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CLOVER CONNECTION

JULY 2026

  • 4-H Summer Activities Recap
  • Douglas County Fair Information
  • 2026 County Fair 4-H Shows, Check-In times and highlights
  • Aerospace & Rocketry Project Meetings
  • Dog Project Meetings
  • Pets Project Meetings
  • DgCo 4-H Horse Project Club
  • Countywide Poultry Project Meetings and Fair Information
  • Douglas County Contest Day
  • State 4-H Events
  • 2026 Kansas State Fair Information
  • Douglas County 4-H Council Community Service Grants
  • Calendar of Event
  • Non-discrimination Disclaimer

4-H Summer Activities Recap

Biology & Natural Sciences SPIN Club toured Bowersock Hydropower and learned about KAW River ecology
We learned the history of the former barbed wire plant, and then flour mill before it became solely electric generation powered by the river. We toured the very cool tool room. Members rode the bike to power the light bulbs!
It was exciting on the catwalk over the mill pond and dam. We all managed to stay out of the river.
Our county delegation to 4-H Discovery Days (not the funny guy on the end)
2026 Discovery Days Report from Lora Hartwick, Asher Morgan, and Fran Woolverton - The theme this year was Lead with Heart, Think with Courage, and Act with Wisdom. It was a great learning experience and college simulation. We had wonderful speakers, educational courses, and leadership opportunities. It was also a great networking event to meet people from across the state and make new friends. We encourage you to attend next year!
Annual group photo of Discovery Days Event
Eighteen Citizenship Washington Focus Delegates traveled to Washington, D.C. where they gained a deeper understanding of our nation's history and government while exploring the diverse educational and career opportunities available in the nation's capital.
Four members of the 4-H Horse Project Club visited K-State for a Horse Judging Clinic conducted by the KSU Horse Judging Team. They were able to work on their evaluation skills and learned from the collegiate team.
What a great group from across Kansas!

Douglas County Fair Information

The Fair Entry System is Live! Entries will close at 11:59 p.m. on June 30. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. All Douglas County Fair information, including the how-to guide for making entries, can be found at: https://bit.ly/DGCountyFairInfo To view all the 2026 updates, rules, and fair information, go to:  https://bit.ly/DGCountyFairInfo For questions, contact Nickie at nharding@ksu.edu or Candice at clavalette@ksu.edu. 

T-shirts are in and will be available for pick up beginning next Monday, 6/29! Check your email from Candice for instructions on purchasing an extra shirt.
The Hayleigh Wempe 4-H Mentoring Award will be awarded to a Douglas County 4-H member who shares their time and talent with other 4-H members. The cash award is to celebrate a 4-H member who intentionally lives by the 4-H motto, “To make the best better". Anyone may nominate a Douglas County 4-H member for the award. The applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, who then select finalists to be be evaluated secretly. A winner will be selected during the county fair. The award will be presented at the 4-H Fair Awards Ceremony. The award is a cash award and a nameplate on a plaque that will be displayed in the Dreher Family 4-H Building.

Nominations must be submitted by July 15. Follow the link below to complete the nomination application!

Hayleigh Wempe Mentoring Award
The Eric Lang Memorial Belt Buckle Award honors the legacy of Eric Lang, a lifelong supporter of 4-H, county fairs, and youth livestock programs. A former Douglas County 4-H member, Eric was known for his willingness to lend a helping hand, encourage young exhibitors, and embody the values of 4-H long after his years as a member. This award recognizes a Douglas County 4-H member who carries on that same spirit of service, leadership, and kindness. This award is open to all Douglas County 4-H members, regardless of project area.

Nominees should:

  • Demonstrate the values of 4-H through their actions.
  • Go above and beyond to support the 4-H program.
  • Show leadership, kindness, integrity, and a positive attitude.
  • Be a positive role model who promotes the spirit of 4-H.

