Content
Important Dates:
May 16 Horse Riding Practice - Bloomfield
May 26 YQCA Training – Verdigre
May 31 Archery Practice Begins
June 1 Horse Level Testing Needs Completed
June 1 State Horse Entries/ID’s DUE
June 4 Clover Kid Day Camp – Center
June 9 4-H Project Day – Center
June 11 Horse Riding Practice - Bloomfield
June 12 Foods Workshop
June 15 Deadline for 4-H Enrollments & Membership Dues
June 15 All Animal ID Forms DUE
June 15 State Fair Animal Nominations DUE
June 18 Fashion & Textile Workshop-Center
June 23 Clover Kid Animal Workshop-Center
June 24 Frame Ladder Workshop-Center
June 22 4-H Council Meeting - Center
June 30 YQCA Training – Wausa
Congratulations to all the 2026 graduates. We wish you much success in your future endeavors!
2026 Knox County 4-H Fairbook is Available
The Knox County 4-H Fairbook is available. Contact your club leader or the Extension Office for your family’s copy. An electronic version can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/knox/knox-county-fairbook/
Below are the 2026 Knox County 4-H Fairbook updates:
- Added a County Only Knox County Ag Division. Check out the projects unique to our county!
- Photography Level 2 and 3 added 2 classes – Black and White Photography and Creative and Experimental Photography.
- Heirloom Treasures changed its name to Home Antique Restoration.
- Forestry Division has updates to each of its classes.
- Supporting Information has changed for some Quilt Quest Classes.
- Photography: County Challenge Theme – Nebraska Agriculture.
- Disaster Recovery & Response Classes were updated.
2026 4-H Knox County Photography Theme
“Nebraska Agriculture”
Let’s show off “Nebraska Agriculture” in our 4-H Photography Area at the Knox County Fair.
Open to 4-H members.
Must be listed on pre-entry form mailed to you in July.
Thank You to the Bloomfield Vet Clinic for letting the 4-H and FFA members use your facilities to weigh in their Market Beef and Second Year Bucket Calves.
2026 Livestock Identification Requirements
June 15 Deadline
County Fair
- Paper ID forms will be required for county animals. (No change from previous years). Forms are available at the office or visit https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountylivestockaffidavits.
- County-only animals will use the 4-H ear tags available at the Extension Office. The animals that are nominated for State Fair will not need county ear tags. The EID or Scrapie tag will be used for identification.
- Clover Kids must follow the identification requirements and have ID forms to the extension office by the June 15th deadline.
- The 2026 Animal Identification Guidelines further explains the ID requirements for each animal or it’s available at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyanimalidguidelinesor in the 4-H Fairbook.
State Fair - For 2026, DNA nominations are required for all livestock in contention to exhibit. See the 2026 Animal Identification Guidelines that further explain the ID requirements for each animal.
- DNA nominations will be $7.00 per envelope. Any DNA nomination sent in from the Extension Office or FFA Advisor will only be eligible for the Nebraska State Fair ONLY. Please visit AKSARBEN Stock Show website for new online nomination information and DNA samples.
- Exhibitors are responsible for submitting their animal information into the Show Stock Manager Livestock Database (https://showstockmgr.com) prior to the nomination deadline.
The County Extension Office/FFA Advisors will continue to mail in the DNA samples by the respected deadline. The County Extension Office/FFA Advisor will validate the nominations which will then be available for exhibitors to make State Fair entries in the Showorks program.
Any animal entry not in the database or that does not have submitted DNA will not be considered nominated and eligible for State Fair.
Livestock DNA Envelopes
4-H/FFA youth planning to exhibit Market Animals, Breeding Animals or Feeder Calves at the 2026 Nebraska State Fair are required to provide a DNA sample for each animal.
Exhibitors planning to show the same animal at both the Nebraska State Fair and the Aksarben Stock Show (https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/) must submit two separate DNA envelopes and online nominations.
Please stop by the office to pick up envelopes for the Nebraska State Fair for 2026!
FSA Rural Youth Loans
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes loans to individual young persons, between the ages of 10 and 20 years, to start and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H or FFA. The project being financed with a FSA Youth Loan needs to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills.
Contact the FSA Office in Bloomfield at 402-373-4914 for more information or check out https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/youth-loans/index
YQCA Trainings
Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete an annual quality assurance training through the YQCA program. YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. 4-H members who exhibit beef animals, dairy cattle, dairy goat, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, and swine must have the YQCA certification completed before fair. 4-H members who exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will need to have their YQCA training requirements met by August 10.
