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4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
NEWSLETTER
21 Central District
| "TO MAKE THE BEST BETTER" | | |
DISTRICT 4-H CALENDAR
May
- 1st - 4-H Online Add/Drop DEADLINE
- 1st - 4-H Camp Registration DUE
- 1st - All fair livestock tag DEADLINE
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1st - Beef nominations DUE (*State Entries Only)
- 8th - FairEntry OPENS
- 8th - Discovery Days Registration DUE
- 13th - St John Office Closed in the afternoon
- 20th - Food Safety/YQCA - St John Extension Office starting at 9:30 am
- 25th - District Offices Closed (Memorial Day)
June
- 3rd to 5th - Discovery Days in Manhattan
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5th - Small Livestock & Commercial Dreeding Heifer DNA Envelope order DUE (*State Entries Only)
- 9th to 11th - Wild Horse 4-H Camp near Kingman
- 12th - FairEntry DEADLINE
- 12th Fashion Revue forms DUE
- 12th - T-Shirt orders DUE
- 12th - SFCO Premium Auction Requirement sheet and documents DUE
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15th Small Livestock & Commercial Breeding Heifer Nominations DUE (*State Entries Only)
- 29th - EDCO Fashion Revue Judging starting at 5:30 pm at the Kinsley Fairbuilding
- 30th - SFCO Fashion Revue Judging starting at 9:30 am at the Stafford Co Annex
July
- 1st - EDCO Fair set up starting at 5:00 pm
- 6th to 11th - EDCO fair
- 11th - SFCO fair set up starting at 8:00 am
- 12th - SFCO Dog Show starting at 3:00 pm
- 13th - SFCO Static Exhibits Check-in from 5 to 8 pm
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14th to 18th - SFCO fair
- 22nd - EDCO Beef & Swine Carcass Show starting at 6:30 pm at Burkhart’s
- 24th - SFCO 1st Swine Carcass Show starting at 6:30 pm in Ellinwood
- 26th - SFCO 1st Beef Carcass Show starting at 5:00 pm in Ellinwood
- 31st - SFCO 2nd Swine Carcass Show starting at 6:30 pm in Ellinwood
August
- 2ND: SFCO 2nd Beef Carcass Show starting at 5:00 pm in Ellinwood
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SAY HELLO TO SHEPHERD!
Exciting news from our 4-H family! Our wonderful 4-H agent just welcomed a precious baby boy into the world, and everyone—including their loyal dog Tillie—is over the moon with joy!
We’re so happy for their growing family and can’t wait to see all the adventures ahead.
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Jewell’s Maternity Leave
- Jewell is on maternity leave and returns around the beginning of July.
- During this busy season, Trisha and Maribel are your go-to contacts for anything 4-H or Fair-related. Jewell is still available by text or email, as needed.
- Starting in 2026, all rules and deadlines will be strictly enforced—no exceptions.
- We really appreciate everyone’s patience and willingness to adapt as we move through these changes together!
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Please note that Jewell's email address has been updated to jewello@ksu.edu.
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Stafford County: Sunday, August 16 at 2 pm
Edwards County: Monday, August 24 at 7 pm
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Stafford County YQCA/ Food Safety Training
YQCA class will be hosted on Wednesday, May 20, at 9:30 am at the St. John Extension Office. Remember that this class is a requirement ONLY if your child is wanting to sell their livestock in the Premium Auction!
If for some reason you cannot attend the class, you may take the online version. This can be taken anytime, but we will need the certificate by Friday, June 12th. Below are the instructions to sign up for the in-person class.
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Log in or make an account at yqcaprogram.org
- Add a child to your account by going to the top right corner and finding the button that has your account name.
- In your profile, add a child.
- Find your child's age group and click the button that says "Instructor-Led Training" (If you need to take the online course, choose "Web-Based Training" here.)
- In the check out, make sure you put your child's name in the participant box
- Then, find the Stafford County Class in the "Select Training" Box
- Then you will have to make a payment for $3 for the class. This payment does not come to us, so you will have to make the payment online and not to our Extension Office.
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Food Safety Training Online
Remember that this class is a requirement ONLY if your child is wanting to sell foods in the Premium Auction!
- If taking online, Certificate DUE by Friday, June 12th.
| | | | 4-H Regional and State Area Events | | |
Where: Kansas State University
Who: Youth ages 13-18 before January 1, 2026 are invited to register
Cost: $245
Register HERE. Registration closes May 8.
