Seward County 4-H Newsletter

July 1: Pre-fair entries due, Bucket Calf, Beef Production, and Partners record books due

July 3: Extension Office closed (4th of July holiday)

July 8: Interviews for Bucket Calf, Beef Production, and Partners

July 9: Superintendent Meetings - Static 6:30/Livestock 7:30

July 12: Trap Shooting Contest - Izaak Walton Cabin

July 15: Fair Clean-Up at the fairgrounds - Family Packet pick-up

July 18: Public Fashion Show (Harvest Hall) & Archery Competition (Reunion Center)

July 20 & 21: Horse Show

July 20: Static Check-In

July 21: Static Judging and Interviews

July 22-26: Seward County Fair

August 10: State Fair nominations due

August 20: State Fair exhibits due to the Extension Office

August 26: State Fair Foods and Horticulture exhibits due to the Extension Office

With gratitude for her 10 years of service, we recognize Cindy Wolverton as she transitions from Seward County 4-H into a new role as a 4-H Animal Science Assistant at the State 4-H program. During her time in Seward County, Cindy made an impact on countless youth and families. She worked extensively with the 4-H livestock and horse programs, led Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA), and annually brought learning to life through 4-H afterschool clubs. Cindy also played a key role in Ag Literacy efforts and delivered Embryology and STEM programs in local schools, inspiring curiosity and a love of agriculture and science in young people. In her new position, Cindy will continue to share her passion and expertise as she leads the 4-H horse and companion animal programs, including coordination of the State Horse Show. While we will miss her presence at the Seward County Fair this year, many of you will have the opportunity to connect with her at the State Horse Show this summer.

We are grateful for Cindy’s years of dedication and the difference she has made in Seward County. Please join us in thanking her for her service and wishing her all the best in this exciting next chapter.

The 2026 Seward County Fair will be held from July 23-26

The Seward County Fairgrounds website can be viewed at this link https://www.sewardcountyfairgrounds.com/

It’s time to get ready for the county fair! All 4-H members planning to participate must complete their online registration by 11:59 p.m. on July 1st. Be sure to register at seward.fairwire.com. When registering, remember to include everything you plan to bring or participate in—this includes:

• Static exhibits (projects)
• Animals
• Showmanship classes

Taking a few extra minutes to double-check your entries now can help ensure a smooth fair experience later! If you prefer, a paper registration form is available at the office.

Late Entries: Registrations submitted between July 2nd and July 7th will incur a $15 late fee per 4-H member, so don’t delay!

• Always check the Fairbook for specific class requirements, entry rules, and judging criteria. Requirements may vary by project area.

General Display Guidelines

• Ensure exhibits are neat, complete, and securely mounted (if applicable).
• Include all required labels, tags, and supporting documentation.
• Follow size, mounting, and presentation rules listed in the Fairbook.

Project-Specific Reminders

• Photography
  • Must include proper data tags.
• Home Design Exhibits
  • Include a supporting information sheet explaining the project (design choices, purpose, materials, etc.).
• Horticulture
  • Clearly identify the cultivar (variety) on each entry.
• Sewing/Clothing
  • A Design Data Card is required for:
    • Beyond the Needle
    • Some STEAM 2 & 3 exhibits
• Foods & Nutrition Projects
  • Must include a recipe card with the exhibit.
  • For larger exhibits, it is recommended to use 2-gallon resealable (zip) bags for safe and clean transport/display.
• STEM Projects
  • Typically require written explanations, plans, or documentation.
  • Example:
    • Woodworking projects must include plans or drawings used to build the item.

Strike a Pose in the 4-H Fashion Show!

Do you have a flair for fashion or a project you’re proud of? Show it off in the 4-H Fashion Show! Youth can model garments they’ve sewn or embellished, outfits purchased through the Shopping in Style project, or even small sewn items like a pillowcase or pincushion.

Whether it’s your first time on the runway or you’re a seasoned participant, support will be available the day of the show to guide you every step of the way. It’s a fun and encouraging opportunity to showcase your creativity while building confidence!