The annual training may be completed by one of the following. Visit https://yqcaprogram.org/ to register.
● Face-to-Face Training with a Certified Instructor: $3.00 each – Help document can be found at https://yqcaprogram.org/local/pdf/YQCA_HelpDoc_GettingILTCertification_2023.pdf
Knox County Face-to-Face training:
May 26, 2026 in Verdigre – School (Ag Classroom) – 2:00 p.m.
June 30, 2026 in Wausa – Leid Lincoln Township Library – 9:00 a.m.
July 28, 2026 in Center – 6:00 p.m.
● Online Course: $12.00 each. – Help document can be found at https://yqcaprogram.org/local/pdf/YQCA_HelpDoc_GettingWBTCertification_2023.pdf
● Online Test Out: This option is only available to youth in the first year of Intermediate (age 12) and Senior (age 15) age levels. There is no test-out option for Juniors. Costs are: Intermediate - $36 ($12 x 3 years of certification) and Senior - $48 ($12 x 4 years of certification). If you pass, you will not be required to complete the annual training requirements for the remainder of your current age level (Intermediates: 12-14; and Seniors: 15-18). Each test consists of fifty randomly selected questions and has a pass rate of 80% or better for certification. More information on the Online Test-Out option is available at https://yqcaprogram.org/local/resources_for_youth_parents.php.
4-H online is READY for Youth and Clover Kids to enroll in 4-H for the 2025-2026 4-H Year!
New this year: You will have the option to pay enrollment dues online with a credit card. There is also the option to pay by check. Dues are $5.00 per Member including Clover Kids
Website to enroll in 4HOnline is: https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in.
Youth can enroll anytime during the year, but all youth, including Clover Kids, must be enrolled with the Nebraska Extension 4-H Office in Knox County by June 15 or before participating in any competitive 4-H event. Competitive events include all Pre-Fair Contests and Shooting Sports Contests.
Codes of Conduct - When re-enrolling, please review the Volunteer and 4-H Youth/Parent/Guardian Codes of Conduct. Nebraska 4-H and the Knox County 4-H Program follow these codes. Hard copies are available to view at https://go.unl.edu/volunteercodeofconduct. The following items are available on our website https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/knox/4-h/4-h-enrollment-information/:
- 4H Online Steps to re-enroll or enroll members
- Knox County 4-H Project List
- Knox County New Family Handbook
- Knox County Clover Kids Handbook
4-H MANUALS/RESOURCES - Project manuals/resources that are available for each project are listed on the online project selection guide used to explore Nebraska 4-H projects and resources, and their related educational programs and opportunities available at https://4hcurriculum.unl.edu/index.php/main/index. The project curriculum can be ordered from one of the following websites.
• 4-H Youth Development UNL Marketplace https://marketplace.unl.edu/extension/nebraska-4-h/4-h-curriculum
• 4-H Mall https://go.unl.edu/neshop4h
We look forward to exciting 4-H experiences and working with each of our Knox County 4-H families and volunteers.
Complimentary 4-H Curriculum
Nebraska 4‑H is pleased to announce that all enrolled Nebraska 4‑H youth and volunteers receive complimentary online access to 4‑H curriculum developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln! More than 30 digital publications are available at no cost to enrolled Nebraska 4‑H members and volunteers. These learning resources cover a variety of topics, including clothing, babysitting, shopping, entomology, poultry, and many more. Access to the digital curriculum is provided through the 4-HOnline Member Enrollment system. Once enrollment has been completed and approved, youth members and volunteers will receive an email with a link to begin exploring the available resources. Additional digital, print, and online 4‑H curriculum and learning resources are also available and may be accessed on the Nebraska 4‑H Project & Learning Resources web page at https://4h.unl.edu/resources/projects/.
Knox County Agricultural Society Special Election Information
The Knox County Agricultural Society will hold a Special Election during the May 12, 2026 Primary Election. This election is being held so the Agricultural Society can meet requirements outlined in Nebraska Revised Statute §77-3446 related to the budgeting of restricted funds.
Under Nebraska law, certain public entities must follow limits on how much their restricted funds may increase each year. Restricted funds primarily include property tax dollars received by the organization. If an entity needs to set or adjust its restricted funds base beyond the allowable growth percentage, voters must approve the change.
The ballot will ask:
"Shall the Knox County Agricultural Society be allowed to increase the restricted funds base by $179,006.48, representing a 350% increase to the allowable growth percentage?"
This measure would establish a new restricted funds base that reflects the Agricultural Society’s current budget structure and the tax dollars already approved through the county levy. The proposal does not request additional taxes but instead allows the organization to utilize the funds that are already generated within the existing tax framework.
