Nebraska Extension in Thurston County | Nebraska Extension

The Dakota~Thurston County Fair is fast approaching! This year's motto is "Where Traditions Meet". July 26th - August 2nd

June 2026 Deadlines

May 27-29, 2026 - PASE @University of Nebraska-Lincoln
June 1, 2026 - Horse State and County ID's are DUE
June 15, 2026 - All Livestock Affidavits are DUE
June 15, 2026 - State Fair Beef, Sheep, Swine, and Goat DNA and Nominations DUE
June 15, 2026 - 4-H Enrollment ABSOLUTE DEADLINE
June 16-17, 2026 - Premier Communication Event at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dakota~Thurston County Fair Important Information!

July 15 - 4-H Pre-Entry Day

July 28th - 4-H Clothing Day

Check-In 1:00 pm
Judging Begins 1:15

July 29 - 4-H Exhibit Hall - Static Exhibits

Static Exhibits Check-In from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
4-H Interviews/Judging - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Clover Kid Interviews/Judging - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Aug 2 - Release of Exhibits 3:00 pm

4-H Livestock and Animals

July 26 - Companion Animal Show, Pender Fire Show Beginning at 1:30 pm

July 28 - 4-H Rabbit Show

Check-In from 8:00 am - 7:30 am
Showmanship starts at 10:00 am
Show begins at 10:30 am

July 29 - Check-In Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Poultry, & Horse entries from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Bucket Calf Interview sign-up during beef check-in

*See front of fair book for details of more in-depth schedule of events*

July 30 - Bucket calf record books due to livestock office at Noon! Interviews from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - location TBD

Aug 2 - 5:30 pm Release of livestock

For a more detailed itinerary of fair events, see pages 4 and 5 the Fair Book.

NEWS

4-H Online is now open for youth and volunteer enrollment for the 2025-2026 program year!

Nebraska is using the same platform as last year! To enroll, visit https://4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
For new families, find instructions here: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/enrollment/
For returning families: Do Not create a new account; rather use your existing log-in credentials from 4-H online as used in previous years. Find instructions at https://4h.unl.edu/resources/enroll/returning-member/

Any Direct volunteers such as club leaders, project leaders, workshop presenters and more, must put in their ACTUAL BIRTHDATE into 4-H Online when enrolling so that the volunteer screening can be done. Our county has a $5.00 enrollment fee to be paid by check or cash. Cloverleaf members pay your leader. All other clubs, TC Roughriders, Rosalie Feeders, and Independent pay by check or cash to the Thurston County Extension Office.

Please contact us at 402-385-6041 with any enrollment questions.

NEW Volunteer Orientation!

Beginning with the 2026 4-H year, there are changes to the Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening policy and procedures.

Volunteer Orientation will now be required every 3 years through 4-H Online. This is a change from it being required only during a volunteer’s rescreening year. This will allow us to update the Orientation trainings more frequently if the need arises. Volunteers will be able to do the training in 6 separate sections (each being 10 minutes or less) at their own pace rather than in one sitting. They may be able to do it simultaneously on separate devices with their spouse/partner/another volunteer if they wish, however each individual volunteer will need to do the Orientation training associated with their respective member profile. There will be no workaround permitted at this time. If you have any questions, contact our office at 402-385-6041.

These changes were made to ensure all youth and volunteers are protected through increased volunteer screening level and enhanced user experience!

Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.