4-H & GENERAL RULES
4-H Exhibits/entries are open to all members of Dakota or Thurston County 4-H Clubs, FFA Chapters or Extension sponsored special interest groups.
4-H members will be 8-18 years of age on January 1 of the current year, not to have passed his or her 19th birthday by January 1. 4-H Cloverkid Members are youth ages 5-7 as of January 1 of the current year. There will be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability.
An FFA member belonging to a Dakota County or Thurston County chapter is eligible to show at this fair if 1) they are in good standing according to the Chapter’s Constitution, 2) if they live in another county, they are eligible to show projects at this fair, but if they are shown or will be shown at any other fair, are ineligible at this fair. The last year that an FFA member is eligible to show will be the year they are 18 by January 1st, not to have passed their 19th birthday by January 1.
All 4-H/FFA static exhibits must be entered on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 See instructions from Extension Office for correct times. Exhibits must be the result of the 4-H Club members or Vocational Agriculture students project since the last county fair and required paperwork must be up to date at the time of showing.
To exhibit at the Dakota~Thurston County Fair as a 4-H member, youth must be enrolled in either the Dakota or Thurston 4-H program by JUNE 15th OF THE CURRENT 4-H year.
Youth may enroll in 4-H any time throughout the year but fair participation may be limited.
►ALL STATIC EXHIBITS MUST HAVE RECEIVED A PURPLE RIBBON AT THE COUNTY FAIR TO ADVANCE TO THE STATE FAIR.
Static Exhibits will be released at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. Livestock Exhibits will be released after the Bonus Auction or no earlier than 5:30 P.M. on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. Fairboard members, Extension Staff and superintendents will not be responsible for exhibits after 9:00 P.M.
►PENALTY - PREMIUMS WILL BE PULLED FOR EXHIBITS LEAVING THE FAIRGROUNDS PRIOR TO THE AFOREMENTIONED RELEASE TIME.
Ownership affidavits and identification certificates for livestock must be completed and turned into the Extension Office by designated dates.
All exhibits will be placed by the judge on a Modified Danish System. Unless otherwise specified, club members may enter only one ehibit per class number.
All 4-H Clubs and 4-H Exhibitors will be issued an exhibitor number.
4-H Exhibitors in any livestock show shall wear an exhibitor number on his or her back. Horse Exhibitors also need an exhibitor number on each side of their saddle. These are available at the 4-H Office on the fairgrounds.
1. Exhibits must receive a blue or purple ribbon to warrant a trophy. This applies to County Fair and all 4-H contests.
2. Where trophies are awarded by 4-H age, age divisions are Junior 8-10, Intermediate 11-13, Senior 14-18. Some trophy age divisions depend on number of entries. These may be divided into Senior and Junior
The 4-H Horse Show Age Divisions are: Junior (8-11), Int. (12-14), Senior (15-18). Age divisions may vary dependent on number of 4-H’members competing in any given year. If only two ages divisions are used they will be Junior (ages 8-13) and Senior (ages 14 and up).
3. Any exhibitor who does not meet the guidelines of the Fairbook or project manuals and/or 4-H Council will be dropped one ribbon placing and comments will be made explaining the ribbon dropping.
4. Large items chosen for exhibit at the Nebraska State fair will be the responsibility of each 4-H’er to transport item to State Fair (i.e. chairs, trunks, large woodworking projects, etc.)
5. June 15th is the absolute deadline for project enrollment. If there is a question about whether the 4-H’er is enrolled in the project they want to exhibit, they will be checked against enrollment data, which will be at the 4-H Office at the fair.
6. Exhibitors are responsible for adhering to all livestock rules. Violation of any of the stated rules will result in the animal being disqualified from competition. (Ex. Feeder calf is disqualified, this means from Cow/Calf class, Feeder Calf Class and Showmanship class.) Any premium (Physical or monetary, including bonus auction for that animal) will be forfeited. No refunds will be made.
7. All livestock areas—NO professional groomers. Only currently enrolled 4-H/FFA club members, 4-H/FFA families, and leaders are allowed to groom animals.
8. Horses and livestock must be identified on official affidavit by the following methods:
9. All animals need to be free of disease, ticks, fleas, mites, ringworm or any other infectious disease or illness. 4-H member’s animals found with any of the issues above will be asked to remove their animals from the fairgrounds.
4-H and FFA members must meet deadline on identifying livestock projects.
See information below for specific tagging information.
Please check State Fair website for additional requirements for Livestock shown at the State Fair.
MARKET BEEF
Affidavit/ID Sheet, EID Tag—DNA sample is also required for State Fair (State Fair requires additional testing requirements) State Fair requires online DNA nomination, entry submission and Premises ID.
BREEDING BEEF
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Tattooing or EID tags for Commercial Breeding Beef. Affidavit/ID Sheet and tattooing for Registered Breeding Beef. Must be healed at time of entry. State Fair requires online DNA, nomination and entry submission.
COW/CALF
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Cow & calf will have county 4-H tag
RETURNING COW-CALF—1st CALF
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Cow & calf will have county 4-H tag, Tattoo on cow will be checked.