If the measure passes, the Agricultural Society would be able to continue operating at its current funding level. These funds support activities such as the Knox County Fair, 4-H and FFA youth programs, open class exhibits, facility maintenance, and community events held on the fairgrounds.
If the measure does not pass, the restricted funds base would remain at $51,144.71, which would significantly limit the organization’s operating budget under state law.
The purpose of this election is to ensure the Agricultural Society remains in compliance with Nebraska’s restricted funds budgeting requirements.
For additional information, residents may contact:
Ag Society Board Member Jerry Nipp – 402-360-5615
Ag Society Board Member Ron Sukup – 402-394-1105
Knox County 4-H information is available on our website at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/knox/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KnoxCountyNebraskaExtension
Knox County 4-H Shooting Sports Program
The Shooting Sports projects and programs offer opportunities for youth to learn safe gun handling skills and sound fundamentals of shooting under the guidance of caring and knowledgeable adult volunteers. Knox County has certified leaders for the following projects: Archery; Air Rifle, Air Pistol, and BB Gun; Smallbore Rifle and Pistol (.22 caliber); and Shotgun.
Youth must be enrolled with the Nebraska Extension 4-H Office in Knox County before participating in the Shooting Sports Projects and Contests.
Knox County 4-H Shooting Sports Contests:
.22 Pistol Contest – Saturday, August 8, Knox County Fairgrounds
.22 Rifle & Shotgun Contests – Saturday, August 8, Knox County Fairgrounds
Archery Contest – Sunday, August 9, Knox County Fairgrounds
BB Gun, Air Rifle & Air Pistol Contests – Wednesday, August 12, Knox County Fairgrounds
Archery Practice Dates
At the fairgrounds in Bloomfield by the tractor pull area. A parent, grandparent and or guardian needs to be present with shooters under the age of 16. All shooters must attend at least 2 practices each year to participate in the official contest. If you have questions about Archery Practices, text Randy 402-640-8827, Jeremy 402-640-7154, Phillip 402-640-1548.
Sunday May 31st, Sunday June 7th, Sunday June 14th, Sunday June 21st, Sunday June 28th, there will be practice sometime during the week of July 6th-9th but that will be determined later, Sunday July 12th, Sunday July 26th and Sunday Aug. 2nd. All practice times are 6:00 p.m.
Other Discipline Practice Dates will be announced soon!
Other 4-H Shooting Sports Events
Holt County Shooting Sports | 4-H Invitational Shoot
June 6 -7, 2026 - Holt County Fairgrounds | Chambers, NE
Registration Deadline June 1st - Register online at: go.unl.edu/holtco_invitational
4-H Shooting Sports National Championship
June 21-26, 2026
4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun Championships
September 12, 2026
4-H State 4-H Outdoor Archery Championships
September 19, 2026
Visit https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/shooting-sports-program/ for additional shooting sports state opportunities.
Horse News!
Knox County 4-H Horse Riding Practice
Hosted by Terri Rose and assisted by Michaela Jessen
The goal of this gathering is to help build individual skills used in riding classes such as pleasure, ranch riding, horsemanship, and speed classes. If you have a request, please let them know! Location will be the Knox County Fairgrounds and vary between the outdoor arena (free to all) and the Harm & Tulleys Event Center (membership terms apply).
Date & location:
Saturday, 5/16/26 1:00 p.m. - 3 p.m. indoor arena
Thursday, 6/11/26 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. to be determined
Thursday, 7/23/26 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. to be determined
Thursday, 8/6/26 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. to be determined
The State 4-H Horse Show will be July 11-15, 2026. Entries will be due June 1, 2026. For additional information visit: https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/horse-program/horse-expo/.
Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Show - June 27, 2026 - Imperial, NE
Cook-Off and Food Revue Contests
Make plans now to take part in the Cook-Off Contest and Food Revue Contest on Thursday, July 30 in Bloomfield. The Cook-Off Contest and Food Revue will begin at 5:30 p.m. Call the Extension Office to pre-register by July 28. Watch for fliers with complete details in the next newsletter or see the Fairbook.
The Food Revue Contest is open to all 4-H members including Clover Kids. The Food Revue Contest is a fun way to learn how to properly set a table, plan nutritious meals, express originality and creativity in choosing a theme, and express knowledge of food, nutrition, and food safety.
The Cook-Off Contest is only available to 4-H members (ages 8 and over) and the entry must include at least one pound of beef, pork, or poultry per four servings. Prepare your exhibit at home and bring the entire dish ready to serve, the entire recipe, the menu and a plate to serve a sample to the judge.
