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Clover Chatter

CHARLES MIX COUNTY

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!

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 May 18 @ Starts at 6:0 An Fair May 18 @ 4-H

Link to State Horse Show Contestant Packet: https://extension.sdstate.edu/s tate-horse-show-judging-andhippology.

Hearty Helpers

Birthdays This Month!

Meet the second Sunday of each month in Lake Andes or Geddes

Ainsley Gustad 05/02

Community Hardworkers

Oaklyn Peterson 05/02

Meet the second Sunday of each month in Wagner.

Shawn Smejkal 05/04

Travis Krcil 05/07

Dashel Smejkal 05/08

Griffin Erickson 05/09

Dawson Gustad 05/16

Aspen Laska 05/18

Carson Blaha 05/19

Taeya Havranek 05/20

Emery Bultje 05/25

Jayme Bergin 05/28

Carter Smejkal 05/29

Hannah Meyer 05/30

Clubs

Congratulations to those participants at State Shoot! Luke Dangel, Emma Kreeger, Ca Payer, Case Havranek, Taeya Havranek, Sophie Jensen, Kip Beeson, Carter Smejkal, Dashe Smejkal, Dusti Laska, Luke Lask

Ethan Blaha, Logan Blaha, Katel Dvorak, Hannah Meyer, Lainey Martin

Lauren VonEschen 05/31

State Shoot

Important Dates

May 1 - Late Rodeo Contestant Entry Deadline st

May 31 - Need to be enrolled in 4-H online to show animals st

June 1 - DNA Submission Deadline st

June 1 - Animals need to be uploaded on to 4-H online st

June 1 - Deadline to complete Youth Horse Literacy st

June 2 - Deadline for State Horse Show Stall Reservations nd

June 10 - Fair Entry Opens th

June 15th - 16th - Clover Classic

June 21-26 - National 4-H Shooting Sports ChampionshipGrand Island NE

June 30 - County Horse Show th

July 1 - Deadline to Register for State Horse Show st

July 13 - State 4-H Horse Show - Huron th

July 28 , 30-31 County Fair Dates th

SDSU Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer in accordance with the nondiscrimination policies of South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents and the United States Department of Agriculture.

BBQ tickets

This year the BBQ on Thursday will have a fee if you do not attend a club meeting to receive tickets to sell please reach out to the office to sell some.

Office update

Lesley will be out of the office end of May through mid July on FMLA. Make sure you are getting answers to any questions and not waiting last minute as Jo Cee also works in other offices in the courthouse.

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

StateEventsWebinar(#3):SDSUExtensionwillhostapublicwebinarover ZoomonMay11,2026,from7:00-9:00p.m.CDTtoprovideupdatestomultiple State4-Hevents,includingenteringanimalsin4-HOnline,typesofEIDtags, YouthLivestockLiteracyandYouthHorseLiteracyreminders,CloverClassicand otherupcomingevents,alongwithareviewofStateFairinformationdiscussedin previouswebinars.Registrationisrequiredto receivetheZoomlinkandremindersandcanbecompletedonlineat https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/4-h-state-events-update-webinar.

Miner County 4-H Livestock Judging Workout

Tuesday, June 2nd 6:00 pm Miner County 4-H Grounds

203 West Wilson, Howard, SD Go south at the Howard Animal Clinic on 434th Ave (about 1.5 blocks). Please check in at the Quonset—do not go to the 4-H building. Classes will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with a flexible come-and-go format. Participants can expect 5–6 classes, along with a scenario, questions, and a beginnerfriendly quiz covering breed and parts identification. Official placing cards will be available, and a mini Skill-a-thon will be set up in the Quonset for those who want to practice. This is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills ahead of the 2026 Clover Classic on June 15–16

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.

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

SheepandMeatGoatIDWorkshops

Therewillbe3workshopsofferedinMaywhereparticipantscanattendtolearnmore aboutthechangeswiththeRFIDrequirementsforthisyear.Participantswilllearnabout theIDrequirements,properimplementationofthetags,properDNAcollection,andcan alsoparticipateinaYLLactivitytocompletethatrequirementfortheyear.Participantscan alsobringalongtheiranimaltoreceiveadditionalsupportoftaggingtheiranimaland collectingtheDNA.Theseworkshopswillbeheldatthefollowingdatesandlocations:

•May21stat6:00pminAberdeen

oBrownCountyFairgrounds

•May26that6:00pminSalem

oMcCookCountyFairgrounds

•May28that6:00pminBrookings

oSDSUAnimalScienceArena

AlimitednumberofAllflex982RFIDtagsillbeavailableforpurchasefor$5/tag

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.

CloverClassicRegistrationandContestantPacket

ThefirsteverCloverClassicwillbetakingplaceJune15-16,2026,inBrookings,SD. RegistrationisnowopenandcanbefoundontheSD4-HWebsite.Pleasenotethat registrationfortheCloverClassicwillcloseJune1at11:59PMCT.Allcontest informationandscheduledetailscanbefoundwithintheCloverClassicContestant Packetwhichislinkedhere:https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/202604/MC-04224.pdf

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