BUCKET CALF
Affidavit/ID Sheet, County 4-H Tag.
FEEDER CALF
Affidavit/ID Sheet, EID Tag. (State Fair requires online DNA, nomination and entry submission).
MARKET SHEEP
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Scrapies tag (ewes and wethers), (DNA sample for State Fair). State Fair requires online DNA nomination and entry submission.
BREEDING SHEEP
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Scrapies tag (ewes and wethers) State Fair requires DNA, online nomination and entry submission.
DAIRY GOAT
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Tattoo, Animal Markings and Scrapies Tag
MEAT GOAT (Market/Breeding Doe)
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Scrapies tag (does and wethers), (DNA sample for State Fair) State Fair requires online DNA nomination and entry submission. ALL sheep and goats being exhibited, need to be individually identified with USDA official Scrapies ID at the time of affidavit deadline. Under no circumstances may sheep and goats be exhibited which originate from scrapie-source flocks or scrapie infected flocks.
SWINE
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Ear notches (Universal Ear notch System must be healed at time of entry) (EID Tag and DNA sample for State Fair), State Fair requires online DNA nomination, entry submission and Premises ID. Swine ear tagged with County Tag at time of weigh-in at County Fair.
HORSE
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Markings must show markings on ID sheet (photographs preferred)
RABBIT
Affidavit/ID Sheet, Must have an eligible tattoo
IDENTIFICATION DEADLINES
June 1st Horse
June 15 Breeding Beef, Breeding Ewes, Market Lambs, Market Swine, Cow-Calf, Feeder Calf, Bucket Calf, Goat, and Rabbit.
LATE ID POLICY: 4-H members are to turn in affidavits by the deadline of June 15th of the current 4-H year. Affidavits that are submitted past the deadline will be accessed a $10 fee per individual. Affidavits will be accepted up to ONE WEEK past the deadline, as long as the late fee has been paid. Any additions or changes will only be effective for county fair. Market Beef are required to attend an official 4-H county Weigh-in if participating in the Rate-of-Gain Contest., affidavits are to be turned in at that time.
The following numbers of animals may be identified per member on ownership affidavits. (Between 4-H & FFA)
Market Beef............... 20
Market Lambs............ 20
Breeding Sheep......... 10
Feeder Calf................ 20
Market Swine............. 40
Market Goats............. 20
9. An animal may be identified on an affidavit in ONE COUNTY ONLY. 4-H'er MAY NOT enroll in the same project in more than ONE COUNTY or STATE.
10. Showing Animals - Parent can help bring an unruly animal under control. Animals considered unruly by show superintendent will be disqualified if unable to be shown by 4-H/FFA member. If a substitute Showman is needed, he/she MUST be a currently enrolled Dakota or Thurston County 4-H/FFA Member, age 8 years or older.
11. Substitute Showman - An animal must be shown by the 4-H/FFA owner who entered it, unless the exhibitor is excused by the Grievance Committee because of serious illness, disability due to an injury (e.g. broken arm or leg) or death in immediate family.
4-H/FFA member must submit a grievance form to the Grievance Committee. An exhibitor who has more than one animal in a class need not secure approval for another 4-H/FFA member, (eligible to exhibit livestock) to show the additional animal in the class. All substitute showmen MUST currently be an enrolled Dakota or Thurston County 4-H/FFA Member and will wear an exhibitor number identifying him/her as a substitute showman.
12. No animal shown in 4-H/FFA can be shown in open class or vice-versa. Except in the open feeder calf and/or Open horse shows.
13. Showmanship - No parental help is allowed and unauthorized assistance during showmanship judging will result in disqualification.
14. CLUB PEN OF THREE - All club pen of three classes must consist of exhibits from two different families
15. 4-H Dress code - All exhibitors of livestock are required to wear a predominately white, black, or grey 4-H t-shirt (Extension Office approved) or plain white long sleeve shirt (button down with collar no ruffles or fancy lace), and Dark blue denim jeans. Exhibitors wearing plain white shirts must wear a 4-H armband. Exhibitors of large animals and/or horses are required to wear hard sole shoes. Dog exhibitors need to wear soft soled shoes. Horse exhibitors see equine section for specific dress code guidelines. Shoes must be closed toe. NO HATS ALLOWED.
4-H members not attired in proper dress code may be lowered a ribbon placing.
16. FFA Dress Code - FFA Shirt and Dark blue denim jeans.
17. YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS (YQCA)Exhibitors (4-H age 8+) in beef, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry, and rabbits must have completed an approved food animal quality assurance training program. Exhibitors must have received YQCA Certification through an approved YQCA program (online, test-out, face-to-face) prior to July 17th. No late testing will be allowed.
18. Courtesy and Sportsmanship - All 4-H’ers/FFA members, 4-H/FFA Leaders, and 4-H/FFA parents are expected to be ourteous to their fellow 4-H’er/FFA members and present a respectful image of 4-H/FFA at all times. You are expected to be courteous and espectful of all judges. Individuals not respecting this request may be asked to leave the fair premises. Refer to Code of Conduct on pg 27
19. LATE POLICY - 4-H members are to pre-enter their projects by the published deadline Entries will be accepted up to one week past the deadline, as long as the late fee of $10 per individual has been paid.
