ISU Extension and Outreach Clay County

08/24/2026

🚨 Today is the LAST day for 4-H/FFA livestock late fair entries!🚨

August 24th is the last day for Clay County Fair 4-H/FFA livestock & animal late entries to be accepted with a $25/exhibitor late fee.

We welcome exhibitors from across Iowa, the bottom two tiers of Minnesota (all of Minnesota for swine), and bordering counties in Nebraska and South Dakota. If you're an active 4-H or FFA member, we hope to see you in the ring!

🍀 Register here: https://claycounty4hffafair.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/23096
🍀 Non-livestock projects to be pencil judged can be dropped off at the 4-H Exhibit Building on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 8 & 9, from 3:00-7:00 p.m.

2026 Clay County 4-H and FFA Fair Book:https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clay/files/documents/2026%20FAIR%20BOOK%20FINAL.pdf
FairEntry Help Sheet:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clay/files/documents/FairEntry.Family.Entries.4HO.0625%20%282%29.pdf
Clay County Fair 4-H/FFA Website:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clay/county-fair

📞 Questions? Call us at 712-262-2264
We can’t wait to see you at the World’s Greatest County Fair! 🎡💚

08/19/2026

🌟 FFA Day CDE Opportunities at the Clay County Fair! 🌟

🐄🐴 Ready to test your skills?

New this year at FFA Day at the Clay County Fair, students can compete in Career Development Events (CDEs) in:

• Livestock
• Horse
• Dairy Cattle
• Meats
• Poultry
• Milk Products

These contests are designed to be novice-friendly, making them a great opportunity for youth who want to learn more about animal science and agriculture. 4-H members are welcome!

Along with the contests, students can enjoy a National FFA Officer keynote, college fair, leadership workshop, and time at the Clay County Fair.

📅 September 15, 2026
📝 Register for CDEs by September 1
🔗 Registration and Details: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdd3ouzv5mNUePtiBeDoPe-DvFGDwE1lz40Ad5LkId7ux6VwA/viewform
Open to teams from NE, MN, SD, and IA

Iowa FFA CDE Information:
https://www.ffa.org/participate/cde-lde/
https://www.iowaffa.com/cde.aspx

08/18/2026

We spotted some Clay County Projects!

Congratulations to our 4-H members on their static exhibits at the Iowa State Fair!

We are proud of you! ❤️🍀

08/18/2026

🚨 Less than 1 Week Left for Livestock Late Entries! 🚨

Clay County Fair 4-H/FFA livestock late entries are still being accepted until August 24, 2026, with a $25/exhibitor late fee.

We welcome exhibitors from across Iowa, the bottom two tiers of Minnesota (all of Minnesota for swine), and bordering counties in Nebraska and South Dakota. If you're an active 4-H or FFA member, we hope to see you in the ring!

🍀 Register here: https://claycounty4hffafair.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/23096
🍀 Non-livestock projects to be pencil judged can be dropped off at the 4-H Exhibit Building on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 8 & 9, from 3:00-7:00 p.m.

2026 Clay County 4-H and FFA Fair Book:https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clay/files/documents/2026%20FAIR%20BOOK%20FINAL.pdf
FairEntry Help Sheet:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clay/files/documents/FairEntry.Family.Entries.4HO.0625%20%282%29.pdf
Clay County Fair 4-H/FFA Website:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clay/county-fair

📞 Questions? Call us at 712-262-2264

08/17/2026

Results are in!

🍀❗️4-H Livestock and Static Exhibits Judging Results❗️🍀

These are preliminary results. Results will not be final until September 11. Some results are incomplete. Evaluation of exhibits in some divisions is ongoing.

Results found here ➡️ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/iowa-state-fair-results

08/12/2026

Thanks, Rabbit Ranglers! 🐰

This summer, the Rabbit Ranglers 4-H Club chose to donate the proceeds from their horse show fundraiser to the Together for Tomorrow campaign, supporting all of Clay County 4-H.

