Cass County Fair - Iowa

04/06/2026

02/27/2026

We're so thankful to have an extension office that we work so well with. They go above and beyond for our county youth every single day.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were hosted by the staff of Cass County Extension on Thursday, February 26th, where they welcomed a new team member and learned more about the organization’s programs and services.

During the visit, Kate Olson, Director, introduced the Ambassadors to Judy Sandbothe, who joined the Extension team as office assistant at the end of 2025. Olson also shared an overview of the structure and purpose of Cass County Extension, explaining that the organization is funded through property tax support, program revenue, grants, and partnerships. As a tax-levying body, Extension works to provide research-based education and resources to residents across the county.
Extension programming supports individuals and families through a wide range of opportunities, including agriculture and natural resources education, youth development, family and consumer science programming, nutrition and wellness education, and community leadership initiatives. These programs aim to strengthen local farms, families, businesses, and communities by connecting residents with trusted information from Iowa State University.

Katie Bateman, Youth Coordinator, highlighted the impact of local 4-H programming, which operates under the motto “Making the Best Better.” Cass County 4-H currently serves 194 youth in grades 4 through 12, along with 68 younger participants in Clover Kids for kindergarten through third grade. The county is home to 10 4-H clubs and five Clover Kids clubs, all made possible through the dedication of 35 volunteers who support youth development and hands-on learning experiences.

The Ambassadors appreciated learning more about the educational programs, leadership opportunities, and community partnerships supported by Cass County Extension and the important role the organization plays in serving residents of all ages.

For more information on Extension programming visit their website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. The Cass County Extension office is located at 805 W. 10th St., Atlantic and is open Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM.

02/24/2026

In the next 137 days, Ian Hill will lead 132 events across 20 states and provinces to kick off the 2026 You Make THE Difference Tour.

From Alberta to Florida. From Maine to Washington.

This is a direct investment in the fairs and agricultural societies that anchor rural communities — equipping board members and volunteers with practical tools to strengthen engagement, clarify purpose, and elevate impact.

Fairs matter. The people who lead them matter even more.

Fairs.com is proud to sponsor this momentous effort.

For more info or to apply to receive a YMTD grant see link in comments

02/24/2026

Should Leah Ohms’ passion for agriculture be attributed to nature or nurture? In the case of the CAM high school junior, we have to believe it is a combination of the two. DNA could certainly be a factor considering she comes from a long line of farmers on both sides of her family. Leah is proud to be the 7th generation involved in agricultural production. But don’t count out her lived experience. Growing up on a diversified family farm while being actively involved in both FFA and 4-H has certainly nurtured her love for agriculture, especially when it comes to working with livestock. She wants to give a shout out to her parents for the ongoing encouragement they provide as she explores and excels in her agricultural pursuits.

Leah’s primary FFA SAE (supervised agriculture experience) involves producing, raising, and marketing lambs. She is already off to a good start for 2026. Lambing began in January. “It is always a good feeling when the first ewes lamb and you have the lambs off to a good start.” Iowa winters are notorious for extreme cold, wind and snow. This veteran sheep producer notes that preparation is key to success. Providing shelter with plenty of straw for bedding, a few heat lamps and plenty of good old fashioned attention, you can beat the cold temperatures and be ahead of the game with January lambs. “ I use a cross breeding program to produce rapid gaining lambs and depending on the matings, they can be white, black, or speckled faced.."

Her favorite part of her sheep project is seeing her hard work pay off. Genetics, feed, and care all play into the profitability of her sheep production enterprise. Leah says that receiving the check when she sells her finished lambs is more than dollars and cents. It provides confirmation that she has been doing things right. It should come as no surprise that her favorite high school ag class has been animal science.

Leah enjoys representing her chapter at livestock judging contests, and has won many ribbons attesting to her ability to evaluate livestock. Recently, she was notified that she will be presented the Iowa Degree at the State FFA Convention in April. She got on the right track for the degree progression offered by FFA early on, being named her chapter’s Outstanding Greenhand as a freshman.

Exhibiting in FFA at the Cass County Fair - Iowa is another way to gauge her skills and growth. Last year one highlight for the photography buff was earning the champion FFA photo prize. Her winning photo featured native milkweed. Although Leah doesn’t have specific plans for the future other than attending college, she knows she wants to continue to develop her photography skills. Whether she uses them as part of her professional career, for personal memories, or as a lifelong hobby, she loves this means of engaging with the world around her.