20. At the end of the fair, all pens and stalls must be clean with no waste left behind. Failure to do so will result in loss of fair premium.
21. All species: Any animal showing signs of infectious or contagious diseases will not be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds or be exhibited. Animals that have pinkeye, active ringworm, visible warts, or abscesses will not be allowed. Ringworm may be judged inactive if the lesion area is not encrusted and hair has begun regrowth in the area. Animals with warts that are not visible by a hands-on inspection will be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds and be exhibited. Under no circumstances may animals under quarantine be exhibited. The decision of the county fair veterinarians is final.
22. Video submission is allowed for Speech, Music, & Presentation contest, under extenuating circumstances and with approval from Extension Staff prior to the event. It must be recorded in front of any Extension Staff or 4-H Council members. BONUS AUCTION
Please direct questions to committee chair. Bonus Auction is not a 4-H sponsored event.
Bonus Auction eligible exhibits include:
Beef--Bucket Calf, Feeder Calf, Market Steer/Heifer
Swine–Market Gilt/Barrow
Sheep - Market Lamb
Goat–Market Goat
Rabbit–Champion from Meat classes - G961 - Classes 901, 902 & 903
Poultry–Champion Broiler from class G951– 916
An exhibitor is limited to two species. An exhibitor is limited to a total of two bonuses.
1. Presence at Bonus Auction - 4-H/FFA Member must be present at Bonus Auction in order to receive their bonus money. In case of serious illness, disability due to an injury (e.g. broken arm or leg) or death in immediate family a 4-H’er / FFA must submit a Substitute Showman form to the Bonus Auction Committee.
2. 4-H’ers participating in the Bonus Auction should adhere to Dress Code rules #15 & #16.
3. If livestock has left the fairgrounds before the time of the Bonus Auction without consent from the Bonus Auction Committee, the youth is ineligible for Bonus Auction participation.
4-H PREMIUM SCHEDULE
Each department & Section in the Fairbook has a premium schedule letter indicated, this tells you what premium amount you earn for the ribbons that are awarded.
Schedule A
Purple/Blue: $4.00
Red: $3.50
White: $3.00
Schedule B
Purple/Blue: $5.00
Red: $4.00
White: $3.00
Schedule C
Purple/Blue: $7.00
Red: $6.00
White: $5.00
Schedule D
Purple/Blue: $10.00
Red: $8.00
White: $6.00
Schedule E
Purple/Blue: $12.00
Red: $9.50
White: $7.00
PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT
Updated: 2/7/19
The primary goal of the 4-H Program is to help youth develop competency in their projects, confidence in themselves and others, connections to their community and sound character. Actions by persons (Parents, and 4-Her’s) involved with the 4-H Program will be consistent with the six core ethical values comprising good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring, fairness and citizenship. As a 4-H Participant/Parent/Guardian I will:
- Treat all people and property with respect, courtesy, consideration, and compassion. Avoid and prevent putdowns, insults, name calling, swearing, and other language or nonverbal conduct likely to offend, hurt or set a bad example.
- Keep informed about 4-H program policies and projects and read materials pertaining to the county 4-H program.
- Teach and model kindness and compassion for others. Recognize that all people have skills and talents which can be used to help others and improve the community. Teach and foster teamwork and discourage selfishness.
- Practice fair-mindedness by being open to ideas, suggestions, and opinions of others. I will make all reasonable efforts to assure equal access to participation for all youth and adults regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin or disability. Decisions will be made fairly and treat all individuals and families with impartiality.
- Obey laws and rules as an obligation of being a good citizen. I accept responsibility for the proper treatment and care for other youth and adults, the program facilities and/or equipment.
- Demonstrate the responsible treatment of animals and stewardship of the environment.
- Not use alcohol or illegal substances (or be under the influence) while working with or participating in any part of the 4-H Program.
- Provide a safe environment for all parties involved in 4-H. I will protect those involved from sexual harassment, physical force, verbal or mental abuse, neglect, or other harmful behaviors.
Youth participants/Parents/Guardians who do not abide by the above code of conduct will be subject to the following consequences:
- Be asked to explain actions to the 4-H Educator.
- Be dismissed from an event at own expense.
- Further disciplinary action determined in cooperation with the local Extension Educator, the District 4-H Coordinator, the State 4-H Program Administrator, and as warranted, the Dean of Extension and IANR Administration. Disciplinary action may include:
- becoming ineligible to participate in specific 4-H activities,
- becoming ineligible to participate in the Nebraska 4-H program.
- Reimburse the proper entity for any property damage or for liability resulting from inappropriate actions. In the case of vandalism, guilty party may be required to reimburse 4-H and/or the facility
Multiple violations of the code of conduct may result in:
- Suspension for a period of time,
- Becoming ineligible for 4-H participation in their county.
- Parent/Guardian violations may also result in:
Restriction from contacting 4-H families, volunteers, donors, and/or sponsors pertaining to any 4-H matter.