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Scholarships available for KSU CVM's VetMed Rocks Day Camps
Due to a generous grant from the Bill House Ag Grant through the Community Foundation of South East Kansas to support 4-H youth learning in the 4-H Veterinary Science project, scholarships are available to 4-H'ers attending KSU's College of Veterinary Medicine's VetMed Rocks Summer Camps. The day camps are as follows:
- Monday, July 27: High School, entering grades 9-12 and college.
- Tuesday, July 28: Middle School, entering grades 6-8.
- Wednesday, July 29: Grade School, entering grades 3-5.
The registration fee is $125. If a 4-H member applies for the scholarship and attends camp, they will receive reimbursement. Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted.
4-H members should apply here: APPLY HERE
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The Dr. Bob Hines Kansas Swine Classic is hosted annually by the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Extension to provide Kansas youth ages 7-18 an opportunity to exhibit their swine projects. The event includes educational activities, such as a swine skillathon and photography contest, as well as showmanship, a prospect hog show and a market hog show.
DR BOB HINES KANSAS SWINE CLASSIC REGISTRATION
FLYER
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Stafford County Fairbook
There are quite a few changes this year to follow State Fair guidelines, please be sure to check for changes!
SFCO FAIRBOOK
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SFCO Special Contests
Please note that the BBQ Cookoff is exclusively for 4-H members, while the Clover Contest is open to everyone, including 4-H and community members.
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New Stafford County Fair Changes
- Sunday afternoon Dog Show at 3:00 pm, all judging will take place on this day with no Dog Show during fair week
- Monday evening 4-H Static Exhibit Check-In from 5:00 - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday evening Public Fashion Revue at 5:00 pm
- Just judging will take place on June 30th
- 2 Beef Carcass Shows
- Youth will only receive top ribbon and receive stickers on entry cards
- Only 150 Purple ribbons to be awarded, Junior Exhibitors will receive purple ribbons and intermediate/Senior Exhibitors will receive stickers. If Intermediate or Senior would like to receive a ribbon you may ask for your ribbons through the extension office.
- Livestock participants will receive 2 bags of shavings per pen for the week at no cost, any additional shavings will be purchased through fairboard only, if desired more shavings. Contact Joanna for payment!
- Fun Fair Activities:
- Water Kickball
- Volleyball
- 4-H Member BBQ Cook Off
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Edwards County Fairbook
There are quite a few changes this year to follow State Fair guidelines, please be sure to check for changes!
EDCO FAIRBOOK
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New Edwards County Fair Changes
- Livestock Check-In will be from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
- Herdsmanship will be an individual award
- Animals showing signs of heat are allowed to receive hormone medication to suppress symptoms. Must inform the fairboard, livestock superintendents, and vet before giving the medication to the animal.
- Only fairboard, ring help, and older 4-H members are allowed to help handle animals coming in and out of the show ring. Family members are NOT to be involved.
- Family is not allowed to stand around the gate leading to the show arena.
- There will be NO Rosettes this year, ONLY banners for Grand and Reserve placings.
| | EDCO OPEN CLASS SPECIAL CONTESTS | | |
CHERRY PIE CONTEST
Sponsored by Edwards County Ladies League
- See Open Class General Rules in the Fair Book.
- Prizes to be awarded are: 1st Place of $60.00, 2nd Place of $40.00, 3rd Place of $20.00.
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Cherry Pie Contest Class Number 7600
QUILT BLOCK CONTEST
Sponsored by Bossy Sister Quilting and Crop-Pro Inc
- Participants will purchase a quilt block kit from the Fair Board. Kits will be available at the Extension Office, 212 East 6th Street, Kinsley, KS 67547.
- See Open Class General Rules in the fairbook.
- Prizes to be awarded are: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for construction.
- Quilt Block Contest Class Number 7300
STAY TUNED FOR MORE SPECIAL OPEN CLASS CONTESTS TO COME
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Communication Opportunities at the State Fair
and 2026 Public Speaking Topic
Remember that 4-H Members ages 9 and older who participated in 4-H Day and received a Purple or top blue ribbons can take their project talks, demonstrations, and illustrated talks to the Kansas State Fair. Poetry entries can also be entered.
Public Speaking entries can come to the State Fair; however, regardless of the topic used locally, all contestants at the State Fair will use the same topic: "How has your journey in 4-H contributed to being Beyond Ready for current challenges and future goals?" More information can be found in the 2026 State Fair Book.
| | | | 4-H Membership ACHIEVEMENT PINS: We have updated our website with the new applications. | | | | |
