Clover Chatter
CHARLES MIX COUNTY
If you have a premium check from last year's recognition night and you have not cashed it, please do so before June 30th. On July 1st, the checks will be void.
Record Books
Be sure to start filling out your record book for the 2025-2026
4-H year! Start early and set your goals! Lets have a great year!
Livestock Integrity Pledges
Below, I have attached a document you will need to sign before showing any animal. So, for horse show contestants, I need it before June 30th; for livestock shows, I need it before July 30th.
NO EXCEPTIONS Late Policy:
Starting in 2026, South Dakota 4-H will be implementing a No Exceptions Late Policy for the following state-level deadlines and events: • State Shoot registration deadline (11:59 PM CST April 16) • Clover Classic Quiz Bowl team registration (late May) • Animal Identification in 4HOnline AND DNA nomination (11:59 PM CST June 1) • Youth Horse Literacy Event completed (June 1) • Youth Livestock Literacy Event OR YQCA completed (July 1)
• State Horse Show exhibition classes registration and State Horse Quiz Bowl team registration (11:59 PM CST July 1)
• State Fair registration for livestock and display exhibits (11:59 PM CST August 1) • Eastern Dog Championship show and Western Dog Championship show (tentatively late July/early August) In the event you have missed one of the deadlines listed above, you will NOT be able to participate in that state level event. There will be no exceptions or opportunities to appeal. Any communication with 4-H professionals to plea, persuade, bribe, etc. will be grounds for membership suspension.
State Horse Show
We are excited to share that the 2026 State Horse Show Guide is now available on the Extension website. Please take a moment to review the guide.
Link to State Horse Show guide: State Horse Show, Judging and Hippology
Leaders A July 10th @ Starts at 6:0 An Fair July 20t @ 4-H
Link to State Horse Show Contestant Packet: https://extension.sdstate.edu/s tate-horse-show-judging-andhippology.
Important Info for Pre Registration for the County Fair
Pre-Registration for Achievement
Days
ALL Static and animals need to be pre-registered in Fair Entry by July 17th. Registration will open on June 10th.
Static Entry cards will be ready by the afternoon of July 24th and will be brought to Static Night to be filled out. If you would like to pick them up before static night, contact the office, and we will arrange it. Blank entry form cards will be provided for any last-minute entries.
Display Exhibit and other Entry Forms
All exhibits entered at the county fair will need a Display Exhibit Entry Form.
Photography will need a Photography Entry Form, which must be attached to the back of the photo in the top left corner, with all 4 corners secured. Photos must be attached to a foam board, which the office also provides.
Clothing exhibits must be brought on hangers. Clear, dry-cleaning bags to protect the garments are optional. Separate forms for each article of clothing will be needed.
Other Display Exhibit forms are found at https://extension.sdstate.edu/statefair. If you have other questions related to Display Exhibit Forms, contact the office. Another good resource is the State Fair Book, available on this website. https://extension.sdstate.edu/state-fair
Horse Show
The Charles Mix County Horse Show will be a joint horse show with Bon Homme at the 7N Arena in Springfield, SD, on June 30th. Stop by and support our horse members!
Hearty Helpers
Birthdays This Month!
Meet the second Sunday of each month in Lake Andes or Geddes
Riata Bultsma 07/01
Community Hardworkers
Luke Dangel 07/03
Meet the second Sunday of each month in Wagner.
William Bennett 07/07
Hadli Holzbauer 07/07
Paisley VanDusseldorp 07/12
Michael Dangel 07/15
Brody Krcil 07/18
Colby Krcil 07/19
Tyson Mushitz 07/20
Carter Beeson 07/20
Chance Hermanek 07/20
Braxtyn Hollenbeck 07/21
Evyn Frederick 07/24
Jazlyn Lhotak 07/28
Taryn Bennett 07/28
Tayten Bultsma 07/31
Lesley Rygaard 07/31
Clubs
Important Dates
June 30 - County Horse Show
July 1 - Youth Livestock Literacy Completion Deadline st
July 1 - Deadline to Register for State Horse Show
July 13 - State 4-H Horse Show - Huron
July 17 - Fair Entry Deadline
ImportantInfoforLivestockShowers
A.RequiringuseofRFIDtagsforallmarketanimals. WhythechangetoRFID:
1) Use is encouraged by and in some cases required by USDA, e.g., USDArequires official RFID 840 tags for interstatemovementofcattleincludingforallcattleofanyageusedforshowsorexhibitions.
