Stratford Spirit 4-H Club -Iowa

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Stratford Spirit 4-H'ers Olivia Bergman, Lexi Mathes, and their team!

Our County Youth Livestock Judging Team has their first official contest of the year in the books!

Our group made the trip to Ames, Iowa, where members had the opportunity to experience a livestock judging contest firsthand. From evaluating classes to listening to reasons and watching how contests run, this was a great learning experience for everyone involved. Each of our youth took a step forward, gaining confidence, building skills, and growing their understanding of the judging process.

We’re excited to take everything we learned from this contest and apply it to future practices as we continue to improve throughout the season.

05/15/2026

Stratford Spirit 4-H Club member, Delaney Paulson!

Senior Spotlight

This week, we are recognizing Delaney Paulson of the Stratford Spirit 4-H Club! Delaney has been involved in County Youth Council, Dog Project, Horse Project, and Goat Project throughout her 4-H career.

One of Delaney’s favorite 4-H memories is playing UNO in the horse barn and participating in Supreme Showmanship at the Hamilton County Fair, memories that truly capture the friendships, fun, and experiences that make 4-H so special.

Thank you, Delaney, for your dedication, leadership, and involvement in Hamilton County 4-H. We are excited to see all the great things ahead for you and wish you the best in your future adventures!

05/15/2026

ANIMAL ID IS DUE TOMORROW!

Please make sure all animal IDs are entered before the deadline to ensure eligibility to show at the county and state fair. No exceptions will be made.

If you have already entered your IDs, please double-check that all information is correct. Today is the best day to call, email, or text Kaylee with any questions or concerns. Kaylee will be out of the office tomorrow. While she will still have her cell phone and computer with her, please make it easier on yourself and on her by getting everything completed today.

05/15/2026

Get ready for fair season!

Join us for the 4-H Kick Off to Fair on June 14 from 4:00–6:00 PM at the Van Deist Building on the Hamilton County Fairgrounds!

Enjoy a free meal, get assistance with last-minute FairEntry help, and learn how to mat your photography exhibits (first two mats are free—bring your photos!). Youth can also create a Bucket of Flowers to exhibit at the fair (limited to the first 30 participants).

We’ll also have working exhibit demonstrations, goal sheet assistance, a Clover Kids activity, and plenty of fun for the whole family!

Please register by May 31: https://form.jotform.com/261186236563157

Don’t miss this great opportunity to get fair-ready—we hope to see you there!

04/14/2026

🌲🏕️ 4-H Clover Camp Registration Opens April 1!

Get ready for an unforgettable camp experience! 4-H Clover Camp will be held overnight June 3–5 at the Y Camp near Boone and is open to youth currently in 4th–6th grade from Boone, Dallas, Hamilton, Greene, Webster, and Story Counties.

Many families may remember this opportunity as the Tri-County Camp from previous years. The camp continues to offer the same great experience youth have loved, filled with outdoor adventure and fun with friends!

Campers will enjoy activities like swimming, climbing, archery, ziplining, outdoor adventures, crafts, campfires, and more.

💻 Registration opens April 1 in the Events tab on 4-H Online

💲 Cost: $75 per Hamilton County 4-H Camper, thanks to $175 of financial assistance from the Hamilton County 4-H Foundation per member

📅 Camp Dates: June 3–5

📍 Location: Y Camp near Boone

⚠️ Spots are limited and tend to fill quickly, so be sure to register early!

If you have any questions, please reach out. We hope to see many of our youth at camp this summer! ☀️🔥🎯

04/14/2026

HEY JUNIORS! CHECK THIS OUT!

Get ready for an unforgettable summer adventure! Kick off with a hands-on experience at Hansen Dairy Farm, where you’ll learn all about dairy cows and even meet kangaroos! Then, dive into an afternoon of splashes and slides at Lost Island Water Park. It’s the perfect mix of learning and fun—don’t miss out!

Register on 4-Honline today! Limited spots, registration closes April 15th! Open to all youth in grades 4-6.

04/14/2026

🐖 Swine Exhibitors – Important Fair Reminders!

If you’re planning to show at the Iowa State Fair or Hamilton County Fair, make sure you’re on track with these key deadlines and requirements 👇

✔️ DNA samples for state fair swine are due to the Extension Office by May 14 at 4:30 PM
✔️ All state fair swine must have an approved 4-H tag or USDA 840 tag
✔️ County fair swine must also have proper tagging to show
✔️ 4-Honline deadline is May 15th at 11:59 PM

📍 DNA tags, tags, and taggers are available at the Extension Office!

04/14/2026

🐑🐐 Sheep & Goat Exhibitors – Don’t Miss These Dates!

Fair season is coming quick, so make sure you’re ready 👇

📅 May 2 | 8–10 AM
Sheep & Goat Weigh-In at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds
✔️ All sheep & meat goats must be weighed and tagged
✔️ Dairy goats do NOT need to attend

⚠️ Can’t make it? Reach out ASAP!

⏰ May 15 Deadline
All livestock must be entered in 4-H Online by 11:59 PM

04/14/2026

🚨 Hamilton County Fair Livestock Exhibitors — Save This! 🚨

Your roadmap to the 2026 livestock exhibition season is here! 🐄🐖🐑🐐🐓

From weigh-ins to ID deadlines and FairEntry dates, staying on track is key to a successful fair experience. Be sure to mark your calendars and double-check those important deadlines so nothing gets missed!

✔️ Swine Tagging & DNA – April 1–May 15
✔️ Sheep & Goat Weigh-In – May 2
✔️ Animal ID Deadline – May 15
✔️ Poultry & Rabbit ID Deadline – June 1
✔️ FairEntry Open – May 16–June 15

03/31/2026

Stratford Spirit 4-H Club members Adley and Wyatt have been working to put together blankets as part of their club project. This week they were able to deliver them to the MGMC Oncology Department. Thank you to these two kids' efforts to make someone's stay a bit more comfortable.

03/31/2026

Happy April, Hamilton County 4-H! 🌷

April brings new energy, longer days, and even more opportunities to grow within 4-H. As spring gets into full swing, it’s a great time to stay motivated and continue building on the goals you set earlier this year. Whether you’re working on project areas, preparing for upcoming events, or getting ready for fair season, every step you take now sets you up for success later.

With activities picking up, April is all about staying engaged, trying new things, and making the most of every opportunity. From workshops and meetings to community service and leadership experiences, there are so many ways to get involved and continue growing your skills and confidence.

Read the April Hamilton County 4-H Newsletter Today at
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/hamilton/newsletter