To participate, be sure to register at seward.fairwire.com by July 1st. Judging will take place on Saturday, July 18th between 10:00 and 2:00 p.m., with participants returning that evening for the public fashion show.

Have questions? Contact Ann at the Extension Office. We can’t wait to see you shine on the runway!

Thursday, July 9th at the Extension Office

Static: 6:30 p.m.

Livestock: 7:30 p.m.

Dog & Cat Show Reminders

Health & Safety Requirements

• Ensure your animal has current vaccinations as required by the Fairbook.
• Drop off vaccination records at the Extension Office prior to show day.

4-H'ers...Order your Fair T-shirt

Online store is open now through June 28th.

4-H Youth Order link (free for 4-H youth only): https://stores.middlecreekprinting.com/sewardcounty4h

Friends of 4-H, Family Members, use this Link ($12)

https://stores.middlecreekprinting.com/friendsof4h/

Exhibitor t-shirts are provided free by the Seward County 4-H Foundation. A thank you may be sent to: Nebraska Extension Seward County, % Seward 4-H Foundation, 322 S 14th Street, Seward, NE 68434

Thank you, Seward County 4-H Foundation, for your support of Seward County 4-H youth!

Our 4-H Food Stand can't run without the help of our members and volunteers! Please consider donating a food item to reduce the costs and make this a great fundraiser for our program!

Click here to sign up https://go.unl.edu/zvr5

The proceeds of the 4-H Food Stand go towards our scholarship program and other educational programming throughout the year.

What we are asking for to keep the menu as consistent as possible:

Cinnamon Rolls - Prefer the Rhodes Bake N-Serv.
Baked Goods - Brownies, Cookies, or Bars that are individually packaged that would be worth a dollar.
Gatorade 20 oz bottles - Frost is most popular.

Pop 16 oz bottles - Diet Dr. Pepper is the most popular and Diet Pepsi and Pepsi are least popular, so we'll need Diet Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper, Coke, Diet Coke, Root Beer, Sprite, Mt. Dew, a little bit of Pepsi and a little bit of Diet Pepsi.

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/seward/

Shotgun Tournament: July 12th

• Deadline: July 5th
• Time: 8:00 am
• Where: Isaak Walton
• Awards Banquet and Potluck to follow, more details to come

Completed bench due to the fairgrounds by Monday, July 20th at check-in (5:00-8:00p.m.), or Tuesday, July 21st by noon.

Three categories:

1) Constructed bench

2) Upcycled bench (remade from other items)

3) Refurbished bench (existing bench that has been refinished or repainted in some way.)

Please include:

• Photos of members of your club assisting with the project.
• Make sure club’s name is on a tag so we know who made it.
• Benches will be judged, and prizes will be awarded according to creativity, neatness, teamwork (shown through pictures), and overall appearance.
• Benches will be displayed in the 4-H Center.
• Clubs can choose to participate in a silent auction for the bench.
• 75% of the proceeds will go back to the 4-H club
• 25% will go to the 4-H Council

If you plan to show market beef, swine, sheep, or goats at the Seward County Fair and would like to participate in the Livestock Premium Auction you MUST sign up for the auction by fair clean-up.

How to sign up?

1. Visit the Premium Auction table located next to family packet pickup on fair clean-up night (July 15th) from 5:30-6:30. Child's name, address to send check and animal species is all that's needed.

2. If you cannot make it to fair clean-up text the above information to Stephanie Cradick @ 402-643-0289

*If your Exhibitor would like to have some handouts now to take to businesses, personally please reach out to Stephanie with an email address.

*We are very much in need of volunteers to help run this auction, if you're willing to step up and donate a couple hours of your day, or join the committee please reach out to a board member. Thanks!!

1. No Record Book for Homegrown and/or County Bred and Fed Classes.

- Must complete the Verification Form and Animal ID sheet.

2. Market Lambs

- No weight limits.