Click below to nominate a member

Eric Lang Memorial Award
We will have Deal Six Auditorium set up for photography mounting on Tuesday, July 21st during 4-H Clothing Judging. Our clinic hours will be 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Please bring your photos ready to mount. We will have matte boards and sleeves for sale ($3) at our reception desk.
Instructions for Fair-ready Photography Entries
We would love to have youth and adult volunteers for both the Clothing Judging on 7/21 and 4H & Open Foods Judging on 7/27. It is a wonderful leadership experience and gives members insight for future entries! Please visit the links below for all the details and times.
4-H Youth Clothing Judging Volunteer sign Up
4-H & Open Foods Judging Volunteer Sign Up
Mandatory Livestock Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 28th at 7:30 a.m. in the Open Pavilion. Showmen from ALL species are expected to attend this informational meeting.
All 4-H members showing market goats, sheep, swine, rabbits and poultry are required to complete treatment records for any preventative or illness medication administered to their animal while in their possession. This must be submitted to the Fair Office in Building 21 by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, 7/31 along with the auction cards. No exceptions.
Livestock Drug Treatment Record
Monday 4-H entry reminders: Read the rules for each of your exhibit entries in the fair book. Have your paperwork ready. Ask! Get the forms from us if needed. Make your static exhibit entries on 7/27 starting at 1:00 p.m. and not later than 5:00 p.m. Plan to consultation judge BIG project areas first: Photography, Foods, and Visual Arts!! The judges have a lot of decisions to make. Breathe, Hydrate, Have fun! Help others out if you are done and have time. Be that cool 4-Her! Know your club’s responsibilities for the week. Parents and members, please consider volunteering for the Foods Judging on Monday if you have downtime. Congratulations on your work! You are all winners!

2026 County Fair 4-H Shows, Check-In times and highlights

4-H Hand Pet & Cat Show will be held on Saturday, 7/18 at 9:00 a.m. in Bldg 21N. Members will need to check in by 8:30 a.m. This is a fully accessible event in an air conditioned building. There is no admission for the public to attend.
4-H Dog Show will be held on 7/18 at 1:00 p.m. in Bldg. 21N. Showmen are reminded they must have veterinary papers at check in to show! For safety of both dogs and exhibitors, dogs are to be kenneled when not showing. To have the latest show news and training, please attend the two remaining project sessions on 7/9 and 7/1 held in the Open Pavilion.
4-H Clothing Judging, Tuesday 7/21 8:30 a.m. in Bldg. 21 and Dreher Family 4H Building. Please read through all the rules in the DgCo fairbook for Sewing & Textiles and Shopping In Style.
4-H Fashion Revue will be held on Wednesday, 7/22 in Building 21 at 7:00 p.m. Participants should be inside the building and ready by no later than 6:45 p.m. This is a public event.
SATURDAY, July 25 - 8:00 a.m. Open Horse Show Check-in, Community Bldg. 9:00 a.m. Open Horse Show, Community Bldg. SUNDAY, July 26 8:00-8:45 a.m. 4-H Horse Show Check-in, Community Bldg. 8:50 a.m. 4-H Horse Show Orientation Meeting & Flag Ceremony 9:00 a.m. 4-H Horse Show

Static Exhibit check in on Monday, 7/27

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Enter & Consultation Judging on all 4-H/FFA: A-Way-With Waste, Banners, Agronomy, Fiber Arts, Horticulture, Flowers, Foods and Food Preservation, Photography, Project Displays, Building Block Engineering, Astronomy, Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace/Rocketry, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Visual Arts, Woodworking, and Ag Education exhibits. Enter 4-H Clothing Exhibits in Building 21 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Enter OPEN Class Fine Arts, Flowers, Food Preparation, Food Preservation, Horticulture & Crops, Quilts, and S.T.E.M. Judging of Open Class Food and Food Preservation 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Enter & Consultation Judging on 4-H: Cloverbuds, Electric & Renewable Energy, Small Engines, Entomology, Forestry, Geology, Welding, & Interior Design and Architecture exhibits.

Livestock Veterinary Check in on Monday, 7/27

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Alpacas, Llamas, Poultry, and Rabbits 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Check In Beef, Bucket Calves, Dairy Cattle, Dairy & Meat Goats, Sheep, and Swine for health screening and tag number checks

Tuesday, 7/28 Open Pavilion Livestock Entries Weigh-in & Final Check-In

8:00 a.m. Beef [Market & Breeding] (following Livestock Mtg) Check-In and Weigh-In, Community Bldg. 8:00 a.m. Goat [Market, Breeding, Dairy] (following Livestock Mtg) Check-In and Weigh-In, North End of Open Pavilion 8:30 a.m. Sheep [Market & Breeding] Check-In and Weigh-In, North End of Open Pavilion 9:00 a.m. Swine [Market & Breeding] Check-In and Weigh-In, North End of Open Pavilion

The Douglas County 4-H Council is again sponsoring the Wednesday Trivia Contest! It will be held on July 29th at 2:30 p.m. in the Dreher Family 4-H Building. There is no advanced sign up, and you need not be a 4-H member. Teams are 4 to 8 members. Junior (12 and under), Senior (12-18 yrs), and Adult teams welcome. Prizes for youth divisions!
Join the Douglas County Sheriff Department and Citizenship Washington Focus delegates for 'Scoops with Sheriffs' free Ice Cream Social on Thursday, July 30th at 8:00 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Pavilion. Please tell your friends!