2)Easeofuseforlargenumbersofanimalsbeingidentified–RFIDtagscanbescannedquickly,
3) Many other shows and states require RFID tags, e.g., Kansas requires 4-H RFID for all market and commercialanimals;
4) Most RFID tags are considered tamper-proof. Many animals already have RFID tags. By not requiring a specific brand/color/4-H RFID, exhibitors have the flexibility to use the type of RFID that works best within theirmanagementandotherexhibitionplans.
B.DeadlinesaredeadlinesandtherewillbenolateentriesacceptedforJune1for4-HOnline entriesofanimalsandAugust1forFairEntryStateFairentries.
C. CountyqualificationwillberequiredtoexhibitatStateFair.Thesameexactanimalsarenot requiredandthereisno“ribbon”qualifier. ThisgoesforStateHorseShowaswell,youthneedto exhibitinaneventtheyplacetoparticipateinattheStateHorseShow.Thereisnoribbon requirementforStateHorseShow,ifyouarenotabletocompeteinyourcountyyouwillneedto reachouttoothercountiestoparticipateattheirevent.
Thelackofcountyqualifyingeventsaffectslocalprogramsandsupportintermsofreducedentries,audiences, publicity,andsponsorship.
In the response to the county qualification question in the survey sent to livestock families in January, only 10%ofover300respondentsindicatedapreferencefornocountyqualificationrequirement.
D. A“ProtestandGrievancePolicy”thathasbeenthroughuniversitylegalandadministrative reviewwillbepublishedintheFairbook.Thepolicyincludesan“in-show”procedureaswellas “after-show”.
Events have rules and protocols to ensure safety and integrity for all participants. South Dakota 4-H supports the overall youth development program with policies and procedures that ensure safety and integrity statewide. Infrequently a 4-H member fails to abide by these frameworks and becomes subject to disciplinary action. If the disciplined or affected 4-H member disagrees with the disciplinary action/ non-action, the policy providesameanstoappealtheactionstakenbyevent/localdecision-makingentities.
Otherannouncements:
The4-HStateFairbookispublished.https://extension.sdstate.edu/state-fair-book TheStateHorseShowbookispublished.https://extension.sdstate.edu/state-horse-show-judging-and-hippology
South Dakota State Fair Photos From the 90’s Needed
South Dakota State Fair FlashbackAlert!The South Dakota State Fair is looking for photos from the State Fair in the 90’s for a special project!And yes, this includes the questionable hairstyles, oversized shirts, fanny packs, and all the fair fun that came with them! Help the South Dakota State Fair take a trip down memory lane and share your favorite fair memories
Please email any photos to the State Fair by the end of this week, Friday, June 26th. Photos are to be sent to RileyRoduner@state sd us
Helpfuldocumentsrelatedtoanimalidentification:
•Howtoenterananimalinto4-HOnline: https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2021-01/02-07-01-02.pdf
•AnimalOwnershipandIdentificationGuide: https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2026-04/MC-04120-V2.pdf
•SouthDakota4-HLivestockIDFAQs: https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2026-04/MC-04191.pdf
•SouthDakota4-HAnimalLeaseFormandRequirements: https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2026-02/MC-03361-v2.pdf
Animalsin4-HOnlinearenowopenandfamiliescanentertheiranimalsin4-HOnline. FamilieshaveuntilJune1stat11:59p.m.CDTtoenteranimalsin4-HOnline.Ifananimalis notenteredin4-HOnlinebyJune1stat11:59p.m.CDT,theanimalwillnotbeeligibletobe exhibitedattheSouthDakotaStateFairinthe4-Hdivision.
Afewtipsforenteringanimalsinto4-HOnline:
•Whenafamilyclickstoaddananimal,ascreenwillappearthatstatesAnimalType andwillstateTag,TattooorNumber.Whenitstatestagonthisscreen,itisnot askingfortheRFIDtagnumber,thistagnumberistheadditionaltag.Pleaseplace thetagnumberoftheadditionaltaginthislocation.Whenyouclickoncontinue, thereisaspotfortheRFIDtag.IfyouaccidentallyputtheRFIDtagintothisspot, whenyougettotheanimalinformation,itwillstatewhatistobeplacedinthetext boxforthatareaandyouareabletoupdateittothecorrectinformation.