Currently serving as sentinel of her chapter, Leah feels one real advantage FFA provides for her is in the area of communication. “ I would have described myself as shy when I started high school. FFA has helped me take a step out of my comfort zone.” Leah has participated in many FFA contests which have resulted in developing formal speaking and thinking skills. But beyond those crucial tools, she feels the opportunity to go to conferences and conventions provides a unique environment to meet and become friends with teens who share similar interests. Leah is able to put her networking, collaborating, and leadership skills to work as a planning team member for the multi-county Speak Out for Agriculture (SOFA) program.

An important part of FFA’s focus is building connections with the wider community. One of Leah’s favorite service projects involves helping with illumination of Anita’s annual Christmas festivities. “It is so beautiful, the National Honor student shares. “And your work is so visible.” Letting those lights shine is a rewarding way of bringing joy to one and all.

The CAM FFA chapter has activities planned for each day of National FFA week. Leah is especially excited about the coin wars taking place this year. Jars, designated as potential votes for school staff members, will be available to the entire student body, faculty, and staff. All coins deposited will be used to help build an addition to the Cass County Fair FFA foodstand. “The person whose jar ends with the most money ‘wins’ the opportunity to kiss a baby animal, in front of the student body”, explains Leah with a bit of a giggle.

Happy National FFA to Leah and all the members of the CAM FFA chapter. Best wishes to the CAM teachers. We are anxious to see who wins that animal kiss while contributing to a great cause. Go ahead and feel free to stuff those jars.

02/14/2026

How fortunate are we to be stewards of the tradition we call the county fair. 💛

We’re proud to stand alongside so many dedicated DIFFERENCE MAKERS across Southwest Iowa who are committed to strengthening their communities. With the support and guidance of incredible partners like the Association of Iowa Fairs and this powerful YMTD initiative, we’re excited to push the fair onward and upward for generations to come.

JOIN US. We're about to show you why. 

Packed house for the first Iowa YMTD tour stop this morning in IA. 70 fair directors from SW Iowa are united in their commitment to their communities and society. It is exciting to see the difference they will make to build community cohesiveness! Thank you Cass County Fair - Iowa for hosting this event in their beautiful community center. Association of Iowa Fairs recognized the need for this initiative to come to Iowa. Hey Iowa fairs, there is still time to register for the upcoming sessions across Iowa in 2 week

02/13/2026

Thanks to a national grant sponsored by Fairs.com, every fair board, volunteer team, and ag society in our state will receive fully funded training, tools, and support to strengthen the future of our fairs.

This movement exists for one reason - to ignite the Difference Makers who keep our communities alive.

Cass County Fair Board is proud to host the Southwest District workshop!
📍 Cass County Community Building
🗓 February 14 (yes, THIS Saturday!)
⏰ 9:00 AM

👥 Who should attend?
• Fair board members
• Exhibition organizers
• Volunteers
• Community leaders
• Chamber members
• County supervisors & superintendents
• Extension council members
• Sponsors
• Anyone passionate about the future of our fair!

At the workshop, you’ll learn:
• Proven strategies to raise more money for the fair and community
• Tools to recruit and retain volunteers
• Solutions to beat volunteer burnout and keep energy high

Led by award-winning ag society and fair advocate, Ian Hill.

It's FREE! But we need a head count for food.
To register,
➡️ go to iowafairs.com
➡️then go to meetings,
➡️ then district meetings.

We hope you'll join us so we can all work together to make a difference in our county fair and community!

02/10/2026

It’s Official — You Make THE Difference is coming to Iowa! 🎉

Thanks to a national grant sponsored by Fairs.com, every fair board, volunteer team, and ag society in our state will receive fully funded training, tools, and support to strengthen the future of our fairs.

This movement exists for one reason - to ignite the Difference Makers who keep our communities alive.

Cass County Fair Board is proud to host the Southwest District workshop!
📍 Cass County Community Building
🗓 February 14 (yes, THIS Saturday!)
⏰ 9:00 AM

👥 Who should attend?
• Fair board members
• Exhibition organizers
• Volunteers
• Community leaders
• Chamber members
• County supervisors & superintendents
• Extension council members
• Sponsors
• Anyone passionate about the future of our fair!

At the workshop, you’ll learn:
• Proven strategies to raise more money for the fair and community
• Tools to recruit and retain volunteers
• Solutions to beat volunteer burnout and keep energy high

Led by award-winning ag society and fair advocate, Ian Hill.

It's FREE! (But we need a head count for food.)
To register,
➡️ go to iowafairs.com
➡️then go to meetings,
➡️ then district meetings.

We hope you'll join us so we can all work together to make a difference in our county fair and community!

Please share this post for us!

02/03/2026

More sneak peaks at some amazing and generous items for our auction. This Saturday, February 7 at 5:30 PM at the Cass County community center in Atlantic, Iowa.

Casscofairia.com/dinnerfundraiser