Aerospace & Rocketry Project Meetings

Are you interested in building a Rocket for the Douglas County Fair? Well, be sure to attend the 4-H Rocketry series of meetings. You will learn how to build your rocket, launch it, and prepare it for the Douglas County Fair. Meeting dates: * Sunday, June 28, at 2:00 p.m. in the Dreher Family 4-H Building * Saturday, July 11, at 2:00 p.m. in the Dreher Family 4-H Building.  Please RSVP to Nancy at nnoyes@ksu.edu by June 25.

Dog Project Meetings

Learn all about the KS 4-H Dog Project

Participants in this project will learn how to care for a dog and how to train a dog in basic or advanced commands. Members without dogs can participate in quiz bowls, conferences, and other activities that do not require owning a dog. Project practice nights are to be held in the Open Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. on 7/9, and 7/16. This is your opportunity to learn, expose your dog to situations and other animals. it is also a great time to ask questions in person! Please contact Lauren Berg, Dog Project Club Leader, with any questions. Lauren can be reached at 785-917-0226 or by email at laurenrberg@yahoo.com.

Pets Project Meetings

We have an upcoming Pet Project Meeting scheduled to assist members in preparation for the Douglas County Fair. July 10 | 6:30 p.m. 📍 Dreher Family 4-H Building Topic: Douglas County Fair Pet Show Practice RSVPs are required for the meeting. A minimum of five participants is required to host a session. Please RSVP by July 8 right HERE

DgCo 4-H Horse Project Club

The Douglas County Fair Open Horse Show will be held on Saturday, July 25, and the Douglas County Fair 4-H Horse Show will be held Sunday, July 26.  If you have any questions, please contact leader Bobbie Hinds at 515-480-3533 or email bobbiehinds@yahoo.com.  4-H members planning to show their horse at the Douglas County 4-H Horse Show and/or Kansas State 4-H Horse Show were required to ID their horse(s) by June 1. New members showing a horse in the Douglas County Fair or the Kansas State Fair must pass the horse safety quiz. You must present a negative Coggins test dated within the past twelve months at show check-in. The link below will have everything you need for papers, safety, horse show patterns, the current Kansas Horse Show Rulebook, and more!

Horse Show Information
The dates for upcoming 4-H Horse Club Ride Nights are 6/30- Trail, 7/7- General Riding, 7/14- Ranch Riding/Reining, 7/21- Barrels/Poles/Flags

Countywide Poultry Project Meetings and Fair Information

Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 p.m. in the Open Pavilion Meeting Topic: County Fair Preparation This meeting is important for anyone who plans to show birds at the Douglas County Fair or participate in the Douglas County Poultry Judging Contest! For questions or information, reach out to project leader Janine Leslie at 785-330-3867 or j9dolphins@hotmail.com

Poultry Pullorum typhoid testing- ALL POULTRY (except waterfowl & pigeons) are required to show proof of being P-T clean by one of the following: -- Originate from a certified U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid clean flock if coming from a hatchery or out of state (certificate required at check-in). - Show proof of a negative test at check-in of the county fair. Blood test must be within 90 days of the show.

Pullorum-Typhoid testing will be held Saturday, July 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the Northeast side of the Community Building.

Register for your testing spot by July 1 Pullorum testing SIGN UP HERE

Upcoming Practice for Poultry Judging for everyone! - Thursday, August 7th, 6PM, | Thursday, August 14th, 6PM | Thursday, August 20 6PM | Thursday, August 27th, 6PM | Sunday, August 2nd, 2PM | Sunday, August 16th, 2pm Sunday , August 23rd, 2pm | Sunday, August 30th, 2pm | Sunday, September 6th, 2PM

Douglas County Contest Day

📅 DATE: Sunday, July 12, 2026 🕐 TIME: 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.  📍 LOCATION: Douglas County Fairgrounds Contest Day is a come-and-go event. HOWEVER, if you plan to participate in more than one contest, please arrive as early as possible to ensure you have enough time to complete each one. Participants planning to enter multiple contests should arrive no later than 1:00 p.m.