- Will be divided into divisions following the weigh-in.

3. Hogs

- Exhibitors may enter up to a total of 6 hogs.

- No weight limit for market hogs. All market hogs will be weighed and separated into weight divisions of gilts and barrows.

4. Dairy Cattle

- Exhibitors may enter up to a total of 6 dairy animals.

5. Dairy Goat

- Any Dairy goat that does not meet the breed standard for a dairy goat or meet the fair book exhibit rules, will be shown in the Companion Goats Division Class 3 Other—Wethers and Does Only, in the Meat Goat Show.

To exhibit at the NE State Fair, original registration papers must be presented at the time of check-in. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED. Original registration papers or electronic documents presented using a tablet or smartphone will be accepted if pulled up from the respective breed website.

For the State Fair, registration papers must show one of the following:

• Name of exhibitor and/or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted.

*Immediate family is defined as members of a household, including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.

Exhibitors who want to exhibit livestock at the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben Stock Show will be required to submit two separate envelopes and online nominations.

Nebraska State Fair 4-H/FFA exhibits will use DNA envelopes provided by the Seward County Extension Office.

State Fair nominations submit here: https://showstockmgr.com/

Aksarben nominations and envelopes will go through this website: https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/

All Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Halter horse exhibitors must stall their horse in their assigned stall during the Seward County Fair.

This includes:

Grand Champion Mare

Reserve Grand Champion Mare

Grand Champion Gelding

Reserve Grand Champion Gelding

Grand Champion Pony

Reserve Grand Champion Pony

The Grand and Reserve Grand Champions are to be in place Wednesday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 26th.

*Superintendents: Christi Arnold and Courtney Kossow

Seward County Sheriff's Posse will sponsor Award Buckles for the High Point Rider in each age division.

Award Divisions:

• High Point Senior Rider

• High Point Intermediate Rider

• High Point Junior Rider

Each division winner will receive:

• A High Point Buckle and a Certificate of Achievement

How It Works:

• Youth are automatically entered based on qualifying classes selected through Fairwire by July 1st.

• Riders must enter at least 3 qualifying classes, choosing from the following categories: any Performance class, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Trail , or games

Scoring System:

Points are awarded per class as follows:

Champion = 6 points

Res Champion = 5 points

Purple = 4 points

Blue = 3 Points

Red = 2 Points

White = 1 Point

Note: Points are awarded regardless of the number of participants. A single-entry class can still earn 6 points if awarded Champion.

Updates and Awards:

• Point standings will be updated at lunch and the end of Day 1.

• Winners will be announced at the end of the show on Day 2.

July 20-21

Monday, July 20

• Check-in at 7:00 a.m.
• Show starts at 8:00 a.m.
• Classes: 4-H Partner Showmanship, Showmanship, Halter, Walk-Trot, English Pleasure, English Equitation, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Ranch Rail Pleasure, Trail

Tuesday, July 21

• Check-in at 3:30 p.m.
• Show starts at 4:00 p.m.
• Classes: Dummy Roping, Ground Roping, Poles, Barrels, Keyhole, Flag Race

Let us know as soon as possible if your club will be changing organizational leaders so we can update our address lists. Thank you to all of the 4-H club leaders who do the important work of positive youth development.

Meeting Minutes

4-H club meeting minutes are needed for each organized meeting your 4-H club holds. Thank you to those clubs who have been turning them in after each meeting. If your club has not turned them in yet, please do so before the end of the year.

Ann Dobesh - ann.dobesh@unl.edu

Emily Manning - emily.manning@unl.edu

Jacie Pelikan - jpelikan3@unl.edu

Jill Payne - jpayne15@unl.edu

Lori Hamling - lhamling2@unl.edu

Julie Roebke - jroebke2@unl.edu

Email: seward-county@unl.edu

Website: https://seward.unl.edu

Location: 322 South 14th, Seward, NE

Phone: 402-643-2981

See additional information on our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/ExtensionSewardCo

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. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.