3-4 in Imperial. For more information, visit https://events.unl.edu/NE4H-Shooting-Sports/2026/10/03/199420/

Additionally there will be an Update Workshop offered in Imperial on October 3. For more information, visit https://events.unl.edu/NE4H-Shooting-Sports/2026/10/03/199421/

National 4-H Week provides a great opportunity to put 4-H in the spotlight! Individuals are encouraged to wear green on Monday, October 5. Clubs or individuals may wish to organize a 4-H promotional campaign. Some ideas include a library or store window display about 4-H, a 4-H poster contest, school programs to tell your classmates about 4-H and how students can join, articles for the newspaper, invite a friend to a 4-H meeting or event, or anything else that positively promotes 4-H! Keep in mind club meeting guidelines as well. National 4-H Week is October 4-10.

We will arrange to do some radio spots on KTCH again this year. Contact the Extension Office by September 11 if you are interested. Please help promote 4-H!

The 2026 4-H Achievement Program will be an open house celebration on October 8 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Wayne County Courthouse Basement Lobby. Stop by to vote for 4-H Council, enjoy a light refreshment, and pick up your member packet! Member packets will contain County Fair premium checks, Bonus Auction/Pool Money checks, achievement certificates or pins, and re-enrollment information. We hope to see you there!

4-H Livestock Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the courthouse. The 4-H livestock, small animal and horse programs are reviewed. All 4-H families are encouraged to provide input.

Attention seniors and parents of seniors! Check out our newsletter about scholarships and other college information. Juniors, feel free to take a peak to plan ahead for next year!

2 Red Letter Day

3-4 Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Trainings (Imperial)

4-10 National 4-H Week

5 NCTA Discovery Day

5 Wear Green for National 4-H Week

8 4-H Achievement Program Open House

9 Red Letter Day

12 Columbus Day Observed, Extension Office closed

16 Red Letter Day

23 Red Letter Day

1 Last Day to Apply to UNL for Free

3 NCTA Discovery Day

6-8 NYBLS

9 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting

11 Veterans Day Observed, Extension Office Closed

13 Red Letter Day

16 4-H Council Meeting

26-27 Thanksgiving Holiday, Extension Office Closed

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional reminders and updates!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtWayneCounty

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waynecountynebraska4h/

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. ©2026