**All participants must check in at Deal Six Auditorium**

IMPORTANT! All 4-H Contests take place on July 12, except Livestock Judging, which will take place on July 30th at the Douglas County Fair!                                                 Please register by July 7. Registration is not required, but it helps us plan each contest. The button below will take you to the link! **Top contestants of each contest who are eligible to participate in the state contests will be notified within one week of the local contest.

Registration for DgCo Contest Day
Contest Day will be held on Sunday, July 12th, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you intend to participate in more than one contest, check in no later than 1:00 p.m. All participants must check in at Deal Six Auditorium. All buildings will have signs, as well as the provided map above. The contests are described in the following slides with links to study materials.
Horticulture Judging Contest: ID 50 vegetable and fruit plants, trees and vines by either seed, bark, fruit, or leaf. Take a test of information covered in the Kansas Garden Guide. Evaluate four classes of plants, flowers, fruits or vegetables and place them in order of best to least quality.
2026 4-H Horticulture Judging Study Materials
Photo Judging classes can consist of photographs from the categories of people, animals, plant/flora, nature/landscape, special/digital effects, night photography, black & white, animals (domestic or wildlife), details/macro, architecture, or other categories as decided by the contest committee and judges. Photography problem classes will cover topics such as exposure, ISO, shutter speed, focal length, white balance, camera settings, composition, technique, shooting situations, and other topics.
Online Photography Judging Practice Classes
The Poultry Judging Contest will be in Building 21. If you have attended countywide Poultry Project meetings, you have had some practice with your leader, Janine Leslie. There are also practice exercises online and at the link below. Classes will include exterior grading, candling, live birds, poultry cuts, etc.
Practice Poultry Judging
We still have some books available! The reading contest will consist of a test about the book you read. There are awards for each level of readers, which are to be presented at the County Fair Awards Ceremony on Saturday, August 1st, at 3:00 p.m.
The Livestock Skillathon tests 4-H members knowledge of animal science and livestock management practices. The contest consists of a 25 question quiz in areas of beef, swine, sheep and goats. There is a meat identification section. Quality Assurance questions for animal health and welfare. Other identification areas are: breeds, equipment, feeds & nutrition. There are study resources below at the link.
Livestock Skillathon study resources
Family & Consumer Science Judging- This contest is to test the decision-making skills of of the contestant when it comes to being a wise consumer in all aspects of life and as it pertains to personal choices for your nutrition, health, comfort and safety. -We make decisions everyday as consumers in what we purchase; to wear, to eat and how we spend our leisure time and furnish our living space. Do you consider yourself a wise consumer? Enter the contest to see how you do! Awards will be presented at the County Fair Awards Ceremony on Saturday, August 1st, at 3:00 p.m.

State 4-H Events

Kansas Energy Program is hosting free summer STEM workshops at three locations in Kansas for teachers of grades 4-12 in July, open to both formal and non-formal educators. Flyer lists early fall workshops. Check the link for more information
Kansas Energy Program free STEM educator workshops

Kansas State 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest Saturday, August 15, 2026 on K-State Campus *Youth must have earned a place at the qualifying county contest and been notified by 4-H or Sharon Ashworth.

Kansas State 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes Sat-Sun, August 22-23, 2026 on K-State Campus *Youth must have earned a place at the qualifying county Livestock Skillathon or Livestock Judging Contest and been notified by Nickie or Nancy, 4-H staff.

Kansas State 4-H Poultry Judging Contest 2nd Saturday of KS State Fair in Hutchinson, KS *Youth must have earned a place at the qualifying county Poultry Judging Contest and been notified by Nickie or Nancy, 4-H Staff

Our office makes all the entries for any members who will be competing in state contests as part of a team!

