Welcome Summer!
CONTENTS - CLICK FOR MORE INFO
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RUSSEL STOKES 4-H GRANT APPLICATION
GREAT PLAINS LIVESTOCK JUDGING CIRCUIT
HORSE QUIZ BOWL
SUMMER WORKSHOPS
COUNTY FAIR DEADLINES
STATE FAIR AND AKSARBEN DEADLINES
TRACTOR, ATV, AND BICYCLE CONTESTS
BOONE COUNTY 4-H CLUBS
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
BOONE/NANCE COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST
BOONE COUNTY 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS
Upcoming Events
May 11 - Boone-Nance 4-H Communications contest! 6:30 pm at the Nance County Extension Office. Call your local office to register.
May 9 - YQCA in-person training at the Boone County Extension Office at 10 am. Call for a coupon code.
May 15 - YQCA at 6:30 pm at Nance County Extension Office. Call for a coupon code.
May 27-29 - Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) at the Nebraska Animal Science Complex in Lincoln.
May 30 - Adams County Beef Progress Show. See adams.unl.edu
June 3 - Animal Science Discovery Days at NCTA, Curtis, NE. Register at https://go.unl.edu/asdiscoverday2026.
June 3 – Pitzer 4-H Judging Clinic & Contest. Register at https://go.unl.edu/pitzer or contact Jennifer at 308-346-4200 or jepp@unl.edu
June 3-6 - Regional Junior 4-H Camp. More details below.
June 6 - Phelps County 4-H Small Animal Progress Show, Holdrege. 308-995-4222.
June 6&7 – Holt County 4-H Invitational Shoot, Chambers, NE. $10 per discipline. Register at https://forms.gle/WSmTQLNNFeX8tryG9
June 11-13 – 4-H Horse Camp at Fort Robinson State Park. Contact Tessa Reece at 308-432-3373.
June 16-17 - Premier Communication Event, Nebraska East Union, Lincoln.
June 17-19 - Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series. https://go.unl.edu/lj26
June 20 - Adams County Sheep & Goat Progress Show. Also Poultry & Rabbit Progress Show. See adams.unl.edu
June 27 - Papio Valley Livestock Show, Springfield, NE. Pre-enter at https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOLB7MCMVcC6uBU
June 27 - Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Show, Chase Co Fairgrounds. For more information, call Tracy Heathers at 308-883-3925; Susan Spicer at 308-882-1463; or Gene Heathers at 308-883-0143.
July 7 - Heavy Equipment Career Exploration, Hastings. https://go.unl.edu/heavyequipment.
July 11-15 - BOONE COUNTY FAIR!
July 19 - August 1 - Computer Science Summer Camp for high school students. https://raikes.unl.edu/summer-camp
Russel Stokes 4-H Grant Application
NEW!
This grant is offered in memory of Russell Stokes, whose life was defined by the value of hard work, practical skills, and generosity toward others. He believed that the most meaningful lessons are learned not just through instruction, but through doing—working with your hands, solving problems, and creating something of value. Whether in a garden, a workshop, or caring for animals, he understood that these experiences build confidence, character, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Equally important was his belief in sharing what you have—your knowledge, your time, and your efforts—to help others grow. He recognized that communities are strengthened when people work together, support one another, and pass skills from one generation to the next.
This memorial grant honors those values by supporting 4‑H youth as they learn, create, and give back. It is intended to encourage hands-on projects that not only develop practical abilities, but also inspire generosity, teamwork, and pride in meaningful work.
Please download the Fillable application to your device. It is due June 1, 2026. Or stop by the Extension Office and pick up a copy.
Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit
The Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit is a lineup of contests held throughout the state giving youth the opportunity to perfect their skills in preparation for the Nebraska 4‑H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE). Qualifying youth must attend a minimum of two contests in addition to the PASE Livestock Judging Contest in order to be eligible for awards and scholarships. The top 5 individuals in the Senior and Intermediate divisions will be recognized as part of the All-State Team during the Grand Drive at the Nebraska State Fair.
Contests are open to Nebraska 4-H and FFA members ages 10-18. For more information, visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-judging-circuit.
Boone County Arama Shows
The 2026 Arama shows will take place Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24, 2026 at the Niewohner Arena at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Albion. The flyer is attached to the Event Flyer link above.
Pre-enter animals on the Showman website at https://showman.app/shows#/boone-county-a-ramas-2588/
Horse Quiz Bowl
Junior Horse Judging team: Blakely Boryca, Luke Sonderup, and Laramie King.
Senior Horse Judging team: Abby Addison, Clara Brengelman, Lora Sonderup.
Junior Horse Bowl team won Reserve Champion. Participants: Luke Sonderup, Baylor Boryca, Taryn King, Laramie King, Blakely Boryca.
Front Row: Junior Horse Bowl Team: Luke Sonderup, Taryn King, Laramie King, Blakely Boryca, Baylor Boryca. Back Row: Steve Pritchard, Senior Horse Bowl team: Emilyn Kurz, Lora Sonderup, Clara Brengelman, Abby Addison.
Click on the flyer to register.
Camp Counselors age 16-18, register at
Fairbooks are available!
FAIRBOOKS ARE AVAILABLE!
If you are new to 4-H, be sure to stop in and pick up a fairbook. It contains the fair schedule, policies, and information about the projects that you could bring to the Boone County Fair. There is a section toward the back just for Clover Kids, who are ages 5-7 before the January 1st.
