County Fair Details

Jon Gordon, a famous author said, “The people and organizations who thrive are those who embrace change during challenging times.”  These are indeed challenging times.  We will come out of these times stronger as we continue to live by the 4-H Motto, “To Make the Best Better.”  

I cannot emphasize the importance of checking your email, the fair websites at https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/4-h/county-fairs/index.html during this time.  Things are still very fluid and can change at any time.  It is also vital to READ everything entirely! 

During the these times, we must remain vigilant to keep safety of the participants, volunteers, judges, and public top priority as we transition to face-to-face programming.  We must consider the following and note that no participant should be asked to participate in any manner that makes them feel uncomfortable or is unsafe.  In order to practice social distancing (social distancing is at least 6 feet between people) and for the safety of everyone, we are strongly encouraging the following:

• Reduce the physical closeness of participants and the length of time they are close to each other.
• The use of cloth face coverings.
• Reduce the amount of necessary touching of shared equipment/materials.
• Whenever possible, group participants/volunteers from the same household together.
• Discourage handshakes, hugs or any other signs of greeting that violate physical distancing.
• Limit sharing of items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect.
• Circulate outdoor air as much as possible.
• Prioritize outdoor activities where social distancing can be maintained as much as possible.

The pre-fair entry deadline for BOTH fairs has been extended to Sunday, July 5, 11:59 p.m.  All pre-entries will be done ONLINE for BOTH fairs. EVERY EXHIBIT will need to be pre-entered. 

Conference Judging:  Conference judging is a staple to the 4-H experience.  This year, in-person conference judging will not take place for static exhibits that will be displayed in the 4-H Building.  We are taking the Kansas State Fair approach for judging this year.  Therefore, for each exhibit in the 4-H Building (this will include the rabbit educational entries), the 4-H member is asked to complete the Conference Judging Form and attach to the exhibit (along with the completed entry card).  The Conference Judging Form is located on both county fair websites and is uploaded as a Microsoft Word document.  This form may be picked up at either Extension Office OR you may print it yourself.  The document can be typed or legibly handwritten.

4-H Livestock:  Please read the Division Details and the Fair Schedule for specific information.

Virtual Classes:  To help minimize the gathering of people, some divisions and/or classes will be held virtually.  We will be using a web-based program called Flipgrid for some divisions / classes.  After pre-entries are due, details will be emailed (using the email address on file and/or submitted with the pre-entry) to the 4-H members who pre-entered into the divisions / classes using Flipgrid.  Refer to the Division Details document under each county fair page for the divisions and/or classes going virtual.

Judging Contests:  The Photography and FCS judging contests will be held online.  Details will be emailed out to ALL 4-H members.

Ottawa County Fair:

• The Fair Schedule and Fair Paper can be found on the website at https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/4-h/county-fairs/ottawa/
• Read the Division Details document thoroughly for details not included in the county fair paper.

• EVERY EXHIBIT will need to be pre-entered. 

• Note:  On the Tuesday of the fair, enter exhibits in the 4-H Building before checking in and weighing livestock.

Tri-Rivers Fair:

• The Fair Schedule and Fair Paper can be found on the website at https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/4-h/county-fairs/tririvers/
• Read the Division Details document thoroughly for details not included in the county fair paper.
• EVERY EXHIBIT will need to be pre-entered.  Some divisions will have a specific ONLINE pre-entry form located on the website.  If your division is not listed by name, please use the 4-H Divisions Not Already Pre-Entered link for all other exhibits.

As comprehensive as we have tried to make the information on the website and this email, inevitably I am sure we have missed something.  After you have reviewed all the information, do not hesitate to contact us with questions. 

See you all at the county fair!

Horse Details

Below are some details for our 4-H Horse families.  Items are broken down by topic for easy of finding information.

If you have questions, please contact either Extension Office.

Horse Clinics

Registration will be $5/person or $15/family and should be paid to either Extension Office before the date of the clinic.  To register for either one of these clinics, please go to https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Ot9KO5lFq4dzkF.  Online registration and payment is due one week prior to the clinic.

Saturday, July 18, 1 p.m. – Speed Event and Trail Clinic – Expo Center, Ag Hall, Salina

Sunday, July 26, 1 p.m. – Horse Clinic – Expo Center, Ag Hall, Salina

Questions about these clinics?  Please contact Jennifer Watkins (watkins9468@yahoo.com).

Level Testing

If you have not already taken and passed the Horse Level Test requirements, below are the steps you will need to take.

1. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. 😊  To date – No one has contacted us to do the testing.
2. Study for the written test.  Level I is all you need to worry about unless you are participating in the 3-year old Snaffle Bit Contest and/or the level 2 and up Horsemanship classes.  Here are the links for the various level study guides - Level I; Level II; Level III.
3. Before the test will be administered, you need to complete pages 1 and 14, get all the signatures.  Since the Extension Offices are starting to open back up, you will need to bring the payment (see #4 for details) and the form into the Extension Office.  Sarah will then sign the form.  Once this is received, we will contact Bev Seuser to let her know we’ve received your information and payment.  YOU will then need to contact Bev to schedule the test.  You will need to contact Bev 24-48 hours in advance of when you want to take the written test.  You will need to email her your name, phone number, date and time you plan to take the test.  She will email you a link to take the test close to the test time you indicated in your email to Bev.
4. Additionally, before the test will be administered, you will need to bring a $10 check made out to the Kansas 4-H Foundation to the Extension Office.  Please bring this to the office when you bring in the pages 1 & 14 (see #3).
5. About the test…
1. Each exam has 50 questions.
2. Each exam must be completed in one sitting.
3. 70% is required to pass all exams.
4. The score is visible at the conclusion of the exam.
5. An automated confirmation email with final score will also be sent to the email address entered at the beginning of the exam.
6. Each youth should forward this email to Carol (cmcraver@ksu.edu) and Bev (classy3560@gmail.com) to confirm exam completion.
6. Once you have taken the written test, you will need to take the groundwork portion of the test.
1. Details of what will be required begins on page 15 of the Level 1 study guide.
2. Contact one of the individuals below to schedule and receive directions regarding the groundwork portion of the test (will be by video or live stream using Zoom or other program)

                                                    i.     Dr. Becky Dillon, 620-241-1523, wwdandybee@hotmail.com

                                                   ii.     Sarah Brown, 785-470-0771, sebrown1984@gmail.com  

                                                  iii.     Karen Baehler, 316-650-1385, baehlerk@yahoo.com

3. If you do not receive any response back from any of the three reviewers above, contact Sarah (semaass@k-state.edu).

Kansas State Fair (KSF)

Below are the revised steps to qualify for the 2020 KSF 4-H Horse Show.  You will need to READ THEM CAREFULLY.  There is not any room for error with the timeline and guidelines below.  If you have questions, do not hesitate to reach out.

1. DONE - Submit Horse ID by May 1.
2. 4-H member must be 9-years of age, 4-H age, to participate.
3. Horse Level Testing must be completed NO LATER THAN July 15.  This includes the written and groundwork tests.
4. Local participation and general project learning is REQUIRED (i.e., participation at the county fair).

We are still waiting to hear from the State 4-H Office regarding how KSF Horse entries will be handled.