If you have questions about the contests or need help in preparing, resources are available at the office.
4-H Fashion Show
Thursday, August 6
4-H Exhibit Building (Static Building), Fairgrounds in Bloomfield
Registration 1:00 pm; Judging 1:30 pm
Public Fashion Show 7:00 pm
Watch for fliers with complete details in the next newsletter or see the Fairbook.
Pre-entry forms will be mailed out and will be due July 28.
4-H Talent Contest
Thursday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
First Trinity Lutheran Church Social Hall, Bloomfield
Plan to take part in the 4-H Talent Contest and share your talent with others. The evening will showcase the talents of 4-H members. Watch for a flier with complete details in the next newsletter or see the Fairbook.
2026 Nebraska State Fair Only
Show Stock Manager is Open for Livestock Nominations
Website Link: https://showstockmgr.com/.
All livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to complete an online nomination with payment through Show Stock Manager and submit a DNA collector envelope with a hair sample. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves. Each State Fair nomination will be $7.00 per animal in Show Stock Manager. 4-H and FFA livestock nominations are due on June 15, 2026.
Refer to the 4-H State Fair Livestock Identification and Nomination Requirements for additional information on 4-H exhibitor eligibility at the State Fair (https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/state-fair/livestock-exhibitor/livestock-identification/). If you have any questions on how to submit your online nominations, you can review the 2026 Step-by-Step Nomination Instructions document.
Special Note: Exhibitors planning to show the same animal at both the Nebraska State Fair and the Aksarben Stock Show (https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/) must submit two separate DNA envelopes and online nominations.
AKSARBEN STOCK SHOW
Youth 9-19 years of age are eligible for the competition with no prerequisite of youth organization affiliation. Visit https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/ for more information. The 2026 dates are September 24-27. Online nomination and DNA samples are separate from the Nebraska State Fair.
Online Livestock Judging Video Series
Practice livestock judging from home! Start by sorting through the class and working on your reasons. Then, get tips and tricks for improving your skills while listening to a critique of the class. Visit: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8PMz6vOY3UHRLjCHDIH2WCJLncfGJFh9
Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program – Year 5!
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is back for its fifth year, recognizing youth who go above and beyond in their livestock projects! This program promotes learning in selection, production, leadership, and exhibition across all livestock species.
🔹 Open to enrolled 4-H livestock youth
🔹 Species include beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, dairy, rabbit, poultry.
🔹 Three achievement levels: Junior, Intermediate, Senior
Apply by June 15
Plans & Reports due August 1
Members of Excellence will be recognized at the Nebraska State Fair Grand Drive.
Learn more & apply here: https://go.unl.edu/lap
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. By participating in a camp, youth live on and explore the Nebraska campus, meet students from across the country, investigate an interest or potential career, and have lots of fun making new friends. (This is not a commuter camp).
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to students going into grades 9-12 during the 2026-2027 school year. Housing and food are provided. Space is limited, and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Learn more at go.unl.edu/bigredcamps.
2026 Tractor & Equipment Safety Training
June 4-5, 2026 in O’Neill
Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with certain mechanized equipment.
In Nebraska, Nebraska Extension and CS-CASH collaborate to offer NSTMOP certification. Certification is earned by completing a two-day certification course, which includes a written test and a driving exam. Successful completion grants NSTMOP certification, allowing youth to operate tractors and certain mechanized equipment on farms and ranches, and obtain a husbandry permit.
Teens 14 or 15 years of age who work on farms, or others who are interested in learning about safe farming practices, are encouraged to register for the certification course. Students under age 14 are not eligible for certification, but Day 1 is open to everyone in the community. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Students will:
- Register for Day 1 with written test (Those attending a location that only offers Day 2 must complete Day 1 at another location, OR complete the virtual module. Those attending a location that offers both days, but live 50 miles or more from the location, may complete the online module for Day 1)
- Register for Day 2 with driving test
The cost of the course is $60 and includes educational materials, the online learning link (if applicable), supplies, and lunch and snacks at in-person trainings. Payment will be made via credit card if registering online or via check if registering by mail.
Youth under 14 years of age can attend Day 1 if accompanied by an adult but cannot drive equipment, attend Day 2, or become certified. Students under 14 must register but won’t be charged a fee.
LEARN MORE visit https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html.
State Fair Book
The State Fair Book is available at https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair.
Premier Communication Event
The Nebraska 4-H Premier Communication Event will be held in Lincoln on June 16-17 It will feature a variety of state-level contests, including prepared speech, impromptu speech, illustrated presentation, radio public service announcement, and video communication. Youth will have chances to explore UNL East Campus, participate in learning sessions and tours, and have fun with friends!