You will also receive entry forms for the fair, which will be due back at the Extension office by June 15 for static exhibits, horses, and pets, and June 30 for Livestock, Poultry, and Rabbits .
Summer Workshops
Summer is just around the corner and workshops are still being planned. Workshops are open to
4-H members in both Boone and Nance Counties, regardless of where the workshop is located. Here is a sneak preview:
May 19 – Fullerton - a.m. - Pajama Bottoms;
p.m. - Beyond the Needle
June 16 – Fullerton – a.m. – Breads Workshop
June 17 – Albion – all day - Babysitting Workshop
(Call April Murphy at 402-395-3252 at BCHC to register)(see Event Flyer above)
June 30 – Fullerton – all day – Entomology Workshop.
The final schedule with dates, times, locations and session details will be available soon, and will be emailed to everyo!
County Fair Deadlines
Friday, May 15 - Animal ID forms must be submitted for County Fair for Market Beef, Breeding Beef, Feeder Calf, Bucket Calf, Market Lamb, Breeding Sheep, Swine, Market Goat, Breeding Doe, Dairy Goat, Dairy, Rabbit, and Horse. ID forms are available on this page, or at the Extension Office. Ear tags are also available at the office.
Poultry do not need to be ID’d. Cats and dogs only need a vaccination record from the Vet showing that they are current on Vaccinations.
Stop by the Extension Office and pick up ear tags and ID sheets, or get the sheets at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/boonenance-county-4-h/4-h-animal-science-information/
Monday, June 15 - Entry forms for fair exhibits due in the Extension Office. Enter static exhibits, horse events, cat, dog, and small animal entries.
Tuesday, June 30 - Livestock entries due in the Extension Office.
Beef, sheep, swine, dairy, goat, poultry, and rabbit entry forms including number of stalls required. Horse exhibitors must also indicate how many stalls they will need.
Entry forms can be accesses online at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/boone-county-premium-list-2026, or paper forms are available at the Extension Office.
State Fair & Aksarben Livestock Deadlines
JUNE 2 - DNA DUE AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE FOR STATE FAIR ONLY!
MONDAY, JUNE 15 - SHOWSTOCK MANAGER NOMINATIONS DUE ONLINE. (Open now at https://showstockmgr.com).
A Premises ID is required as part of the nomination process. https://nda.nebraska.gov/adt/pemises.html
AUGUST 10, 8:00 PM – STATE FAIR ENTRIES DUE IN SHOWORKS
https://nebr.fairwire.com/ (Opens July 1)
THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR RUNS FROM AUGUST 28 TO SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
AKSARBEN NOMINATIONS
For 4-H/FFA families who are planning on nominating the same animals for the Nebraska State Fair and the Aksarben Stock Show, you MUST obtain additional DNA envelopes for Aksarben at https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com under Livestock Show. Please follow their recommendations for submitting samples and entries.
AKSARBEN STOCK SHOW RUNS SEPTEMBER 24-27, 2026.
Calling all Tractor, ATV, and Bicycle riders!
The Tractor, ATV, and Bicycle contests will be held Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 pm. This is provided that we have enough entrants by May 26. We need a minimum of 6 ATV contestants (total) in order to hold the contest. For the Tractor Operators' contest, there needs to be a minimum of 4 participants in Jr Division and a minimum of 4 participants in Sr Division to hold the contest. For the Bicycle Rodeo, we need 4 participants in each division (Junior and Clover Kid) to be able to hold the contest. Call the Extension Office to register, or click on the photo above for a google form. Deadline is May 26.
Click logo for more information.
All livestock exhibitors age 8 to 18 are required to complete the YQCA training prior to exhibiting at the County or State Fair. We will be holding instructor-led classes Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 am at the Boone County Extension Office, and Friday, May 15 at 5:00 pm at the Nance County Extension Office. Please call for a coupon code, which is good for the instructor-led class, or $3 off the online class. You are welcome to attend either class.
(Click image to enroll in 4-H Online)
4-H Online Enrollment Now Open!
Boone-Nance County Communications Contest
The Boone-Nance County 4-H Communications contest will be held on May 11, at 6:30 pm at the Nance County Extension Office. For ideas, see the Communication Contest information. Call your local Extension Office by May 6 if you want to participate.
Premier Communication Contest
The 2026 Premier Communication Event will be held June 16 - 17, 2026 at the Nebraska East Union in Lincoln, NE. Age divisions are:
Junior Division - Ages 8-10
Intermediate Division - Ages 11-13
Senior Division - Ages 14-18.
Contests that will be offered are:
Prepared speech
Radio Public Service Announcement
(Theme - Ready Today, Leading Tomorrow)
Illustrated Presentation (Individual or Team entries)
Impromptu Speech
Video Communication
Registration open from May 1 to May 29 at Noon by Extension Staff.
More information coming at https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/communication/pce/
Boone County 4-H Shooting Sports
Archery, .22 Rifle, and Shotgun practices will start on April 12 at 6:30. If you have not signed up, go to https://v2.4honline.com. For practice dates, go to https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/boone-nance/boonenance-county-4-h/meeting-dates/. For more information about 4-H Shooting Sports, click on the logo.
UNTIL NEXT MONTH!
Steve Pritchard - Extension Educator
Sonya Glup - Extension Associate