Thank you, Rabbit Ranglers, for your hard work, generosity, and commitment to building a better tomorrow for our 4-H youth! 💚🍀

🐰 A LITTLE THROWBACK TO JULY… BECAUSE THIS ONE DESERVES TO BE SHARED!

We may be a little late getting this post out… okay, a LOT late. 😂 But sometimes a great story is worth telling, even if we’re stepping back into summer for a minute!

Back on July 11 & 12, the Rabbit Ranglers 4-H Club hosted a breakfast and lunch during a weekend horse show at the Clay County Fairgrounds. And they didn't just raise money for their own club—they chose to donate their proceeds to the Together for Tomorrow fundraising campaign, benefiting ALL of Clay County 4H! ❤️

Thanks to their hard work, they raised an incredible $834.61! 🎉 That money will help us continue making improvements to the areas and spaces that Clay County 4-H'ers use at the Clay County Fair.

And just look at those smiling faces! 🥰 These kids were up early, working, serving food, and helping make their fundraiser a success. What a great example of 4-H'ers working together for something bigger than themselves.

This is EXACTLY what we love about Together for Tomorrow. It's not just about one club, one project, or one fundraiser. It's about Clay County 4-H working together. 💚

We LOVE seeing 4-H clubs find their own creative ways to support this campaign and invest in the future of the 4-H Exhibit Building and the spaces our youth use during the Fair.

A HUGE thank-you to the Rabbit Ranglers for choosing to make Together for Tomorrow part of their summer fundraiser. Your hard work makes a difference, and we are so grateful! 👏👏👏

🐰 Rabbit Ranglers, you guys are pretty amazing!

And to all of our Clay County 4-H clubs: Thank you for helping us build a better tomorrow—together. ❤️

08/12/2026

Tots and Tomatoes, our youth gardening program, finished up this week. We had a great season growing all kinds of vegetables!

08/12/2026

Get Harvest Ready with Combine University!

Join Iowa State University's Digital Ag Innovation Lab for Combine University, a hands-on, one-day workshop designed to help operators maximize harvest efficiency, improve yield data accuracy and reduce grain loss.

📅 August 24, 25 or 26, 2026
🕣 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Blomgren Seeds, Boone, Iowa

Participants will gain practical experience in machine setup, yield monitor calibration, grain loss reduction, residue management and preventative maintenance to keep combines operating efficiently throughout harvest.

💲 Registration: $249
📅 Registration deadline: August 19, 2026

👉 Register today: https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/digitalag/combine-university/

Questions? Contact Luke Fuhrer at [email protected].

08/11/2026

Gain knowledge in recent survey trends and market outlook
Strengthen tenant and landowner communications
Understand how a farmland lease is impacted by a farm estate or succession plan Calculate a fair cash rent with current economic conditions
Registration for the two and one-half hour meeting includes the newest FARMLAND LEASING ARRANGEMENTS book, one per registrant.

REGISTRATION FEE $30 per individual or $35 per couple. Walk-ins or late registrations may require an additional fee.

08/11/2026

FYI. Always an excellent opportunity to learn!

Today is Hunter Education Field Day!

Interested in hunting or looking to complete your Iowa Hunter Education certification? Join us for the upcoming Hunter Education Field Day at the Oneota Environmental Learning Center.

Date: Tuesday, August 11
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: Oneota Environmental Learning Center
420 10th Ave SE, Spencer, IA 51301

Hunter Education is a mandatory program designed to introduce participants to the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities needed for safe and ethical hunting. In Iowa, anyone born after January 1, 1972 must successfully complete Hunter Education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license.

Important: Before attending the field day, you must complete the online Hunter Education course. Once you've finished the online portion, print your Field Day Voucher and bring it with you to class.

To begin the online course or learn more about Hunter Education, visit:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/.../hunti.../hunter-education-safety

For questions or to register, contact:
Oneota Environmental Learning Center
(712) 262-2187

or

Conservation Officer Joe Yarkosky
(712) 260-1004
[email protected]

Whether you're preparing for your first hunting season or completing your certification requirements, we look forward to seeing you at the field day!