RFIDtags:WhenenteringtheanimalwhereanRFIDtagisanoption,youmustput inbetween15and16charactersfortheRFIDtagsection.Itwillnotallowyouto entertheanimalifyoudonothavetheappropriatenumberofcharacters.For countyonlyanimals(notshowingattheStateFair)andyourcountydoesnot requireanRFIDtagfortheirAchievementDays/Fair,undertheRFIDtagplacethe animalstagnumberandthenaddtheappropriatenumberofzerostogettothe required15to16digits.Anexamplewouldbetagnumber128,entertheRFIDtag as128000000000000.
•Rabbits:Ifyoudonotknowtherabbit’sgenderduetoitsyoungage,doubleenter yourRabbitinbothgendersin4-HOnline.
•Poultry:Thebandnumberthatisenteredinto4-HOnlineisthebandnumberthat mustbeusedforyourPoultryexhibitatAchievementDays/FairandStateFair.The legbandnumberswillnotbeeditedaftertheanimaldeadline.Itissuggestedthat youlistthelegbandcolorwiththelegbandnumber.
•Animalsthatpersistfromyeartoyear(DairyCattle,Dog,DairyGoat,Horse, CompanionAnimal,PoultryandRabbits):Ifthereisananimalthatpersistsfrom yeartoyearin4-HOnline,youneedtore-activatethatanimalin4-HOnlineona yearlybasis.Ifyoudonotre-activatetheanimal,itwillnotbeactive,andyouwill notbeeligiblefortoexhibitthatanimalattheSouthDakotaStateFairinthe4-H Division.
•Horses:Arecentphotoofyourhorseisrequiredforidentification.A¾anglefrom thefrontleftorrightispreferred,whichclearlyshows anyfaceand/orleg markings.Ifthehorsehasabrand,thebrandshouldbevisibleinthephoto,ora secondphotoshouldbeadded.Additionalphotostomoreclearlyshowmarkings andcharacteristicsmaybeaddedbutarenotrequired.
PremierExhibitorContestInformation
PremierExhibitorContestinformationhasbeenupdatedandisnowavailableontheSD4HWebsite.PleasenotethatPremierExhibitorawardshavebeenbrokeninto9separate species.Youthmustparticipateinallthreecompetitionareasforthatspeciesinordertobe eligibleforthatspeciesPremierExhibitorAwards.Scoringinformationandagedivisions canbefoundwithinthePremierExhibitorContestguidelinkedhere: https://extension.sdstate.edu/south-dakota-4-h-premier-exhibitor-contests
Pleasereachouttokelsey.vanderwal@sdstate.eduor sdsu.4h@sdstate.eduwithanyquestions.
South Dakota 4-H LivestockIntegrityPledge
This pledge is arequired componentofSD4-H’slivestockeducationprogram Priortoagreeing,pleaseread,consider, and adopt the Livestock IntegrityPledge’sprinciplesinyourlivestockmanagementplanandshowpreparations
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
As a true 4-H’er, I pledge to uphold all of the livestock integrity standards listed in this document. I also pledge to make sure that any individuals who help me with my livestock projects uphold the same standards. If I discover that I (or my helpers) can no longer uphold this pledge, I will withdraw from the 4-H exhibition.
Handling and Care
1. In the process of training my animal, I will take great care not to strike my animal without cause or with harmful force.
2. To promote safety to others and myself, I will ensure my animal is trained and under control before participating in any livestock exhibition.
a. For haltered animals, I will use an appropriate, properly fitting halter.
b. During the exhibition, I will guide and direct my animal without striking.
i. During swine exhibitions, I will use my show stick as a guide not a weapon.
3. Though exhibiting livestock is fun, the main purpose of raising livestock is to produce safe food for consumers.
a. As a result, I will:
i. Provide adequate and regular food and water, timely and veterinarian-approved medical care, and appropriate shelter and/or fencing.
ii. Own/lease and care for my animal from at least June 1 of the current year through the end of this exhibition season or harvest, whichever comes first.
iii. Use a timely and responsible harvest plan.
b. Specifically, I will not:
i. Use drugs in an extra- or off-label manner without a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship.