2026 Kansas State Fair Information

Who is this? This is Cornelius! Congratulations to Janice Richardson for winning the 2026 Kansas State Fair T-Shirt Contest with her design featuring a llama 🦙 You can get your very own Cornelius the Llama shirt at the Kansas State Fair, Sept. 11-20, 2026 at the Official Kansas State Fair Merchandise Booth located next to the Lair Interactive Water Fountain and across from Ye Old Mill. (It will not have the bottom text) We'll see you at the Fair!
Who qualifies to enter exhibits at KSF? Purple Award Winners - 9 yrs of age and older* Check the State Fair rules! Please make an entry using the link below! Bring your state fair projects to our office 9/04-9/08. Food entries can arrive as late as 5 p.m. on 9/08, only 2 entries per member, and nothing oversized for county vehicle transport. *Exceptions are Building Block Engineering and Visual Arts projects; the state limits our entries, so entries are selected by county fair judges. *Don't forget we are closed for Labor Day on Monday, 9/07!
Kansas State Fair Entries
Please bring your Static Project exhibits to our office beginning Friday, 9/4. These are exhibits which were pre-entered for the KS State Fair. We will be taking them to Hutchinson on Thursday, September 10th. If you have food entries you may wait as late as 9/08 by 5 p.m. Please read the rules for your entries and have the completed recipe, plans, comment card, or appropriate attachments for that project.
Kansas State Fair Entries

Douglas County 4-H Council Community Service Grants

4-H County Council Service Grant Form

This service grant program is hosted by the Douglas County 4-H Council. All 4-H community clubs, project clubs and county-wide groups are encouraged to participate in service to the community through the end of the 4-H year on September 30. The Douglas County 4-H Council has graciously agreed to pledge $2,500 to the service grants. The grant applications will be reviewed on February 16, April 20, and August 17. Applications will continue to be reviewed until all the funding has been awarded. The applications will be reviewed by the 4-H Council Service Committee.

Calendar of Event

June 30 - Douglas County Fair Entry Deadline, Online July 11 - Douglas County Fair Poultry Pullorum Testing, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m., Community Building RSVP Required July 11 - County-Wide Rocketry Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Building RSVP Required July 12 - 4-H Contest Day, 12:30 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds RSVP HERE for Details July 15 - County-Wide Poultry Project Meeting (fair prep), 6:00 p.m. Open Pavilion July 18 - Douglas County Fair 4-H Pet Show, 8:00 a.m. Building 21 | 4-H Dog Show, 1:00 p.m., Building 21 July 21 - Douglas County Fair 4-H Clothing Judging, 8:30 a.m., Building 21 July 22 - Douglas County Fair 4-H Fashion Review, 7:00 p.m., Building 21 July 26 - Douglas County Fair 4-H Horse Show, 8:30 a.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds Community Bldg. July 27 - August 1 - Douglas County Fair July 28 - Mandatory LIvestock Exhibitor Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in Open Pavilion August 2 - Douglas County Fair checkout and cleanup, 7:30 -10:30AM, Douglas County Fairgrounds

Non-discrimination Disclaimer

Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities, and programs accessible to all participants. Contact K-State Extension, Douglas County at 785-843-7058 should you require assistance due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

  • 4-H Summer Activities Recap
  • Douglas County Fair Information
  • 2026 County Fair 4-H Shows, Check-In times and highlights
  • Aerospace & Rocketry Project Meetings
  • Dog Project Meetings
  • Pets Project Meetings
  • DgCo 4-H Horse Project Club
  • Countywide Poultry Project Meetings and Fair Information
  • Douglas County Contest Day
  • State 4-H Events
  • 2026 Kansas State Fair Information
  • Douglas County 4-H Council Community Service Grants
  • Calendar of Event
  • Non-discrimination Disclaimer

Credits:

Created with images by Nicholas J. Klein - "Carnival county fair with ferris wheel attraction at dusk" • Cavan for Adobe - "Model rockets ready to be launched" • Nicole Ciscato - "Palomino quarter horse at show" • Irin - "Chicken or hen was holded by her owner, Concept of caring farming or agriculture.,An eco-friendly or organic farm.,Free cage hen, happy and healthy chicken in outdoor farm.,slow lifestyles." • BillionPhotos.com - "A test tube with blood test for influenza.Checking the chicken" • Thares2020 - "Comprehensive Guide to Citizen Science Projects Exploring Wildlife and Nature Through Magnifying Glass" • Jasmine - "Photographers selecting pieces for a photo contest" • daseaford - "The Judging of Eggs of Different Varieties and Types." • Brad Pict - "Save the date !" • pureradiancecmp - "blue ribbon fruits and vegetables at a state fair"