Horticulture/Floriculture Projects
As you are planting your seeds this year, please keep track of your variety names. These are needed when you enter your fair exhibits. Keep your seed packets or start a gardening journal with the variety names.
Vegetable Gardening Beginner Tips
Vegetable gardening is gaining popularity and what a great way to help your kids learn about growing their own food. As with anything, beginners make mistakes. For information on beginner tips visit https://lancaster.unl.edu/vegetable-gardening-beginners/. Another resource available is the ProHort Update, a FREE monthly newsletter from the University of Nebraska Extension, which provides timely information to homeowners. You can subscribe by visiting https://hles.unl.edu/prohort-update/.
2026 Online Horticulture Judging Contest
Do you know what it takes to pick the best fruit and vegetables out at the grocery store? Or do you know what judges are looking for when they judge your plants at the county fair? Have you ever wondered; what plant is that? We are excited to offer the opportunity to learn these and other important horticulture skills through the Online Horticulture Contest. The contest will be available June 9-23, 2026, at: http://go.unl.edu/online4hhortcontest
More information about the Nebraska State contest, along with a list of study materials, can be found in the State Fairbook. Here you can find the written study materials for the knowledge portion, follow links to plant pictures for help with identification, and read how judging of plant material is done. More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/online-horticulture-judging-contest
Join this fun one-day camp to explore agriculture and technology through the creation of virtual reality (VR) tours. Participants will learn about local agriculture as well as Hawaii and Alaska, create tours, and publish their work for public viewing. You will also have the chance to immerse yourself in local agriculture and ask questions of ag professionals while learning about both VR Tour creation and innovative agricultural and research practices.
WHO: Youth going into grades 7th grade & up!
COST: $25 (includes lunch, snacks, and supplies for all activities)
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: June 4 at Haskell Ag Lab (Concord)
Registration submitted and payment postmarked by May 26 - Register at https://go.unl.edu/ag360 or use QR Code - Space is limited to 40 participants at each site.
Questions? Reach out to Brandy at (402) 759-3712 or brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or Sarah at (308) 772-3311 or spaisley3@unl.edu
4-H Project Showcase
The 4-H Project Showcase is an opportunity for members to show off their favorite project or maybe a project that didn't go as planned! All projects are eligible regardless of the awards received through judging or even the ability to have it judged at the county level. Projects submitted by August 10 will be showcased on the 4-H Video Wall at the Nebraska State Fair! Projects may also be featured online throughout the year.
Visit https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/project-showcase/ for guidelines and to submit your project.
Nebraska State Fair 4-H Culinary Challenge!
A challenge ingredient will be selected each year, highlighting a Nebraska commodity food product. The 2026 challenge ingredient is potatoes. Please keep food safety in mind when selecting the recipe used for the Challenge. Foods must be able to be kept chilled during transport to the contest, then be able to be re-heated in a microwave if needed. Each team must incorporate the challenge ingredient into their food item they will be presenting during the contest. This may require altering a recipe or creatively incorporating an item into their overall table theme. The challenge ingredient must also be included in the interview presentation, demonstrating youth knowledge of the ingredient, such as nutritional value, a farm-to-fork concept, or how to adapt a recipe to include the ingredient.
Visit https://4h.unl.edu/4-h-fairbook-nebraska-state-fair/contests/culinary-challenge/?check_logged_in=1 for complete rules and information.
2026 Calibraska Summer Program
Registration is Open!
The 2026 Calibraska Summer Program Registration is Open! True to the ‘Cali-braska’ name, this initiative brings specialized arts offerings from the California industries to Nebraska communities. More details at https://www.calibraska.org
Explore the world of artificial intelligence with the new Google x CLOVER by 4-H AI Activities, now available for FREE to educators, families, and youth nationwide, no account set-up needed. These hands-on experiences introduce young people to how AI is shaping agriculture🌾, technology🖥, and everyday life👩💻. Designed to spark curiosity and creativity, the activities help learners understand how AI works and why it matters. From building innovative farm tools to solving real-world problems, youth can turn ideas into action. Start exploring FREE AI learning today on CLOVER by 4-H, supported by Google.
🍀Access FREE Google x CLOVER AI Activities now - https://4-h.org/clover/activities/google-ai/
WHO: Activities are designed for youth in grades 5-12.
WHAT: 6 interactive activities (approximately 15 minutes each).
WHERE: Available anytime, anywhere on CLOVER by 4-H.
HOW: Free access using the link above, no account set-up needed.