(Extra- or off-label drugs cannot be used for performance enhancement.)
ii. ‘Hold off’ or force-feed my animal when not part of a treatment plan.
iii. Withhold water or ‘drench’ my animal when not part of a treatment plan.
Ethics and Co-opetition*
1.I will take an active role in grooming/fitting all of my exhibits in preparation for the exhibition. I will only enter the number of exhibits that allow me to take this active role in grooming/fitting each animal.
2. Regardless of my skill level or the day I am having, I will show all of my own exhibits unless I am sick/injured or I am showing in another 4-H activity at the same time. I will only enter the number of exhibits that make it likely I can show my own exhibits.
3. Other than developing my skills and preparing my exhibits, I will not unfairly influence the outcome of the exhibition.
a. Specifically, I will not:
i. Taunt, harass, or harm another exhibitor or event personnel.
ii. Touch another exhibitor’s animal without permission unless in an emergency.
iii. Contact the show judge prior to the show or during a break in the show.
iv. Artificially alter the weight of my animal or intentionally declare a false weight.
v. Inject air or other foreign materials into my animal.
vi. Perform any other prohibited act listed in the National Show Ring Code of Ethics.
4. If a younger or less experienced 4-H member comes to me for advice, I will help them. After all, by raising their skill level it will provide a more worthy challenge for me.
5. I will wear appropriate attire in the ring and will not use my attire or brand to influence a judge.
6. Though I may become emotional in the moment, overall I will celebrate my victories with humility and losses with grace.
*Learn more about co-opetition via the SD4-H Information Sheet entitled Competing the 4-H Way
Consequences
If I discover that I (or my helpers) can no longer uphold this pledge, I will withdraw from the 4-H exhibition. Should 4-H personnel directly observe me violating this pledge, I understand they will enact appropriate disciplinary measures within the SD4-H Code of Conduct.
Youth Printed Name:
Guardian Printed Name:
Today’s Date:
Annual pledge collection process:
Youth Signature:
Guardian Signature: ________________
County-level: Annual paper-based agreement collected prior to Achievement Days/County Fair. State-level: Annual electronic acknowledgment during FairEntry enrollment for 4-H State Fair.
Form last updated: April 1, 2022
4-HMEMBER’SANNUALREPORT COUNTY 4-HYEAR________to________
Name
Address__________________________________________________Zip
Date of Birth __________________________ Age (on January 1 of current club year)
County _______________________________ Years in 4-H (include present year)
Parent’s/Guardian’sName_______________________________________________________
Checkone:______amemberofa4-Hclub ______aspecialinterest4-Hgroupmember ______asanindividual(4-Hmemberatlarge)
Myspecialinterestgroupis_______________________________________________________
Mylocalclub’snameis__________________________________________________________ CluborGroupLeaders___________________________________________________________
CluborGroupLeaders
President__________________________VicePresident____________________________
Secretary__________________________Treasurer________________________________
Reporter___________________________Office__________________________________
Other4-HMembers
My4-HGoals:Thisyearin4-H,Iwouldliketodothefollowing:_______________________
MyClubhasthefollowinggoalsforthisyear:________________________________________
4-HMeetings/Activities
Duringtheyear,Iwillmakebriefnotesaboutmyplansandmyresponsibilitiesand accomplishmentsat4-Hclubmeeting,projectmeetingandactivities.Indicatewhatmeetingsyou attendedbyplacingacheckmark(√)inthemonthcolumn. July
Ididthefollowinginmyclub(L),county(C),orstate(S)thisyear. (checktheonesyoudid,andindicatethenumberifdonemorethanonetime).
1.Firstyearmembers:Ilearnedthe4-Hpledge.
2.Iwashostorhostessforourclub.
3.Iledthepledgesatourmeeting.
4.Iwentto 4-HCamp TeenCamp 4-HConference PerformingArts
5.Iwaselected ofourclub.
6.Iservedonthefollowingcommittees:
7.Ihelpedwiththefollowingcommunityserviceprojects:
8.Ipromoted4-Hinthefollowingways:
9.Iwasinvolvedinchurch,school,andcommunityactivities otherthan4-H.(list)
